Legal Definitions - cum maritagio

Term: cum maritagio
Definition: In Scots law, cum maritagio refers to the payment required to be made to a superior upon the marriage of the superior's ward. This payment is also known as a marriage portion.
Example: When the lord's ward got married, the lord demanded a cum maritagio payment from the groom's family as a condition of the marriage. This payment was usually a sum of money or property that was given to the lord as a sign of respect and loyalty. The cum maritagio was a common practice in medieval Scotland and was used to strengthen the relationship between the lord and his vassals. The examples illustrate how the cum maritagio was a legal requirement in Scotland and how it was used to maintain the feudal system.