Frank Fee then being opposed to Ancient Demesne which is Socage cannot it self be Socage Nor will Bractons distinction of Socage into liberum and villanum applied to that difference in Mr. Lambard of free and base Socage by which the one should consist of money and the other of base services be warranted as himself there observes from the ensuing Inquisition some lands being therein denoted to be of Gavelkynd-nature which neverthelesse do yeild none other but money alone and none there of that nature charged with works besides that of Suit of Court improperly called Works as not coming under the notion either of Manuopera or Carropera to which double head all works of this kind are wont to be referred Hence let none perswade themselves that Gavelkynd-land was not or by its nature is not liable to Works for albeit that 66. of King Ina's Laws in the Archaion seemeth to counter-distinguish Gafâ—l and Wâ—rk and though moreover Gafolland and Werkland occurr in some manours out of Kent as of a distinct and different nature yet both servile and opposed to what there is called terra libera denoting I suppose Free Socage yet most certain it is that both Gablum and Opera do often meet and are found in Gavelkynd-land Witnesse the old Custumal of Monkton manour in Thanet belonging to the Church of Canterbury mentioning the particulars of what servile works the Tenants there stood charged with for the 18 Swolings so many plough-lands I take it holden of the Monks in Gavelkynd Witnesse also this passage in King Johns Charter made to Hubert the Archbishop for the changing Gavelkynd-land into Knights-Fee at large exemplified by Mr. Lambard Peramb pag. 531. Xenia Averagia alia opera quae fiebant de terris iisdem convertantur in redditum denariorum aequivalentur Witnesse in the third and last place not to multiply instances in a case so cleer an Inquisition found after the death of Isabella de monte alto widow sometime of Orpington recorded in a Lieger of that Cathedral whereof expect a copy in the Appendix Scriptura 10. 'T is true indeed at this day and time out of mind haply from Richard the seconds time such servile works properly called Villein-services have been as they still are intermitted or rather quite ceased insomuch as all our Gavelkynd-land in point of service now differs nothing from Free Socage as it stands described and defined of Bracton being such ubi fit servitium in denariis to use his own words all the Tenants burthen his whole service being onely servitium crumenae pecuniary such as payment of money for rent suit of Court and such like nay in many grants of land in Gavelkynd that I have seen I find no tie at all upon the Tenant no covenant or contract between his Lord and him to require of him any such base services there being ut communiter and regularly a reservation onely of rent in money suit to his Court or the like yet I must tell you as a reason hereof in my judgement that though Gavelkynd in the genuine sence sound land letten for gable cens or rent consisting chiefly in denariis whence in an old Custumal of Eastry manour in Kent I read In eodem manerio mutati sunt octo Cotarii pro Gavelkende Medlefâ—rm tenet unum messuagium tres acras quae solent esse Cotar modo reddit xl d. de gablo and so divers more which haply will be better understood if I add what occurrs in an old Accompt-roll of the Archbishops manours for the year 1230. in Charing Bailives receipt Et de xiij s. iiij d. de fine Cotariorum ut Coteriae suae ponerentur ad redditum yet commonly upon such grants in Gavelkynd the Tenant pareâ—d with such a sum of money to his Lord in gersumam i. e. in consideration of that grant and by way of Fine as may seem equivalent to the base services otherwise imposeable and to have been charged upon that land and upon the Tenant in respect thereof or if not probably as in gavelkynd-Gavelkynd-land by vertue of King Johns fore-mentioned Charter turned into Knights-fee he had his rent inhanced and augmented to an equivalent value of his services to be redeemed the cause in chief of the excuse of Gavelkynd-men from base services of latter times and at this day being I conceive no other than the Tenants buying them out and consequently the change of the same as Littleton hath it of Socage in general into money by the mutual consent of Lord and Tenant whereof expect some examples to be presented in the Appendix Scriptur 11 and 12. In the mean time have here an instance or two taken from some old Accompt-rolls of the Archbishops manours of this and that summe paid received for enfranchising the land from customes and services and changing it into Knights-fee whereof in the last-remembred Accompt-roll and in the receipt of Ceâ—ring now called Charing manour there Et de ij s. ix d. ob de incremento redditus Thomae de Bernfeuld de termino Sancti Johannis ut terra sua de caetero sit libera de consuetudinibus per feodum militis Et de xiiij d. quad de incremento redditus Thomae de Bending ut terra sua sit libera per feodum militis de termino S. Johannis And so some others there as also in Maidstone and other Archiepiscopal manours and such may well be reckoned among lands of that sort which in a copy of the book of Aid cited by Mr Lambard are noted to be holden in Knights-service per novam licentiam Archiepiscopi But to return to our Gavelkynd which if not extensive to Free Socage they may seem to stand in need at this day of some other character to keep them unconfounded than Bracton in the definition and description of the latter doth propose in regard the service of both equally consisteth in money To recapitulate now what hath been delivered concerning partition in Kentish Gavelkynd-land It is as hath been shewed neither from the name nor from the nature of the land alone nor from prescription nor yet from any particular custome that this property there proceedeth but partly from the nature of the land and partly from custome not I say a particular one but a general custome extended throughout the whole County in censual land or land letten for Cens or what is all one with it Gavel or Gafol to say holden in Fâ—ef or Inheritance Roturier as called in Normandy and other parts of France the Antiquity whereof and how beginning in Kent and why more general there than elswhere shall be the argument of our next Discourse PROPOSITION III. The Antiquity of Gavelkynd-custome in point especially of Partition and why more general in Kent than elswhere MAster Lambard inclines in his opinion to conceive this custome brought hither out of Normandy by Odo Earl of Kent and bastard brother to King William the Conquerour and that we
Gavel-reâ—ter c. whereof also I shall intreat further by and by Is it then lastly to be supposed that the lands meer descent in this kind to all the heirs alike supposing a plurality of heirs was all the regard those Ancestours of ours had to sway and regulate their judgement by to whom the name the term doth owe its first original Was that in probability ground enough to satisfie them of the congruity and sutablenesse of the name to and with the nature of the thing named as names we know should be Vix credo I doubt it for my part In brief then to recollect what hath been said 1. If females are capable of this succession as well as males where the male issue faileth 2. If collateral kinred are capable thereof as well as those in the descendent line where such heirs are wanting in both which kinds Gavelkynd land differs not from that at the Common Law 3. If Corporations may hold land in Gavelkynd 4. If such land may be passed away to meer strangers from the right heirs 5. If none may properly be called Gavelkynd-land where an accustomable partition hath not made way for it 6. If there be partible land elswhere out of Kent that is not called Gavelkynd 7. If Gavel the fore-part of the word found in some Records of land out of Kent and of others in Kent will not bear the derivation of it from Gife-eal without absurdity 8. And lastly if names are to be imposed with respect to the nature of what is named then is Gavelkynd after these mens premised derivation in some sort a very scant narrow and partial in other a most incongruous and improper term to expresse the nature of the land by Surely there was somewhat more peculiar to Gavelkynd-land and of more note and eminencie in it better serving to distinguish it from other kind of land than this derivation of theirs seems to intimate and which first gave occasion to the imposition of that name upon it which leads me to my other the positive or affirmative proposition asserting the true sense and construction of the term and shewing whence it was at first imposed and afterwards continued Wherein I must confesse Mr. Lambard was as happy to go right in the latter of his two conjectures as he was before unluckie to misse of the right in his former yet in this passively unhappy though that the former through the advantages afore-mentioned wholly took and was accepted of all whilest the latter was received and embraced of none but no great marvel since whilest some through ignorance could not judge of others haply for company would not question so plausible a derivation But to the purpose To such as are any thing vers'd in Saxon monuments Gafol is a word very obvious but varied sometimes in the Dialect as being written now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 anon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I shall give you a few instances where it occurrs and in what sense Tribute mentioned in the 17 of St. Matthews Gospel verses 24 and 25 as also in the 22 of the same Evangelist verses 17 19 is in the Saxon Translation of the Gospels turned 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the 25 chapter of the same Gospel at the 27 verse it serveth to expresse what there in our modern English Translation is called in some books advantage in other usury agreeable to that in the Saxon Psalter Psal 54. vers 11. where usura in the Latine in the marginal version or reading of the word is rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 occurring in the first of King Withreds Laws of Sir Henry Spelmans Edition in the first Volume of the Councils pag. 194. is of that learned Knight expounded to us by Redditus vel Pensiones as it is again in his Latine Version of Pope Agatho's decretal Epistle pag. 164. of the same Councils by Redditus In an old Sanction of King Edgars recited by Mr. Selden in his Notes upon Aedmerus pag. 153. what is there in the Latine read solitus census in the Interlineary Saxon Version we find rendered there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hereunto I might adde heaps of instances taken from the Saxon Laws the Mare clausum and elswhere but I forbear to exspatiate and to be short Gafol is a word which as Gablum in Doomsday-book the skilful in the Saxon tongue with Sir Hen. Spelman elswhere turn by what Gabella is expounded abroad viz. Vectigal Portorium Tributum Exactio Census in Latine but in English with Verstegan Tribute Tax or Custome to which with Mr. Lambard and Sr. Edw. Coke let me adde Rent witnesse besides the former quotations what occurrs in an ancient will or deed of one Athelwird the Donor of certain land at Ickham in Kent to the Cathedral at Canterbury in the year of mans redemption 958. where you may read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. And anon after again 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The former of which passages under favour of the skilful in that language I shall render thus in our modern English After his dayes or death Eadrith if he live shall enjoy or use it yeilding that rent which is imposed on it that is v. pounds and every year or yearly one dayes farm or victual unto the Covent that is xl measures called Sextaries of ale c. And the latter thus With the same or like Rent that herein is appointed Let me adde what in another like Record both for time and place occurrs thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is And after both their dayes or deaths let Eadsith the Arch-Bishop if he survive them have or take these lands or else his Successour for the time being unlesse some friend of theirs by or with the Arch-Bishops favour may continue to hold that land at or upon the accustomed rent ur upon what other contract or condition may be had or made with the Arch-Bishop then living or for the time being I shall adde but one instance more from the grant of Bocking a known place in Essex to the same Cathedral by one Ethelrich in the year of Christ 997. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is And I also give those two hides of land that Eadrith renteth or hireth yearly for half a pound So that to me it seems clear that ponere terram ad gablum is as much as to hire or let out land by or for rent or farm and by consequence terra ad gablum posita taken in its proper and genuine acception is land hired or letten out to farm or for rent In the latitude of the word it comprehends besides all censual or tributary land as also what we call customary land in that sense wherein Consuetudines Customes denote Services and so takes in all Rent-service land which with our Saxon Ancestours who called the
Custome to be of an unknown rise But be it so that Custome carries such a stroke here what kind of Custome is it or how shall we find such a Custome for it as may consist with Gavelkynd-land of novel Tenure whereof before so often Hic laâ—or hoc opus est here 's the point indeed Why in short it is no other than a custome generally spreading it self throughout the whole Countrey in land of that nature What elswhere I mean in other Shires and Counties they properly call by the name of Socage whether free or base we here in Kent are wont to call by the name of Gavelkynd or if you please in Mr. Lambards expression all Socage service here properly so called is clothed with the apparel of Gavelkynd and under it in a large acception is understood all such land within the County as is not Knights-fee or Knights-service land the term serving here as that of Socage elswhere to contradistinguish iâ— from Knight-service land as Fief Roturier or rather â—nheritence Roturier all other being improperly and corruptly called Fief or Fee that is not holden militiae gratiâ the ground of all Fees is used in Normandy to difference that from Fief de Haubert or Noble Fief Now into all land of this kind by a general or universal custome of the whole County hath this property of partition been introduced insomuch as what land was granted out in Gavelkynd by such as before held it in Dâ—mesne or the like as for want of time and usage it had no particular custome introductive of that property of partition so neither did it want the same the generality of the Custome extending it self to all Censual land or land letten out for Cens and sufficing to render it partible as occasion should be offered though but newly dimised To this purpose Mr. Lambard Although saith he iâ— were so that the land were never departed in deed yet if it remain partible in nature it may be departed whensoever occasion shall be ministred Granted out I say and holden in terms for Cens conceiving a necessity of that or the like expression in the Habendâ—m or other part of the grant to make it capable of this and the other properties incident to Gavelkynd not intending here the very numerical word or term Gavelkynd but that or some other of equivalent sence and signification with it for example Reddendo such or such a sum de gablo de censu and the like whereof for illustration sake expect some copies of old grants in the Appendix to this Discourse These indeed such as these were the more usual expressions in elder grants that of Tenendum in Gavelkynd the like being sought of me in vain before H. 2. dayes nor afore-time doth the term occurr in any writing or monument whatsoever save onely in this passage in Spot St. Austins Monk and Chronicler at Canterbury who â—aith that anno 1063. Abbas tradidit terram de Dene in Gavelkende Blakemanno Athelredo â—iliis Brithmâ—â—i But from Hen. 2. dayes downwards it is obvious in many grants of land recorded and extant in the Liegers of Christ-church Canterbury the laâ—e Abbey of St. Austins there and many other of the Kentish religious houses until about the time of that Sâ—atâ—te Quia emptores terrarum which forbidding the letting out of land by any man to be holden of himself and consequently cutting off all new Tenures and the creation thereof stopped the current of all such grants of land in Gavelkynd for the future That such an expression as Tenendum in or ad Gavelkynd or the like was necessary to render the granted land partible after the custome of Gavelkynd without the help of Prescription requisite in partible land elswhere out of Kent may in part appear by a Record of a controversie happening now full 400 years agone between one Burga sometime the wife of Peter de Bending Plaintiffe and the Prior and Covent of Christ-Church Canterbury Deforciant or Defendant touching the moiety of the manor of Well by them granted to her said husband ad feodi firmam challenged by her tanquam francus bancus suus which controversie was debated and decided in Eire and is recorded in the Liegers of that Church from whence I shall present the Reader with a copy of it not unworthy his perusal in the fore-remembred Appendix Scriptura 5. Neverthelesse it will here I think be necessary that we distinguish times for what at first in Kent was only partible because of the Tenure in Gavelkynd I perswade my self was afterwards in tract of time partible and did communicate with Gavelkynd-land in that property by being Socage land though not expressely holden in Gavelkynd it sufficing at length to shew as Mr. Lambard hath it the Custome at large and to say that the land lieth in Kent and that all the lands there be of the nature of Gavelkynd By what means this was wrought or by what degrees our Socage land arrived at this universality of partiblenesse is not so easily discovered That the sundry favours of Gavelkynd custome should iutice many to creep into it and by one and one upon occasion of the intestine troubles that ensued the deprivation of King Richard the second to shroud and cover themselves under the safety and shadow of the priviledges that do wait upon it is an opinion of some whereunto I cannot subscribe as conceiving no Tenures in Gavelkynd to be so late as Rich 2. dayes which this opinion would infer with what consistencie with the Statute of Quia emptores terrarum made so long before and prohibiting the creation of new Tenures I cannot see But to let the manner passe the thing the over-spreading the Countrey in processe of time with this Tenure is very obvious and apparent witnesse an ancient Statute made anno 18. Hen. 6. cap. 2 taking knowledge that There were not at that day within the Shire above xl persons which had lands to the yearly value of xx pounds without the Tenure of Gavelkynde and the greater part of this County or well nigh all was then within this Tenure To proceed ascribing this property of partition in Gavelkynd-land to the custome of the Countrey what shall be said then to the partible land more or lesse abroad in other Counties â— is such Gavelkynd-land and so to be called or not or is it from Gavelkynd that such partition there obteins I conceive not For first our Kentish Gavelkynd Custome considered collectively with respect to all its branches is not to be restrained to this one particular property but as before is intimated consists of many other as singular properties besides and which may as well challenge a share and right in the Customes name as may that of Partition such as is Dower of the Moyety not to forfeit lands for Felony and the like and though in point of Partition it may be like ours in Kent yet in other
