enfeoff

简明释义

英[ɪnˈfiːf]美[ɪnˈfef;enˈfef;enˈfɪf]

v. （在封建制度下）赐予封地；分封（土地、财产）

第 三 人 称 单 数 e n f e o f f s

现 在 分 词 e n f e o f f i n g

过 去 式 e n f e o f f e d

过 去 分 词 e n f e o f f e d

英英释义

单词用法

同义词

反义词

例句

1.The lord decided to enfeoff a loyal knight with lands in the north.

领主决定将北方的土地封给一位忠诚的骑士。

2.In medieval times, a king would enfeoff his vassals to ensure their loyalty.

在中世纪，国王会封给他的附庸以确保他们的忠诚。

3.To secure his support, the duke chose to enfeoff the baron with a rich estate.

为了确保他的支持，公爵选择将一块富饶的地产封给男爵。

4.The process to enfeoff a new tenant involves several legal steps.

将新租户封给的过程涉及几个法律步骤。

5.After the battle, the general was enfeoffed with the captured land as a reward.

战斗后，军官因战利品而被封给了所占领的土地作为奖励。

作文

In the feudal system of medieval Europe, land ownership was not merely a matter of personal possession; it was deeply intertwined with social status and power dynamics. One of the critical processes that defined this relationship was the act to enfeoff, which refers to the granting of land by a lord to a vassal in exchange for loyalty and service. This practice created a network of obligations and rights that structured society during that era. To enfeoff someone meant to formally invest them with land, thereby establishing a bond of fealty. The vassal, upon receiving the land, would pledge allegiance to their lord, promising to provide military support and other services as required. This mutual agreement was often solidified through a ceremony known as 'homage,' where the vassal would kneel before the lord and swear an oath of loyalty. The significance of enfeoffing cannot be understated, as it was foundational to the feudal system. It allowed lords to maintain control over vast territories without having to manage every aspect themselves. Instead, they relied on vassals to govern smaller regions, ensuring that their interests were protected and that they had a loyal military force at their disposal. In return, vassals gained not only land but also status and security, as their position was recognized within the social hierarchy. However, the process of enfeoffment was not without its complexities. Disputes over land ownership were common, and the relationships between lords and vassals could be fraught with tension. A vassal who failed to fulfill their obligations might find themselves stripped of their land, while a lord who was too heavy-handed could risk rebellion among his vassals. This delicate balance of power required careful negotiation and respect for established customs. As the centuries progressed, the practice of enfeoffing began to evolve. The rise of centralized monarchies diminished the power of local lords, leading to changes in land ownership and governance. The transition from feudalism to more modern forms of land tenure saw the decline of the enfeoffment system, as land became increasingly viewed as a commodity rather than a means of securing loyalty. Today, the term enfeoff may seem antiquated, yet its implications resonate in contemporary discussions about property rights, social contracts, and the nature of governance. Understanding this historical context allows us to appreciate how land ownership has shaped societies throughout history and continues to influence our world today. The legacy of enfeoffing reminds us that the relationships we forge—whether in feudal times or modern society—are built on mutual respect and shared responsibilities. In conclusion, the act of enfeoff was more than just a transfer of land; it was a cornerstone of feudal society that encapsulated the intricate web of loyalty, service, and power. By studying this concept, we gain insights into the foundations of social order and the evolution of property relations that have led to the systems we navigate in the present day.

在中世纪欧洲的封建制度中，土地所有权不仅仅是个人占有的问题；它与社会地位和权力动态深刻交织在一起。定义这种关系的关键过程之一是将土地授予封臣的行为，即enfeoff，这指的是领主将土地授予封臣，以换取忠诚和服务。这一做法创造了一种义务和权利的网络，构成了那个时代的社会结构。 对某人进行enfeoff意味着正式授予他们土地，从而建立忠诚的纽带。封臣在获得土地后，会向领主宣誓效忠，承诺提供军事支持和其他必要的服务。这种互惠协议通常通过一种称为“效忠仪式”的仪式来巩固，封臣在领主面前跪下，宣誓效忠。 enfeoffing的重要性不容小觑，因为它是封建制度的基础。它使领主能够控制广阔的领土，而无需亲自管理每一个方面。相反，他们依赖封臣管理较小的地区，确保自己的利益受到保护，并拥有忠诚的军事力量以备不时之需。作为回报，封臣不仅获得了土地，还获得了地位和安全，因为他们的身份在社会等级中得到了认可。 然而，enfeoffment的过程并非没有复杂性。关于土地所有权的争议是常见的，领主与封臣之间的关系可能充满紧张。未能履行义务的封臣可能会发现自己被剥夺土地，而过于强势的领主则可能面临封臣的叛乱。这种权力的微妙平衡需要谨慎的谈判和对既定习俗的尊重。 随着几个世纪的推进，enfeoffing的做法开始演变。中央集权的崛起削弱了地方领主的权力，导致土地所有权和治理方式的变化。从封建主义转向更现代的土地使用形式，使得enfeoffment系统逐渐衰退，因为土地越来越被视为商品，而不是确保忠诚的手段。 今天，enfeoff这个术语可能显得过时，但它的含义在当代关于财产权、社会契约和治理性质的讨论中仍然引起共鸣。理解这一历史背景使我们能够欣赏土地所有权如何塑造历史上的社会，并继续影响我们今天的世界。enfeoffing的遗产提醒我们，无论是在封建时代还是现代社会，我们所建立的关系都是建立在相互尊重和共同责任之上的。 总之，enfeoff的行为不仅仅是土地的转移；它是封建社会的基石，概括了忠诚、服务和权力的复杂网络。通过研究这一概念，我们获得了对社会秩序基础和土地关系演变的深入理解，这些关系塑造了我们在当今社会中所面临的体系。