---
entity_slug: purveyance
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T06:14:48.403741'
overall_score: 4.2
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition is precise and captures a distinct feudal practice with
    clear operational characteristics (requisitioning at regulated prices during specific
    circumstances). It avoids circularity and distinguishes purveyance from general
    taxation through its specific mechanism and context.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book III, Chapter
    2, where he explicitly discusses purveyance as one of the arbitrary services imposed
    on the yeomanry and notes its abolition as part of legal reforms in Great Britain.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Regulation" domain assignment is highly appropriate, as purveyance
    represents a specific regulatory mechanism of feudal governance that constrained
    economic activity through mandatory provision of goods and services.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: Purveyance maps reasonably well to S3 (internal regulation) as a control
    mechanism within the feudal system, though it also has S1 operational aspects
    in terms of resource extraction. However, it's primarily a historical regulatory
    practice rather than a core VSM concept.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illustrating a specific
    mechanism through which feudal systems extracted resources and burdened economic
    actors, helping explain the structural constraints on economic development that
    Smith analyzes.
---

# Evaluation: Purveyance

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition is precise and captures a distinct feudal practice with clear operational characteristics (requisitioning at regulated prices during specific circumstances). It avoids circularity and distinguishes purveyance from general taxation through its specific mechanism and context.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's text from Book III, Chapter 2, where he explicitly discusses purveyance as one of the arbitrary services imposed on the yeomanry and notes its abolition as part of legal reforms in Great Britain.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Regulation" domain assignment is highly appropriate, as purveyance represents a specific regulatory mechanism of feudal governance that constrained economic activity through mandatory provision of goods and services.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

Purveyance maps reasonably well to S3 (internal regulation) as a control mechanism within the feudal system, though it also has S1 operational aspects in terms of resource extraction. However, it's primarily a historical regulatory practice rather than a core VSM concept.

## explanatory_value — 4.0 / 5.0

This entity provides genuine explanatory power by illustrating a specific mechanism through which feudal systems extracted resources and burdened economic actors, helping explain the structural constraints on economic development that Smith analyzes.
