to_o his_o tenant_n any_o alteration_n of_o this_o old_a custom_n and_o manner_n for_o as_o the_o plead_n be_v quod_fw-la terrae_fw-la praedictae_fw-la sunt_fw-la de_fw-la tenura_fw-la &_o natura_fw-la de_fw-la gavelkind_n even_o so_o the_o truth_n be_v that_o the_o present_a tenure_n only_o guide_v not_o the_o descent_n but_o that_o the_o tenure_n and_o the_o nature_n together_o do_v govern_v it_o and_o therefore_o as_o on_o the_o one_o side_n the_o custom_n can_v not_o attach_v or_o take_v hold_v of_o that_o which_o be_v not_o before_o in_o nature_n subject_a to_o the_o custom_n that_o be_v to_o say_v accustomable_o depart_v so_o on_o the_o other_o side_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o custom_n long_a time_n continue_v may_v not_o be_v interrupt_v by_o a_o bare_a alteration_n of_o the_o tenure_n and_o this_o be_v not_o my_o fantasy_n but_o the_o resolution_n of_o all_o the_o justice_n as_o judge_n dalison_n himself_o have_v leave_v report_v 4._o &_o 5._o philippi_n &_o mariae_fw-la and_o also_o of_o the_o court_n 26._o h._n 8._o 5._o where_o it_o be_v affirm_v that_o if_o a_o man_n be_v seize_v of_o gavelkind_n land_n hold_v in_o socage_n make_v a_o gift_n in_o tail_n &_o create_v a_o tenure_n in_o knight_n service_n that_o yet_o this_o land_n must_v descend_v after_o the_o custom_n as_o it_o do_v before_o the_o change_n of_o the_o tenure_n gavelkind_n moreover_o as_o the_o change_n of_o the_o tenure_n can_v not_o prevail_v against_o this_o custom_n so_o neither_o the_o continuance_n of_o a_o contrary_a usage_n may_v alter_v this_o prescription_n for_o it_o be_v hold_v 16._o e._n 2._o praescription_n 52._o in_o fitzherbert_n that_o albeit_o the_o elder_a son_n only_o have_v and_o that_o for_o many_o discentes_fw-la together_o enter_v into_o gavelkind_a land_n and_o occupy_v it_o without_o any_o contradiction_n of_o the_o young_a brother_n that_o yet_o the_o land_n remain_v partible_a between_o they_o when_o so_o ever_o they_o will_v put_v to_o their_o claim_n against_o which_o assertion_n that_o which_o be_v say_v 10._o h._n 3._o in_o the_o title_n of_o praescription_n 64._o namely_o of_o the_o issue_n take_v thus_o si_fw-mi terra_fw-la illa_fw-la fuit_fw-la partita_fw-la nec_fw-la ne_fw-la be_v not_o great_o forceable_a for_o although_o it_o be_v so_o that_o the_o land_n be_v never_o depart_v in_o deed_n yet_o if_o it_o remain_v partible_a in_o nature_n it_o may_v be_v depart_v when_o so_o ever_o occasion_n shall_v be_v minister_v and_o therefore_o even_o in_o the_o form_n of_o plead_v use_v at_o this_o day_n quod_fw-la terra_fw-la illa_fw-la a_o toto_fw-la tempore_fw-la etc_n etc_n partibilis_fw-la fuit_fw-la &_o partita_fw-la it_o be_v plain_o take_v that_o the_o word_n partibilis_fw-la only_a be_v of_o substance_n and_o that_o the_o word_n partita_fw-la be_v but_o a_o word_n of_o form_n and_o not_o material_a or_o traversable_a at_o all_o yea_o so_o inseparable_a be_v this_o custom_n from_o the_o land_n in_o which_o it_o obtain_v that_o a_o contrary_a descent_n continue_v in_o the_o case_n of_o the_o crown_n itself_o can_v not_o hinder_v but_o that_o after_o such_o time_n as_o the_o land_n shall_v resort_v again_o to_o a_o common_a person_n the_o former_a inveterate_a custom_n shall_v govern_v it_o as_o for_o the_o purpose_n land_n of_o gavelkind_a nature_n come_v to_o the_o queen_n hand_n by_o purchase_n or_o by_o escheat_n as_o hold_v of_o her_o manor_n of_o a._n now_o after_o her_o death_n all_o her_o son_n shall_v inherit_v and_o divide_v they_o but_o if_o they_o come_v to_o she_o by_o forfeiture_n in_o treason_n or_o by_o gift_n in_o parliament_n so_o that_o her_o grace_n be_v seize_v of_o they_o in_o jure_fw-la coronae_fw-la then_o her_o elder_a son_n only_o which_o shall_v be_v king_n after_o she_o shall_v enjoy_v they_o in_o which_o case_n although_o those_o land_n which_o the_o elder_a son_n be_v king_n do_v possess_v do_v come_v to_o his_o elder_a son_n after_o he_o be_v king_n also_o and_o so_o from_o one_o to_o another_o by_o sundry_a descent_n yet_o the_o opinion_n of_o sir_n anthony_n browne_n be_v 7._o elizab._n that_o if_o at_o any_o time_n after_o the_o same_o land_n be_v grant_v to_o a_o common_a person_n they_o shall_v revolt_v to_o their_o former_a nature_n of_o gavelkind_n and_o be_v partible_a amongst_o his_o heir_n male_n notwithstanding_o that_o they_o have_v run_v a_o contrary_a course_n in_o diverse_a the_o discentes_fw-la of_o the_o king_n before_o but_o much_o less_o may_v the_o unity_n of_o possession_n in_o the_o lord_n frustrate_v the_o custom_n of_o gavelkind_a descent_n as_o it_o