it peculiarly belongs to grant out or passe land in that kind Carta Alodii ad aeternam haereditatem being there reckoned and ranked inter consuetudines Regum inter Anglos Now as our Bocland did not presently expire with the Saxons its first Authours upon their vanquishing and supplanting by the Normans so neither did our Folcland but survived and continued after the conquest and remains unto this day though not in the very name yet in the thing and substance For as aforetime the Saxons had their Ceorles Gebures Folcmen c. as afterwards the Normans their Villani Bordmanni Cotarii c. so what the former held was called Folcland Gafolland c. and was opposed to Bocland what the latter Villenage and In some sence Socage opposed to Chivalry Knight-service c. and in all likelyhood intended by that Rusticana servitus occurring in a charter of Walâ—heâ—â—nus Maminoâ— granting the â—â—thery of Bertrey to the Church of Rochester Quod si aliquid de prâ—dicto Dominio in rusticanam servitutem translatum est c. as it is in Mr. Seldens History of Tâ—thes cap. 11. pag. 313 As for the original of Socage there are that refer us for the finding of it to a notable passage in Gâ—rvasius Tilburiensis his book intituled Dialogus Soâ—ccarii who lived and wrote in Hen. 2. dayes which to bring the Reader better acquainted with the state of affairs in the disposal of our Countrey-mens Free-hold in those elder times when as the English State was new moulded I here offer to his view Post Conquisitionem c. i. After the Conquest of the Kingdome and the deserved subversion of the Rebels when the King himself with his Nobles surveyed his new Countrey a diligent inquiry was made who they were which taking part in the war agaist the King had saved themselves by flight to all these like as to the heirs of such as had fallen in the war all hope of any lands possessions and rents which formerly they enjoyed was cut off For they accounted it no small favour to escape with life under enemies But those who when summoned came not to the war or being occupied in houshold or other necessary affairs were absent when in processe of time by their constant serviceablenesse they had ingratiated themselves with their Lords without hope of succession their children onely and that but at the Lords will began to possesse Afterwards when becoming odious to their Lords they were every where expelled their possessions nor was there any that would restore what was taken away a common complaint of the Natives came to the King that being thus hated of all and bereaved of their estates they should be enforced to betake themselves to forein parts At length after consultation upon these matters it was decreed that what by their deservings and upon a lawful agreement they could obtein of their Lords should be their own by inviolable right But they should challenge nothing to themselves by name of succession from the times of the Nations subduing Which thing truly how discreetly it was considered of is manifest especially when as thus by all means for their own good they were bound from thenceforth to apply themselves by constant serviceablenesse to purchase their Lords favour Insomuch as who of the conquered people possessed lands or such like obteined them not as seeming to be due by right of succession but in recompence of his deservings or by some intervening agreement Hence we see how precariously matters stood with the generality of our poor countrey men in point of estate in those dayes and with what observance and obsequious respect they were fain to carry themselves towards their conquering Disseisors to purchase many times but a Modicum of what had lately been their own and when they had it see withall upon what kittle rottering uncertain terms they held it The relation comes from a very good hand and is so authentike as for ought I know it may be credited for it self But if any man expect further confirmation I suppose it may be found in Bracton lib 1. cap. 11. num 1. where he hath this passage and is in part seconded in it by Fleta lib. 1. cap. 8. Fuerunt etiam saith he in Conquestu liberi homines qui liberè tenuerunt tenementa sua per libera servitia vel per liberas consuetudines cum per potentiores ejecti essent postmodum reversi receperunt eadem tenementa sua tenenda in villenagio c. The same Authour fol. â—6 and elswhere tells us of a sort of Tenants ad similitudinem Villanorum Sockmannorum per conventionem de gratiâ Dominorum licet hoc esset ab initio villenagium c. a passage if not totidem verbis yet in substance often repeated of him in my judgement intimating thereby that practice of the Tenants currying favour and complying with their Lords whereof in Tilburiensis and their obteining thereby to better their estates and by degrees to creep out of Villenage into a kind of Socage a Tenure thus grown to that latitude and so comprehensive as it helps to make that Dichotomy into which all the Kingdomes lands in the hands of common persons in point of Tenure are resolved Chivalry being the other Now being of such note a little further enquiry after the antiquity of the thing and etymologie of the name to clear the truth in both wil not do amisse as I conceive in this discourse of Tenures By the common and received opinion of our Lawyers derived I suppose and first suckt from that great Ornament of their Profession Bracton the term is said to come to use the Authours own words à Socko inâ—e tenentes quitenent in Sockagiâ— Sockmanni dici poterant â—o quod deputati sunt ut videtur tantummodò ad culturam c. This of Bracton is strongly backt by Littleton in his book of Tenures where treating of Socage he saith that the reason why such Tenure is called and hath the name of Tenure in Socage is this because saith he Socagium idem est quod servitium Socae Soca idem est quod caruca c. A Soke or a Plough In ancient time for so he adds for further confirmation before the limitation of time of memory a great part of the Tenants which held of their Lords by Socage ought to come with their ploughs every of the said Tenants for certain dayes in the year to plow and sow the Demesne of the Lord. And for that such works were done for the livelyhood and sustenance of their Lord they were quit against their Lord of all manner of services c. And because that such services were done with their ploughs this Tenure was called Tenure in Socage c. Thus Littleton followed by the generality of our common Lawyers and others since not without a kind of popular errour as under favour I conceive and with
1647. Ja. Armachanus A Table or Index OF The principal Contents A. AEHte what p. 84 Agium in the termination of word what signifying p. 137 Akerland what p. 117 Allodiarii p. 123 Allodium the same with Bocland p. 88 110. the word derived p. 105. more properly in England since the Conquest p. 126. proper onely to the King to grant p. 126 Almesland what p. 119 Assise of Mortdancester where it lieth p. 152 157 Aver-bred what p. 25 Aver-land what p. 116 Avermannus p. 116 B. Bed-rip what p. 17 Bene-bred what p. 17 Beneficium of same signification anciently that Feudum of latter times p. 10â— Benerth what p. 18 Ben-rip what p. 17 Bere-gafol what p. 29 ber-Ber-land what p. 118 Bermannus what p. 118 Bians what p. 18 Black-maile what p. 34 black-Black-rents what p. 34 Blank-ferme what p. 34 Bocland what p. 84. whence so called p. 112. how variously denominated p. 121 whether anciently deviseable p. 89. whether otherwise alienable p. 87 88. the same with Allodium p. 8 110. reteined after the Conquest p. 120 Bordarii p. 118 Bord-land what p. 114 118 Bordmanni p. 118 Burgh-yard what p. 22 189 Bydel what and whence derived p. 20 C. Mr. Cambdens derivation of Gavelkynd p. 3 Carropera p. 24 Carucae procariae what p. 18 rogaâ—ae p. 19 Carucage what p. 133 Charters diverse of those in Ingulphus questioned and how far and why p. 101 Chivalry and Socage two tenures comprehending all the lands in Kent and elswhere in England p. 129 Cniht in the Saxon language what p. 7 Coke Sir Edward his derivation of Gavelkynd p. 3 The Conquerours progresse proceedings after his victory neer Hastings p. 69. his Charter of Restitution of Church-lands p. 68 Conquest the times about it very rapacious p 67 Contract of marriage a Saxon form or model of it p. 75 76 Coredy what p 19 20 Corne-gavel what p. 16 Corporations anciently enâ—eoffed with lands in Gavelkind p. 8 Cotarii what p. 116. their tenements changed into Gavelkind p. 59 Cotland what p. 116 Cotmani what ibid. Custome hardly left p. 5. beginning within memory no Custom ibid. of Gavelkynd a common law in Kent p. 44 its essential property p. 49. how different from Tenure p. 144 Cyricena-Socne what p. 133 D. De rationabili parte bonorum the Writ so called whether lying at the Common Law or by Custom p. 78 91 Dome in the termination of words what signifying 106 Dover castle the Lock and key of all England p. 70 Drenches what p. 124 Drincelean what p. 29 Drof-dens what p. 117 Drof-land what p. 116 Drof-mannus what ibid Dun-land what p. 117 E. Error if setled difficult to remove p. 62. often caused for want of altercation ibid. Estates in England universally partible before the Conquest and how p. 77 78 Ex gravi querela the Writ so called where it lies 153 159 F. Fald-Socne what p. 134 Fald-worth what ibid. Fee not alienable without the Lords consent p. 8. whether anciently deviseable p. 84 naturally not deviseable and why p. 162 Fees whether any in England before the Conquest p. 103 111. become patrimonial in many places p. 162. what in their original p. 108. how changed afterwards ibid. Females capable of succession in Gavelkynd land p. 7. excluded from succession with Males p. 8 Feudastra what p. 57 Feuduto novum antiquum p. 40 Feudum the word how ancient p. 101 102. derived p. 104 Fewd in deadly fewd whence derived p. 107 Fief de Haubert and de Roturier p. 36 Filctale what p. 30 Fildale what ibid. Fines for the enfranchising of lands p. 59 Fird-socne what p. 174 Fodrum what p. 25 Folcland the nature of it p. 78 See also p. 114 126. Folgarii what p. 115 Foot-average what 116 Forgable what 30 Forland what 118 Forsohoke 31 Foster-land what 119 Francus bancus 51 178 Frankalmoigne p 40 142 Frank-fee 56 Freehold whether anciently deviseable 84 Frith-socne what 133 G. Gabella what p. 13 Gablum what p. 13. terram ponâ—â—e gablum what 14 Gabulum denariorum 26 Gafel gafol gafnl gavel what signifying 10 Gafolgylda 33 Gafol-hwitel â—6 Gaigneurs what 25 Gavel absurdly rendred gifeeal in many compounds 10 Gavelate what 31 Gavel-bred what 25 Gavel-bord what 22 Gavel-corne what 16 Gavel-dung what 21 Gavel-erth what 17 Gavelet what 31 Gavel-fother what 25 Gavelikendeys 33 Gavelkynd the words vulgar derivation proposed pag. 2. scanned p. 6. rejected ibid. a new etymon proposed and asserted p. 10. the Custome so called a Common Law in Kent p. 44. not causal of Partition in land so called p. 44. what it comprehends p. 48. the tenure so called almost universal in Kent p. 44. whether eo nomine obteining in Wales p. 53. whether a Tenure or a Custome p. 100. Prescription in it not good and why p. 44 whether Socage and it Synonimies p. 55. Grants of land in Gavelkynd p. 38. when ceasing p. 51. See more in Partition Villains Gavelkynd land females capable of it p. 7. the nature of it in point of partition scanned p. 42. no prescription good there and why p. 46. liable to Works p. 57. whether deviseable in Kent before the Stat. of Wills p. 151. descendible to collateral kinred p. 7. anciently conveyed to Gilds and Corporations pag. 8. alienable from the proper heir p. 9. all partible land not called Gavelkynd p. 10. Gavelman p. 33 Gavel-med what 20 Gavel-nohâ— what 25 Gavel-ote what 21 Gavel-refter what 22 Gavel-rip what 19 Gavel-rod what 22 Gavel-sester what 23 Gavel-swine what 23 Gavel-timber what 22 Gavel-werk what 24 Gavel-wood what 23 Ge how used with the Saâ—ons p. 38 Gecynde mis-construed by Mr. Lambard 37 Geneat what 14 Gersuma what 59 Grants of land in Gavelkynd when ceasing 51 H. Hade head hode hood c. in the termination of words what signifying 106 Haereditaments what 83 Hamsoâ—ne what 134 Hereslit what and whence derived 32 Hide land what 117 Hlaford-soâ—ne what 134 Horse-average what 116 Hotchpot 91 Hunig-gavel what 28 I. In-average what 116 Ingulfus Charters many of them questioned and how far and why 101 Inheritance the word how accepted in England 83 84. Inheritances in England universally partible before the Conquest and how 77 78 Inland what 114 119 K. Kent with other Counties conquered and over-run by Will. 1. p. 66. Servi there p. 74. also Nativi 75 Kind in Dutch what and whence derived p. 6 7 Knecht in Dutch what 7 Knight service-land naturally incapable of partition 48 Knyghren-gyld 135 Knights whether any here in England before the Conquest 123 Kynd in Gavelkynd of what signification 37 L. Mr. Lambard his two-fold derivation of Gavelkynd p. 3. whereof one rejected the other admitted p. 5. mistaken in the construction of gecynde 37 Land all in Kent and thorowout England either of Chivalry or Socage Tenures p. 38. all in England either ancient Demesne or Frank fee p. 57. and subject to Tenure 126. descended not alienable of old without the heirs consent 39. purchased alienable at
a retrograde course in this re-search I shall begin with one of the latest Sir Edward Coke who in his Notes or Illustrations upon Littleton tit Villenage Sect. 210. verb. en Gavelkinde glosseth the text thus Gave all kynd for saith he this Custome giveth to all the sons alike Not long before him another learned Knight and famous Antiquary taking the word to expound in his Glossary of antiquated words saith that it is termed Gavelkynd either Quasi debitum vel tributum soboli pueris generi i. e. as it were of right belonging and given intimated in the two first syllables 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the issue children or kynd signified by the last 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or else secondly saith he from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. given to all the next in kindred Verstegan to ascend in our gâ—adation one step higher câ—nsureth the word of corruption saying that it is corruptly termed Gavelkynd for Give all kynd which after him is as much to say as Give each child his part From whom Mr. Cambden differs as little in time as in opinion when he saith it is called Gavelkynd that is saith he give all kynne Before all these Mr. Lambard the first that undertook the etymologie and whom beside the former Judge Dodderidge Dr. Cowell the Authour of the New Terms of Law and many more longo agmine aâ—e known to follow in his explication of Saxon words prefixed to his Archaion verb. Terra ex scripto is clear for the derivation of the word from the Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Credo saith he ut terra illa Gavelkyn quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 idest omnibus cognatione proximis data dicatur But afterwards as if upon second thoughts altered in his opinion he coupleth this derivation with a second and so at length is found to share his opinion of the words original between two conjectures grounded both upon the nature of the land the one in point of Descent the other of Rent and Services In reference to the former of which he saith that Therefore the land was called either Gavelkyn in meaning give all kyn because it was given to all the next in one line of kinred or give all kynd that is to all the male children for kind saith he in Dutch signifieth yet a male child And in relation to the latter he saith that It is well known that as Knights-Service land required the presence of the Tenant in warfare and battell abroad so this land being of Socage tenure commanded his attendance at the plough and other the Lords affairs of husbandry at home the one by manhood defending the Lords life and person the other by industry maintaining with rent corn and victual his estate and family This rent as there he adds ni a customary payment of works the Saxons called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and thereof as I think they named the land that yeeldod 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say Land letten for rent or of the kind to yeild rent c. The Authour I confesse modestly leaves it free to the Reader to receive either of these conjectures or to refuse both as it shall best like him but the former of the two being primâ facie of a more plausible sound and allusion than the other an advantage very considerable with most men whose guidance notwithstanding is not alwayes to be followed and that having gotten the start of her fellow in time hath not fail'd to keep it ever since having proved the more acceptable of the twain and by this time found so many followers and those like the first Authour of so great credit as that whosoever shall contradict the one or dispute the other can do neither without exceeding prejudice so difficult a lesson it is with some to unlearn whose minds are as hardly weaned from an opinion which their fancie hath once approved as others are from an habit or a custome which if inveterate and long setled though corrupt and vicious is very hardly left off and laid aside Yet as the Common Law determines of a Custome that if the rise the original thereof can so be traced as it can appear that it first began within time of memory it is no Custome nor shall obtain or prevail as a Custome so in case by tracing the present derivation to the well-head I shall shew together with the time the errour of its first original not to be salv'd by long tract of time for Quod ab initio non valuit tractu temporis non convalescit I trust I shall not fail nor fall short of what mine endeavours drive at in this matter the weaning I mean of sober and judicious minds from an opinion so erroneous and ungrounded as this I doubt not upon trial shall appear to be though thus long continued and in it self specious and plausible enough However being convinced in mine own judgement of the errour that I may not seem to swallow it for company to the prejudice of truth for that I say if for no other reason I have resolved to protest against it and yet not to seem singularly affected without a cause I shall not do it by a bare denial or dissent as he that thought it sufficient for Bellarmines confutation to give him the lie but by representing withall my inducements thereunto I hope to put the matter out of doubt that I have studied the Readers satisfaction herein as well â—s my own by a learned mans example whoâ—e words in a like case as very apposite in this I shall here borrow for the close of my Apologie Etsi mâ— non lateat saith he quà m lubrica plenaque discrimâ—nis res sit quae per tot secula tot homines eruditi uno consensâ— probaâ—unt rejicere velle rationes tamen eas in medium adducere visum est quibus adductis hanc interpretationem damnare ausus sum Nor is this I take it magno conatu nugas agere the discovery and refutation of popular errours having been a task for many worthy pens in cases of as small concerment as this perhaps may seem to be To the matter then Whether the name of Gavelkynd was at first imposed with or in respect to the nature of the land in point of descent or not is indeed the matter in question The common opinion I confesse affirms it wherewith joyning issue in the negative I shall endeavour to refute it by a double proposition one negative shewing that this is a wrong and mistaken the other positive or affirmative declaring what is the right and genuine construction of the term As for the former though it carry with it a seeming allusion to Gavelkynd in sound yet if we look advisedly into the true nature of it we may and peradventure must conclude the etymologie from Giveall cyn Give-all-kynd
