be_v say_v that_o faeminae_fw-la non_fw-la participabunt_fw-la cum_fw-la masculis_fw-la the_o female_n shall_v not_o divide_v with_o the_o male_n which_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o such_o as_o be_v in_o equal_a degree_n of_o kindred_n as_o brother_n and_o sister_n etc_n etc_n for_o if_o a_o man_n have_v issue_v three_o son_n &_o the_o elder_a have_v issue_v a_o daughter_n &_o die_v in_o the_o life_n of_o his_o father_n and_o the_o father_n die_v in_o this_o case_n it_o be_v hold_v that_o the_o daughter_n shall_v join_v with_o the_o two_o other_o brethren_n her_o uncle_n for_o that_o she_o be_v not_o in_o equal_a degree_n with_o they_o as_o her_o father_n be_v who_o heir_n she_o nevertheless_o must_v be_v of_o necessity_n land_n and_o now_o thus_o much_o be_v speak_v touch_v the_o name_n tenure_n nature_n generality_n necessity_n reason_n and_o order_n of_o gavelkind_n it_o be_v worthy_a the_o labour_n to_o show_v of_o what_o quality_n the_o rent_n remainder_n condition_n voucher_n action_n and_o such_o other_o thing_n of_o the_o which_o some_o be_v issue_v out_o of_o these_o land_n some_o be_v annex_v unto_o they_o and_o some_o be_v raise_v by_o reason_n of_o they_o shall_v be_v in_o which_o behalf_n it_o may_v general_o be_v say_v that_o some_o of_o they_o shall_v ensue_v the_o nature_n of_o the_o land_n and_o some_o shall_v keep_v the_o same_o course_n that_o common_a law_n have_v appoint_v but_o in_o particular_a it_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v that_o if_o a_o rent_n rent_n be_v grant_v in_o fee_n out_o of_o gavelkind_n land_n it_o shall_v descend_v to_o all_o the_o male_n as_o the_o land_n itself_o shall_v do_v and_o ald._n and_o chart._n in_o 7._o e._n 3._o be_v of_o opinion_n that_o albeit_o a_o tenancy_n be_v of_o gavelkind_n nature_n yet_o the_o rend_a service_n by_o which_o that_o tenancy_n be_v hold_v may_v well_o be_v descendable_a at_o the_o common_a law_n the_o like_a shall_v be_v of_o a_o remainder_n remainder_n of_o gavelkind_n land_n for_o if_o it_o be_v tail_a to_o the_o heir_n male_n they_o altogether_o shall_v inherit_v it_o as_o fitzherb_n &_o norwiche_n two_o justice_n thought_n 26._o h._n 8._o 8._o but_o that_o be_v to_o be_v understand_v of_o a_o descent_n only_o for_o if_o land_n of_o gavelkind_n nature_n be_v leassed_a for_o life_n the_o remainder_n to_o the_o right_a heir_n of_o i_o at_o style_n which_o have_v issue_n four_o son_n &_o die_v &_o after_o the_o leassée_fw-fr for_o life_n die_v now_o the_o elder_a son_n only_o of_o i_o at_o stile_n shall_v have_v this_o land_n for_o he_o be_v right_a heir_n and_o that_o be_v a_o good_a name_n of_o purchase_n 37._o h._n 8._o done._n 42._o en_fw-fr master_n brook_n but_o if_o the_o land_n have_v be_v give_v to_o i_o at_o style_n for_o life_n the_o remainder_n to_o his_o next_o heir_n male_a this_o have_v be_v a_o estate_n tail_n in_o i._n s._n himself_o and_o then_o the_o land_n as_o i_o take_v it_o shall_v have_v descend_v to_o all_o his_o son_n in_o so_o much_o as_o in_o that_o case_n the_o word_n next_o heir_n male_a be_v not_o a_o name_n of_o purchase_n howbeit_o it_o be_v great_o doubt_v 3._o &_o 4._o phil._n &_o mariae_fw-la as_o justice_n dalison_n report_v if_o a_o remainder_n be_v devise_v by_o testament_n proximo_fw-la haeredi_fw-la masculo_fw-la whether_o in_o that_o case_n the_o elder_a brother_n only_o shall_v have_v it_o in_o so_o much_o as_o in_o the_o understanding_n of_o the_o law_n which_o be_v a_o judge_n over_o all_o custom_n he_o be_v the_o next_o heir_n male_a and_o therefore_o inquire_v of_o it_o as_o touch_v voucher_n it_o appear_v 11._o e._n 3._o vourcher_n that_o all_o the_o heir_n in_o gavelkind_n shall_v be_v vouch_v for_o the_o warranty_n of_o their_o ancestor_n and_o not_o the_o elder_a only_a but_o the_o opinion_n of_o master_n litleton_n and_o of_o the_o justice_n 22._o e._n 4._o be_v clear_o that_o the_o elder_a son_n only_o shall_v be_v rebut_v or_o bar_v by_o the_o warranty_n of_o the_o ancestor_n to_o be_v short_a condition_n the_o elder_a son_n only_o shall_v entrée_n for_o the_o breach_n of_o a_o condition_n but_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o brethren_n shall_v be_v join_v with_o he_o in_o sue_v a_o write_v of_o attaint_n error_n to_o reform_v a_o false_a verdict_n or_o error_n to_o reverse_v a_o erroneous_a judgement_n and_o they_o all_o shall_v be_v charge_v for_o the_o debt_n of_o their_o ancestor_n if_o so_o be_v that_o they_o all_o have_v assetz_n in_o their_o hand_n but_o if_o the_o elder_a only_a have_v assetz_n remain_v and_o the_o residue_n have_v alien_v their_o part_n than_o he_o only_o shall_v be_v charge_v after_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o book_n 11._o e._n 3._o det._n 7._o and_o this_o also_o for_o this_o part_n at_o this_o time_n shall_v suffice_v now_o a_o word_n or_o twain_o touch_v the_o trial_n of_o right_n in_o this_o gavelkind_n land_n &_o then_o forward_o to_o the_o rest_n of_o my_o purpose_n there_o be_v at_o the_o common_a law_n two_o sort_n of_o trial_n in_o a_o writ_n of_o right_n by_o battle_n and_o by_o the_o grand_a assize_n gavelkind_n of_o the_o which_o two_o this_o custom_n exclude_v the_o one_o &_o alter_v the_o other_o for_o battle_n it_o admit_v not_o at_o all_o &_o the_o grand_a assize_n it_o receive_v not_o by_o the_o election_n of_o 4._o knight_n but_o of_o 4._o tenant_n in_o gavelkind_n as_o it_o may_v be_v read_v in_o the_o ancient_a treatise_n of_o the_o custom_n of_o this_o country_n but_o when_o i_o speak_v of_o the_o treatise_n of_o the_o custom_n you_o must_v know_v i_o mean_v not_o the_o which_o be_v late_o imprint_v but_o a_o other_o with_o much_o more_o faith_n &_o