The portion which is given with a daughter in marriage. Also the power which the lord or guardian in chivalry had of disposing of his infant ward in matrimony. Marltagium habere. To have the free disposal of an heiress in marriage.
Maritagium est ant liberum ant servitio obligatum; liberum maritagium dieitur ubi donator vult quod terra sic data quieta sit et libera ab omni secular! servitio. Co. Litt. 21. A marriage portion is either free or bound to service; it is called “frank-marriage” when the giver wills that land thus” given be exempt from all secular service.