Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 5 chyvyage, 6 chyvage, (cheifage), 6–7 chiefage, 7 cheefage, 7, 9 chivage, 7–9 chevage. [a. F. chevage, also chievage, chefvage, etc., capitation, f. chef, chief (chev-) head + -AGE.]
Capitation or poll-money paid to a lord or superior; particularly, an annual payment due to a feudal lord by each of his villeins.
[c. 1250. Bracton, De Leg. Angliæ (1569), I. x. Cheuagium soluunt (quod dicitur recognitio in signum subiectionis & dominii de capite suo).
1292. Britton, I. xxxii. § 9. Suffist qe les seignurs … preignent … un dener par an de chefage et un jour en aust de service.]
1461–83. Lib. Niger Edw. IV., in Househ. Ord. (1790), 23. The King offerithe or sendithe to the shryne of Seint Thomas of Caunterbury, in the name of Chyvyage, three florynes of golde … yerely.
1581. Lambarde, Eiren., II. v. (1602), 163. One of the articles enquirable in the Kings bench, whether any persons doe take others to their Auowment & protection, & do receiue of them rents (or other giftes) yearely in the name of Chyuage (or rather Cheifage) because they seeme to take vpon them to be their Chiefes, heads, or leaders.
1607. Cowell, Interpr., Chevage … signifieth a summe of money paid by villeins to their Lords, in acknowledgment of their slaverie.
1626. R. Harris, Hezekiah’s Recovery, 20. Tenants must pay their rent, a cheefage, &c. must they not?
1628. Coke, On Litt., 140 a.
1650. Elderfield, Tythes, 47.
1721–1800. Bailey, Chevage, Chivage, Chiefage.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., The Jews while allowed to live in England, paid Chevage or poll-money: viz. three pence per head, paid at Easter.
1880. Rogers, in Contemp. Rev., XXXVII. 675. An annual tax, known as chivage.
fig. 1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut., cxlvi. 900. In deede I am the owner of it; but yet God hath reserued some chiefage for himselfe.
1626. R. Harris, Hezekiah’s Recovery, 4. ’Tis our profession, our promise, our cheefage and rent that is due to him.
