Laudemium

Laudemium a name given to the sum which heirs, on obtaining their inheritance, are to pay to certain parties. It was to be paid for the recognition and establishment (laudatio) of the claim, and even, occasionally, on coming into possession other than an inheritance, as, for instance, by gift, etc. It subsequently became obligatory only in cases of sale, of inheritance from collateral relations, or sometimes from descendants, etc. The Roman law states the amount to be paid in the case of a copyhold to be one fiftieth of the principal ("quinquagesima pars pretii vel astimationis loci, qui transfertur," cap. 3, Cod. Just. de jure emphyteutico, 4:66). It subsequently increased to one thirtieth, one twentieth, and even one tenth. This, however, is named the laudemium majus, and distinguished from the laudenzium minus. See J.C.H. Schroter, V. d. Lehensware, etc. (Berlin, 1789); Christ, Analecta de sportula clientelari vulyo de taxafeudali (Lips. 1757). — Herzog, Real-Encyklopadie, 8:230.