[ 193 1 



caufcd the great lords to abolifli, in a great meafure, 

 their old feudal tenures; and inftead of fo zealoufly 

 diftinguifhing themfelves by red and white rofes, 

 proceeded to inclofe and identify their lands, on 

 which they granted leafes by the particular defcrip- 

 tion of all thofe feveral pieces and parcels of arable 

 and meadow, which were at the time of granting 

 thofe leafes adlually in the occupation of the leflees, 

 which lefiees were not thereafter to be molefted by 

 any perfon whatever, together with an unlimited 

 common of pafture in the ham or moor for the fum- 

 mer feeding of cattle. Thefe old aufter tenements 

 were generally held for 99 years, determinable on 

 the death of three lives; and at firft under the eafy 

 annual rent of wheat, barley, oats, hay, cattle, geefe, 

 ducks, capons, wild fowl, cummin feed, &c. and on 

 the death of the oldeft life the beft beafl was gene- 

 rally advanced by way of ^nefor a life^ and from 

 thence called far lief y but long fmce compounded 

 for money, and at prefent called a heriot. 



The great Lords thus inclofing and identifying 

 tlieir tenements, this flat country gave great offence 

 to the tenants, whofe privilege of picking and 

 chufing the befl land was now at an end; they 

 therefore fent a petition to Edward Seymour, the 

 great Duke of Somerfet and Prote6lor of England, 

 complaining of the Lords' incroachment upon their 



Vol. V. O privileges. 