diligence_n long_o since_o exemplify_v a_o copy_n whereof_o you_o shall_v find_v at_o the_o end_n of_o this_o book_n for_o not_o only_o in_o this_o part_n the_o word_n ne_fw-la soient_fw-fr prize_n per_fw-la battle_n be_v clean_o omit_v in_o the_o imprint_v book_n but_o in_o sundry_a other_o place_n also_o the_o word_n be_v mangle_v the_o sentence_n be_v curtail_v and_o the_o meaning_n be_v obscure_v as_o by_o conference_n of_o the_o variation_n it_o may_v to_o any_o skilful_a reader_n most_o easy_o appear_v but_o all_o that_o i_o will_v refer_v to_o the_o sight_n and_o judgement_n of_o such_o as_o will_v search_v and_o examine_v it_o and_o return_v to_o my_o purpose_n show_v you_o what_o belong_v to_o the_o lord_n of_o this_o gavelkind_n land_n by_o reason_n of_o this_o custom_n and_o for_o because_o the_o prince_n be_v chief_a lord_n of_o all_o the_o realm_n as_o of_o who_o all_o land_n within_o the_o same_o be_v either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o hold_v let_v we_o first_o see_v what_o right_a by_o reason_n of_o this_o custom_n belong_v unto_o he_o felony_n if_o tenant_n in_o fee_n simple_a of_o land_n in_o gavelkind_n commit_v felony_n and_o suffer_v the_o judgement_n of_o death_n therefore_o the_o prince_n shall_v have_v all_o his_o chattel_n for_o a_o forfeiture_n but_o as_o touch_v the_o land_n he_o shall_v neither_o have_v the_o eschete_n of_o it_o though_o it_o be_v immediate_o hold_v of_o himself_o nor_o the_o day_n year_n and_o waste_v if_o it_o be_v hold_v of_o any_o other_o for_o in_o that_o case_n the_o heir_n notwithstanding_o the_o offence_n of_o his_o ancestor_n shall_v enter_v immediate_o &_o enjoy_v the_o land_n after_o the_o same_o custom_n and_o service_n by_o which_o they_o be_v before_o hold_v in_o assurance_n whereof_o it_o be_v common_o say_v the_o father_n to_o the_o bough_n the_o son_n to_o the_o ploughe_n but_o this_o rule_n hold_v in_o case_n of_o felony_n and_o of_o murder_n only_o and_o in_o case_n not_o of_o treason_n at_o all_o and_o it_o hold_v also_o in_o case_n where_o the_o offendor_n be_v justify_v by_o order_n of_o law_n and_o not_o where_o he_o withdraw_v himself_o after_o the_o fault_n commit_v and_o will_v not_o abide_v his_o lawful_a trial_n for_o if_o such_o a_o one_o absent_a himself_o after_o proclamation_n make_v for_o he_o in_o the_o county_n and_o be_v outlaw_v or_o otherwise_o if_o he_o take_v sanctuary_n and_o do_v abjure_v the_o realm_n then_o shall_v his_o heir_n reap_v no_o benefit_n by_o this_o custom_n but_o the_o prince_n or_o the_o lord_n shall_v take_v their_o forfeiture_n in_o such_o degree_n as_o if_o the_o land_n be_v at_o the_o common_a law_n which_o thing_n be_v apparent_a both_o by_o the_o book_n 8._o e._n 2._o abridge_v by_o master_n fitzherbert_n in_o his_o title_n of_o prescription_n 50._o and_o by_o 22._o e._n 3._o fol._n where_o it_o be_v say_v that_o this_o custom_n shall_v not_o be_v construe_v by_o equity_n but_o by_o a_o straight_a and_o literal_a interpretation_n and_o also_o by_o the_o plain_a rehearsal_n of_o the_o say_a treatise_n of_o
norton_n wilmus_n de_fw-fr sutton_n for_o such_o as_o we_o call_v now_o john_n norton_n and_o william_n sutton_n and_o amongst_o the_o gentleman_n of_o cheshire_n even_o to_o this_o day_n one_o be_v call_v after_o their_o manner_n thomas_n a_o bruerton_n another_o john_n a_o holcrost_a and_o such_o like_a for_o thomas_n bruerton_n john_n holcrost_a etc_n etc_n as_o we_o here_o use_v it_o thus_o much_o short_o of_o my_o own_o fantasy_n i_o think_v not_o unmeet_a to_o impart_v by_o occasion_n of_o the_o name_n of_o norwood_n and_o now_o forward_o to_o my_o purpose_n again_o leede_v in_o latin_a of_o some_o lodanum_fw-la of_o other_o ledanum_fw-la castrum_n robert_n crevequer_n be_v one_o of_o the_o eight_o that_o john_n fynes_z elect_v for_o his_o assistance_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o dover_n castle_n as_o we_o have_v already_o show_v who_o take_v for_o that_o cause_n the_o manor_n of_o leede_v and_o undertake_v to_o find_v five_o warder_n therefore_o build_v this_o castle_n or_o at_o the_o least_o a_o other_o that_o stand_v in_o the_o place_n for_o i_o have_v read_v that_o edward_n them_z prince_n of_o wales_n and_o afterward_o the_o first_o king_n of_o that_o name_n be_v warden_n of_o the_o five_o port_n and_o constable_n of_o dover_n in_o the_o life_n of_o henry_n the_o three_o his_o father_n cause_v henry_n cobham_n who_o ministry_n he_o use_v as_o substitute_n in_o both_o those_o office_n to_o raze_v the_o castle_n that_o robert_n crevequer_n have_v erect_v because_o crevequer_n that_o be_v then_o owner_n of_o it_o &_o heir_n to_o robert_n be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o noble_n that_o move_v and_o maintain_v war_n against_o he_o which_o whether_o it_o be_v true_a or_o no_o i_o will_v not_o affirm_v but_o yet_o i_o think_v it_o very_o likely_a both_o because_o badlesmere_n a_o man_n of_o another_o name_n become_v lord_n of_o leede_v short_o after_o as_o you_o shall_v anon_o see_v and_o also_o for_o that_o the_o present_a work_n at_o leede_v pretend_v not_o the_o antiquity_n of_o so_o many_o year_n as_o be_v pass_v since_o the_o age_n of_o the_o conquest_n but_o let_v we_o leave_v the_o building_n and_o go_v in_o hand_n with_o the_o story_n king_n henry_n the_o first_o have_v none_o other_o issue_n of_o his_o body_n then_o maude_n first_o marry_v to_o henry_n the_o emperor_n crown_n whereof_o she_o be_v call_v the_o empress_n and_o after_o couple_v to_o geffray_n plantagenet_n the_o earl_n of_o angeow_fw-mi &_o fear_v as_o it_o happen_v in_o deed_n that_o after_o his_o death_n trouble_n may_v arise_v in_o the_o realm_n about_o the_o