338 GLOSSARY
gavelkind. The name of a form of land-tenure whereby a man's property
was divisible among his sons.
gersuma. A fine paid to the lord on entering upon a holding.
gestum. A guest's portion: an allowance of meat and drink.
Gules of August, The first day of August.
haye-bote. The right to take wood or thorns for the repair of fences
granted to the peasant by the lord.
kayward. A manorial officer having charge of the enclosures, especially
in haymaking or harvest times.
heriot. The surrender of the best live beast or dead chattel of a deceased
tenant due by custom to the lord of whom he held.
Hock Day. The second Tuesday after Easter Sunday; in former times
an important term-day, on which rents were paid, Hock-day and
Michaelmas dividing the rural year into its summer and winter
halves.
homage. A body of persons owning allegiance, and attending a
manorial court.
hous-bote. The right of a tenant to take wood from his lord's estate for
the repair of his house.
infangenethef. Jurisdiction over a thief apprehended within the lord's
manor; the right of a lord to try and amerce a thief caught within
his manor.
medale. A drinking festivity after the lord's meadows had been mowed.
medkniche. A haymaker's fee, viz. as much hay as the hayward can lift
with his middle finger to his knees.
merchet. A fine paid by a servile tenant to his lord for liberty to give
his daughter in marriage.
messor. An official appointed to oversee the manorial reapers or mowers.
messuage. A portion of land occupied as a site for a dwelling-house and
its appurtenances.
mortuary. A customary gift (usually the second best animal) paid to the
parish priest from the estate of a deceased parishioner.
naifty. The state of being born in bondage or serfdom.
nativi. Persons of servile birth.
outfangenethef. The lord's right to pursue a thief outside his own
jurisdiction, bring him back to his own court for trial, and keep
his forfeited chattels on conviction.
pannage. The payment made to the lord for the privilege of feeding
beasts in the woods about the village.
pinfold. A place for confining stray or impounded cattle, horses, etc.;
a pound.
pittance*'. An officer of a religious house who had the duty of distri-
buting charitable gifts or allowances of food.