may_v appear_v 14._o h._n 4._o in_o the_o long_a recordare_fw-la only_o therefore_o these_o two_o case_n i_o doubt_v of_o concern_v this_o point_n and_o thereupon_o judge_v they_o meet_v to_o be_v inquire_v of_o that_o be_v to_o say_v first_o if_o a_o tenancy_n in_o gavelkind_n escheat_n to_o the_o lord_n by_o reason_n of_o a_o ceasser_n as_o hereafter_o it_o shall_v appear_v that_o it_o may_v or_o if_o it_o be_v grant_v unto_o the_o lord_n by_o the_o tenant_n fee_n without_o any_o reservation_n which_o lord_n hold_v over_o by_o fee_n of_o haubert_n or_o by_o serieancie_n both_o which_o i_o take_v to_o be_v knight_n service_n whether_o now_o this_o tenancy_n be_v partible_a amongst_o the_o heir_n male_n of_o the_o lord_n or_o no._n for_o the_o ancient_a treatise_n of_o the_o kentish_a custom_n so_o determine_v but_o i_o wot_v not_o whether_o experience_n so_o allow_v the_o other_o doubt_n be_v this_o if_o it_o be_v so_o that_o any_o whole_a town_n or_o village_n in_o kent_n have_v not_o at_o any_o time_n that_o can_v be_v show_v be_v acquaint_v with_o the_o exercise_n of_o gavelkind_a descent_n whether_o yet_o the_o custom_n of_o gavelkind_n shall_v have_v place_n there_o or_o no._n toward_o the_o resolution_n of_o which_o late_a ambiguity_n it_o shall_v tend_v somewhat_o to_o show_v how_o far_o this_o custom_n extend_v itself_o within_o this_o our_o country_n kent_n it_o be_v common_o take_v therefore_o that_o the_o custom_n of_o gavelkind_n be_v general_a and_o spread_v itself_o throughout_o the_o whole_a shire_n into_o all_o land_n subject_a by_o ancient_a tenure_n unto_o the_o same_o such_o place_n only_o except_v where_o it_o be_v alter_v by_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o therefore_o 5._o e._n 4._o 18._o and._n 14._o h._n 4._o 8._o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o custom_n of_o gavelkind_n be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o common_a law_n in_o kent_n and_o the_o book_n 22._o e._n 4._o 19_o affirm_v that_o in_o demand_v gavelkind_n land_n a_o man_n shall_v not_o need_v to_o prescribe_v in_o certain_a and_o to_o show_v that_o the_o town_n borrow_n or_o city_n where_o the_o land_n be_v be_v a_o ancient_a town_n borrow_n or_o city_n and_o that_o the_o custom_n have_v be_v there_o time_n out_o of_o mind_n that_o the_o land_n within_o the_o same_o town_n borrow_v or_o city_n shall_v descend_v to_o all_o the_o heir_n male_n etc_n etc_n but_o that_o be_v sufficient_a enough_o to_o show_v the_o custom_n at_o large_a and_o to_o say_v that_o the_o land_n lie_v in_o kent_n and_o that_o all_o the_o land_n there_o be_v of_o the_o nature_n of_o gavelkind_a for_o a_o write_v of_o partition_n of_o land_n in_o gavelkind_n say_v master_n litleton_n shall_v be_v as_o general_a as_o if_o the_o land_n be_v at_o the_o common_a law_n although_o the_o declaration_n ought_v special_o to_o contain_v mention_n of_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o country_n this_o universality_n therefore_o consider_v as_o also_o the_o straight_a bond_n whereby_o the_o custom_n be_v so_o inseparable_o knit_v to_o the_o land_n as_o in_o manner_n nothing_o but_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n can_v clear_o dissever_v they_o i_o see_v not_o how_o any_o city_n town_n or_o borrow_n can_v be_v exempt_v for_o the_o only_a default_n of_o put_v the_o custom_n in_o ure_n more_o than_o the_o elder_a son_n in_o the_o case_n before_o may_v for_o the_o like_a reason_n prescribe_v against_o his_o young_a brethren_n but_o here_o before_o i_o conclude_v this_o part_n i_o think_v good_a first_o to_o make_v master_n litletons_n answer_n to_o such_o as_o happy_o will_v demand_v what_o reason_n this_o custom_n custom_n of_o gavelkind_n descent_n have_v thus_o to_o divide_v land_n amongst_o all_o the_o males_n contrary_a to_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o whole_a realm_n beside_o the_o young_a son_n say_v he_o be_v as_o good_a gentleman_n as_o the_o elder_a &_o they_o be_v alike_o dear_a to_o their_o common_a ancestor_n from_o who_o they_o claim_v have_v so_o much_o the_o more_o need_n of_o their_o friend_n help_v as_o through_o their_o minority_n they_o be_v less_o able_a than_o the_o elder_a brother_n to_o help_v themselves_o second_o to_o put_v you_o in_o remembrance_n also_o of_o the_o statute_n of_o praerogatina_fw-la regis_fw-la ca._n 16._o where_o it_o
