COURT ROLLS OF THE MANOR OF HOLMESFIELD. 79 



Thomas Watts in his own person surrendered a certain 

 yearly rent of i3'' 4''- issuing from a mess, and bovate in 

 Milnethorpe, to the use of Elizabeth Watts, wife of the 

 said Thomas, in the name of dowry and jointure for life. 



Thomas Watts and Elizabeth, his wife, surrendered a mess, 

 and bovate in Milnethorpe to the use of John Watts for 

 his life. 



Roger Eyre in his own person surrendered a meadow plot 

 lying in Cartlege, in the tenure of Nicholas Whyte, to the 

 use of the said Nicholas, for life. 



^ John Coke who held a mess, and lands in Holmefeld, died 

 since the last court, by which his best animal fell to the 

 lord, for a heriot. Margaret, the wife of John Hudson is 

 sister and next heir of John Coke, and is of full age. 



Here follows a fragment of constable's returns relating to 

 Chelmerton, dated 6 Hen. VIH. It bears the following : — 

 Andrew Morewood, constable. 

 John Norton ^ 

 Thurstan Dall > Assistants. 

 Edward Brixton J 

 All reported in good order : discords, ml. 



Heriot, A. Saxon '■ Heregate,^ from Here an army and 'gate' a beast. 

 It signified originally a tribute given to the lord of the manor for his better 

 preparation for war. By the laws of Canute, at the death of the great men of 

 this realm, so many horses and arms were to be paid as they were in their 

 respective life-times obliged to keep for the king's service. Speliiian. Jacob. 



In many, if not all, modern copyholds the best beast (whether it be horse, 

 ox, or cow — or the best goods, furniture, or plate) of which the tenant dies 

 possessed is due and payable to the lord of the manor. 



The present payment of death duties imposed by the late Radical Govern- 

 ment is far more severe on our aristocracy and the wealthier portion of our 

 community than the severest of the old feudal obligations, for incidentally it 

 constitutes a penalty or fine on every patron of the fine arts for their possession 

 of choice articles of virtu, and a penalty and restriction on the production of these 

 things by our most talented artisans. It is almost a death blow to the pros- 

 perity of English art, for few will care now to obtain or treasure those things 

 the possession of which will entail such disastrous consequences to their families 

 and estates. 



