An Anglo-Saxon and Norman-era term for a military or tribute obligation involving the provision of carts or cart services, particularly for royal or feudal purposes.
From Medieval Latin 'carua,' possibly derived from Celtic or Germanic sources relating to carts ('carr-'). The term appears in Anglo-Saxon charters and Norman documents describing feudal obligations and military logistics.
Carua obligations reveal how medieval warfare and logistics worked—lords had to provide carts not just for farming, but to transport troops, supplies, and siege equipment, making carts a critical military resource that kings could literally demand.
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