inheritance_n of_o the_o crown_n because_o she_o be_v by_o habitation_n a_o stranger_n and_o far_o of_o so_o that_o she_o may_v want_v both_o force_n and_o friend_n to_o achieve_v her_o right_n and_o for_o that_o also_o stephan_n the_o earl_n of_o boloine_n his_o sister_n son_n be_v then_o of_o great_a estimation_n amongst_o the_o noble_a man_n and_o abide_v within_o the_o realm_n so_o that_o with_o great_a advantage_n he_o may_v offer_v her_o wrong_n he_o procure_v in_o full_a parliament_n the_o assent_n of_o his_o lord_n and_o commons_n that_o maude_n and_o her_o heir_n shall_v succeed_v in_o the_o kingdom_n after_o he_o and_o to_o the_o end_n that_o this_o limitation_n of_o he_o may_v be_v the_o more_o sure_o establish_v he_o take_v the_o fidelity_n and_o promise_n by_o oath_n both_o of_o his_o clergy_n and_o laity_n and_o of_o the_o earl_n of_o boloine_n himself_o howbeit_o immediate_o after_o his_o decease_n stephan_n be_v of_o the_o opinion_n that_o si_fw-mi ius_fw-la violandum_fw-la est_fw-la certe_fw-la regnandi_fw-la causa_fw-la violandum_fw-la est_fw-la if_o breach_n of_o law_n a_o man_n shall_v undertake_v he_o must_v they_o bold_o break_v for_o kingdom_n sake_n invade_v the_o crown_n and_o by_o the_o advice_n of_o william_n the_o archebishop_n of_o canterbury_n who_o have_v first_o of_o all_o give_v his_o faith_n to_o maude_n by_o the_o favour_n of_o the_o common_a people_n which_o adhear_v unto_o he_o and_o by_o the_o consent_n of_o the_o holy_a father_n of_o rome_n who_o will_v never_o want_v to_o the_o furtherance_n of_o mischief_n he_o obtain_v it_o which_o nevertheless_o as_o william_n of_o newborowe_n well_o note_v be_v get_v by_o pattern_n he_o hold_v not_o pass_v two_o year_n in_o peace_n but_o spend_v the_o residue_n of_o his_o whole_a reign_n in_o dissension_n war_n and_o bloodshed_n to_o the_o great_a offence_n of_o god_n the_o manifest_a injury_n of_o his_o own_o cousin_n and_o the_o grievous_a vexation_n of_o this_o country_n and_o people_n for_o soon_o after_o the_o begin_n of_o his_o reign_n sundry_a of_o the_o noble_a man_n partly_o upon_o remorse_n of_o their_o former_a promise_n make_v and_o partly_o for_o displeasure_n conceive_v because_o he_o keep_v not_o the_o oath_n take_v at_o his_o coronation_n make_v defection_n to_o maude_n so_o soon_o as_o ever_o she_o make_v her_o challenge_n to_o the_o crown_n so_o that_o in_o the_o end_n after_o many_o calamity_n what_o by_o she_o own_o power_n and_o their_o assistance_n she_o compel_v he_o to_o fall_v to_o composition_n with_o she_o as_o in_o the_o story_n at_o large_a it_o may_v be_v see_v now_o during_o those_o his_o trouble_n amongst_o other_o thing_n that_o much_o annoy_v he_o and_o further_v the_o part_n of_o maude_n his_o adversary_n it_o be_v upon_o a_o time_n sound_v by_o his_o evil_a willer_n in_o the_o ear_n of_o the_o common_a sort_n that_o he_o be_v dead_a and_o therewithal_o sudden_o diverse_a great_a man_n of_o her_o devotion_n betake_v they_o to_o their_o strong_a hold_n and_o some_o other_o seize_v some_o of_o the_o king_n own_o castle_n to_o the_o behalf_n of_o the_o empress_n of_o which_o number_n be_v robert_n the_o earl_n of_o gloucester_n and_o bastard_n brother_n to_o maude_n who_o enter_v this_o castle_n of_o leede_v mynd_v to_o have_v keep_v it_o but_o king_n stephan_n use_v against_o he_o such_o force_n and_o celerity_n that_o he_o soon_o wrest_v it_o out_o of_o his_o finger_n king_n edward_n the_o second_o that_o for_o the_o love_n of_o the_o two_o spenser_n badelesmere_n incur_v the_o hatred_n of_o his_o wife_n and_o nobility_n give_v this_o castle_n in_o exchange_n for_o other_o land_n to_o bartilmew_n badelesmere_n than_o lord_n steward_n of_o his_o household_n and_o to_o his_o heir_n for_o ever_o who_o short_o after_o enter_v into_o that_o troublesome_a action_n in_o which_o thomas_n the_o duke_n of_o lancaster_n with_o his_o complice_n maugre_o the_o king_n exile_v the_o spenser_n both_o lose_v the_o king_n favour_n this_o castle_n and_o his_o life_n also_o for_o while_o he_o be_v abroad_o in_o aid_n of_o the_o baron_n and_o have_v commit_v the_o custody_n thereof_o to_o thomas_n colpeper_n colpeper_n and_o leave_v not_o only_o his_o chief_a treasure_n in_o money_n but_o also_o his_o wife_n and_o child_n within_o it_o for_o their_o security_n it_o chance_v that_o isabella_n the_o king_n wife_n mynd_v a_o pilgrimage_n towards_o canterbury_n and_o be_v overtake_v with_o might_n send_v her_o marshal_n to_o prepare_v for_o her_o lodging_n ther._n but_o her_o officer_n be_v proud_o deny_v by_o the_o captain_n who_o stick_v not_o to_o tell_v he_o that_o neither_o the_o queen_n ne_o any_o other_o shall_v be_v lodge_v there_o without_o the_o commandment_n of_o his_o lord_n the_o owner_n the_o queen_n not_o thus_o answer_v come_v to_o the_o gate_n in_o person_n and_o require_v to_o be_v let_v in_o but_o the_o captain_n most_o malepert_o repulse_v she_o also_o in_o so_o much_o that_o she_o complain_v grievous_o to_o the_o king_n of_o the_o misdemenour_n and_o he_o forthwith_o levy_v a_o power_n and_o personal_o sumon_v and_o besiege_v the_o piece_n so_o straight_o that_o in_o the_o end_n through_o want_n of_o rescue_n and_o victual_v it_o be_v deliver_v he_o then_o take_v he_o captain_n colpeper_n and_o hang_v he_o up_o the_o wife_n and_o child_n of_o the_o lord_n badelesmere_n he_o send_v to_o the_o tower_n of_o london_n the_o treasure_n and_o munition_n he_o seize_v to_o his_o own_o use_n and_o the_o castle_n he_o commit_v to_o such_o as_o like_v he_o but_o as_o the_o last_o act_n of_o a_o tragedy_n be_v always_o more_o heavy_a &_o sorrowful_a they_o the_o rest_n so_o calamity_n &_o woe_n increase_v upon_o he_o badelesmere_n himself_o be_v the_o year_n follow_v in_o the_o company_n of_o the_o duke_n of_o lancaster_n and_o other_o discomfit_v at_o borowbrig_n by_o the_o king_n army_n and_o short_o after_o send_v to_o canterbury_n and_o behead_v i_o may_v here_o just_o take_v occasion_n to_o rip_v up_o the_o cause_n of_o those_o great_a and_o tragical_a trouble_n that_o grow_v between_o this_o king_n &_o his_o nobility_n for_o peter_n gaveston_n &_o these_o two_o spenser_n the_o rather_o for_o that_o the_o common_a sort_n of_o