or the like unnatural at the least and far fetcht if not violently forc'd For first admitting Kind to signifie a male-child in the Dutch or Belgick tongue as it doth not more than a female being a word common to children of either Sex Knecht indeed with them as Cniht with our Ancestours the English-Saxons is of that signification yet is not this kind of land so restrained in point of descent onely to the males but that as in the case of land descendible at the Common Law the females in their default that is where the males are wanting are capable of succession to it and in the same way of partition with the males Nay is any of the sons dead in the fathers life time leaving a daughter behind him such daughter shall divide with her uncles in this land What then shall we admit kynd to signifie the issue be it male or female as indeed it doth either coming of the Saxon or old English cennan or cennian parere to bring forth whence with them the word or participle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the first-begotten or first-born 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the onely begotten 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 terrigena one that is born or bred of the earth yet is not this land so tied to the issue but that in default thereof i. e. where that is wanting such as be in the transversal or collateral line as in other lands descendible at the Common Law may and do inherit it as for instance when one brother dieth without issue all the other brethren may and do inherit as doth their respective issue too in case of their default jure repraesentationis but with this restriction in the nephews case succeeding with their uncle viz. that the descent is then in stirpes not in capita Neverthelesse it goeth not as the Irish Gavelkynd to all the males of the same linage for in this as in other inheritances propinquior excludit propinquum nor yet neither to all the next in one line of kinred as they pretend that are for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 taking cyn to signifie kindred as indeed it doth for then brothers and sisters both being alike neer in degree should equally inherit a thing it seems allowed by the old German custome witnesse what we have from Tacitus Haeredes successoresque sui cuique liberi c. not restraining the succession to the male issue as neither doth the Civil Law whereas we know that as by the Feudal Customes abroad where males are the females are excluded from succession so by the Common Law of England women or females shall not partake with males according to that rule laid down in the Statute called Praerogativa Regis cap. 16. Foeminae non participabunt cum masculis which by the way is understood onely of such as are in equal degree But doth â—yn or kynd here intend and denote a mans issue the Gavelkynders children What may we say then to a conveyance of land in Gavelkynd to a Guild or Corporation aggregate of many suppose an Hospital as an instance of that nature shall be produced by and by they are a dead hand how then is the etymologie in that case justified Where 's the kynd the parties issue here to make good the derivation But since by occasion mention is made of such a gift or conveyance to strangers from the proper issue or heirs let me thus far further adde that in case it be called Gavelkynd from debitum vel tributum soboli i. e. due or given to the issue as some are of opinion how comes it then to passe that as before the Statute of Wills Gavelkynd land might by deed or other lawful conveyance and that Dominâ— in this case inconsulto and invito too contrary to the nature of what with the Feudists is properly termed Feâ— be freely given or sold away from the heir by the custom to a meer stranger contrary to the old Common Law of England except in some few cases as in Frankalmoigne or in marriage with a mans daughter a reasonable part might be given with some limitations and distinctions between Land of Inheritance and Purchase as now since the Statute of Wills if not before as some of late seek to perswade us a matter which I shall reserve alâ—iori indagini it may be and daily is by devise of will and testament How is the next heirs right to this land preserved when there is that freedome of giving or devising it away Or how can this liberty that etymologie consist Yet further doth not Mr. Lambard somewhere say that no Gavelkynd partition could be challenged but onely where the custome of division had prevailed and that Gavelkynd was not tried by the manner of Socage-services but onely by the touch of some former partition If â—o no land then could properly be called Gavelkynd wherein this custome of partition had not yet obteined what shall then be thought of those new created Tenures in Gavelkynd whereof until the Statute of Quia emptores terrarum examples are very obvious and frequent in the old Records both of the Cathedral at Canterbury and of the neighbour Abbey of St. Augustines and elswhere affording many ancient grants of land in Gavelkynd to what original shall the name there be referred to any customable partition nothing lesse for where can that be found in Gavelkynd-land of novel Tenure for want of that competencie of precursory time of them necessarily presupposed to frame the custome in who conceive the name taken from such accustomable partition Moreover if partition were the thing that gave name to Gavelkynd then should all partible land wheresoever be so called but there is in parts abroad out of Kent partible land not called Gavelkynd Ergo c. For the assumption see the Stat. 32. Hen. 8. cap. 29. purposely made to change the customary descent of the land of Osweldbeck Soke or Lordship in Nottingham-shire And what doth Bracton intimate lesse in his sicut de Gavelkynd vel alibi ubi terra â—st partibbilis ratione terrae Adde hereunto that the word as to the main part of it Gavel frequently occurs in the old records of some manours out of Kent sometimes simply but for the most in composition for example Gavel-erth Gavelate Gavel-lond Gavel-man Gavel-swine Gavel-wood Gavel-rod c. of which more anon And shall the same thing contrary to that rule of Law â— 1. ff De rerum permutatione diverso jure censeri For I suppose none will render it there being out of Kent and where no Gavelkynd partition taketh place Gife-eal Nor will this derivation any better stand with Gavel where it helps to the composition of some words here used in Kent in former times at least besides that of Gavelkynd such as are all or most part of those afore-remembred to which I may adde Gavel-rip Gavel-ote Gavel-sester Gavel-bred Gavel-bord Gavel-timber Gavel-corn
at Paroc-time that is when the Lord or his Bailiffe and Tenants met upon the place in the Weald to hold a Paroc a Court-like kind of meeting whereof I have by me a record of some kept about Edw. 1. time not much unlike the Forest Swaine-mote where inter alia and accompt was taken of this service in particular and generally of what hogs or swine had been taken in to feed and fatten the year past or the last Pawnage or masting-time and rent accordingly paid and received for the same Hence I take it from Paroc I mean the name of that place by Bleane-wood near Canterbury which we at this day call the Paddock for the Paroc Sometimes written and called Wood-lode Wald lode and other while by an inversion of the syllables Wood-gavel a custome or service incident to some Tenants to carry home their Lords wood for him An old Accompt-roll sans date of the Arch-Bishop of Canterburies manours in South-malling hath this mention of it in the Accomptants charge Et de xviij s. iij. d. ob de fine cariandi Gavelwood de consuetudine It often occurs in like records of divers other manours under that diversity of names A certain measure of Rent-ale Among the articles to be charged upon the Stewards and Bailives of the Church of Canterburies manours infra Cantiam according to which they were to be accomptable this was wont to be one De Gavelsester cujuslibet bracini braciati infra libertatem maneriorum viz. unam lagenam dimidium cervisiae Another old Record calls it Tolsester in these words De Tolsester cervis hoc est de quolibet bracino per annum unam lagenam de cervis as it is in an old book of the same Cathedral amongst the rents of Assise of Halton manour in being undoubtedly the same in lieu whereof the Abbot of Abbington was wont of custome to receive that peny mentioned by Mr. Selden in his learned Dissertation annexed unto Fleta newly published cap. 8. num 3. and there by some mistake haply of the Printer termed Colcester peny for Tolsester peny Nor differs it I take it from what in the Glossary at the end of Hen. 1. Laws is called Oate-gavel A service charged upon Tenants for example In Charing manour in Kent an old Rental whereof of Edw. 1. time hath it thus Grenehelle Eadmundus filius Thomae de Grenehelle de uno jugo debet c. arabit unam acram 6. pedes metet unam acram dimid 9. pedes de Gavelwerk This admitting also of a transposition of the syllables is somtimes found written Werk-gavel in barbarous Latine Werkgabulum as in an Accompt-roll of the Arch-Bishops manour of Tunebrugge now called Tunbridge of Hen. 3. time and signified Rent-work which was of two sorts the one personal by the Tenants person which they called Manuopera the other by his carriages thence termed Carropera and they both met I take it in Villeins called Gaigneurs In an old Custumal of our Cathedral at Canterburies manour of Clyne in Kent I find them thus coupled De Gavelnoht vel Gavelfother de Ostreland The latter seemeth to expound the former shewing them both to import what at this day we call Rentfodder the latter word in which composition cometh as I suppose of the Teutonick Voeder or the German Futer which we at this day pronounce Fodder Of the Feudists it is called Fodrum to whom I refer such as desire a further explanation of the term wherein the learned Hotoman I take it is more copious than the rest in his Commentary De verbis feudalibus in voce Let them also have recourse to our learned Glossarist in verbo Fodrum In the Custumal of the same Churches manour of Chatham in Kent it occurs thus Allocantur per annum pro Gavelbred ad herdemet iij. sum dimid It is the same I take it which I find elswhere thus expressed In pane ad Gavelbred de consuetudine arantium metentium ij sum So an Accompt-roll of Charing manour in Edw. 1. time Nor is it probably any other than what in the Custumal of West-Farlegh manour in Kent is termed Averbred Allocantur per annum pro averbred iij. s. ij d. It seems to be a proportion of food or victual allowed to the baser sort of Tenants such as the Custumarii Cotarii Villani and the like the Gaigneurs towards their coredy or sustentation during their employments in the Villein-services of their Lords such as those reckoned up by the Authour of the Mirroir chap. 2. sect 28. where he saith Et ascuns per villeins customes d' arrer ower charrier sarclir fauchir scier tasser batre ou tielx autres manners d' services which were not alwayes attended with such allowance whence my Authour goes on adding ascun foits sans reprise d' manger And thus far of the particular rents and services whose names begin with Gavel to which I might adde that of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 occurring in the Laws of King Ina cap. 44. Now to proceed to those ending with it Of which the first four Wood-gavel Werk-gavel Swine-gavel Corn-gavel having their several expositions in their proper places viz. in the former list of services whose names begin with Gavel I passe from them to the rest of like termination In the Conquerours and some succeeding Kings Charters made to St. Augustines Abbey at Canterbury the present service occurrs by the name of Gabulum denariorum the tithe whereof here excepted from these was elswhere granted unto other Monks whereof see Mr. Seldens History of Tithes pag. 321 330 331. It was a rent usually reserved and paid in money witnesse the mention and description of it without composition between the Abbat and Covent of St. Augustines and the men of Thanet whereof before in Gavel-corn and speaketh thus Tenentur de praedictis Abbate Coventu Praedecessoribus suis per fidelitatem relevium per redditum servitium vocatum Peny gavel viz. reddendo annuatim eisdem Abbati Coventui eorum Successoribus de qualibet swillinga dictarum xlij swillingarum in festo S. Martini in hyeme decem novem solidos octo denarios de praedicta quarta parte unius Swillingae in eodem festo annuatim quatuor solidos undecim denarios pro qualibit acra dictarum xxxviij acrarum terrae de swilling-Swilling-land in eodem festo secundùm ratam portionis redditus easdem xxxviij acras terrae contingentes c. In the Custumal of the Church of Canterburies manour of Mepham in Kent amongst the rest of the rents services there this occurs for one De xxj sum iiij bush de Maltgavel c. It signifies Rent-malt and is the same I take it that in another like Record an old Rental of Eastry manour in Kent is called Malt shot and thus expressed there De Malt shot termino
circumcisionis Domini xx d. But so called I trow when compounded for in money otherwise upon the same ground Malt-peny as the old Customal of the same manour frequently nameth it So called peradventure in relation to some greater rent or service arising and paid out of the same land that this at some other part or season of the year I guesse hereat by an old Customal of Charing manour where indeed I found it so and so Les-gavel quasi Lesle-rent or Lesle-service I take it to be the same that in the Customals and Rentals of some other manours I find written Lesyeld and Lesgeld unlesse it be mistaken for the next Leaf-gavel thus occurring in an old Accompt-roll of the Church of Canterbury Et de xii l. iij. d. ob de annuo redditu assis cum Leafgabulo ad terminum S. Martini which I conceive to be the same with what in a like Record of Hathewolden now Halden manour in Kent is called Lef-silver Et de xviij d. de Lef-silver in Hathewoldum The old Custumal of Tenham manour in Kent calling it Lyefyield thus explains it Tenentes de Waldis non possunt arare terras suas ab equinoctio autumpnali usque festum beati Martini sine licentia Et ideo reddunt annuatim dimidiam marcam ad festum S. Martini sive fuerit Pessona sive non Et vocatur Lyes-yeld Whereby it seems to be a tribute paid by certain Wealdish Tenants for liberty to plow their grounds during a certain season of the year viz. tempore Pessonae which because of some prejudice that might thereby redound to the Lord in his Pawnage was not permitted without his leave Gabulum mellis as the old Rentals of Chistlet manour in Kent seem to term what some ancient Accompt-rolls of Otteford and other manours call Hunigaved both one and t'other signifying Rent-honey Item de Weregavel vj. d. aliquando tamen plus aliquando minus Thus in the Custumal of the Canterbury Cathedrals manour of Leisdowne in the Isle of Shepey It seems to be a rent paid in respect of Wears or Kiddels to catch fish withall pitch'd and plac'd by the Sea-coasts and until Magna Charta forbade it in some rivers too whereof see further in Sir Hen. Spelmans Glossary verbo Kidellus and in Sir Edw. Cokes Institutes part 2. pag. 38. and elswhere In an Accompt-roll of the manour of Reculver in Kent anno 16. Edw. 3. this service in the charge there thus occurrs Idem respondet de 814 dimid ped clausur hayag fac circa manerium ex consuetudine unde de Twygavel 200. I meet with it elswhere also but with explanation no where Taking liberty of conjecture I conceive it to be some double kinde of service by the Twy preposed as elswhere Twysket an imposition upon the Tenants of Aldington manour by Romney mersh for maintaining the Sea-coasts there and other like defences against inundations is termed Duplum as thus Computus de duplo Wallae quod vocatur Twysket So the Accompt-roll of that manour in the sixth year of St. Edmunds Archbishoprick Is termed of our learned Glossarist verb. Berewica by Tributum hordeaceum elswhere viz. verb. Gabella by Redditus hordeaceus You shall finde in the 60th of King Ina's Laws in Mr. Lambards Archaion If it were not Rent-barley I should take it for the Drincelean occurring as in the last chapter of the Leges Presbyterorum Northumbrensium in Sir Hen. Spelmans Councils pag. 502. So also in the 87th of King Cnutes Laws in the Archaion and in this latter place rendred in the old Version in Brampton just as Oryncelan mistaken for Drincelan in the old Glossary at the end of Hen. 1. Laws by Retributio potus If so it seems to be the same with what was afterwards called Scot-ale whereof you may read in Matth. Paris the Charter of the Forest Bracton the Mirroir and elswhere King Hen. 2. in his charter to the citizens of Canterbury acquits them of it Ita quod saith he Vicecomes meus Cantuar. vel aliquis alius Ballivus Scotalam non faciet It 's sometimes called Potura and was a contribution by the men and Tenants towards a Potation i. e. a Drinking or as some yet speak an Ale provided to entertain the Lord or his Bailiffe withall coming to keep Court or the like raised by a proportion or rate more or lesse according to the better or meaner condition In an old Custumal of Southmalling manour in Sussex in that part of it intituled Bortha de feld I read as followeth Item si Dominus Archiepiscopus fecerit Scotall infra boscum quilibet terram tenens dabit ibi pro se uxore sua iij. ob vidua vel Kotarius j. d. In the Extent of the manour of Terring to give you another instance anno 5. Edw. 1. this Scotale service is thus remembred Lewes Memorandum quod praedicti tenentes debent de consuetudine inter eas facere Scotalium de xvj d. ob ita quod de singulis sex denar detur j. d. ob ad potandum Bedello Domini Archiepiscopi super praedictum feodum Bracton saith It is sometimes called Filctale sol 117. b. which our learned Glossarist in voce correcting reads Fildale and is in some sort followed by Sir Edw. Coke Institut part 4. pag. 307. With the Varia lectio before Bracton I should rather read it Gildale and then indeed as it comes neerer the other Scot-ale so with that better answers to our present Bere-gafol Gild Gafol and Scot being as it were Synonyma and univocal Observed to be alwayes paid by the Tenant per avail to the mesne Lord not to the chief and thence called in some old records and deeds Foris-gabulum quasi extra vel praeter gabulum quod Domino capitali debetur just like the French mans Surcens Will you have an example John then the son of Richard at Horsfald by his deed dated anno 1242. gives to Warin of Stablegate a parcel of land to be holden to him and his heirs or to whomsoever he shall give sell or assigne it a clause without which by the account of those elder times land was not alienated from the proper heirs paying to the Prior and Covent of Christ-church Canterbury Lords it seems of the Fee certain annal rent and hens and to the Feossor and his heirs j. d. yearly de forgabulo c. Some other instances of this kind might be added but I must contract passing over Metegavel whereof mention is made in the old Glossary at the end of Hen. 1. Laws and there in Latine rendred Cibi gablum Now a word or two of Gavelet This I must tell you was no Rent or Service but betokeneth a rent or service with-held denied or deteined causing the tenements forfeiture to the Lord whence those words of Fleta reciting the Statute
