I900 E. C. SCOBELL— COMMON FIELDS AT UPTON 225 



October 18, 1897; the effect is that scattered pieces 

 belonging to the same person are put as much as possible 

 together and fenced, and the land thus apportioned held 

 like any other property, free from former conditions. 



The Common Fields amounted to 487a. ir. 28p. in 

 1 129 holdings (one as small as three perches) divided 

 among 90 owners, the two largest owning 72 and 67 

 acres. Some of this was copyhold, some freehold. All 

 was arable except one pasture field. The holdings were 

 subject to the usual customs and rules enforced by the 

 Courts of the Manor— described as the Court Leet and 

 the Court Baron ; a jury was sworn consisting of 15 good 

 and lawful men.* 



The following is the form of Presentment : — 

 " We present and order that the Pinlockt to be paid by persons 

 resident in this parish or in Matson will be One shilling for any number 

 of Sheep under a score. Two shillings for any number exceeding a 

 score and under two score and in the same proportion for any greater 

 number and Six pence for each Horse, Ass or other Beast and for every 

 trespass after the first the sum of One shilling and sixpence for each 

 such Horse, Ass or other Beast. 



" We present that there ought to be no Staff keeping^ in the Roads 

 and Common Fields within the Manor, nor in the Bond End Lanes 

 leading from Bowden Hall to Bottom Field in Church Field to Rookes 

 Moorfi^'eld and to Awefield nor in the Whornes Lane Peaches Green 

 nor in the Lanes leading from Nuthill Field nor within side any Gate 

 leading to any Common Fields. 



" We present and order that no person shall use Staff keeping upon 

 any such Roads Commonable Lands or Lanes under the penalty of 



* Court Leet. /... of the people : cp. German hute. Court Baron of Freemen of the 

 Manor. Jacob, in his Law Dictionary, derives "Leaf from Anglo-Saxon Uie. parr^.s, 

 hence " little Court." 



t Probably fee paid for unlocking the Pen, or Pound. 



-H AUowin.. a person to be in charge of cattle-presumably with a stafF-to keep 

 then/within a certain part of the field •, or perhaps fastening the cattle to a staft-tetherxng. 



P2 



