When a tenant took possession of copyhold land. They would be “admitted” to the land and the admittance would be recorded in the manor court rolls.  A copy of the admittance from the rolls would be given to the tenant, this type of document is often found with a “surrender”.

A fine given by the manor court for breaking the rules (known as the customs) of the manor.

The long strip of a burgage that is behind the building at the front.

Another name for a town. A borough was made up of burgage plots. 

The holder of a burgage plot. They had voting rights in the borough.

A shoe maker. The word comes from the name “Cordoba”, a town in Spain famous for its leather goods.

The rules or local laws of the manor. Both freemen and tenants might be fined for breaking these rules. 

Area for keeping animals.

Medieval system of landholding. The Crown (king or queen) would grant lands to their followers in return for the promise to provide military service.

Garden or yard.

A landed estate presided over by a manorial court. 

The record of the business of the manor. Usually included any transfers of land (surrenders) and any fines made by the manor court (amercements).

Medieval system of landholding. Farmers would be granted lands in return for labour services. 

When a tenant ceased to hold the land, either by death or by not longer wanting to occupy the land. The land was “surrendered” or given back to the manor and this was recorded in the manor court rolls. A copy of the surrender from the rolls would be given to the tenant (or their family), this type of document is often found with an “admission”.