De Gavelleto Et ex tunc vocentur tenementa illa not Forschoke as in Tottells Edition of the Statute followed by Cowell in his Interpreter but Forisfacta See Fleta pag. 119. It is taken I confesse of some for a Synonymy with Gavelkynd and to import land letten for rent or the like and per me licet the acception shall passe for me as warrantable enough from the latitude of the term but in the sence wherein the Statute 10. Edw. 2. and other ancient records all that I have ever view'd do take it up it seems to carry no other meaning than the deteinment of rent or service whence that of Sir Edw. Coke Gaveletum saith he I adventure to correct it so as supposing it corruptly printed Gavelletum is as much to say as to cease or let to pay the rent Breve de Gavelleto in London est breve de Cessavit in biennium c. pro redditu ibidem quia tenementa fuerunt indistringibilia Thus he In the Kentish Eyre of Hervicres de Stanton recorded in a Manuscript of St. Austins at Canterbury among the Pleas there concerning the Abbat and Covent pag. 106. it occurrs thus Et postea per quandam consuetudinem quae vocatur Gavelate usitatam in comitatu isto de terris tenementis de Gavelkinde pro redditibus servitiis quae à retro fuerint de eisdem per plures annos devenerunt eaedem terrae in manus cujusdam Abbatis c. I have often met with the word in old Accompts of the Arch-bishops manours from which I could present you with a cloud of instances but for brevity sake I shall trouble you but with one and that taken from a Roll of Ringemere in Sussex in Edw. 3. time Item saith the Roll de defectu redditus cujusdam curtilagii jacentis Gavellate quod fuit Aliciae Hammerii per annum in manu Domini iiij d. The sence I trow which I gave you of Gavelet is by this time sufficiently asserted which if compared with the term it self will appear very natural being derived and compounded of Gavel and let or late a word this latter fetch'd at first if I mistake not from the Teutonick Laeten signifying as we are taught by Kilianus in his Etymologick Dictionary linquere relinquere omittere dimittere just I take it as our old Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seems to do The Germans have it Lassen the French Laisser we at this day Let. The termination is found in some other words now antiquated and obsolete as well as this for example in Hereslit which by the common opinion of Expositours sounds as much as armorum depositio or exercitus desertio coming from Her saith Lindenbrog in his Glossary exercitus and lassen deserere Sir Hen. Spelman I confesse as to this latter syllable is of another mind writing it slit and slite and construing it by fissura diruptio separatio and so will have Hereslit to signifie diruptionem exercitus For my part under favour I conceive that between the latter syllable in Hereslit and the latter syllables in Laghslite Manslihte Theofslihte and the like there is this difference to be observed that namely in the former Hereslit the latter syllable is lit the s being here a note of the Genitive case and perteining to the former syllable signifying desertio derelictio in the other slihte slyhte or slite betokening ruptio violatio c. As Rent and Service in general was understood by Gable Gavel c. simply and particular rents and services denoted by an application of it to particulars as in the former compounds so the man the Tenant that paid the one and performed the other was sutably called of old as in the 6th and 22th of King Ina's Laws 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 more of late Gavelman whence for example that passage in an Accompt-roll of Terring manour in sussex anno 11. Edw. 1. Et de iij. s. vj. d. de incremento redditus de Simone Theodulsi de una virgata dimid cum uno messuagio in Salwenton traditis eidem Simoni hoc anno in servitium de Gavel-man quantum Gavelman debet de tanto tenemento He was one of those I conceive that in a fore-cited Extent of the same manour are thus differenced and distinguished from other sorts of Villeins Villani de Terring qui vocantur Gavelmanni By an endorsement upon an old Custumal of Charing manour I find that Otteford manour had its Gavelmanni And amongst the then Tenants of Charing manour and the services charged upon them in that Custumal I read of some there termed in one place Gavelikendeyes in another Gavelmanni The term I conceive may properly be given and applied to our Kentish Tenants in Gavelkynd One thing more I have to note before I leave Gable Gavel c. viz. that where it comes into mention as it often doth in the Reddendum of deeds or feoffments with Mala it there properly signifies and is strictly to be taken for Services or Customes as on the other side Mala there as properly betokens Rent or Ferm which being chiefly two-fold was distinguished into White-Rents Redditus albi Blanc ferm and Black-Rents Redditus nigri Black maile that paid regularly in pecuniis in silver and therefore called White this Black because for the most part paid in pecude or the like say some if I might add an expression I should rather in blado or if that be not full enough in annona comprehending all sorts of provision wherewith the Lords table was furnished and himself and family fed And consequently where I meet with a Tenant holding per gablum malum as there were many such of old and I could instance in some as in Charing Monkton Reculver Broke and other manours in Kent I should if I were to play the Expositour render it per servitium fermam velredditum The tenure continues to this day in Scotland whence they conserve Firmarius by a Mail-payer a Mailer or Mailman The word as I conceive is originally British coming of their Mael which in the Welsh Vocab is in Latine rendred Luerum emolumentum quaestus as Maelio the verb Lucrari quaestum facere The Saxons used it in the same sence as with the Latines vectigal stipendium whence this in the Chronicle of Abbingdon anno M L. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which the Latine Chronicle of Flor. of Worcester and others give thus 1051. Rex Eadwardus absolvit Anglos à gravi vectigali c. Hence also thus in the same Chro. Mlv. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. according to the same Latine Histories Classis Algari Comitis Leogecestram devecta stipendium quod eis promiserat ibi expectavit By this time the Reader is satisfied I hope touching the true construction of Gavel Gafol Gable or however else he shall chance to find it written both as the word is taken simply and
as it is used besides in composition in each importing Cens i. e. Rent either in money provision or works And being thus far advanced in the dispatch of our positive Proposition what is the true sence of Gavelkynd I must now desire the Reader in the next place to observe and consider with me that as there are divers sorts of land to be found both in this County and elswhere by the nature of their Tenure not Censive or Censual nor of the kind to pay or yeild Gavel that is such Rent or Rent-service whether in money provision or works as ariseth from ignoble base and plebeian Tenures in which onely Gavel is conversant to those of whom such lands are holden those namely holden in Alodio in Frankalmoigne or Mortmaine as called also abroad because yeilding the Lord no profit as being in a dead hand in Knights-service in Frank fee and the like so is there also such as that holden in Socage or Burgage Tenures or the like though free which contrariwise is Censual liable to Rent in some one or more of the kinds premised To distinguish therefore if not generally what land is from what is not of Gafol gilden nature or of the kind to yeild or pay Cens yet specially to put a difference between what alone is properly and anciently called Fee Knight-service land and it under which double head is comprised the generality of our whole Countries lands answering as to that dichotomy of Chivalry and Socage Tenures whereunto all the land in England in the hands of common persons is referred so also to that known distinction of their lands in Normandy from whence as some surmise we received our Gavelkynd whereof more hereafter unto Fief de Haubert and Fief de Roturier that is the Noblemans Fee and the Husbandman or Ploughmans Fee for distinction sake I say of Censual or rented land or Rent-service land from what like Fee properly so called being holden per liberum servitium armorum yeilded no Cens Rent or Service whether in money provision or works the former of the twain was called Gavelkynd that is as Mr. Lambard rightly in the second of his fore-mentioned conjectures of the kind or nature to pay or yeild rent or land holden not properly in Fee but as the Feudists are wont in this case to distinguish contractu censuali as being letten out with or under condition to pay Cens or Rent or with a reservation of Cens or Rent like unto those in the charters of the Conquerour and his son Hen. 1. the one to Battell the other to Reading Abbeys expresly called Terrae censuales and there opposed to Fee witnesse this provision occurring in each charter Terras censuales nec ad feudum donet nec milites nisi in sacra veste Christi faciat nec de possessionibus Ecclesiae quisquam teneat aliquid feudaliter absolutum sed ad censum annuum servitium Abbati monachis debitum See Clement Reyners Apostolatus Benedictinor in Anglia tract 2. pag. 137 154. It is no simple word Gavelkynd but a compound of Gavel and kynd the latter syllable whereof to proceed on to that cometh and is contracted of the Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a word frequently occurring in the Saxon Sermon set forth and published by Mr. Fox in his Acts and Monuments and again of late by Mr. Lisle as an Appendix to another Saxon piece a Treatise of the old and new Testament in the version or translation of the word they both concur rendring it in our modern English Nature To give an instance or two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. after true nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. it is naturally and the like Iâ— will peradventure be objected that Mr. Lambard in his Perambulation pag. 495. meeting with the word several times in the Saxon will of Byrhtric of Mepham in this often repeated passage there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alwayes translates it after the old Latine version in Textus Roffensis within that kinred and in a marginal note against it calleth it a kynd of gift in tayle But for reply if I may have leave freely to deliver my sence that version is not good for under favour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there importeth not as that Translation would kinred but rather kynd nature sort quality or condition and consequently 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 there if rightly is thus I take it and not otherwise to be Englished viz in that kind or after that nature or upon the same terms or with the same condition having relation if you mark it to the tie upon the next precedent legacies gifts or devises of other land charged either with alms or with rent in way of alms payable thereout by the Legataries or Devisees for the Devisor or Testator his souls health Had it been otherwise ted books the following passage in a Charter recorded in a Lieger of the often alleaged Cathedral at Canterbury of certain land all which the party had in Southweâ—k given to that Church by Norman le Wautier in the year of Christ 1204 which thus speaketh Et quia praedicta terra de libero catallo proprio perquisito meo fuit non de aliqua hereditate parentum meorum ideo Deâ—minde S. Thomam Martyrem Sanctos Cantuariensis Ecclesiae conventum monachorum ejusdem heredem meum legitimum inscribo hac mea carta in perpetuum constituo To which many more such like might easily be added from the same Promptuarium The Fâ—udists in this case distinguish between Feudum novum antiquum as may be seen in Vulteius de Feudis lib. 1. cap. 10. num 73. In the next place the Reader may please to observe with me that as Britton distinguisheth of a double tenure in Mortmaine the one called Almoigne or Aumone simply the other Frankalmoigne describing the former to be a gift in alms but not free alms because saith he a certain service is reteined or reserved to the Feoffor cap. 66. fol. 164. â— so this in hand is no alienation in Frankalmoigne the Fâ—offers it seems not intending to give the land in that absolute manner but in token of Seigniory to reserve something of service to themselves phrase their gift not in puram eleemosynam or in liberam eleemosynam one of which words viz. either pura or libera is some say others say both essential to the making it a tenure in Frankalmoigne and to the excusing it from service with which the next following words and to Gavelkynd could not have consisted pure alms or Frankalmoigne excluding the return of all but divine services and burthens they phrase it not therefore I say in puram or liberam eleâ—mosynam but onely in perpetuam eleâ—mosynam and to Gavelkynd by the former of these words investing the Hospital with an estate in perpetuity by the latter and the Reddendo following saving and reserving
to themselves a quit-rent as it were in signum dominii that is they reserved to themselves the service and granted to the Hospital the usum fructum or they granted the utile dominium to the Hospital and reserved the directum to themselves So that whereas Bracton and others make mention of a tenure in feodo quoad servitia non in dominico referring to the chief Lord and of another in feodo dominico non in servitio relating to the Free-holder the former may here be referred to the Feoffors the latter to the Feoffees in this deed But this Parergon And now to wind up all concerning this first Proposition and not to enlarge with any further instances wherein I might be infinite for asserting this truth of our Gavelkynds derivation Gavelkynd we see is the lands right name whose Etymologie was never wrested to Gife-eal-cyn whose signification of Censual Rented land or Rent-service land was never questioned till that within our fathers memories one and all by a kind of errour jure veluti successionis transmitted to them run a head in a wrong and mistaken derivation PROPOSITION II. The Nature of Gavelkynd-land in point of Partition DIsallowing then Gavelkynd as to the name of it to be derivative from Partition our next enquiry shall be if on the contrary Partition ow it self to Gavelkynd or to what other cause Before I further enter into which research or offer any resolution to the Quaere give me leave to preface it with certain rules grounds and principles in this case fit to be premised You are then desired to take notice that here in England we acknowledge no land no inheritance partible or divisible but what is so either first by Law as in the case of Females succeeding for lack of Males whether in Knight-service land or Socage which in this point differ not or what secondly is so by Custome as in our present case of Gavelkynd and such like no parceners of land I say in point of inheritance or succession but either according to the course of the Common Law or by Custome as termed by Littleton and our more modern books the same in effect with what of elder time in Bractons language are called 1 Ratione personarum 2 Ratione rei vel terrae In the next place let me adjoyn what in this point of Partition is delivered by those two ancient and famous Sages of our Law Glanvill and Bracton whereof the former speaketh thus Cum quis ergo hereditatem habens moriatur si unicum filium heredem habuerit indistinctè verum est quod filius ille patri suo succedit in toto Si plures reliquerit filiâ—s tunc distinguitur utrum ille fuerit miles sive per feodum militare tenens aut liber Sokemannus quia si miles fuerit vel per militiam tenens secundùm jus regni Angliae primogenitus filius patri succedit in totum ita quod nullus fratrum suorum partem inde de jure petere potest Si verò fuerit liber Sokemannus tunc quidem dividetur hereditas inter omnes filios quotquot sunt per partes aequales si fuerit Socagium id antiquitus divisum salvo tamen capitali messuagio primogenito filio pro dignitâ—te aâ—sneciae suae ita tamen quod in aliis rebus satisfaciâ—t aliis ad valentiam Si vero non fuerit antiquitus divisum tunc primo genitus secundum quorundam consuetudinem totam hereditatem obtinebit secundùm autem quorundam consuetudinem postnatus filius heres est Item si filiam tantùm unam reliquerit quis heredem tunc id obtinet indistinctè quod â—e filio dictum est Sin autem plures filias tunc quidem indistinctè inter ipsas dividetur hereditas sive fuerit Miles sive Sokemannus pater earum salvo tamen primogenitae filiae capitali messuagio sub formâ praescriptâ— c. Thus Glanvill harmoniously followed and almost verbatim of Bracton whose words on this argument are these Si liber Sockmannus moriatur pluribus relictis haeredibus participibus si haereditas partibilis â—it ab antiquo divisa haeredes quotquot erunt habeant partes suas aequales si unicum fuerit messuagium illud integre remaneat primogenito ita tamen quod alii habeant ad valentiam de communi Si autem non fuerit hereditas divisa ab antiquo tunc tota remaneat primogenito Si autem fuerit Sockagium villanum tunc consuetudo loci erit observanda Est enim consuetudo in quibusdam partibus quod postnatus praefertur primogenito è contrario c. Hereunto let me subjoyn in the third and last place that common principle amongst us and obvious in our books viz. that prescription in Gavelkynd-land as it is not needful so neither is it good The reason is whereof I pray take notice with me that as Mr. Lambard hath it the custom of Gavelkynd is general spreading it self throughcut the whole Shire into all lands subject by ancient Tenure unto the same such places onely excepted where it is altered by Act of Parliament and therefore 5. Edw. 4. 