242 
head of Pholidophorus from this locality in the British Museum 
(no. P. 3704). The external bones and scales in this fossil 
exhibit a very fine and delicate rugose ornament, much like that 
of Pholidophorus germanicus, which occurs in the Upper Lias of 
Wiirtemberg and Whitby. It may even pertain to a variety of 
the species just mentioned. 
Notes on some of the Court Rolls of the Manor of Forde. By the 
Rev. C. W. SHICKLE. 
(Read January 29th, 1896.) 
Manors, although as ancient as the Saxon constitution, are 
considered as of Norman introduction, The tenants at first 
resembled the Spartan Helots, and were either annexed to the 
soil or to the person of the lord. 
They held their land at their lord’s will, and if they purchased 
any without his consent, the lord could seize it unless they effected 
a sale, and in many places a fine was payable if a villein married 
his daughter, or a widow took a second husband without the lord’s 
consent. 
Though holding at will, the custom of each manor preserved and 
made known to us by the manor rolls, afforded them some protec- 
tion, and as the tenants had nothing to show for the title of their 
estates but these customs and entries, they were called tenants by 
copy of court roll or copyholders. 
These courts were generally held twice a year, when a register 
was made of all changes which had taken place within the manor 
since the last court, and an account rendered of the fines levied 
for breaches of custom and trespasses into the defended places of 
the manor. 
A perfect collection of all the Court Rolls would therefore give 
us the history of every family of the lower class throughout the 
kingdom, and those which have been preserved are not only 
interesting but valuable. 