be_v say_v that_o faeminae_fw-la non_fw-la participabunt_fw-la cum_fw-la masculis_fw-la the_o female_n shall_v not_o divide_v with_o the_o male_n which_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o such_o as_o be_v in_o equal_a degree_n of_o kindred_n as_o brother_n and_o sister_n etc_n etc_n for_o if_o a_o man_n have_v issue_v three_o son_n &_o the_o elder_a have_v issue_v a_o daughter_n &_o die_v in_o the_o life_n of_o his_o father_n and_o the_o father_n die_v in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v hold_v that_o the_o daughter_n shall_v join_v with_o the_o two_o other_o brethren_n her_o uncle_n for_o that_o she_o be_v not_o in_o equal_a degree_n with_o they_o as_o her_o father_n be_v who_o heir_n she_o nevertheless_o must_v be_v of_o necessity_n land_n and_o now_o thus_o much_o be_v speak_v touch_v the_o name_n tenure_n nature_n generality_n necessity_n reason_n and_o order_n of_o gavelkind_n it_o be_v worthy_a the_o labour_n to_o show_v of_o what_o quality_n the_o rent_n remainder_n condition_n voucher_n action_n and_o such_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o which_o some_o be_v issue_v out_o of_o these_o land_n some_o be_v annex_v unto_o they_o and_o some_o be_v raise_v by_o reason_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o which_o behalf_n it_o may_v general_o be_v say_v that_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v ensue_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o land_n and_o some_o shall_v keep_v the_o same_o course_n that_o common_a law_n have_v appoint_v but_o in_o particular_a it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o if_o a_o rent_n rent_n be_v grant_v in_o fee_n out_o of_o gavelkind_n land_n it_o shall_v descend_v to_o all_o the_o male_n as_o the_o land_n itself_o shall_v do_v and_o ald._n and_o chart._n in_o 7._o e._n 3._o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o albeit_o a_o tenancy_n be_v of_o gavelkind_n nature_n yet_o the_o rend_a service_n by_o which_o that_o tenancy_n be_v hold_v may_v well_o be_v descendable_a at_o the_o common_a law_n the_o like_a shall_v be_v of_o a_o remainder_n remainder_n of_o gavelkind_n land_n for_o if_o it_o be_v tail_a to_o the_o heir_n male_n they_o altogether_o shall_v inherit_v it_o as_o fitzherb_n &_o norwiche_n two_o justice_n thought_n 26._o h._n 8._o 8._o but_o that_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o descent_n only_o for_o if_o land_n of_o gavelkind_n nature_n be_v leassed_a for_o life_n the_o remainder_n to_o the_o right_a heir_n of_o i_o at_o style_n which_o have_v issue_n four_o son_n &_o die_v &_o after_o the_o leassée_fw-fr for_o life_n die_v now_o the_o elder_a son_n only_o of_o i_o at_o stile_n shall_v have_v this_o land_n for_o he_o be_v right_a heir_n and_o that_o be_v a_o good_a name_n of_o purchase_n 37._o h._n 8._o done._n 42._o en_fw-fr master_n brook_n but_o if_o the_o land_n have_v be_v give_v to_o i_o at_o style_n for_o life_n the_o remainder_n to_o his_o next_o heir_n male_a this_o have_v be_v a_o estate_n tail_n in_o i._n s._n himself_o and_o then_o the_o land_n as_o i_o take_v it_o shall_v have_v descend_v to_o all_o his_o son_n in_o so_o much_o as_o in_o that_o case_n the_o word_n next_o heir_n male_a be_v not_o a_o name_n of_o purchase_n howbeit_o it_o be_v great_o doubt_v 3._o &_o 4._o phil._n &_o mariae_fw-la as_o justice_n dalison_n report_v if_o a_o remainder_n be_v devise_v by_o testament_n proximo_fw-la haeredi_fw-la masculo_fw-la whether_o in_o that_o case_n the_o elder_a brother_n only_o shall_v have_v it_o in_o so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v a_o judge_n over_o all_o custom_n he_o be_v the_o next_o heir_n male_a and_o therefore_o inquire_v of_o it_o as_o touch_v voucher_n it_o appear_v 11._o e._n 3._o vourcher_n that_o all_o the_o heir_n in_o gavelkind_n shall_v be_v vouch_v for_o the_o warranty_n of_o their_o ancestor_n and_o not_o the_o elder_a only_a but_o the_o opinion_n of_o master_n litleton_n and_o of_o the_o justice_n 22._o e._n 4._o be_v clear_o that_o the_o elder_a son_n only_o shall_v be_v rebut_v or_o bar_v by_o the_o warranty_n of_o the_o ancestor_n to_o be_v short_a condition_n the_o elder_a son_n only_o shall_v entrée_n for_o the_o breach_n of_o a_o condition_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n shall_v be_v join_v with_o he_o in_o sue_v a_o write_v of_o attaint_n error_n to_o reform_v a_o false_a verdict_n or_o error_n to_o reverse_v a_o erroneous_a judgement_n and_o they_o all_o shall_v be_v charge_v for_o the_o debt_n of_o their_o ancestor_n if_o so_o be_v that_o they_o all_o have_v assetz_n in_o their_o hand_n but_o if_o the_o elder_a only_a have_v assetz_n remain_v and_o the_o residue_n have_v alien_v their_o part_n than_o he_o only_o shall_v be_v charge_v