noun
- a feudal obligation requiring tenants to grind their grain at their lord’s mill
Usage: historical; Scottish law
Examples
- The ancient thirlage system bound farmers to use only the manor’s mill.
- Thirlage was abolished in Scotland during the 19th century.
- Under thirlage, tenants could not choose where to process their grain.
- The feudal practice of thirlage generated significant revenue for landowners.
- Legal reforms gradually eliminated thirlage and similar feudal obligations.