Chevage

Chivage, Chiefage. L.Fr. and Eng. [L. Lat. chevagium, chivagium, from Fr. chef, a head.] In old English law. A tribute or sum of money formerly paid by villeins or bondmen, (servi) to their lords, in acknowledgment of their bondage. Bract fol.

6 b. Co. Litt 140 a.

Bracton speaks of it as paid by those villeins who were permitted to go about the country (vagantes per patriam,) and engage in employments, such as traders and hired workmen, {sicut mercatores vel mercenarii;) the payment being made in token of subjection to their lord, and of his property in them; (in signum suhjectionis, et dominii de capite suo.) Bract ub. sup. Chevage was so called, according to Spelman, because paid to the lord as to their chief or liead, (domino ianquam capiH.) Spelman, voc.

Chevagium

According to others, because it was paid for their several heads, (de capite suo,) being a kind of head or poll money.

Co. Litt 140 a.

Blount The Jews, while they were admitted to live in England, paid chevagium or poll money to the king; as appears by Pat. 8 Edw. I. par.

1. M. 15.

And it was three pence for every head, paid yearly at Easter, in token of their servitude. Stat, de Judaismo. Blount' Chevage seems also to have been used for a sum of money yearly given to a man of power, for his countenance and protection as a chief or leader. Termes de la ley.

Cowdl.