Peasants 4

Understanding Lords and Peasants

Part of Managing Your Peasants IV of V

Farming and feudalism Dealing with your land

How big is a hide of land? A "hide" of land, which Professor Maitland considers to have been "the land of a household," was treated as the area which a team of eight oxen could plough in a working year. Its extent may have varied. But, if the size was 120 acres, then each hide consisted of four portions of 30 acres, called "virgates," or 8 portions of 15 acres, called "bovates." Thus the eighth part of the hide, or "bovate," was the land of one ox; the fourth part of the hide, or "virgate," was the land of two oxen; and the whole hide was the land of the complete team of eight oxen. It was on this basis that the tenemental land, in theory, and sometimes in practice, was divided. The typical holding of the villein was regulated by his capacity to furnish one or two oxen to the team. In other words, it was the "virgate " or " yardland" of 30 acres, though one-ox holdings or "bovates" of 15 acres, and even half-ox holdings, were frequent. – “English Farming Past and Present” Lord Ernle 1912 3 field system – winter sown wheat or rye; spring sown barley, oats, peas or beans; fallow. One section was planted in the Fall with winter wheat or rye. The next Spring, the second field was planted with other crops such as peas, lentils, or beans and the third field was left fallow. The three fields were rotated in this manner so that every three years, a field would rest and be unplanted. Arable lands – Land that could be plowed. Major crops were grown on the arable, which was divided into strips owned by different peasants. After the harvest this becomes common grazing land. Meadows or Lammas Lands – Common lands for hay and grazing after the hay is gathered until just after Christmas. Overseen by the Hayward who makes sure the fences are in good repair, and impounds stray animals found grazing there while the hay is growing. Portions were either divided by lots or by a rotation system. Close (an enclosure) – the household garden - .5-1 acre. Fruits, vegetables, herbs and other plants are grown here. Demesne lands – The liege lord’s land on the manor - cultivated by peasants, and hired help. Waste lands – uncultivated lands (forests, fens). Not really a waste in our modern view as many valuable resources were found there (wood, mast, wild foods, grazing, thatching materials etc). Assart – Peasants were sometimes allowed to rent the right to clear, enclose and cultivate part of the waste lands. However, many assarts were created without permission of the lord owning the land. This could be a very worthwhile investment for a family that was outgrowing it’s arable lands.

Brought to you because history is where peasants had a hard life

This piece from the late Mahala de Sorbonne Another History is neat Project