after_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o book_n 11._o e._n 3._o det._n 7._o and_o this_o also_o for_o this_o part_n at_o this_o time_n shall_v suffice_v now_o a_o word_n or_o twain_o touch_v the_o trial_n of_o right_n in_o this_o gavelkind_n land_n &_o then_o forward_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o my_o purpose_n there_o be_v at_o the_o common_a law_n two_o sort_n of_o trial_n in_o a_o writ_n of_o right_n by_o battle_n and_o by_o the_o grand_a assize_n gavelkind_n of_o the_o which_o two_o this_o custom_n exclude_v the_o one_o &_o alter_v the_o other_o for_o battle_n it_o admit_v not_o at_o all_o &_o the_o grand_a assize_n it_o receive_v not_o by_o the_o election_n of_o 4._o knight_n but_o of_o 4._o tenant_n in_o gavelkind_n as_o it_o may_v be_v read_v in_o the_o ancient_a treatise_n of_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o country_n but_o when_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o custom_n you_o must_v know_v i_o mean_v not_o the_o which_o be_v late_o imprint_v but_o a_o other_o with_o much_o more_o faith_n &_o diligence_n long_o since_o exemplify_v a_o copy_n whereof_o you_o shall_v find_v at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o book_n for_o not_o only_o in_o this_o part_n the_o word_n ne_fw-la soient_fw-fr prize_n per_fw-la battle_n be_v clean_o omit_v in_o the_o imprint_v book_n but_o in_o sundry_a other_o place_n also_o the_o word_n be_v mangle_v the_o sentence_n be_v curtail_v and_o the_o meaning_n be_v obscure_v as_o by_o conference_n of_o the_o variation_n it_o may_v to_o any_o skilful_a reader_n most_o easy_o appear_v but_o all_o that_o i_o will_v refer_v to_o the_o sight_n and_o judgement_n of_o such_o as_o will_v search_v and_o examine_v it_o and_o return_v to_o my_o purpose_n show_v you_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o this_o gavelkind_n land_n by_o reason_n of_o this_o custom_n and_o for_o because_o the_o prince_n be_v chief_a lord_n of_o all_o the_o realm_n as_o of_o who_o all_o land_n within_o the_o same_o be_v either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o hold_v let_v we_o first_o see_v what_o right_a by_o reason_n of_o this_o custom_n belong_v unto_o he_o felony_n if_o tenant_n in_o fee_n simple_a of_o land_n in_o gavelkind_n commit_v felony_n and_o suffer_v the_o judgement_n of_o death_n therefore_o the_o prince_n shall_v have_v all_o his_o chattel_n for_o a_o forfeiture_n but_o as_o touch_v the_o land_n he_o shall_v neither_o have_v the_o eschete_n of_o it_o though_o it_o be_v immediate_o hold_v of_o himself_o nor_o the_o day_n year_n and_o waste_v if_o it_o be_v hold_v of_o any_o other_o for_o in_o that_o case_n the_o heir_n notwithstanding_o the_o offence_n of_o his_o ancestor_n shall_v enter_v immediate_o &_o enjoy_v the_o land_n after_o the_o same_o custom_n and_o service_n by_o which_o they_o be_v before_o hold_v in_o assurance_n whereof_o it_o be_v common_o say_v the_o father_n to_o the_o bough_n the_o son_n to_o the_o ploughe_n but_o this_o rule_n hold_v in_o case_n of_o felony_n and_o of_o murder_n only_o and_o in_o case_n not_o of_o treason_n at_o all_o and_o it_o hold_v also_o in_o case_n where_o the_o offendor_n be_v justify_v by_o order_n of_o law_n and_o not_o where_o he_o withdraw_v himself_o after_o the_o fault_n commit_v and_o will_v not_o abide_v his_o lawful_a trial_n for_o if_o such_o a_o one_o absent_a himself_o after_o proclamation_n make_v for_o he_o in_o the_o county_n and_o be_v outlaw_v or_o otherwise_o if_o he_o take_v sanctuary_n and_o do_v abjure_v the_o realm_n then_o shall_v his_o heir_n reap_v no_o benefit_n by_o this_o custom_n but_o the_o prince_n or_o the_o lord_n shall_v take_v their_o forfeiture_n in_o such_o degree_n as_o if_o the_o land_n be_v at_o the_o common_a law_n which_o thing_n be_v apparent_a both_o by_o the_o book_n 8._o e._n 2._o abridge_v by_o master_n fitzherbert_n in_o his_o title_n of_o prescription_n 50._o and_o by_o 22._o e._n 3._o fol._n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o custom_n shall_v not_o be_v construe_v by_o equity_n but_o by_o a_o straight_a and_o literal_a interpretation_n and_o also_o by_o the_o plain_a rehearsal_n of_o the_o say_a treatise_n of_o
