GLOSSARY 339
pone. A writ, whereby an action could be removed from the county
court into the royal court.
pytel. A small field or enclosure; a close.
rebeck. A musical instrument, having three strings, and played with a
bow; an early form of the riddle.
reeve. A manorial official, usually of servile status, appointed to oversee
the general working of the manor.
sake and soke. A right of jurisdiction claimed by some manorial lords.
seisin. Possession.
selions. A ridge or narrow strip lying between two furrows formed in
dividing an open field.
sheriffs tourn. The turn or circuit made by the sheriff of a county
twice a year, in which he presided at the hundred-court in each
hundred of the county.
stinting. Limiting, especially the rights of pasture.
suit of mill. The obligation of tenants to resort to a special mill (usually
that of their lord) to have their corn ground.
tallage. A tax levied by a manorial lord upon his unfree tenants.
tally. A notched stick, which was split in two, one half being kept by
the seller and the other half by the receiver.
tithing. A company (originally) of ten householders in the system of
frank-pledge.
tithingman. The chief man of a tithing.
toft. The site of a house and its outbuildings.
virgate. A measure of land, varying greatly in extent, but very frequently
averaging 30 acres.
'week-work. Work done for the lord by his bond-tenants so many days
a week.