You are in [Publications] [Aspects of the Early History of Hungerford] [Glossary]
This article is from "Aspects of the Early History of Hungerford" by Norman Hidden, 2009.
Ad Quod Damnum: An enquiry by means of a jury whenever a grant of a market fair or a licence for alienation of land was sought, as to whether the grant would be prejudicial to the interests of the Crown or others. (“damnum” loss or damage).
Alienation in Mortmain: A system where, by payment of a fee or fine the King was prepared to grant a licence (i.e permission) to an applicant to alienate (that is, to transfer) property in to Mortmain, (dead hand). The King therefore had no further claim on the land unless the estates were forfeited at a later date.
Ballitus: Bailiff
Burgage Plot: Land or property held by a burgess.
Carucate: An old English unit of land-area measurement, varying from 60 to 160 acres.
Cotsetlam: A cottage or small farm.
Curtilage: The enclosure of an area of land adjacent to a dwelling house.
Demesne: Land surrounding a house or manor, retained by the owner for his own use.
Escheat: The right of a feudal lord to the return of lands held by his vassal, or holding of a serf, should either die without lawful heirs or suffer outlawry.
Fee simple and Fee tail: An estate of inheritance in land, either absolute or without limitation to any particular class of heirs (fee simple) or limited to a particular class of heirs (fee tail).
Feodary: An officer concerned with the inheritance of land, or holding lands by power of feudal tenure.
Feoffee: One to whom freehold land is conveyed.
Frankalmoin: A form of tenure by which religious bodies held lands especially on condition of praying for the soul of the donor.
Firma Burgi: The right to collect tolls and rents on behalf of the King.
Herbage: The right and payment of or for grazing animals.
Hide: Estimated 120 acres.
In Capite: To hold land in chief i.e. directly from the Crown.
Inspeximus Exemplification: (an attested copy or transcript) of a record.
Messuage: Portion of land occupied as a site for a dwelling house and its appurtenancies.
Obits: A memorial mass celebrated annually on the mind day of a deceased person, usually on the anniversary of their death.
Pannage: The right to feed beasts in the woods around the village.
Portreeve: Principle manorial official under a bailiff or constable. Similar to Reeve.
Prepositus: Reeve or provost.
Quinque Quarten Frumenti: Five quarters of grain.
Recusant: One who would not attend Anglian services, after the establishment of the Church of England.
Rectius: More rightly.
Seisin: Feudal possession of an estate or land.
Tallage: A tax levied on boroughs and on tenants living on royal estates.
Terrier: A book or document in which are described the site, acreage, tenants etc. of certain lands.
Valor Ecclesiasticus: A valuation of all ecclesiastical benefices throughout England and Wales, set in motion by Henry VIII.
Virgate: One quarter of a hide, approx. 30 acres.
The Canal Wharf, 2011