the_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v to_o remember_v in_o eltham_n and_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o all_o these_o be_v the_o place_n whereof_o i_o mean_v to_o make_v note_n in_o this_o my_o xenagogie_n and_o perambulation_n of_o kent_n the_o first_o and_o only_a shire_n that_o i_o have_v describe_v wherein_o although_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v of_o sundry_a town_n not_o inferior_a at_o this_o present_a in_o estimation_n to_o a_o great_a many_o that_o i_o have_v handle_v and_o happy_o equal_a with_o they_o in_o antiquity_n also_o yet_o i_o think_v i_o have_v neither_o pretermit_v many_o that_o be_v much_o worthy_a of_o observation_n nor_o scarce_o omit_v any_o that_o be_v mention_v in_o such_o book_n of_o history_n as_o be_v easy_o to_o be_v have_v and_o obtain_v but_o as_o for_o the_o feodary_n and_o tenor_n of_o land_n genealogy_n &_o arm_n of_o man_n ebb_n flood_n &_o tide_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o rivers_n flatte_n bar_n haven_n &_o such_o other_o thing_n although_o somewhat_o may_v have_v be_v several_o say_v concern_v each_o of_o they_o yet_o have_v i_o witting_o and_o without_o touch_n leap_v over_o they_o all_o partly_o for_o the_o incertainty_n partly_o that_o i_o scatter_v not_o any_o seed_n of_o dissension_n and_o envy_n and_o partly_o lest_o while_o by_o disclose_v secret_n i_o labour_v to_o serve_v the_o curiosity_n of_o some_o few_o i_o either_o offend_v many_o of_o the_o sad_a sort_n or_o deserve_v evil_a of_o the_o whole_a estate_n now_o therefore_o i_o will_v deliver_v you_o and_o rest_v i_o wish_v that_o some_o other_o man_n of_o great_a profit_n in_o read_v depth_n in_o judgement_n and_o dexterity_n in_o pen_v will_v take_v in_o hand_n to_o amend_v the_o description_n of_o this_o and_o to_o add_v the_o residue_n for_o as_o i_o at_o the_o first_o assay_v it_o to_o prove_v myself_o to_o provoke_v some_o and_o to_o pleasure_n and_o profit_v other_o so_o have_v now_o achieve_v it_o according_a to_o my_o slender_a skill_n if_o any_o man_n shall_v like_v to_o take_v this_o my_o base_a metal_n draw_v out_o of_o a_o few_o sowze_n into_o many_o sheet_n as_o you_o see_v &_o shall_v hammer_v it_o to_o some_o further_a and_o fine_a fashion_n i_o will_v not_o only_o not_o envy_v it_o but_o most_o hearty_o thank_v he_o and_o gratulate_v to_o our_o country_n that_o so_o good_a a_o turn_n &_o benefit_n and_o as_o touch_v the_o description_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o realm_n know_v by_o the_o deal_n in_o this_o one_o that_o it_o will_v be_v hear_v for_o any_o one_o man_n and_o much_o more_o for_o myself_o to_o accomplish_v all_o i_o can_v but_o wish_v in_o like_a sort_n that_o some_o one_o in_o each_o shire_n will_v make_v the_o enterprise_n for_o his_o own_o country_n to_o the_o end_n that_o by_o join_v our_o pen_n and_o confer_v our_o labour_n as_o it_o be_v exit_fw-la symbolo_fw-la we_o may_v at_o the_o last_o by_o the_o union_n of_o many_o part_n and_o paper_n compact_v a_o whole_a and_o perfect_a body_n and_o book_n of_o our_o english_a antiquity_n the_o custom_n of_o kent_n although_o good_a order_n will_v have_v bear_v the_o rehearsal_n of_o the_o ancient_a custom_n of_o this_o shire_n in_o that_o general_a discourse_n which_o we_o have_v in_o the_o begin_n as_o touch_v the_o estate_n of_o this_o whole_a county_n the_o rather_o for_o that_o it_o be_v there_o show_v by_o what_o mean_n and_o policy_n they_o be_v conserve_v yet_o lest_o the_o recital_n of_o the_o same_o be_v of_o themselves_o large_a and_o manifold_a may_v have_v be_v think_v too_o great_a a_o parenthesis_n or_o rather_o a_o interruption_n of_o the_o history_n wherein_o we_o be_v as_o then_o but_o new_o enter_v i_o think_v it_o better_a to_o reserve_v they_o for_o this_o place_n to_o the_o end_n that_o both_o the_o one_o and_o the_o other_o may_v appear_v without_o breach_n or_o confusion_n these_o custom_n therefore_o be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n discrepant_a from_o the_o common_a law_n of_o our_o realm_n and_o annex_v to_o such_o land_n within_o this_o shire_n as_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o gavelkind_n be_v common_o call_v gavelkind_n custom_n for_o that_o they_o prevail_v and_o have_v place_n in_o land_n of_o gavelkind_n nature_n in_o which_o respect_n it_o shall_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o show_v for_o what_o reason_n those_o land_n be_v at_o the_o first_o so_o term_v and_o why_o they_o do_v yet_o hitherto_o continue_v the_o name_n two_o conjecture_n i_o have_v of_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o name_n the_o one_o ground_v upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o descent_n and_o inheritance_n of_o these_o land_n themselves_o the_o other_o found_v upon_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o service_n that_o they_o yield_v both_o which_o i_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o