Definition of the word township

The word "township" has its origins in medieval England. In the 11th century, the Norman Conquest led to the establishment of a new system of land tenure, known as the "manorial" system. The lord of the manor held control over a large area of land, which was divided into smaller units called "townships." A township was a group of neighboring farms or villages that shared a common area of land, known as the "common," which was used for grazing, hunting, and other communal activities. The lord of the manor was responsible for the administration and maintenance of the township, and residents paid him rent and taxes in exchange for the use of the common land. Over time, the term "township" came to be used to refer to a specific geographic area, often with its own local government and services. Today, the term is used in many English-speaking countries, including the United States, to refer to a similar type of geographic area.