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in_o set_v up_o of_o sumptuous_a housinge_n so_o he_o spare_v no_o cost_n in_o garnish_v greenewiche_n till_o he_o have_v make_v it_o a_o pleasant_a perfect_a and_o princely_a palace_n marry_o his_o elder_a daughter_n and_o after_o queen_n of_o the_o realm_n be_v bear_v in_o this_o house_n queen_n elizabeth_n his_o other_o daughter_n our_o most_o gracious_a &_o gladsome_a governor_n be_v likewise_o bear_v in_o this_o house_n and_o his_o dear_a son_n king_n edward_n a_o miracle_n of_o princely_a towardness_n end_v his_o life_n in_o the_o same_o house_n one_o accident_n more_o touch_v this_o house_n and_o then_o a_o end_n it_o happen_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o queen_n marie_n that_o the_o master_n of_o a_o ship_n pass_v by_o while_o the_o court_n lie_v there_o and_o meaning_n as_o the_o manner_n and_o duty_n be_v with_o sail_n and_o shot_n to_o honour_v the_o prince_n presence_n unadvised_o give_v fire_n to_o a_o piece_n charge_v with_o a_o pellet_n in_o stead_n of_o a_o tampion_n the_o 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think_v for_o lesÆ¿e_n leswes_n which_o signify_v pasture_n i_o can_v easy_o have_v believe_v that_o the_o name_n lesnes_n have_v be_v derive_v out_o of_o the_o french_a and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v first_o impose_v at_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o abbay_n say_v that_o i_o find_v the_o place_n register_v in_o the_o book_n of_o doomsday_n by_o the_o very_a same_o and_o none_o other_o call_v and_o therefore_o i_o be_o the_o rather_o lead_v to_o think_v that_o the_o name_n be_v saxon_a and_o there_o miswritten_a as_o many_o other_o be_v by_o reason_n that_o the_o norman_n be_v the_o penner_n of_o that_o book_n lesnes_n for_o leswe_n the_o word_n which_o in_o the_o saxon_a tongue_n signify_v pasture_n and_o be_v not_o as_o yet_o utter_o forget_v forasmuch_o as_o till_o this_o day_n pasture_n be_v call_v lesewe_v in_o many_o place_n this_o be_v my_o fantasy_n touch_v the_o name_n wherein_o if_o i_o fail_v it_o force_v not_o great_o since_o the_o matter_n be_v no_o more_o weighty_a 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publish_v in_o one_o volume_n and_o for_o assure_a proof_n also_o that_o in_o those_o day_n they_o use_v to_o proceed_v in_o such_o cause_n by_o the_o oath_n of_o many_o person_n testify_v their_o opinion_n of_o his_o credit_n that_o be_v the_o first_o swearer_n or_o party_n after_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o daily_a experience_n as_o in_o the_o oath_n yet_o in_o ure_n and_o call_v common_o wager_n of_o law_n be_v to_o be_v see_v i_o have_v make_v choice_n of_o one_o history_n contain_v brief_o the_o narration_n of_o a_o thing_n do_v at_o this_o place_n by_o dunstanc_n the_o archbishop_n of_o canterbury_n almost_o a_o hundred_o year_n before_o the_o come_n of_o king_n william_n the_o conqueror_n a_o rich_a man_n say_v the_o text_n of_o rochester_n be_v owner_n of_o cray_n earithe_o ainesford_n and_o woldham_n and_o have_v none_o issue_v of_o his_o body_n devise_v the_o same_o land_n by_o his_o last_o will_n make_v in_o the_o presence_n of_o dunstane_n and_o other_o to_o a_o kinswoman_n of_o his_o own_o for_o life_n the_o remainder_n of_o the_o one_o half_a thereof_o after_o her_o death_n to_o christ_n church_n at_o canterbury_n and_o of_o the_o other_o half_n to_o saint_n andrew_n of_o rochester_n for_o ever_o he_o die_v and_o his_o wife_n take_v one_o leofsun_n to_o husband_n who_o over-living_a she_o retain_v the_o land_n as_o his_o own_o notwithstanding_o that_o by_o the_o form_n of_o the_o devise_n his_o interest_n be_v determine_v by_o the_o death_n of_o his_o wife_n hereupon_o complaint_n come_v to_o one_o wulsie_n for_o that_o time_n the_o scyreman_n or_o judge_n of_o the_o county_n as_o the_o same_o book_n interpret_v it_o before_o who_o both_o dunstane_n the_o archebishop_n the_o party_n themselves_o sundry_a other_o bishop_n and_o a_o great_a multitude_n of_o the_o lay_v people_n
for_o hy_o ðrittig_fw-mi to_o the_o thither_o same_o place_n for_o they_o thirty_o mancy_n gold_n mark_n of_o gold_n and_o and_o aenne_n one_o sÆ¿eor_n collar_n neckbracelet_n beah_n on_o of_o feoÆ¿ertig_fw-ge forty_o mancysan_fw-fr mark_n and_o and_o a_o one_fw-mi cuppan_n cup_n seolfrene_a of_o silver_n and_o and_o healfne_v a_o half_a head_n band_n cover_v with_o gold_n baend_v gyldenne_n bend_v gild_a and_o and_o caelce_o every_o gear_n year_n to_o at_o heora_n their_o gemind_n mind_n year_n mind_n tÆ¿egra_fw-la two_o daga_fw-la feorme_n day_n ferme_fw-fr from_o rend_a corn_n and_o victual_n of_o of_o haeslholte_n haselholte_n and_o and_o tÆ¿egra_fw-la of_o Æ¿oðringaberan_v and_o ij_o of_o baerlingan_v two_o day_n of_o from_o watringbery_n and_o two_o day_n out_o of_o berling_n and_o ij_o of_o haeringeardesham_n and_o two_o day_n out_o of_o hertesham_n and_o to_o cristes_fw-fr circan_fw-fr and_o to_o christ_n church_n lx_o 60._o mancy_n gold_n mark_n of_o gold_n thirty_o þam_fw-la biscope_n thirty_o to_o the_o bishop_n archebishop_n and_o and_o thirty_o þam_fw-la hirode_n thirty_o to_o the_o covent_n and_o and_o aenne_v