8. and 14. Hen. 4. 8. it is said that the Custome of Gavelkynd is as it were a Common Law in Kent Having thus premised I shall now make it my endeavour to shape such a resolution or answer to the propounded Quaere as may consist with these principles And briefly my answer here is negative viz. that Partition doth not owe it self barely to Gavelkynd either ex vi termini by reason or force of that denomination or ratione rei from the nature or condition of the land that property alone of the lands being Gavelkynd or so called not sufficing to render it partible First as for the name the term that that will in no wise bear it is I conceive a thing sufficiently cleared in our Discourse upon the first Proposition wherein the term is vindicated from that mistaken construction by the errour of latter times obtruded on it nor can such a derivation any way consist with the premised principles Partition in Gavelkynd-land from the term or denomination of it being reducible to none of the there assigned causes of Partition As inconsistent also with those causes and grounds of partition that dichotomy or bipartite distinction of partible land into 1 that by Law and 2 that by Custome is the attributing that property of partition in Gavelkynd to the nature or condition of the land there being no mention of any such third sort of partible land to be found in our Books If it be replied Yes surely for Bracton is expresse for a partition ratione reâ— vel terrae in the places above quoted that especially where he saith as fol. 374. a. sicut de Gavelkind vel alibi ubi terra partibilis est ratione terrae Such indeed are his words and withall 't is not to be denied that such is the nature
and condition of Gavelkynd-land being not onely subject and liable to what the Civilians in their phrase are wont to call Judicium or Actio familiae herciscundae De communi dividundo the Feudists Adaequatio Paragium we in our language term it Coparceâ—ary Land-shifting and the like but withall so subject to it as that partition doth alwayes accompany land of that nature and is indeed as inseparable from it as the contrary from Knight-service land Whence then is it Before I answer observe first with me for an answer to these passages in Bracton that as before each of them in one place we have his si haereâ—itas partibilis sit ab antiquo divisa so likewise after them in another place his tenementum partibile inter plures cohaeredes sempeâ— solet dividi ab antiquo Whereby conferring place with place for reconciling Bracton to himself we may plainly understand what is meant by those two meâ—ne or intervening passages in Bracton namely that not the bare nature of the land but ancient customes joynâ— concurrence with it is intended and of him implied in each place though not expressed to render the land or inheritance partible The like help under favour must be allowed Glanvill to reconcile his Sciendum autem quod si quis liberum habens Socagium plures habuerit filios qui omnes ad hereditatem equaliter pro equalibus proportionibus sunt admittendi lib. 7. cap. 1. fol. 46. a. to his Si vero fuerit liber Sokemannus tunc quidem dividetur hereditas inter omnes filios quotquot sunt per partes equales si fuerit Socagium id antiquitus divisum eod lib. cap. 3. fol. 49. a. Briefly were it so that Gavelkind-land were partible by vertue either of the name or nature of it without accession and concurrence of Custome then all lands as soon as granted out in Gavelkynd whereof examples are obvious and till the Statute of Quia emptores terrarum frequent were ipso facto partible contrary to that common and received ground whereof before that none are such i. e. partible with us except that descending for want of males to females but what are so by custome As then not to the name so neither to the nature of Gavelkynd-land alone is such partition owing And is it then to Custome or Prescription For the latter 't is clearly repugnant to what is before laid down by way of grounds or principles it being a known rule in our Law and obvious in our books that Prescription in our Kentish Gavelkynd as it is not wanted so neither is it admitted to come in plea. What say we then to Custome Surely since neither to the name or nature of the land nor to Prescription nor yet neither to the Common Law so diametrically opposite to it to that I mean to Custome it is or I know not else to what that this partition mainly owes it self Agreeable whereto is that of Mr. Lambard where he saith that no Gavelkynd partition could be challenged but onely where the custome of division had prevailed and that Gavelkynd was not tried by the manner of the Socage services but onely by the touch of some former partition But if so then an objection here meets us resolved into a question thus What shall then be said to Gavelkynd land of novel Tenure upon the grant of lands â—ill then happily holden in Demesne to one or more persons in Gavelkynd as was usual before that Statute of Quia emptores terrarum and until when a man might create in his land what Tenure he pleased granting out as Bracton hath it in Socage what he held in Knight-service and è converso what I say shall we resolve concerning the point of partition here since no particular custome or usage of partition had ever took place to give to such division either foundation or precedent We are here me thinks threatned with a Dilemma for either the land was not partible and why then called Gavelkynd or if partible yet not by custome being but newly turn'd from some other Tenure into Gavelkynd and wanting both Time and the daughter of it Usage the essentials of a custome to render it partible that way Here then is work for an Oedipus but the resolution of the main doubt to which I will now more closely apply my stile will at once clear both Truth is then that 't is neither from Custome alone nor yet from the nature of Gavelkynd-land alone that this partition springs but partly from the one partly from the other and so from both together It must be granted that Gavelkynd land ex sui naturâ is partible thus far and in this sence that by an inherent quality it is capable of partition by Custome that indeed may and doth render it partible as Knight-service land properly it cannot by reason of a repugnancie thereto in the nature thereof but in this respect it differs not from Socage land in general which by the nature of it is capable of partition and by Custome may be and in many places extra Cantium is partible where the plea I take it ought to run quod terra illa à toto tempore c. partibilis fuit partita agreeable with that of Glanvill si fuerit Socagium id antiquitùs divisum which Bracton seemeth somewhat more fully to explain by his si haereditas partibilis sit ab antiquo divisa Now then reddendo singula singulis that such land is partibilis i e. partible the former part of plea is in Kent from Gavelkynd elswhere in particular manours at least from Socage that it is or rather was antiquitùs partita i. e. anciently parted the pleas latter part is from Custome or Prescription Partition in the mean while in our Gavelkynd being but a single property or branch thereof induced by Custome the term in its full latitude comprehending all other properties accompanying land of that nature and tenure such as Dower of the moyety Suffering for felony without forfeiture of estate and the rest conteined in the Kentish Custumal as properly depending of Gavelkynd as partition doth and in respect whereof the land may as well be called Gavelkynd as because of Partition But admitting Socage-land to be generally by the nature of it consuetudine mediante capable of partition as well a Gavelkynd how comes it then to passe will some say that this partition-property is more appropriate to it than Socage-land in general and that they so much differ in their terms From the agreement of the Kentish-men with the Conquerour â—aith the common opinion I shall answer that anon In the mean time said we not but now that Custome is the thing whereto we ow this partition And if so why then seek we any further after its original Customes we know cease to be Customes when once they can be traced to their first beginnings it being the main essential part of a
properties incident to our Gavelkynd it might and no doubt but doth differ from it Besides that such partible land elswhere should be called Gavelkynd will not stand with out premised grounds excluding Prescription in Gavelkynd land whereas in such places abroad though haply not in whole Counties yet in particular Manours I conceive it 's necessary even in their Gavellonds whereof I find mention made in several manours out of Kent as some in Kent to shew quod terra illa à toto tempore c. partibilis fuit partita the accustomable actual partition of it being there as necessary to be pleaded and proved as its capability of such a property Add hereunto that if all partible land were Gavelkynd rendred such by partition alone then were Bractons Sicut de Gavelkynd vel alibi ubi terra est partibilis ratione terrae an improper expression We are told that this Custome of Gavelkynd partition takes place hath done at least in other countries or counties besides Kent and Littleton instanceth in North-Wales But what custome I pray a custome indeed like to that in the Scottish Socage land of partition that 's true and testimonies of it are obvious such as besides that of Littleton Statutum Walliae the Welch History and some Acts of Parliament But still I say no Gavelkynd-custome taken in its true plenary and compleat acception comprising all the properties of it obvious in the Custumal As then for other Countrey-mens communicating with us of Kent in the Tenure I conceive it first came up by way of imitation of our example in Ireland especially and amongst the Welch-men in whose Vocabulary or Dictionary the word is sought in vain as it is also in that old Statute which concerns them Statutum Walliae where though mention may be found of a custome there obteining of partition of their lands like to that of our Kentish Gavelkynd yet without any one word of Gavelkynd And if perhaps it may be found in their deeds charters or other records yet as one saith in a case not much unlike conditioned to this of ours whose words with very little variation I shall therefore take up here Suspicari licet hanc voâ—em pluribus illorum chartis actisque publicis nâ—n tam illorum quà m pragmaticorum usu ac instituto invectam i. e. 't is to be suspected that it had its imposition and was first transmitted hither by our Lawyers who borrowed the term to make use of it for illustration sake like as of late I am perswaded the Parliament did in that Stat. 34. Hen. 8 cap. 26. where the term of Gavelkynd haply is but borrowed to help describe and illustrate that partible quality there mentioned of the lands in Wales which I am the more induced to conceive because in a former Statute concerning Wales namely that of the 27th of the same King cap. 26. making mention of this partition Gavelkynd is not at all remembred In imitation then as I conceive of the Kentish-men the generality of whose partible land of long time hath notoriously been known by that title and whose lands alone of all the Counties of England at this day be of the nature of Gavelkynd of common right this name or term of Gavelkynd in lands elswhere of like condition in matter of descent hath been taken up and is reteined By that which hath been said I may be thought to incline to their opinion who hold that Socage and Gavelkynd are Synonyma terms identical and of one and the same signification here in Kent and that consequently what land here is of Gavelkynd-nature is of Socage-tenure as on the other side what land is of Socage-tenure is of Gavelkynd-nature I answer No for I require in this case I mean to make Socage land here in Kent ipso facto partible after the custome of Gavelkynd that it be granted out and holden in Gavelkynd expressely or in terms equivalent as I said before yet with that distinction oftimes wherewith I there qualified it Notwithstanding I am not of their mind who distinguishing between free and base Socage in Kent make the natures of their descents divers the free Socage say they descending to the eldest alone the base falling in division between him and all his brethren Thus Mr. Lambard in the person of others to help justifie whose distinction with the inference upon it he there exhibits an Inquisition taken after the death of one Walter Culpepper making mention of divers parcels of land and annual rents holden by the deceased at his death some in liberum feodum others in Gavelkynd the former of which by the verdict of the Jury was to go to the deceaseds eldest son alone the latter in common amongst him and the rest of his brethren Thus the Inquisition which as Mr. Lambard there follows it cleerly distinguisheth free Socage from the Gavelkynd interpreting it seems liberum feodum there by Free Socage and it may be rightly however I crave leave of dissent and as it is but fit shall give my reasons For my part I never found Free Socage any where expressed by that term or in Latine rendred Liberum feodum nor perhaps to those of more diligence and more conversant with our Law-records than my self hath it ever occurred under that notion Nor have I met with any Free Socage as this here not subject to the rendring of some kind of service either in denariâ—s or otherwise By Liberum feodum I understand sometime Feodum militare which is often in old Records called Liberum feodum In a very ancient Rental of Southmalling manour in Sussex we have this title Liberi feodi and under it Godefridus Walensis tenet 111 feodos milit in tenemento de Malling quartam partem unius feodi apud Terring per liberum servitium armorum suorum Willmus de Bransa tenuit apud Adburton unum feodum militis per liberum servitium armorum suorum And so some others Apposite here is that of Bracton Notandum saith he quod in servitio militari non dicitur per liberum servitium ideo quiaconstat quod feodum tale liberum est c. Sometime also by Liberum feodum I understand what I conceive it doth principally denote unto us Frank Fee that is by the Feudists definition such prâ— quâ— nullum omninâ— servitium praestatur and therefore is of them reckoned inter Feudastra or Feuda impropria And such as this seemeth to be meant by Liberum feâ—dum in that Inquisition because it is there in terminis expressed to be holden just after the manner of Frank Fee by the precedent definition of it absque aliquo servitio inde faciendo And if Frank Fee then in probability not Socage for as all the land in the Realm say our Books is either Ancient Demesne or Frank Fee so none say they is to be accounted Ancient Demesne but such as is holden in Socage
