The last payment of the dead made by the living.
Since AS times, the soul-scot levy (also known as the *'mortuary') was made upon the deceased's goods: the bed he or she died in, the best beast or horse, or whatever, would be given to the Church, while something else was given to the lord. If the best horse was not good enough or worthy of the lord, then a sum of money would be agreed. Of course, the higher the rank of the dead person, the more valuable the 'present' would have to be. -
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.