a_o sÆ¿eor_n neck_n beah_n bracelet_n collar_n on_o of_o lxxx_o 80._o mancy_n mark_n and_o and_o tÆ¿a_o two_o cuppan_n cup_n seolfrene_a of_o silver_n and_o and_o þaet_fw-la the_o land_n aet_fw-la land_n at_o meapaham_n mepham_n and_o and_o to_o to_o sct._n saint_n augustine_n augustine_n thirty_o 30._o mancy_n mark_n gold_n of_o gold_n and_o and_o ij_o two_o cuppan_n cup_n seolfrene_a of_o silver_n and_o and_o healfne_v half_a a_o baend_v bend_v gyldene_a gilt_n and_o and_o þaet_fw-la the_o land_n land_n aet_fw-la at_o derentan_n darnt_v byrhÆ¿ara_n to_o byrware_v his_o for_o daeg_fw-la his_o life_n day_n and_o and_o after_o after_o hire_n his_o daege_n day_n into_o to_o sct._n saint_n andree_n androes_n for_o for_o unc_fw-la we_o and_o and_o uncre_n our_o yldran_n elder_n ancestor_n and_o and_o barlâ—ngas_fw-la berling_n too_o Æ¿ulfehe_fw-ge wulfee_n and_o and_o he_o he_o sell_v ten_o shall_v give_v a_o hund_n peninga_fw-mi thousand_o penny_n into_o sct._n to_o saint_n andree_n androes_n for_o for_o unc_fw-la we_o and_o and_o uncre_n our_o yldran_n elder_n and_o the_o Æ¿ulfsie_n to_o wulfsie_a Æ¿oðringabiras_n wateringbyrye_a innon_n within_o ê§_n that_o gecind_n kindred_n and_o an_o syrede_v heselholt_n innon_n ê§_n gecende_v to_o syred_a haselholt_n within_o that_o and_o Æ¿ulfege_n and_o aelfege_n and_o to_o wulfei_n and_o elfey_n his_o his_n breðer_n brother_n herigeardesham_n hartesham_n innon_n within_o ê§_n that_o gecind_n kindred_n to_o to_o Æ¿ulfege_n wulfee_n ê§_n the_o inland_n inland_o demean_n and_o and_o aelfege_n to_o elfey_n ê§_n ûtland_o the_o outland_o tenancy_n and_o and_o Æ¿ulfstane_n to_o wulfstane_n uccan_n vcca_n Æ¿olcnestede_n walkenstede_n innon_n within_o ê§_n that_o gecynd_v kindred_n and_o and_o a_o a_o hanðsecs_n hatchet_n dagger_n on_o of_o ðrym_a three_o pundan_n pound_n and_o þa_o tin_n hyda_n on_o straettune_n and_o those_o ten_o plowland_n at_o streiton_n into_o to_o þaem_v the_o minster_n minster_n church_n to_o at_o Æ¿olcnestede_n walkenstede_n and_o ê§_n land_n aet_fw-la fealcanham_n and_o the_o land_n at_o falcham_n after_o after_o byrhÆ¿ara_fw-mi byrwares_n daege_n day_n into_o to_o sct._n saint_n angry_a androes_n for_o for_o aelfric_n elfrice_n hire_v soul_n hlaford_n their_o lord_n and_o his_o yldran_n and_o his_o ancestor_n sÆ¿a_o even_o heora_n as_o their_o cÆ¿ide_n will_v Æ¿ae_n be_v and_o and_o bromleah_n brumley_n aeftre_n after_o brihtÆ¿ara_fw-mi britwares_n daege_n into_o day_n to_o life_n sct._n saint_n andree_n androes_n sÆ¿a_o as_o aelfric_n elfric_n hire_v their_o hlaford_n lord_n it_o hit_v becÆ¿aeð_n bequeath_v for_o for_o hine_n he_o and_o and_o his_o yldran_n his_o elder_n ancestor_n and_o and_o snodingeland_n snodland_n eac_n also_o into_o to_o s._n andree_n aeftre_n hire_v daege_n sÆ¿a_o aelfere_o hit_v becÆ¿aeð_n saint_n androes_n after_o their_o day_n even_o as_o elfere_v it_o bequeath_v aelfrice_n faeder_n and_o he_o seoðan_v on_o geÆ¿itnesse_v eadgife_n be_v elfrice_n father_n and_o he_o afterward_o in_o the_o witness_n hear_v presence_n of_o edgive_a ðaere_n the_o hlaefdian_n lady_n and_o and_o odan_n of_o odo_n aercebisceopes_n the_o archebishop_n and_o and_o aelfege_n of_o elfey_n aelfstanes_n elfstanes_n sunu_n son_n and_o and_o aelfrice_n of_o elfric_n his_o his_n broðor_a brother_n and_o and_o aelfnoþe_v pilian_n of_o elfnothe_v pilia_fw-la and_o godÆ¿ines_fw-la aet_fw-la faecham_n and_o of_o godwine_n of_o facham_n and_o and_o of_o eadrices_n eadric_n aet_fw-la of_o ho._n ho_o and_o and_o aelfsy_n of_o elfsie_a the_o preoste_n priest_n on_o of_o crogdaene_n croyden_n and_o the_o Æ¿ulfstane_n to_o wulfstane_n lx_o 60._o mancas_fw-la mark_n gold_n of_o gold_n to_o to_o daelanne_v deal_n for_o for_o unc_fw-la we_o and_o and_o uncre_n our_o yldran_n and_o elder_n and_o oðer_o other_o sÆ¿ile_n such_o 60._o mark_n Æ¿ulfsige_v to_o wulfsie_a to_o to_o daelanne_v deal_v between_o god_n and_o they_o be_v it_o and_o and_o haebban_n have_v heom_o they_o Æ¿ið_n with_o god_n god_n gemaene_n together_o give_v if_o hy_o they_o hit_v it_o ne_o do_v do_v not_o and_o and_o Æ¿ulfsige_fw-la tydices_fw-la egg_n to_o wulfsie_n titaesey_n and_o and_o ðam_fw-la boc_fw-la the_o write_a innon_n within_o ê§_n that_o gecind_n kindred_n &_o ij_o spuran_fw-mi on_o iij_o pundan_n and_o ic_fw-mi bid_v and_o two_o spur_n of_o three_o pound_n and_o i_o pray_v for_o for_o god_n god_n lufan_n love_n minne_v my_o dear_a leofan_n leefe_fw-mi hlaford_n ê§_n he_o ne_o lord_n that_o he_o do_v not_o þafige_fw-la suffer_v ê§_n aenig_a man_n uncerne_v cÆ¿ide_n aÆ¿ende_v that_o any_o man_n our_o testament_n do_v break_v turn_v aside_o and_o and_o ic_fw-mi i_o bid_v pray_v ealle_fw-mi all_o god_n god_n freond_a friend_n ê§_n he_o Æ¿hrto_o filstan_n that_o they_o thereto_o help_v haebbe_n Æ¿ið_n god_n gaemaene_n Æ¿e_v hit_v brece_n &_o god_n have_v they_o it_o with_o god_n together_o between_o they_o and_o god_n be_v it_o that_o it_o do_v break_v and_o god_n sy_v he_o symle_v mild_a þe_v hit_v healdan_n be_v to_o they_o always_o mild_a merciful_a that_o it_o hold_v keep_v Æ¿ille_fw-fr will._n it_o shall_v suffice_v for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o the_o matter_n worthy_a observation_n in_o this_o testament_n time_n that_o i_o have_v already_o point_a at_o they_o with_o the_o finger_n as_o it_o be_v for_o that_o they_o appear_v and_o show_v themselves_o manifest_o at_o the_o first_o sight_n only_o therefore_o touch_v the_o estate_n and_o degree_n of_o this_o testator_n i_o will_v for_o the_o more_o light_n and_o discovery_n thereof_o borrow_v a_o few_o word_n of_o you_o he_o himself_o here_o call_v aelfric_n his_o lord_n &_o natural_a lord_n &_o say_v further_o that_o