this custom from Normandy or that Odo was wrought upon by any pattern of that Countrey to set it up amongst us but rather found it here at his coming Supposing therefore such an universal custome here in England before and at the Conquest it will concern us next to make enquiry how it came to passe that when all the Realme beside hath in a manner discontinued it Kent onely reâ—â—iâ—s it in that gâ—â—iâ—â—al manner at lâ—aâ—â— whereby improcesse of time it is become as the Year-book quoted of Mr. Lambard phraseth it as it were a common Law there The answer must be but conjectural since Records herein fail us of all light as well as Histories all but Spots who for the reasons pre-alleaged shall be none of my Resolver Will you have the common answer Why then they say the Conquerour abrogated this custome in all parts of the Kingdome save onely in Kent which obtâ—ined to continue it by composition with him when they met at Swanescomb But having formerly said I hope enough in answer hereunto I will seek further and try if some other more probable cause may not be found for it The Conquerour then I will suppose consented to the continuance of this custome generally throughout the Kingdome in all I mean but Knight-service land the descent whereof to the eldest son alone partly for his own and the Realms better defence and strengthening and partly for the upholding and maintenance of gentile families I suppose none doubts to be lesse ancient than the Conquest for so much of it at least as is of ancient Tenure as Mr. Lambard desires to qualifie it Nay and seems to give expresse allowance to it without distinction of lands by that 36th of those Laws in Ingulphus copy which after the Conquest he granted to the people of England and were indeed as the title of them intimates the Laws of the Confessour his predecessour or rather say some of the Confessours predecessour Canutus Si quis intestatus obierit liberi ejus hereditatem aequaliter dividant So runs the Law according to Mr. Seldens version from the original French or Norman Some haply may take this as intended onely as a rule for goods not for lands too But to that it may be replied that the word hereditatem there if of that acception then as since and at this day will not admit of that construction since by the common opinion both of elder and more modern Lawyers nothing passeth with us here in England jure haereditario but onely Fee and that Hereditaments are such things as do naturally and of course descend to the heir and neither to the Executour or Administratour as chattels do whence that of Littleton Sect. 1. Feodum idem est quod haereditas answering to that of Bracton long before him Feodum est id quod quis tenet ex quacunque causa sibi haerâ—dibus suis See to this purpose Glanvill lib. â—3 cap. 27. But here we meet with an objection By this argument will some say you restrain and tiâ— up the Constitution to lands onely excluding goods or chattels as our Lawyers call them from what ground see in Sir Hen. Spelmans Glossary verb. Capitale to which add Freherus his Notes upon the Decalogue published anno 1610. Precept the last To construe it I must confesse or of either singly or alone were in my judgement too much to restrain and streighten it and in â—ffect to conclude it a lame and imperfect Constitution ordering the intestaâ—e dead mans estate and the disposal thereof but to halves as we say wherefore I conceive that to take the word Inheritancâ— here to comprehend both as I suppose aehâ—e doth in that 68. of Canutus Laws whereto this here if it were not taken thence may seem to have some reference is not more reasonable than to understand it eiâ—her of chattels or lâ—nds singly seems to me otherwise Why but then say they you admit of a poâ—eâ— of devising Inheritance by will and consequently make Fâ—e and Free-hold deviseable and that by Law arguing from those words Si quis intestatus ob erit c. â—rue disâ—inguishing times for â— take it nothing was more usual in those times I mean before the Normâ—n Conquest and this if you maâ—k it is oâ—iginally a Law of the Confessours or rather of Canutus his predecessour than to devâ—se and give lands away by will though therein they receded from their first copy the German custome of Nullum testamenâ—um a provision afterwards received into the body of the Feudal Law which thus hath it Nulla ordinatione defuncti in feudo manente vel valente It was then I say a usual thing with their Lords consent at least to dispose of their land by will especially their Bocland thence haply amongst other titles given it as being sometimes termed and turned Alodium otherwhile terra hereditaria often terra libera not seldome called terra testamentalis that is as an old Leiger-book in Guildhall London expounds it terra quam homo potuit in lâ—cto suo languens legare with this limitation notwithstanding that such Bocland were not by precaution in the original gift or grant liable to that or the like restriction in point of alienation occurring in the 37th of King Alfreds laws which neverthelesse extended bâ—t to strangers a man being there forbidden to alienate his land of that nature 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. â—xtra cognationem vel progeniem or in the Civil law phrase extra familiam from his own kinred or family whence perchance it came afterwards to passe that in such terragentilitia the heirs concurrence was required and used in the alienation Instances of this kind of disposing land by wâ—ll I mean might be given in abundance but a few may serve the turn To passe over as obvious because publike King Alfreds will at the â—nd of his acts and life by Asserius though I might here perhaps not impertinently take up that of Regis ad exâ—mplum c. to let that passe I say as also for the like reason to omit Byrhâ—riâ—ks will of Mepham in Kent extant in the Perambulation pag 492. whereunto if need were I could add many more examples as well out of St. Albans private History now of late made publike by my deceased friend Dr. Watts as from the Records of the Church of Canterbury whereof besides the copies of some whole wills I have by me several extracts To let all these passe I say I shall onely instance in a will or two one of a very eminent peâ—sonage an Etheling Prince Ethelstan by name the son of King Ethelred which I shall set before you in the Appendix Scriptura 18 as Scriptura 22 the other with some imperfections and misprisions here and there I confesse but through the Transcribers fault that entered them in the Leiger and by reason of his ignorance it should seem of
is turned haereditas Si quis Tainus in haereditate sua terram it should be Ecclesiam habeat c. in another like old version in the book of Rochester called Textus Roffensis is rendred Allodium Si liberalis homo quem Angli Thegen vocant habet in Alodio suo Ecclesiam c. By Allodium also is turned in the same Record Textus Roffensis what occurrs in the Saxon fragment exhibited by Mr. Lambard Perambulat in Mepham pag. 500. under the term of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Et si villanus ita crevisset sua probitate quod pleniter haberet quinque hidas de suo proprio Alodio c. Allodium it seems thence being properly such land as is fully a mans own Shortly then Feudum Fee or land holden in Fee is no more considered in its first and primary acception to which they must have regard that will hope to judge aright of the ground for the first imposition of the name than what was holden in Fee-hode by contraction Feud or Feod i. e in a stipendiary conditional mercenary mediate way and nature and with the acknowledgement of a superiour Lord and a condition of returning him some service for it upon the withdrawing whereof the land was revertible unto the Lord in which respect as the grant thereof is improperly called a Donation being but Feodalis dimissio i. e. a Demise in Fee so the Deed or Conveyance by which it was demised is as improperly termed a Charter of Donation being no more than a Charter or Deed of Feoffment Such I say is Feudum Allodium is contrarywise what is holden in All-hode in totality in a totall full absolute immediate manner and condition without acknowledgement of any superiour Lord and free from any tie or compact for the returning any service at all for it unto any Thus far and I hope not too far nor impertinently for cleering the etymon of Feudum and Allodium as the argument so the torture of many learned pens amongst whose derivations of one and t'other I humbly crave this of mine such as it is may be admitted for future Indagatours and all others of unforestalled judgements freely to consider of And now to spin on our former thred and to reassume our argument of the Introduction of our Fees or Tenures by the Conquerour which that etymon coming in the way caused me a while to set aside I here professe to concurr with them who upon the question put resolve it in the affirmative whereof our learned Glossarist for one thus Feodorum servitutes in Britanniam nostram primus invexit Gulielmus senior Conquestor nuncupatus c. and a little after Deinceps vero resonarunt omnia feodorum gravaminibus Saxonum aevâ— ne auditis quidem no other Tenures or in the Scottish expression Haldings of land being formerly here in use but these two Bocland and Folcland The one saith my Authour a possession by writing the other without That by writing so he adds was a freehold and by charter hereditary with all immunities and for the free and nobler sort That without writing was to hold at the will of the Lord bound to rents and services and was for the rurall people It may be added that the former took name from the lands booking or entring with the limits of it in a Codicil as then called a little book or as we since call it a Charter which if the land were given to a Lay-man was in way of Seizin delivered to the party that was to have the land hence haply that ceremony we retain of delivering a Conveyance as the parties Act and Deed or if to a Monastery laid and left most commonly upon the Altar Ego autem licentiâ consensu illius testimonioque Episcoporum Optimatum suorum omnes terras meas libros terrarum propria manu mea posui super altare Christi in Dorobernia c. as it is in the close of a Memorial of the gift of Monkton and other manours to the Church of Canterbury in the year 961 by Queen Edive or Edith whose picture in thankful remembrance was until of late reserved in that Churches Treasury Hence was such a Charter vulgarly known in those times by the name of a Landboc in the Latine of the times Telligraphum sometime Codicillus and the like Observe yet further terram haereditario jure conscribere liberam proclamare the Latine phrase for creating Bocland was a prerogative royal or a Royalty and out of the power of any Subject whence that passage often occurring in Subjects grants of lands in perpetuity to the forenamed Cathedral and other places viz. and such a one King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. haereditario jure conscripsit as also that liberam omninò proclamavit and such like King Ethelreds priviledge as called confirming to that Cathedral amongst other things their whole possessions is hence by one of the Subscribents called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But notwithstanding this Enfranchisement the land was very seldome alienated by the possessour in Frankalmoigne without what the Law of Mortmaine afterward required a concurrent or at least a subsequent confirmation from the King whereof examples are obvious in the List of that Churches lands and benefactours published in the Antiquities of Canterbury pag. 210. as also of the concurrence of the Magnates or Nobles in such Bocland-grants principally in that of Mallings You shall have the very words because remaâ—kable Anno Domini DCCCxxxviij Ecgbertus Athelwlfus Rex filius ejus dederunt Ecclesiae Christi in Dorobernia Mallings in Suthsexan quod viz. manerium prius eidem Ecclesiae dedit Baldredus Rex sed quia mark this non fuit de consensu magnatum regni donum id non potuit valere Et ideo c. Bocland thus flowing originally from the Crown upon all forfeictures and particularly that of the estate of the possessour for deserting the warrs as if there were no mean between the King and him the King alone was to take the forfeict But of Bocland more anon Some other kinds of land 't is true there were in those dayes but all I take it reducible to the precedent Diehotomy such as 1 Gafolland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as it is in the truce or agreement between Alfred and Guthrun KK in the Archaion cap. 2. 2 Neatland 3 Inland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 so runs the first chapter of King Edgars Laws there 4 Utland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as we have it in the will of Byrhtric in our Kentish Perambulation pag. 495. Of which four the two former I conceive were but the same with Folcland both one and t'other importing land letten or demised as folâ—Folâ—land was to rural people more Emphitâ—utico for profit the one from Gable or Gafol i. â— Cens or Rent being termed Gafolland the other called Neatland either from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to improve fructifie whence 〈◊〉
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for a Foenerator a Usurer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 profitable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 unprofitable unthrifty or else which I rather think from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Villanus Colonus as the old Version of the 19th 21th of K. Ina's Laws renders the word which comes all to one with Ceorliscus spoken of in that second Chapter of the Foedus Aluredi Guthruni Regum and there described by his quality to be oâ—e that occupieth Gafolland As for the remaining two Inland Utland the former was terra dominicalis land holden in Demesne in the owners own hands and for the most part designed in mensam Domini whence otherwise stilâ—d in succeeding times Bord-land like the Civilians and Canonists bona ad mensâ—m and in this respect may not unfitly be referred to Bocland regularly of like property The latter contrariwise like Gafolland and Neatland was land letten out and in opposition to Demesne land termed in servitio or tenementâ—lis that is granted out in service by the Lord to his Tenants to be holden of himself and so we may parallel it as with Gafolland and Neatland so with Folcland being of the same nature like the Frenchmans Fief sâ—rvant i. terra serviens in respect whereof the Tenants were bound to be Retainers Attendants and Followers to their Lords Suiâ—ors to their Courts and were thence called in the term of Hen. 1. Laws taken up afterwards of Bracton Folgarii concerning which see further in Sir Hen. Spelmans Glossary verb. Folgare Folgarii as also in the Laws of King Knute par 2. cap. 19. Besides these sorts of land after ages since the Conquest produced many other such as Work-land Cot-land Aver-land Drof-land Swilling-land Molland Ber-land Smiths-land Ware land Terra Susanna For-land Bord-land and such like Of each of which for some satisfaction to the inquisitive in a word or two The first Work-land is land of a servile nature and condition terra servilis as I find it called as also what indeed the word soundeth terra operaria because haply at the creation of the manour and distribution of it into parcels charged with servile works such as plowing and harrowing the Lords aâ—able ground mowing tassing and carrying in his hay sowing weeding reaping and inning his corn making and mending his fences thatching his barns and such like charged I say with servile works and not with Cens or Rent or if also with rent yet of the twain more especially with works and therefore contradistinct and opposite to Gavelland which was land liable to Cens or Rent or if also to works yet chiefly to rent both one and t'other being denominated from what was the more eminent service arising from them Hereof some footsteps visible in the 66. of King Ina's Laws The second Cot-land that belonging unto and occupied by the Cotarii Cotsetâ— or Cotmanni a sort of base Tenants so called from certain Cotes or Cottages small sheds like sheep-cotes with some little modicum or parcel of land adjoyning originally assigned out unto them in respect and recompence of their undergoing such like servile works or baser services for their Lords as before expressed The third Aver-land much the same with that before called Work-land coming of the French Ouvrer to work or labour but chiefly differing from that in this particular that the services thereof consisted especially in carriages as of the Lords corn into the Barn to Markets Fairs and elswhere or of his domestick utensils or houshold-provision from one place to another which service was of diverse kinds sometimes by horse thence called Horse-average otherwhile by foot thence termed Foot-average one while within the precinct of the manour thence named In-average another while without and then called Out-average the Tenant in the mean while being known by the name of Avermannus The fourth Drof-land that holden by the service of driving as well of Distresses taken for the Lords use as of the Lords cattel from place to place as to and from Markets Fairs and the like more particularly here in Kent of driving the Lords hogs or swine to and from the Weald of Kent and the Denns there thence called of old Drofdens namely from the droves of hogs sent thither and there fed and fatted with mast or pawnage the Driver whereof was vulgarly called Drofmannâ—u The fifth Swilling-land that let out or occupied by Swillings Swollings or Sullings that is Plough-lands coming of the Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Plough in which notion the word may extend to all arable land the quantity whereof was various and uncertain conteining more or lesse according to the nature of the land a Plough being able to master a greater or lesser quantity thereafter as it is in quality This of Swillings I find to be a word proper to the Kentish even from the Conquerours time to look no higher whose Survey commonly called Domesday-book shews Suling and the like to have been a term in those dayes peculiar to this County whereby to expresse the quantity of their land whilest Hide and the like was of like use elswhere To this head may be referred Hide-land Yoke-land Aker-land Rod-land and the like being quantities or portions of land let out and occupied by the Hide Yoke Aker Rod c. and denominated accordingly The sixth Mol-land was the same with Up-land of the Saxons called Dunland standing in opposition to Meadow-land Mershland or Low-land the Tenant whereof was wont to be called Molmannus the word as I conceive being derivable from the Latine Moles a heap of which see further in the Surveyours Dialogue Hence probably the name of that place in Ash the seat and patrimony aâ— this day and from good antiquity of the Harflets formerly of the Septvans families both in their time adoâ—ned with Knight-hood called Molland being of an advantagious situation for the overlooking of a large level of a rich Mershland The seventh Ber-land that which was held by the service of bearing or carrying the Lords or his Stewards provisions of victual or the like in their remove from place to place such Tenant being thence called â—ermâ—nnus The eighth Smiths-land that in respect whereof the Tenant was bound as to undergo the Smiths or Farriers office and work in and about shooing his Lords horses and carriages so also to find and furnish him with materials of iron for that purpose The ninth Ware-land the same that otherwise called in the Latine of the times Terra warectata or Terrajacens ad warectam that is land lying or suffered to lie â—allow coming from the French Garé their g here as in many other words being turned into our w whence with them Terre garée for old fallow-ground The tenth Terra susanna land not much unlike unto if not the same with the former being superannated land or land with over much tillage