recite_v and_o yet_o leave_v to_o each_o man_n free_a choice_n to_o receive_v either_o or_o to_o refuse_v both_o as_o it_o shall_v best_o like_o he_o arise_v i_o gather_v by_o cornelius_n tacitus_n and_o other_o that_o the_o ancient_a german_n who_o offspring_n we_o be_v suffer_v their_o land_n to_o descend_v not_o to_o the_o elder_a son_n alone_o but_o to_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o their_o male_a child_n &_o i_o find_v in_o the_o 75._o chap._n of_o canutus_n law_n a_o king_n of_o this_o realm_n before_o the_o conquest_n that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o father_n his_o heir_n shall_v divide_v both_o his_o good_n and_o his_o land_n amongst_o they_o now_o for_o as_o much_o as_o all_o the_o next_o of_o the_o kindred_n do_v this_o inherit_v together_o i_o conjecture_v that_o therefore_o the_o land_n be_v call_v either_o gavelkyn_n in_o meaning_n giveall_n kin_n because_o it_o be_v give_v to_o all_o the_o next_o in_o one_o line_n of_o kindred_n or_o give_v all_o kind_n that_o be_v to_o all_o the_o male_a child_n for_o kind_n in_o dutch_a signify_v yet_o a_o male_a child_n beside_o this_o the_o welshman_n also_o who_o but_o now_o late_o lose_v this_o custom_n do_v in_o their_o language_n call_v this_o descent_n gwele_v and_o in_o their_o latin_a record_n lectus_fw-la progeny_n &_o gavella_fw-la of_o their_o own_o word_n gefeil_v which_o signify_v twin_n or_o such_o as_o be_v bear_v together_o because_o they_o do_v all_o inherit_v together_o and_o make_v as_o it_o be_v but_o one_o heir_n and_o not_o many_o and_o here_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v omit_v to_o show_v that_o they_o of_o this_o our_o kentish_a country_n term_n do_v yet_o call_v their_o partition_n of_o land_n shift_v even_o by_o the_o very_a same_o word_n that_o the_o law_n of_o canutus_n many_o year_n since_o term_v it_o namely_o scyftan_n in_o latin_a herciscere_fw-la that_o be_v to_o shift_v depart_v or_o divide_v land_n my_o other_o conjecture_n be_v raise_v upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o rent_n and_o service_n go_v out_o of_o these_o land_n for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o as_o knight_n service_n land_n require_v the_o presence_n of_o the_o tenant_n in_o warfare_n and_o battle_n abroad_o so_o this_o land_n be_v of_o socage_n tenure_n command_v his_o attendance_n at_o the_o plough_n and_o other_o the_o lord_n affair_n of_o husbandry_n at_o home_n the_o one_o by_o manhood_n defend_v his_o lord_n life_n and_o person_n the_o other_o by_o industry_n maintain_v with_o rent_n corn_n and_o victual_v his_o estate_n and_o family_n this_o rent_n and_o customary_a payment_n of_o work_n the_o saxon_n call_v gafol_n and_o thereof_o as_o i_o think_v they_o name_v the_o land_n that_o yield_v it_o gafolette_n or_o gafolcynd_n that_o be_v to_o say_v land_n let_v for_o rent_n or_o of_o the_o kind_n to_o yield_v rent_n in_o this_o sense_n i_o be_o sure_a that_o the_o rent_n custom_n and_o service_n which_o the_o tenante_n of_o london_n pay_v to_o their_o land_n lord_n be_v wont_a and_o yet_o be_v to_o be_v recover_v by_o a_o writ_n thereof_o call_v gavellet_n as_o by_o a_o ancient_a statute_n make_v in_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o second_o entitle_v statutum_n de_fw-it gaveleto_fw-it in_o london_n and_o by_o daily_a experience_n there_o it_o may_v well_o appear_v thus_o much_o then_o as_o concern_v the_o etymon_n of_o this_o word_n gavelkind_n be_v say_v let_v we_o proceed_v further_o custom_n it_o have_v already_o appear_v how_o the_o kentishman_n immediate_o after_o the_o conquest_n obtain_v the_o continuation_n of_o their_o custom_n and_o it_o be_v very_o manifest_a by_o ancient_a writer_n that_o the_o same_o for_o the_o more_o part_n have_v be_v in_o ure_n and_o exercise_n ever_o since_o for_o omit_v that_o which_o thomas_n spot_n have_v write_v concern_v the_o same_o matter_n for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v already_o recite_v at_o large_a glanuile_n a_o learned_a man_n that_o flourish_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o second_o in_o his_o