aelfere_o be_v father_n to_o this_o aelfric_n now_o what_o aelfere_n &_o aelfric_n be_v it_o be_v not_o hard_a to_o find_v for_o all_o our_o ancient_a hystorian_n tell_v we_o that_o in_o the_o day_n of_o king_n edgar_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o martyr_n &_o of_o king_n ethelred_n these_o man_n be_v by_o birth_n cousines_n of_o the_o blood_n royal_a by_o state_n eorles_n which_o word_n we_o yet_o retain_v in_o english_a and_o which_o we_o common_o call_v comites_fw-la in_o latin_a for_o that_o at_o the_o first_o they_o be_v partner_n and_o companion_n as_o i_o may_v say_v with_o the_o king_n in_o take_v the_o profit_n of_o the_o shire_n or_o county_n that_o they_o be_v also_o by_o dignity_n ealdorman_n that_o be_v senators_z and_o governor_n of_o all_o mercia_n or_o middle_a england_n and_o final_o that_o they_o be_v of_o such_o great_a power_n and_o credit_n that_o alfer_v the_o father_n immediate_o after_o the_o death_n of_o king_n edgar_n restore_v all_o such_o priest_n throughout_o middle_a england_n to_o their_o house_n as_o the_o king_n by_o advice_n of_o dunstane_n the_o monk_n have_v in_o his_o life_n expulse_v for_o the_o place_v of_o his_o monk_n and_o that_o aelfric_n the_o son_n resist_v king_n ethelred_n in_o that_o siege_n of_o rochester_n whereof_o you_o hear_v when_o we_o be_v there_o for_o as_o much_o therefore_o as_o aelfric_n be_v hlaford_n or_o lord_n to_o our_o testator_n and_o that_o hlaford_n and_o ðegn_n that_o be_v to_o say_v lord_n and_o seruiteur_fw-fr be_v word_n of_o relation_n i_o gather_v that_o he_o be_v ðegn_n which_o signify_v proper_o a_o minister_n or_o free_a seruiteur_fw-fr to_o the_o king_n or_o some_o great_a personage_n but_o usual_o at_o those_o time_n take_v for_o the_o very_a same_o that_o we_o call_v now_o of_o the_o latin_a word_n gentilis_fw-la a_o gentleman_n that_o be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o man_n well_o bear_v or_o of_o a_o good_a stock_n and_o family_n neither_o do_v it_o detract_v any_o thing_n from_o his_o gentry_n at_o all_o that_o i_o say_v he_o be_v a_o minister_n or_o seruiteur_fw-fr for_o i_o mean_v not_o thereby_o that_o he_o be_v servus_n which_o word_n straight_o
the_o one_o happen_v amongst_o the_o saxon_n themselves_o contend_v for_o glory_n and_o supreme_a sovereignty_n the_o other_o between_o the_o danes_n &_o saxon_n strive_v for_o land_n life_n and_o liberty_n in_o the_o first_o offa_n the_o king_n of_o mercia_n have_v already_o join_v to_o his_o dominion_n the_o most_o part_n of_o westsex_n and_o northumberland_n and_o seek_v to_o have_v add_v kent_n also_o prevail_v against_o the_o inhabitant_n of_o this_o country_n not_o without_o great_a slaughter_n of_o his_o own_o subject_n and_o after_o the_o victory_n he_o transfer_v as_o it_o be_v in_o triumph_n the_o archebishops_n chair_n into_o his_o own_o kingdom_n as_o you_o hear_v in_o the_o beginning_n in_o the_o other_o fight_n king_n edmund_n surname_v for_o his_o great_a strength_n ironside_n obtain_v against_o king_n canutus_n the_o dane_n a_o most_o honourable_a victory_n and_o pursue_v ▪_o he_o fly_v towards_o shepey_n until_o he_o come_v to_o ailesford_n commit_v upon_o the_o dane_n such_o slaughter_n and_o bloody_a havoc_n that_o if_o edric_n the_o traitor_n have_v not_o by_o fraudulent_a counsel_n withhold_v he_o as_o we_o have_v before_o declare_v he_o have_v that_o day_n make_v a_o end_n of_o their_o whole_a army_n these_o be_v the_o write_a antiquity_n that_o i_o find_v of_o otford_n miracle_n which_o happy_o some_o man_n will_v esteem_v less_o than_o the_o unwritten_a vanity_n of_o thomas_n becket_n sometime_o owner_n of_o the_o place_n and_o therefore_o lest_o any_o shall_v complain_v of_o wrong_n you_o shall_v hear_v what_o they_o be_v also_o it_o be_v long_o since_o fancy_v and_o be_v yet_o of_o two_o many_o believe_v that_o while_n thomas_n becket_n lay_v at_o the_o old_a house_n at_o otford_n which_o of_o long_a time_n belong_v to_o the_o archbishop_n and_o whereof_o the_o hall_n and_o chapel_n only_o do_v now_o remain_v and_o see_v that_o it_o want_v a_o fit_a spring_n to_o water_v it_o that_o he_o strike_v his_o staff_n into_o the_o dry_a ground_n in_o a_o place_n thereof_o now_o call_v saint_n thomas_n well_o and_o that_o immediate_o water_n appear_v the_o which_o run_v plentiful_o serve_v the_o office_n of_o the_o new_a house_n till_o this_o present_a day_n they_o say_v also_o that_o as_o he_o walk_v on_o a_o time_n in_o the_o old_a park_n busy_a at_o his_o prayer_n that_o he_o be_v much_o hinder_v in_o devotion_n by_o the_o sweet_a note_n and_o melody_n of_o a_o nightingale_n that_o sing_v in_o a_o bush_n beside_o he_o and_o that_o therefore_o in_o the_o might_n of_o his_o holiness_n he_o enjoin_v that_o from_o thencefoorth_o no_o bird_n of_o that_o kind_n shall_v be_v so_o bold_a as_o to_o sing_v there_o abouts_o some_o man_n report_v likewise_o that_o for_o as_o much_o as_o a_o smithe_n then_o dwell_v in_o the_o town_n have_v cloy_v his_o horse_n he_o enact_v by_o like_a authority_n that_o after_o that_o time_n no_o smithe_n shall_v thrive_v within_o the_o parish_n innumerable_a such_o toy_n false_a priest_n have_v devise_v and_o fond_a people_n alas_o have_v believe_v of_o this_o jolly_a martyr_n and_o pope_n holy_a man_n which_o for_o the_o unworthiness_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o and_o for_o want_v of_o time_n wherewith_o i_o be_o straighten_v i_o neither_o will_n nor_o can_v now_o present_o recount_v but_o must_v pursue_v the_o residue_n that_o pertain_v to_o this_o place_n for_o beside_o this_o thomas_n offering_n there_o be_v hold_v in_o great_a veneration_n at_o otford_n another_o saint_n call_v