worn and beaten out of state and therefore of necessity lying over year and being converted from tillage to pasture until it may recover state and be fit for tillage again the term or denomination coming from the French Susanné signifying stale grown old past the best or overworn with years The eleventh For-land the same I take it that we otherwise use to call Fore-aker whereof see more in Sir Henry Spelmans Glossary verb. Forera The twelfth and last Bord-land that holden and occupied by the Bordarii or Bordmanuâ— the same I take it with the French Bordâ—ers i. e. Villeins or Cottagers such as hold by a servile base and drudging Tenure of them called Bordage You may read both of the one and the other in the old grand Custumier of Normandy cap. 53. Within the â—ignification of the word Bordland are comprehended also as is already hinâ—ed in this chapter lands holden in Demesme of the Saxons termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and designed to the furnishing of the Lords boord or table and the maintenance of him and his family in victual For which see Bracton lib. 4. tract 3. cap. 9. num 5. Which kind of land the Saxons used to call Foster-land quasi fostering land that is land ad victum a term obvious and very frequent with the religious men of those dayes who as they had their special Ferms and portions of land assigned them ad victum so had they other as peculiar to their clothing or apparelling land ad vestitum which from the Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vestis or vestimentum they called Scrud-land They had withall their Sextary-land which was such as apperteined to the office and was intrusted to the care of the Sacrist or Sexton and was designed chiefly to the upholding maintenance of their Church or Temple both in the Fabrick and Ornaments Besides all these they had their Almesâ—and which was that appropriate to their Almnery a parcel or place of the Monastery set apart for harbour and relief to such poor people for the most part as were allied or otherwise related to the Monks I may not heâ—e omit Over-land a name attributed to such land as lieth by or along a Rivers side and coming of the Saxon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. margo the bank of a River whence that known places name lying by London alongst the Thames-side called St. Mary Overies compounded of the aforesaid Over and Ree betokening a River or Current of water Land of this name we have at or neer Ash in Kent alongst the Stour-side running to Sandwich Town and Haven I might to these add Monday-land and the like which with it fellows borrowed denomination from this or that week day and that in respect of the Tenants obligation to such or such servile works or services upon such or such dayes of the week in respect of that land But I purpose to digresse no longer having for brevity sake wittingly omitted the quotation of the places where these several names occurr which otherwise I should willingly have added and shall onely in the Appendix Scriptura 23. present the Reader with a copy of a Saxon charter making mention of those two Fosterland and Scrudland as somewhat more remarkable than the rest Now returning to our Bocland you must know that notwithstanding that introduction of new Tenures by the Conquerour we did not streightway forgo our Bocland that kind of Tenure I mean but reteined it both name and thing witnesse first what occurrs in a Deed sans date of certain messuages by Roger son of John Alderman of Radingate in Canterbury granted in Frankalmoigne to St. Laurence Hospital neer the city founded by Hugh of that name the second Abbat of St. Augustines there in the year 1137. viz. Duo messuagia quae sita sunt in terra d Bocland de qua nulli respondeâ— c. where we have not onely Bocland mentioned but the nature of it also in part seâ— forth Witnesse also another passage to the same effect in a like ancient charter to the Church of Canterbury for the grant of a parcel of land lying without the wals of the city between Queningate and Burgâ—â—e running thus Volo autem ut monachi teneant terram illam omnino liberam sicut ego antecessores mei nemini inde respondeant Witnesse lastly Domesday book it self where though haply not the name of it as neither of Folcland Saxon terms both yet the thing to my apprehension is very obvious and often occurring under the name and notion sometime of Tainland otherwhile and I think more often of Allodium Hence the phrase for the former of clamare ad Tainland of tenere in Alodio for the other both taken up as I conceive in opposition to Fee but the former so termed because indeed Bocland or Alodium was properly tenable by Thanes hence in the eleventh chapter of King Cnutes Laws par 1. Thegn and Bocland in the original Saxon as Thegen and Allodium in the Latine version in Textus Roffensis meet as relatives not but that it was sometime held by Ceorles as who were not incapable of holding it witnesse the old version of the Saxon Fragment in Mr. Lambard whereof before but when so as improperly there and as much out of place as Knights Fee proper to Knights and the nobler sort of people were in this Kingdome since and at this day in Socagers hands or in the hands of Sockmen whose proper tenure was that of Gafolland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as you have it before I have often much wondred with my self whence it should come to passe that diverse of our Canterbury houses and ground at this day pay no Quit-rent at all which others in the same place though holden in Free Burgage are known to do But considering afterwards with my self that Bocland often occurrs in Landbocs as they were called of the place in the Saxons time I at length concluded at least conceived such houses and ground to be the remains of our ancient Bocland which seemeth to be still surviving in them as if holden in Allodium pleno jure without all manner of chargeable service and no other probably than part of those eighty acres of land or the like in Canterburies Survey in Domesday-book thus expressed Habet etiam 't is spoken of Ranulfus de Columbers quater viginti aâ—r as terrae super haec quas tenebant Burgenses in Alodio so I read it rather than Alodia de Rege or as a very ancient book sometimes of St. Augustines Abbey now with the Kings Remembrancer in the Exchequer reads it Item dicuat Burgenses quod idem Ranulfus tenet quatuâ—r viginti agros de Allodiis eorum c. The same Domesday-book to prosecute this discourse of Allodium a little further makes mention particularly of some Allodiarii by name in that Kentish Survey and there also we may read to this
found that Socage-service was not so to be restrained it being ordinary with Tenants in Socage to do service extra or foris Socam as to ride with their Lord from manour to manour like the Rod-Knights in Bracton to carry and pay rent to the Lord and to deliver him corn and other provisions at his Granary or elswhere out of the Tenants proper Soke and the like in which respect also with what incongruity are pure Villeins called Sokemen since they are so far from being tied to the Soke that they may be commanded out and imployed abroad wheresoever the Lord shall please as well without as within the Soke Changing therefore my opinion as to that derivation and looking further back to that other the former sence of Soke a Liberty Priviledge Immunity Franchise c. I resolved finally to derive and fetch it thence and thus I make it good Amongst other sorts of land our books are full of that called Terra servilis Villein-land land holden in Villenage servile land such namely for fuller explanation of it as that holden at the Lords will both for time and services in both respects uncertainly for time it being in the Lords power of old at least it was so tempestivè or intempestivè to revoke and resume the same out of the Villeins hands into his own and for services the tenant being altogether ignorant and not knowing over night what service may be required of him the next morning He might also have greater or lesser taxations laid upon him at his Lords will nor might he marry his daughter without a Fine to his Lord for his leave and licence ita semper tenebitur ad incerta saith my Authour Now to defend land against the Lord from Villenage and to come off acquitted of this servitude and servile condition it was and is necessary of the tenants part to shew a tenure of his land by opposite and contrary services to those in Villenage that is per certa servitia by certain expresse definite services and as otherwise it may be concluded that his tenure is Villenage so hereby if the service be not Regal or Military it is as cleerly Socage For that certa servitia are a Supersedeas to Villenage and do make it to become Socage proofs are obvious To this purpose consult we Bracton lib. 2. cap. 16. num 9. as also â—od cap. num 6. where he is expresse for the tenants acquital from all other services some being expressed in the Charter made him by his Lord than what are specified therein Alia omnia servitia consuetudines quae expressa non sunt tacitè videntur esse remissa and satis acquietat ex quo specialiter non onerat See him again cod lib. cap. 36. num 8. at these words Cum teneatur Sockmannus defendere tenementum sâ—um erga Dominum suum per cerium redditum in pecunia numerata vel per quid tale quod tantundem valeat quae consistunt in pondere numero vel mensura in solido vel in liquido sicut frumento vino oleo secundùm quod redditus diversimode accipiuntur c. Have recourse also to the same Authour lib. 4. tract 1 cap. 23. num 5. at these words Dum tamen servitia certa sunt si autem incerta fuerint qualecunque fuerit tenementum tunc erit Villenagium c. Add as agreeable hereunto that of Sir Edw. Coke in his Commentary upon Littleton Sect. 120. To Tenure in Socage saith he câ—rta servitia do ever belong Hence it is that the Authour of the Terms of Law expounding Socage or tenure in Socage much after the same manner with Bracton ubi supra to wit lib. 2. cap. 1â— num 9. saith that to hold in Socage is to hold of any Lord lands or tenements yeilding to him a certain rent by the year for all manner of services You see it proved then that certa servitia certain services so they be not military make a Socage tenure The ground whereof is obvious viz. that by such tenure per certâ— servitia the tenant hath a Soke a priviledge an immunity a Quietus est as from Villenage in general so from all villein military or other services than those by contract or custome charged upon him a Soke I say whereunto â—gium being added signifying the service or duty to be returned for that priviledge it comes forth Socagium in Latine Socage in English as by putting man to Soke the Tenant is signified and called Sokeman But if Soke here carry with it such a sence of Immunity Discharge Priviledge c. how comes it then to passe may some perchance demand that liberum is often found to accompany Socagium as liber also doth Socmannus For answer I conceive to distinguish Free Socage from Base Not but that Base Socage had its priviledge as well as the other as being holden by services set and certain or determinate but in regard those services regularly consisted in servile works incident to Villenage the tenure gat the name of Villanum Socagium to distinguish it from Liberum Socagium acquitted of those servile works and consisting in denariis From hence also such a Soke such a Priviledge it is that the Villanum Socagium in the Kings Demesne is turned of Bracton and others by Villenagium privilegiatum By the way hence judge whether I am not right in my derivation of Socage from Soc Soke c. a Priviledge c. when here you see Villanum Socagium of Bracton and others rendred by Villenagium privilegiatum i. e. priviledged Villenage 'T is time now that we inquire how this derivation will suit with those before remembred tenures By divine service in Frankalmoigne Fee-Ferme Petite Sergeanty Escuage certain Burgage and the like Whereto I answer Very well For as they were all through a tacite discharge from corporal service in warfare excused from military Fee or Tenure so on the other side by reason of an expresse tenure per certa servitia or per certum redditum common to them all but Frankalmoigne they were rendred quit and free of Villenage and consequently became of Socage tenure As for Frankalmoigne as it may challenge an interest in the composition of Socage from Soc or Soke and agium to wit in the former syllable so on the contrary side hath it as little to do with the latter because such tenure is quit of all service whatsoever as well spiritual unlesse uncertain as temporal But because as it hath not to do with military service on the one hand so neither with Villenage on the other and hath its priviledge expressed in that epithete of Libera it is referred to Socage as in some sort such This then is that this tenure per certa servitia that makes tenure By divine service of no relation to the plough to become Socage This makes also Fee-ferme a meer censual service much in the nature of that which among
Civilians is called Ager vectigalis as being liable onely to so much yearly rent without any other service regularly unlesse Fealty suit of Court or the like according as the Feoffment may run and having nothing to do with the plough to become Socage This makes Escuage certain another tenure of no relation at all to the plough but quatenus Escuage as it is simply Escuage eo ipso of Knight-service because by being certain it draws him not forth to any corporal service in war to be also termed Socage whilest contrarywise what is properly called Escuage that namely which is uncertain and so called because besides its subjection to Homage Fealty Ward and Marriage it is uncertain how often a man shall be called to follow his Lord into the wars and again what his charge will be in each journey from being liable I say to this uncertainty of duty is Knight-service Hence fourthly it is that Burgage a tenure no way smelling of the plough or tillage being currant and conversant onely in cities and towns because holden for a certain annual rent becomes with the rest Socage Hence also our Kentish Gavelkynd considered in its name or term betokening censual land of no affinity with the plough or plough-service because I say holden per certa servitia comes to be called Socage The like might be said of Frank ferme and other the remaining species of Socage-land one and all as properly so called as rightly and with as much reason referred to that head of our English tenures as that which for its plough or tillage service is said to be more peculiarly so called standing not in need of that distinction which the common opinion useth to bring them within the compasse of it called ab effectu because of like effects and incidents belonging to them with Socage tenure a distinction by this derivation rendred frivolous and needlesse and under favour therefore as fit to be laid aside as their assertion is to be retracted who to vindicate the reteining of the name of Socage as of use onely to distinguish that from a tenure by Knight-service affirm that the cause wherupon the name of Socage first grew viz. Plough-service is taken away by the change of such service into money whereas presupposing our present derivation of Socage to be admitted both name and cause still continue Thus much for Socage a term that to me first occurrs in Glanvill never as yet in any elder Record In a Roll of Accompts of the Archbishop of Canterburies mannours for the sixth year of Archbishop Baldwyn Glanvills Coaetanean and Companion in his voyage and expedition with King Richard the first to the holy land which by computation was the year of our Lord 1190. it occurs by the name of Soggagium thus Super Soggagium London remanent xx d. and this in Croydon manour there amongst the expences and deductions following the receipts of that year Which I mention not as conceiving it no elder than Hen. 2. dayes yes I rather hold Socmannus Socmanria and Socagium to be relatives and consequently that where the one occurrs the rest are implied but Socmannus is obvious in Domesday-book and lesse ancient therefore I perswade my self Socage and Socmanry are not Nunc age carpe viam susceptum perfice munus Now therefore to come to our Quaere whether Gavelkynd be a Tenure or a Custome and give it an answer I confesse there are that in some sort hold the negative as who will have it to be a Custome accompanying the land where it obteineth rather than a Tenure whereby the land is holden holding the whilest the Tenure to be Socage And of this opinion Mr. Lambard doth more than seem to be Now between Tenure and Custome in this case with us the difference as I collect stands thus admit it onely a Tenure and then the nature of the land is not concerned in point of descent so that in some cases as the escheat of it by Death or Cessavit to the Lord that holds over by Knight-service or to the Crown by forfeicture in treason and the like it ceaseth to be any longer of Gavelkynd-nature in point of descent and goes not as before to all but onely to the eldest of the sons according to the course of the Common Law whereas if it be a Custome following the nature of the land then it is say they inseparable from that land where it obteineth insomuch as notwithstanding this escheat or whatever other alteration of the tenure it remains as before partible among all the sons or other heirs where sons are wanting But to the point To prove Gavelkynd to be a â—enure I shall not need I think to multiply authorities the generality of those ancient deeds that I have seen for the granting lands in Gavelkynd whereof some are exhibited in the Appendix are wont to have their Tenendums the usual and more proper place for the creation of a tenure in any kind of grant thus phrased Tenendum either ad or in Gavelikendam or the like The office recited of Mr. Lambard in his Peramb pag. 540. found after the death of Walter Culpepper is alike phrased Tenuit in Gavelkind being a much repeated passage in it The Statute 18. Hen. 6. cap. 3. in terms calleth it a tenure taking knowledge that there were not at that day within the Shire above 40. persons at the most which had lands to the yearly value of xx pounds without the tenure of Gazelkynd and that the greater party of this County or well nigh all was then within that Tenure And this alone which I shall add may evince and clear it to be a tenure that since the Statute of Quia emptores terrarum anno 18. Edw. 1. prohibiting the subject to let land to be holden of himself as there are not to be found any more grants of land pro homagio sâ—rvitio so neither in Gavelkynd For brevity sake I will urge no more authorities of this kind Being thus then apparently a tenure how cometh it to passe that we so usually call it the Custome of Gavelkynd seldome either making or finding mention of Gavelkynd but with that adjunct and under that notion of Custome Indeed the property of equal partition is and hath so long been of that eminencie in our Kentish Gavelkynd and it so much celebrated for that property that as if it were the sole and onely property of it all the other in respect wherof this land may as well be called Gavelkynd as for this are as it were forgotten and that onely carries away the name from its fellows whereas that of Partition as hath been said before is but one among the many other properties and customes in our Kentish Gavelkynd such as Dower of the Moyety Losse of Dower by marriage before or after assignement Not to forfeict lands for Felony Power of alienation at fifteen years of age and the rest obvious