seven_o book_n and_o three_o chapter_n bracton_n that_o live_v in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o three_o in_o his_o second_o book_n de_fw-fr acquirendo_fw-la rerum_fw-la dominio_fw-la and_o bretton_n that_o write_v under_o king_n edward_n the_o first_o and_o by_o his_o commandment_n have_v all_o express_a mention_n of_o land_n partible_a amongst_o the_o male_n by_o usage_n of_o the_o place_n and_o some_o of_o they_o recite_v the_o very_a name_n of_o gavelkind_n itself_o but_o most_o plain_o of_o all_o a_o ancient_a treatise_n receive_v by_o tradition_n from_o the_o hand_n of_o our_o elder_n whereof_o i_o myself_o have_v one_o exemplar_n write_v out_o as_o i_o suppose_v in_o the_o time_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o first_o agree_v with_o the_o daily_a practice_n of_o these_o custom_n prove_v the_o continuance_n of_o they_o to_o stand_v with_o good_a law_n and_o like_n discourse_n and_o therefore_o forbear_v as_o needless_a further_o testimony_n in_o that_o behalf_n i_o will_v descend_v to_o the_o disclose_v of_o the_o custom_n themselves_o not_o number_v they_o by_o order_n as_o they_o lie_v in_o that_o treatise_n but_o draw_v they_o forth_o as_o they_o shall_v concern_v either_o the_o land_n itself_o or_o the_o person_n that_o i_o will_v orderly_a speak_v of_o that_o be_v to_o say_v particular_o the_o lord_n and_o the_o tenant_n the_o husband_n and_o the_o wife_n the_o child_n and_o the_o gardien_fw-mi and_o so_o after_o addition_n of_o a_o few_o other_o thing_n incident_a to_o this_o purpose_n i_o will_v draw_v to_o a_o end_n as_o touch_v the_o land_n itself_o nature_n in_o which_o these_o custom_n have_v place_n it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o all_o the_o land_n within_o this_o shire_n which_o be_v of_o ancient_a socage_n tenure_n be_v also_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o gavelkind_n for_o as_o for_o the_o land_n hold_v by_o ancient_a tenure_n of_o knight_n service_n they_o be_v at_o the_o common_a law_n &_o be_v not_o departible_a after_o the_o order_n of_o this_o custom_n except_o certain_a which_o be_v hold_v of_o old_a time_n by_o knight_n service_n of_o the_o archebishop_n of_o canterbury_n be_v nevertheless_o departible_a as_o it_o may_v appear_v by_o a_o opinion_n of_o the_o judge_n in_o the_o king_n bench_n .26_o h._n 8._o fol._n 4._o and_o that_o grow_v by_o reason_n of_o a_o grant_n make_v by_o king_n john_n to_o hubert_n the_o archebishop_n gavelkind_n the_o tenor_n whereof_o be_v exemplify_v out_o of_o a_o ancient_a roll_n remain_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o reverend_n father_n mathewe_n the_o archebishop_n now_o live_a hereafter_o follow_v joannes_n dei_fw-la gratia_fw-la rex_fw-la angliae_fw-la dominus_fw-la hiberniae_fw-la dux_n normaniae_n aquitaniae_fw-la &_o come_v andegaven_n archiepiscopis_fw-la episcopis_fw-la abbatibus_fw-la comitibus_fw-la baronibus_fw-la justiciarijs_fw-la vicecomitibus_fw-la praepositis_fw-la ministris_fw-la &_o omnibus_fw-la ballivis_n &_o fidelibus_fw-la suis_fw-la salutem_fw-la sciatis_fw-la nos_fw-la concessisse_fw-la &_o praesenti_fw-la charta_fw-la nostra_fw-la confirmasse_fw-la venerabili_fw-la patri_fw-la nostro_fw-la ac_fw-la chro._n huberto_n cantuar._n archiepiscopo_fw-la &_o successoribus_fw-la suis_fw-la in_o perpetuum_fw-la quòd_fw-la liceat_fw-la eye_n terras_fw-la quas_fw-la homines_fw-la de_fw-la feodo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la cantua_n tenent_fw-la in_o gavelkind_n convertere_fw-la in_o feoda_fw-it militum_fw-la et_fw-la quod_fw-la idem_fw-la episcop_n &_o successores_fw-la svi_fw-la eanden_fw-mi in_o omnibus_fw-la potestatem_fw-la &_o libertatem_fw-la habeant_fw-la in_o perpetuum_fw-la in_fw-la homines_fw-la illos_fw-la qui_fw-la terras_fw-la easdem_fw-la ita_fw-la in_o feodo_fw-la militum_fw-la conversas_fw-la tenebunt_fw-la &_o in_o haeredes_fw-la eorum_fw-la quam_fw-la ipse_fw-la archiepiscopus_fw-la habet_fw-la &_o successores_fw-la svi_fw-la post_fw-la eum_fw-la habebunt_fw-la in_fw-la alios_fw-la milites_fw-la de_fw-la feodo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la cantuar._n &_o in_o haeredes_fw-la et_fw-la homines_fw-la illi_fw-la &_o haeredes_fw-la eorum_fw-la eandem_fw-la &_o omnem_fw-la libertaetem_fw-la habeant_fw-la in_o perpetuum_fw-la quam_fw-la alij_fw-la milites_fw-la de_fw-la feodo_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la cantuar._n &_o haeredes_fw-la eorum_fw-la habent_fw-la ita_fw-la tamen_fw-la quod_fw-la nihilominus_fw-la consuetus_fw-la redditus_fw-la denariorum_fw-la reddatur_fw-la integre_n de_fw-la terris_fw-la suis_fw-la sicut_fw-la prius_fw-la xenia_fw-la averagia_fw-la &_o alia_fw-la opera_fw-la quae_fw-la fiebant_fw-la de_fw-la terris_fw-la ijsdem_fw-la convertantur_fw-la in_o redditum_fw-la denariorum_fw-la aequivalentem_fw-la et_fw-la redditus_fw-la ille_fw-la reddatur_fw-la sicut_fw-la alius_fw-la redditus_fw-la denariorum_fw-la quare_fw-la volumus_fw-la &_o firmiter_fw-la praecipimus_fw-la quod_fw-la quicquid_fw-la praedictus_fw-la