bartilmew_n the_o apostle_n as_o i_o trow_v for_o his_o feast_n day_n be_v keep_v solemn_a both_o with_o a_o fair_a &_o good_a fare_n there_o this_o man_n serve_v the_o person_n as_o purveyor_n of_o his_o poultry_n &_o be_v frequent_v by_o the_o parishioner_n &_o neighbour_n about_o for_o a_o most_o rare_a &_o singular_a property_n that_o he_o profess_v for_o the_o manner_n be_v that_o if_o any_o woman_n conceive_v with_o child_n desire_v to_o 〈…〉_o forth_o a_o male_a she_o shall_v offer_v to_o 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becket_n who_o as_o he_o speak_v spare_v not_o to_o exercise_v the_o evangelical_a liberty_n mean_v excommunication_n belike_o upon_o the_o king_n himself_o and_o that_o for_o a_o very_a small_a matter_n wherein_o although_o he_o profit_v little_a in_o his_o life_n say_v he_o yet_o by_o his_o death_n he_o purchase_v both_o gain_n and_o glory_n to_o himself_o and_o the_o whole_a clergy_n which_o say_v he_o add_v in_o effect_n as_o follow_v they_o contend_v say_v he_o not_o for_o reconcile_a prince_n one_o to_o another_o but_o the_o controversy_n be_v only_o for_o a_o certain_a withdraw_a house_n call_v otforde_n a_o place_n more_o meet_a for_o a_o religious_a man_n meditation_n then_o for_o a_o prince_n pleasure_n with_o the_o which_o say_v erasmus_n i_o myself_o can_v not_o have_v be_v great_o in_o love_n till_o such_o time_n as_o willam_n warham_n the_o archbishop_n bestow_v so_o
the_o thing_n that_o i_o have_v to_o remember_v in_o eltham_n and_o to_o make_v a_o end_n of_o all_o these_o be_v the_o place_n whereof_o i_o mean_v to_o make_v note_n in_o this_o my_o xenagogie_n and_o perambulation_n of_o kent_n the_o first_o and_o only_a shire_n that_o i_o have_v describe_v wherein_o although_o i_o have_v not_o speak_v of_o sundry_a town_n not_o inferior_a at_o this_o present_a in_o estimation_n to_o a_o great_a many_o that_o i_o have_v handle_v and_o happy_o equal_a with_o they_o in_o antiquity_n also_o yet_o i_o think_v i_o have_v neither_o pretermit_v many_o that_o be_v much_o worthy_a of_o observation_n nor_o scarce_o omit_v any_o that_o be_v mention_v in_o such_o book_n of_o history_n as_o be_v easy_o to_o be_v have_v and_o obtain_v but_o as_o for_o the_o feodary_n and_o tenor_n of_o land_n genealogy_n &_o arm_n of_o man_n ebb_n flood_n &_o tide_n of_o the_o sea_n and_o rivers_n flatte_n bar_n haven_n &_o such_o other_o thing_n although_o somewhat_o may_v 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to_o take_v this_o my_o base_a metal_n draw_v out_o of_o a_o few_o sowze_n into_o many_o sheet_n as_o you_o see_v &_o shall_v hammer_v it_o to_o some_o further_a and_o fine_a fashion_n i_o will_v not_o only_o not_o envy_v it_o but_o most_o hearty_o thank_v he_o and_o gratulate_v to_o our_o country_n that_o so_o good_a a_o turn_n &_o benefit_n and_o as_o touch_v the_o description_n of_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o realm_n know_v by_o the_o deal_n in_o this_o one_o that_o it_o will_v be_v hear_v for_o any_o one_o man_n and_o much_o more_o for_o myself_o to_o accomplish_v all_o i_o can_v but_o wish_v in_o like_a sort_n that_o some_o one_o in_o each_o shire_n will_v make_v the_o enterprise_n for_o his_o own_o country_n to_o the_o end_n that_o by_o join_v our_o pen_n and_o confer_v our_o labour_n as_o it_o be_v exit_fw-la symbolo_fw-la we_o may_v at_o the_o last_o by_o the_o union_n of_o many_o part_n and_o paper_n compact_v a_o whole_a and_o perfect_a body_n and_o book_n of_o our_o english_a 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this_o shire_n as_o bear_v the_o name_n of_o gavelkind_n be_v common_o call_v gavelkind_n custom_n for_o that_o they_o prevail_v and_o have_v place_n in_o land_n of_o gavelkind_n nature_n in_o which_o respect_n it_o shall_v not_o be_v amiss_o to_o show_v for_o what_o reason_n those_o land_n be_v at_o the_o first_o so_o term_v and_o why_o they_o do_v yet_o hitherto_o continue_v the_o name_n two_o conjecture_n i_o have_v of_o the_o reason_n of_o this_o name_n the_o one_o ground_v upon_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o descent_n and_o inheritance_n of_o these_o land_n themselves_o the_o other_o found_v upon_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o duty_n and_o service_n that_o they_o yield_v both_o which_o i_o will_v not_o stick_v to_o recite_v and_o yet_o leave_v to_o each_o man_n free_a choice_n to_o receive_v either_o or_o to_o refuse_v both_o as_o it_o shall_v best_o like_o he_o arise_v i_o gather_v by_o cornelius_n tacitus_n and_o other_o that_o the_o ancient_a german_n who_o offspring_n we_o be_v suffer_v their_o land_n to_o descend_v not_o to_o the_o elder_a son_n alone_o but_o to_o the_o whole_a number_n of_o their_o male_a child_n &_o i_o find_v in_o the_o 75._o chap._n of_o canutus_n law_n a_o king_n of_o this_o realm_n before_o the_o conquest_n that_o after_o the_o death_n of_o the_o father_n his_o heir_n shall_v divide_v both_o his_o good_n and_o his_o land_n amongst_o they_o now_o for_o as_o much_o as_o all_o the_o next_o of_o the_o kindred_n do_v this_o inherit_v together_o i_o conjecture_v that_o therefore_o the_o land_n be_v call_v either_o gavelkyn_n in_o meaning_n giveall_n kin_n because_o it_o be_v give_v to_o all_o the_o next_o in_o one_o line_n of_o kindred_n or_o give_v all_o kind_n that_o be_v to_o all_o the_o male_a child_n for_o kind_n in_o dutch_a signify_v yet_o a_o male_a child_n beside_o this_o the_o welshman_n also_o who_o but_o now_o late_o lose_v this_o custom_n do_v in_o their_o language_n call_v this_o descent_n gwele_v and_o in_o their_o latin_a record_n lectus_fw-la progeny_n &_o gavella_fw-la of_o their_o own_o word_n gefeil_v which_o signify_v twin_n