pleasure ibid. censual not censual 35. how many several kinds of land before the Conquest 114. as also since 115 Landagendman what 15 Land-boc what 112 Land-gabel what 15 Land-gafol what ibid. Leaf-gavel what p. 27 Lef-silver what ibid. Les-gavel what ibid. Les-gold and Les-yeld what ibid. Liberum feodum what 56 Lyef-geld what 27 M. Mailer what p. 34 Mailman what ibid. Mail-payer what ibid. Mala what ibid. Malt-gavel what 27 Malt-peny what ibid. Malt-shot what ibid. Manopera what 24 Mete-gavel what 31 Mirroir the book so called censured 104 Molland what 117 Molmannus what ibid. Monday-land what 120 Mortdancester the Assise so called where it lies 152 157 Mortmaine what 40. the tenure of it double ibid. N. Names to be sutable with things very convenient 11 Nativi in Kent 75 Neatland what 114 Nidering alias Nithing a nickname of what signification whence derived 65 O. Oale-gavel what 24 Ordericus Vitalis his relation of the Conquerors proceedings and progresse after his victory neer Hastings p 71 Ordinary his power of dâ—stributing Intestates goods here in England when beginning as also in Scotland and Normandy 79 Over-land what 119 Out-average what 116 P. Parceners how many sorts 42 Paroc what 23 Partition in Gavelkynd land neither from the name nor nature of it onely 44. nor from prescription 46. but partly from the nature of it and partly from custom and what 47. the antiquity of it 61. whether inherent in the land 247 150. why more general in Kent than elswhere 52 61. whether brought hither by Odo out of Normandy 61 81. whether continued there by composition with the Conquerour 62 Partition but one property or branch of Gavelkynd 48 146. out of Kent whence obteining ibid. 54 Partition of goods 79 Peny-gavel what 26 Some Phrases in Ingulphus ancient Charters questioned p. 101 Pictavensis his relation of the Conquerors proceedings and progresse after his victory neer Hastings 69. himself the Conquerours Chaplain and an eye-witnesse ib. Portfocâ— what 135 136 Portsoken what 135 Potura what 29 Prescription not good in Gavelkynd and why 44 R. Rationabili parte bonorum 78 91 Redditus albi what 34. nigri what ib. Restitution a Charter of it by the Conquerour 68 Rip-silver what 19 Rochester Castle besieged by Will. 2. 64 Rod-land what 117 Romney the Conquerours passage by it in his march to Dover 69 S. Contract of marriage in Saxon 75. the edition of it corrected 76. Several wils in Saxon 85 Scip ship in the termination of words what signifying 106 Scotale what 29 Scrude-land what p. 119 Seisin how delivered in the Saxons times 112 Servi in Kent 74 Servitus rusticana 127 Sextary-land what 119 Smithesland what 118 Soca Socha Soke Sokne what 133 137 Socage free and base 55. the derivation of the word and what it signifies 129. whether it and Gavelkynd Synonima's 55. its original 127. opposite to Villenage 139 Socage-land and service so called elswhere in Kent termed Gavelkynd 49 Socagium the distinction of it into liberum and villanum whence 141 Socmanni 137 Sokerevi 134 Sokmanry 137 Spelman Sir Henry his derivation of Gavelkynd 3 Spots story of the Kentishmens encounter and composition with the Conquerour exhibited questioned refuted 63. a meer monkâ—sh â—igment and why devised 71. when he lived 64. his commixture of falsity 63 Stigand the Archbishops deposing for opposing the Conquerour not warranted by ancient story 75 Sul-aelmesse what 132 Swilling-land what 117 Swine-gavel what 23 Swine-money what ib. Swine-paneges what ib. Swinhey what 190 T. Tainland 121 Tenure all land in England subject to it 126. how different from Custome 144 Tenure 1 by Divine service 2 in Frankalmoigne 3 in Fee ferm 4 by Petite Sergeanty 5 by Escuage certain 6 in Burgage all Socage and whence 130 141 Tenure in Mortmaine twofold 40 Tenures in Chivalry and Socage all lands both in Kent and elswhere throughout England reducible to one or t'other of them 129 Tenures in Gavelkynd new created 9. what before the Conquest 112 Terra ad gablum posita what 14 Terrae censuales what 36 Terra haereditaria 84. libera 58 84. susanna 118. testamentalis 84 86. unde nemini respondetur 120 Thegenes 1â—3 Theines p. 123 Threnges ibid. Tol-sester what 24 Truth often lost by too much altercation 62 Twy-gavel what 28 Twy-sket what ibid. V. Verstegan his derivation of Gavelkynd 3 Villani in Kent 73 Villenage opposite to Socage 139 Villeine services when first ceasing so generally in Kent 58 Villeine and Villenage in England in the Saxons time 66. in Kent since the Conquest 72. and in Gavelkynd land 73. as also before the Conquest 75 Vilienagium privilegiatum 141 Unlandagend what 1â— Utland 114 W. Wareland what 118 Weilreif what 65 Were-gavel what 28 Werk-gavel what 26 Werk-land 57 white-White-rents what 34 Wills in Saxon 85 Wood-gavel what 26 Words in Ingulphus more ancient Charters a sort of them questioned 101 Work-land what 115 The Writ De rationabili parte bonorum whether lying at the Common Law or by Custome 78 91 The Writ of Ex gravi querela where it lies 153 159 Y Yoke-land what 117 FINIS a Nomina si nâ—scis perit cognitio rerum Isid Oâ—ig l. 1. cap. 7. Arist 1. Phys 2. Metaphys Idem 2 Metaphys Sir Hen. Spelman in voce Gaveletum Britannia in Kent * The English Lawyer p. 73. * Interpreter in voce Perambul p. 528. a See the addition to Dr. Casaubons Treatise of Use and Custome b See Sir Ed. Coke Instit part 1. fol. 115. a. ff de Reg. Jur. l. quod ab initio c Duarenus Commenâ— in Tit. de Pactis p. 49. â— d See Kilianus Diction verb. Knecht Lamb. Peramb p. 547. Vid. Dictionar nostr Anglo-Sax iâ— vocâ— e Davies Reports Le Iâ—ish Cust de Gavelkind fol. 49. f â—racton de acqâ—iren rer dominio fol. â—4 a. g De morib Germanor h l. inter filios l. famil hercis l. si quis à liberis â—f de lâ—b agnosâ— l. si major in si l. communi divid i Lib. 1. Feud tit 6. Parag. 2. ibi Hoâ—om k Li. Hen. 1. c. 70. Glanvil li. 7. c. 3. Bracton fol 65. a. l And another in the Appendix Scripturâ— 9 m See Vulteius de Feud li. 1. c 8. nu 37. p. 341. n Glanvil lib. 7. cap. 1. o See the â— Proposition p Perambuâ— p. 544 q Anno 18 Edw. 1. r Lib. 3. â—â—l 374. a. †Conveniunt rebus nominâ— saepe suis Å¿ Nominae cum re consentiant Platâ— de Sapient Gafol what signifying Glossar verb. Gabellâ— Å¿ Peramb p. 529. t Instit p. 1. fol. 142. 2. u In Archiv Eccles Cant. †fortè heâ—eâ— Conteining four gallons so Fleta lib. 2. cap. 12. x Coke Instit p. 2. p. 58. y Spelm. Gloss in voce z Lamb. Archaion fol. 45. cap. 2. a Spelm. Gloss in voce â—avel-â—orn Corn-gavel Cavel-erth * In Archiv Archiep. Cant. Biaus Benerth a Et omnes tenentes de isto jugo
rent or service paid or done for such land 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was by a transposition of the syllables called and known by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the like 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Except the Churle or Countrey-man that occupieth censual land as one would say now Except the Country Fermor or the like He seems by this to be properly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. one that had no land of his own such a one as had being called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. terrae proprietâ—rius a landed man as the word is I take it to be rendred not Viator a way-faring man or the like as some have guessed But to keep us to our Gafol within and under which term and notion not onely the generality of rent and customary whether payments or services was comprehended and comprised simply but what we at this day call Rent-corn Rent-honey Rent-barley and the like the special and particular rents and services I mean by the custome of some manors yeilded by the Tenants to the Lords thereof though now for the most part turned into moneys were in elder times in composition called Corn-gavel Hunig-gavel Bere-gafol c. Without impertinencie I hope I shall here present the Reader with a list of as many of them as with much content to my self I have ransacked old Records to find out for this purpose with an assay of mine own at their several expositions and they are divisible into two sorts the one beginning the other ending with Gavel Both of them follow Gavel-corne Gavel-erth Gavel-rip Gavel-med Gavel-ote Gavel-dung Gavel-rod Gavel-tymber Gavel-refter Gavel-bord Gavel-swine Gavel-wood Gavel-sester Gavel-werk Gavel-noht Gavel-fother Gavel-bred Wood Gavel Work Gavel Swine Gavel Corne Gavel Peny Gavel Malt Gavel Les Gavel Leaf Gavel Hunig Gavel Were Gavel Twy Gavel Bere Gavel For Gavel In the list of the Rents and Services reckoned up in a Lieger-book of the Church of Canterbury as charged upon that Churches manour of Adesham in Kent this in particular thus occurrs Item de Gavel-corn 66. sum Doubtlesse it is the same with that in a composition made between the Abbot and Covent of St. Augustines at Canterbury and their Tenants of Minster and Hengrove in Thanet anno 19. Hen. 6. called Corn-gavel and there thus described Et quod quatuor Swillingae dimidia quarta pars unius Swillingae residuae tenebantur tenentur de praedictis Abbate Conventu per fidelitatem relevium per redditum servitium vocatum Corn-gavel viz. reddendo eisdem Abbati Conventuâ— successoribus suis annuatim in festo S. Michaelis Archangeli de qualibet Swillinga earundem 4. Swillingar Quindecim quarteria quinque buschellos ordei palmalis 15 quarteria 5 buschellos avenarum de praedicta medietate quarta parte unius swillingae secundum ratam portionis ordei avenarum illas medietatem quartam partem contingentis defeernd cariand ad costas expensas praedictorum tenentium usque ad granarium dictorum Abbatis conventus infra monasterium S. Augustini praedictum vel per servitium reddendi pro qualibet acra dictarum quatuor swillingarum in â—od festo S. Michaelis octo denarios pro dictis medietate quarta parte unius swillingâ— secundum ratam portionis illas medietatem quartam partem unius swillingae de praedictis ordeo avena contingentis in casu quo praedicti tenentes praedictum or deum avenam in eodâ—m festo in formâ praedictâ non solverint Thus the composition whereby it is apparent what Gavel-corn signifies namely as before was intimated Rent-corn In an Accompt-roll of the Arch-Bishop of Canterburies manour of Reculver in Kent anno 29. Edw. 1. this service under the title of Arura occurrs thus Item respondet de xxxv acris de consuetudine arandi Gavelherthe In an old Customal of Gillingham manour in Kent of about that age I read thus Item sunt ibi quinque juga quodlibet arabit unam dimidiam acram ad semen frumenti seminabit herciabit dimidiam acram ad semen ordei herciabit unam virgatam ad avenam herciabit warectabit dimidiam acram ad ordeum nihil recipient vocatur istud opus Gavelerth This then it seems is a certain Tillage-service like the arura in Bracton fol. 35. b. due by the Tenant holding his land upon terms of plowing c. a certain quantity more or lesse of his Lords Demesnes not alwayes performed in kind but bought out and redeemed sometimes with money Et de 10. sol de 10. acris de Gavelerth relaxato hoc anno quoth an old Rental sans date of the Arch-Bishops foresaid manour of Reculver It was of some affinity as with the French Poictovines Biaus so also with that which Mr. Lambard calling Benerth expoundeth by service which the Tenant doth with his cart and plough With his plough indeed and also with his harrow but not that I find with his cart it being a meer tillageservice as Gavelerth is alwayes performed precariò as the Frenchman saith precairement upon request and summons in aid and for the help and ease when need was of other Tenants bound to do the like de gablo i. e. as I conceive ex debito and without summons and with allowance of more than regularly was afforded in the other service a coredy i. e. diet or victual fometime called Benebred during the employment Glanvils precarias carucarum forinsecarum lib. 8. cap. 3. may hence be understood Matthew Paris in his History of England pag. 895. of the last Edition making mention of a Breve inauditum as he there cals it i. e. an unheard of Writ issued by Hen. 3. recites this as a part of it Similiter inquiratur de carucis precariis which by the learned Authour of the Glossary at the end of the work is thus illustrated Erant precariae saith he speaking of several sorts of Ploughs quas scilicet in necessitate aliqua eminentiori colonus uaus à proximo precario mutuabatur Hence the phrase in many old Custumals and Rentals of plowing this or that quantity of the Lords land by his Tenant de prece de precaria ad precariam and the like In precariis carucacum in auxilio herciandi vj. sol viij den saith an old Accompt-roll of Saltwood manour The meaning of such passages in records of that kind as this arant preces semel ad conredium Curiae c. and the like may hence be pick'd out It took name this of Benerth I conceive of the Saxon bene postulatio as Mr. Lambard and before him Jornadensis translating the Saxon Laws turn the word occurring in the title of the eighth of King Ina's Laws as Sir Hen. Spelman doth by Rogatis Concil tom 1. pag. 583.
purpose Has forisfactur as habet Rex super omnes Alodiarios totius Comitatus Chent super homines ipsorum And In Cantia quando moritur Alodiarius Rex inde habet Relevationem terrae excepta terrae S. Trinitatis S. Augustini S. Martini exceptis his Godric de Burnes Godric de Carlesone Aelnold Cilt Esber Biga Siret de Cilleham these last three are mentioned also in the Survey there of Canterbury amongst those whose lands were Sac and Soc-free i. e. quit against the King of Sac and Soc Turgis Norman Azor. Super istos habet Rex forisfactur am de capitibus eorum tantummodc de terris eorum habent Relevamen qui habent suam Socam Sacam I rather read it habent than habet Relevamen because by charters both of the Cathedral and St. Augustines Abbey of those succeeding times I find the Monks in each place priviledged with the liberties of Sac and Soc c. over their Allodiarii as termed in the charters of the latter place over their Thegnes or Theines as in the former in what form of words see in the charter of each place for illustration sake copied in the Appendix here Scriptur 19. and 20. And least these various terms Allodiarii and Thegnes rendring them of a seeming difference should occasion any suspition of their being not the same for your satisfaction to the contrary take this note along with you that those who in the Latine charteis of St. Austins are termed Allodiarii in the very same charters exhibited in English like as in those at Christchurch are stiled Thegnes But what may it be ask'd were they then which in some very ancient Records of that Cathedral are named Threnges Indeed I have met with a Record there and you may meet with it here in the Appendix Scriptur 21. a choice one in my account as the book it self was iâ— seems in his who in the margent of the first page of it long since left this note Custodiatur benè iste libellus quia etsi appareat non valere benè tamen valet est libellus satis pretiosus monachis Ecclesiae Christi which makes no slight mention of such Threnges belonging to the Monks there in these very words Quia verò non erant adhuc tempore Regis Will mi milites in Anglia sed Threnges praecepit Rex ut de eis milites fierent ad terram defendendam Fecit autem Lanfrancus Threngos suos milites Monachi verò non fecerunt sed de portione sua ducentas libratas terrae dederunt Archiepiscope ut per milites suos terras eorum defenderet ut omnia negotia eorum apud curiam Romanam suis expensis expediret unde ad huc in tota terra monachorum nullus miles est sed in terra Archiepiscopi c. To this purpose Gervasius Dorobernensis then a Monk of the place speaking of the Archbishops dividing the revenue between himself and the Monks Sibi etiam saith he râ—servaverunt Comites Barones Milites Monachis verò assignaverunt rusticos agricultores These Threnges doubtlesse were the same which in Domesday-book are somewhere called Drenches and if so your best satisfaction what they were will be from the words explication in Sir Hen. Spelmans Glossary But me thinks laying these Records concerning them together and then comparing them wiâ—h the fore-cited ancient charters of liberties granted to the Monks of Christchurch and St. Augustines on the one hand and Domesday-book on the other Drenches Threnges Thegnes one and all may not unfitly be rendred in that books phrase Allodiarii being such Liberales as the Saxon Thegnes is not unusually turned in the old Latine translations as Thegenscipe by Liberaliâ—as such Ministri Fideles Servientes Nobiles as being by these places dignified with some portions of their Allodium or Bocland did militiam ex arbitrio tractare nullius â—omini imperio evocati nulloque feodali gravamine coerciti as our learned Glossarist concerning Allodiarii being permitted to continue in their pristine estate acquitted from military service and tenure when as others were from Threnges turned into Milites and their land consequently subjected to military fee and tenure Whether the name of Drenches were taken up from such a cause as our learned Glossarist from a Record by him there cited is assigned for it some reason there is to doubt from the mention of the terms Synonimy Threnges in that Record of Christchurch as known in that notion here before the conquest whereas the other sayes they took name first after it If before it as the Christchurch Record then I see me thinks some cause to suspect the term corrupted from Thegnes i. Thanes which cleerly that Cathedral had before the conquest On the other side if the Record in the Glossary be right and that withall Threnges Drenches Thegnes and Allodiarii be as all the fore-cited authorities laid together they seem to be Synonima's terms identical then were our Kentish Allodiarii such as had not revolted from the Crown by opposing the Conquerour whether by their aid or counsel but had peaceably submitted to him and his Empire whilest consequently others of the county opposing withstanding and resisting him and his coming in had ipso facto forfeited their possessions and if so then Spots history whereof so much before may well deserve yet another dash or if you will another spot But thus far of Allodium as also of what induced it Bocland which as to the name almost quite ceased with the Saxons though as to the thing it survived some time after under the notion of Allodium into which it was translated of the Normans here and of them so altered also in the very thing that it became thus far subject unto Tenure as in the opinion of learned men it was land as we say holden and so accounted whence in time that common and received axiome amongst us that in the Law of England since the conquest at least we have not properly Allodium that is not any Subjects land that is not holden in which respect as one saith he that can say most for his estate saith thus I am seized of this or that land or tenement in my Demain as of fee Seisitus inde in dominico meo ut de feodo c. And 't is most true at this day but under favour it was otherwise since the conquest witnesse besides Domesday-book where the opposite to Fee Allodium is very obvious those charters afore-cited the one of St. Laurence the other of Christchurch and such like mentioning land holden by the Authours or Owners for which they were responsible to none as also the Pinenden plea for the Archbishops lands of Canterbury and the grant in Alodium mentioned in Eadmerus evidencing cleerly the contrary and asserting some of them the continuance of such creations from the King to whom after Textus Roffensis