archiepiscopus_fw-la &_o successores_fw-la svi_fw-la post_fw-la eum_fw-la de_fw-la terris_fw-la illis_fw-la in_o feodo_fw-la militum_fw-la secundum_fw-la praescriptam_fw-la formam_fw-la convertendis_fw-la fecerint_fw-la ratum_fw-la in_o perpetuum_fw-la &_o stabile_fw-la permaneat_fw-la et_fw-la prohibemus_fw-la ne_fw-la quis_fw-la contrafactum_fw-la ipsius_fw-la archiepiscopi_fw-la vel_fw-la successorum_fw-la svorum_fw-la in_fw-la hac_fw-la parte_fw-la venire_fw-la praesumat_fw-la testae_fw-la e._n eliense_n &_o s._n bathon_n episcopis_fw-la g._n filio_fw-la petri_n comite_fw-la essex_n willmo_n marescallo_n comite_fw-la de_fw-fr penbroc_n roberto_n de_fw-fr harocort_n garino_n filio_fw-la geraldi_n petro_n de_fw-fr stoke_n ric._n de_fw-fr reverus_n roberto_n de_fw-fr tateshal_n datum_n per_fw-la manum_fw-la s._n archid._n willielmi_n apud_fw-la rupem_fw-la aurival_n 4._o die_v maij_fw-la anno_fw-la regni_fw-la nostri_fw-la tertio_fw-la but_o now_o for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v disputable_a whether_o this_o chartre_z of_o the_o king_n be_v of_o sufficient_a virtue_n to_o change_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o gavelkind_n land_n or_o no_o and_o for_o that_o the_o certainty_n of_o the_o land_n so_o convert_v into_o knight_n fee_n do_v not_o any_o where_o that_o i_o have_v see_v appear_v save_o only_o that_o in_o the_o book_n of_o aid_n levy_v in_o this_o shire_n anno._n 20._o e._n 3._o it_o be_v four_o or_o five_o time_n note_v that_o certain_a land_n there_o be_v hold_v in_o knight_n service_n per_fw-la novam_fw-la licentiam_fw-la archiepiscopi_fw-la i_o will_v leave_v this_o and_o proceed_v to_o prove_v that_o all_o the_o land_n of_o ancient_a tenure_n in_o knight_n service_n be_v subject_a to_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o descent_n at_o the_o common_a law_n and_o that_o may_v i_o as_o i_o think_v sufficient_o do_v both_o by_o the_o express_a word_n of_o a_o note_n 9_o h._n 3._o in_o the_o title_n of_o praescription_n 63._o in_o fitzherbert_n by_o the_o resolution_n of_o the_o same_o fitzherbert_n and_o norwiche_n justice_n 26._o h._n 8._o 5._o and_o by_o plain_a recital_n in_o the_o act_n of_o parliament_n make_v 31._o h._n 8._o ca._n 3._o by_o which_o statute_n the_o possession_n of_o certain_a gentleman_n there_o name_v be_v deliver_v from_o this_o customary_a descent_n and_o incorporate_v to_o the_o common_a law_n for_o amongst_o other_o thing_n in_o that_o act_n it_o be_v say_v that_o from_o thencefoorth_o such_o their_o land_n shall_v be_v change_v from_o the_o say_a custom_n and_o shall_v descend_v as_o land_n at_o the_o common_a law_n and_o as_o other_o land_n be_v in_o the_o say_a county_n of_o kent_n which_o never_o be_v hold_v by_o service_n of_o socage_n but_o always_o have_v be_v hold_v by_o knight_n service_n do_v descend_v by_o which_o word_n it_o be_v very_o evident_a that_o the_o maker_n of_o that_o statute_n understand_v all_o land_n hold_v by_o knight_n service_n to_o be_v of_o their_o proper_a nature_n descendable_a after_o the_o common_a law_n and_o that_o socage_n tenure_n be_v the_o only_a subject_n in_o which_o this_o our_o custom_n of_o gavelkind_n dissent_v prevail_v and_o hold_v place_n but_o when_o i_o thus_o speak_v of_o socage_n and_o knight_n fee_v gavelkind_n i_o must_v always_o be_v understand_v to_o mean_v of_o a_o tenure_n long_o since_o and_o of_o ancient_a time_n continue_v and_o not_o now_o new_o or_o late_o create_v for_o so_o it_o may_v fall_v out_o otherwise_o then_o be_v already_o report_v as_o for_o example_n if_o land_n ancient_o hold_v by_o knight_n service_n come_v to_o the_o prince_n hand_n who_o afterward_o give_v the_o same_o out_o again_o to_o a_o common_a person_n to_o be_v hold_v of_o his_o manor_n of_o eastgrenewiche_n in_o socage_n i_o suppose_v that_o this_o land_n notwithstanding_o the_o alteration_n of_o the_o tenure_n remain_v descendable_a to_o the_o elder_a son_n only_o as_o it_o be_v before_o as_o also_o in_o like_a sort_n if_o land_n of_o ancient_a socage_n service_n come_v to_o the_o crown_n and_o be_v deliver_v out_o again_o to_o be_v hold_v either_o of_o the_o prince_n in_o capite_fw-la or_o by_o knight_n service_n of_o any_o manor_n i_o think_v it_o ought_v to_o descend_v according_a to_o the_o custom_n notwithstanding_o that_o the_o tenure_n be_v alter_v and_o if_o this_o be_v true_a in_o the_o grant_n of_o the_o king_n himself_o then_o much_o less_o save_v the_o reverence_n due_a to_o king_n john_n chartre_z may_v the_o archebishop_n by_o a_o new_a creation_n of_o tenure_n gavelkind_n make_v