or_o such_o as_o be_v bear_v together_o because_o they_o do_v all_o inherit_v together_o and_o make_v as_o it_o be_v but_o one_o heir_n and_o not_o many_o and_o here_o by_o the_o way_n i_o can_v omit_v to_o show_v that_o they_o of_o this_o our_o kentish_a country_n term_n do_v yet_o call_v their_o partition_n of_o land_n shift_v even_o by_o the_o very_a same_o word_n that_o the_o law_n of_o canutus_n many_o year_n since_o term_v it_o namely_o scyftan_n in_o latin_a herciscere_fw-la that_o be_v to_o shift_v depart_v or_o divide_v land_n my_o other_o conjecture_n be_v raise_v upon_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o rent_n and_o service_n go_v out_o of_o these_o land_n for_o it_o be_v well_o know_v that_o as_o knight_n service_n land_n require_v the_o presence_n of_o the_o tenant_n in_o warfare_n and_o battle_n abroad_o so_o this_o land_n be_v of_o socage_n tenure_n command_v his_o attendance_n at_o the_o plough_n and_o other_o the_o lord_n affair_n of_o husbandry_n at_o home_n the_o one_o by_o manhood_n defend_v his_o lord_n life_n and_o person_n the_o other_o by_o industry_n maintain_v with_o rent_n corn_n and_o victual_v his_o estate_n and_o family_n this_o rent_n and_o customary_a payment_n of_o work_n the_o saxon_n call_v gafol_n and_o thereof_o as_o i_o think_v they_o name_v the_o land_n that_o yield_v it_o gafolette_n or_o gafolcynd_n that_o be_v to_o say_v land_n let_v for_o rent_n or_o of_o the_o kind_n to_o yield_v rent_n in_o this_o sense_n i_o be_o sure_a that_o the_o rent_n custom_n and_o service_n which_o the_o tenante_n of_o london_n pay_v to_o their_o land_n lord_n be_v wont_a and_o yet_o be_v to_o be_v recover_v by_o a_o writ_n thereof_o call_v gavellet_n as_o by_o a_o ancient_a statute_n make_v in_o the_o ten_o year_n of_o king_n edward_n the_o second_o entitle_v statutum_n de_fw-it gaveleto_fw-it in_o london_n and_o by_o daily_a experience_n there_o it_o may_v well_o appear_v thus_o much_o then_o as_o concern_v the_o etymon_n of_o this_o word_n gavelkind_n be_v say_v let_v we_o proceed_v further_o custom_n it_o have_v already_o appear_v how_o the_o kentishman_n immediate_o after_o the_o conquest_n obtain_v the_o continuation_n of_o their_o custom_n and_o it_o be_v very_o manifest_a by_o ancient_a writer_n that_o the_o same_o for_o the_o more_o part_n have_v be_v in_o ure_n and_o exercise_n ever_o since_o for_o omit_v that_o which_o thomas_n spot_n have_v write_v concern_v the_o same_o matter_n for_o as_o much_o as_o it_o be_v already_o recite_v at_o large_a glanuile_n a_o learned_a man_n that_o flourish_v in_o the_o reign_n of_o king_n henry_n the_o second_o in_o his_o
the_o custom_n itself_o and_o in_o this_o behalf_n also_o some_o have_v doubt_v whether_o the_o brother_n or_o uncle_n shall_v have_v the_o advantage_n of_o this_o custom_n because_o the_o word_n thereof_o extend_v to_o the_o son_n only_o but_o let_v we_o proceed_v there_o belong_v moreover_o due_a by_o the_o tenant_n to_o each_o common_a person_n be_v his_o lord_n of_o land_n in_o gavelkind_n suit_n to_o his_o court_n the_o oath_n of_o fidelity_n and_o the_o true_a do_v and_o payment_n of_o all_o accustom_a rent_n duty_n and_o service_n also_o if_o the_o tenant_n die_v leave_v his_o heir_n within_o the_o age_n of_o fifteen_o year_n the_o lord_n have_v authority_n to_o commit_v the_o nouriture_n of_o the_o body_n and_o the_o custody_n of_o the_o good_n and_o land_n of_o the_o infant_n to_o the_o next_o of_o the_o kindred_n to_o who_o the_o inheritance_n can_v descend_v but_o as_o neither_o the_o lord_n ought_v to_o take_v any_o thing_n for_o the_o custody_n neither_o to_o tender_a to_o the_o heir_n any_o marriage_n at_o all_o so_o must_v he_o take_v good_a heed_n that_o he_o credit_v not_o the_o custody_n to_o any_o person_n that_o shall_v not_o be_v able_a to_o answer_v therefore_o for_o if_o the_o heir_n at_o his_o full_a age_n of_o fifteen_o year_n shall_v come_v to_o the_o lord_n court_n and_o demand_v his_o inheritance_n although_o the_o lord_n may_v distrain_v the_o gardien_fw-mi to_o yield_v his_o account_n as_o it_o appear_v 18._o e._n 2._o avowry_n 220._o yet_o in_o default_n of_o his_o ability_n the_o lord_n himself_o and_o his_o heir_n remain_v charge_v to_o the_o heir_n for_o the_o the_o same_o furthermore_o if_o the_o tenant_n shall_v withdraw_v from_o the_o lord_n his_o due_a rent_n and_o service_n the_o custom_n of_o this_o country_n give_v to_o the_o lord_n a_o special_a and_o solemn_a kind_n of_o cessavit_fw-la and_o that_o after_o this_o manner_n gavelkind_n the_o lord_n after_o such_o a_o cessing_z aught_o by_o award_n of_o his_o three_o week_n court_n to_o seek_v from_o court_n to_o court_n until_o the_o four_o court_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o good_a witness_n whether_o any_o distress_n may_v be_v find_v upon_o the_o tenement_n or_o no_o and_o if_o he_o can_v find_v none_o then_o at_o the_o four_o court_n it_o shall_v be_v award_v that_o he_o shall_v take_v the_o tenement_n into_o his_o hand_n as_o a_o distress_n or_o pledge_v for_o the_o rent_n and_o service_n withdraw_v and_o that_o he_o shall_v detain_v it_o one_o year_n and_o a_o day_n without_o manure_v it_o within_o which_o time_n if_o the_o tenant_n come_v and_o make_v agreement_n with_o the_o lord_n for_o his_o arrearage_n he_o shall_v enter_v into_o his_o tenement_n again_o but_o if_o he_o come_v not_o within_o that_o space_n then_o at_o the_o next_o county_n court_n the_o lord_n ought_v open_o to_o declare_v all_o that_o his_o former_a proceed_v to_o the_o end_n that_o it_o may_v be_v notorious_a which_o be_v do_v at_o his_o own_o court_n next_o follow_v the_o 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