Balliage

/ˈbæli.ɪdʒ/ noun

Definition

The office, jurisdiction, or term of a bailiff in medieval France; the territory under a bailiff's authority.

Etymology

From Old French 'bailli' (bailiff) plus the suffix '-age' (denoting an office, jurisdiction, or collection). Used in medieval and historical contexts.

Kelly Says

This medieval term shows how French administrative systems influenced English law vocabulary—the bailiff's jurisdiction ('balliage') became a model for how English shires were governed.

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