86 MANORS OF STRATTON AND GRIMSTON. 



demesne lands, presided at the Court Baron, either personally or 

 by his deputy, the steAvard of the manor. 



Next to him we get the freehold tenant, who held his land in 

 fee subject to a fee farm rent and to his performing certain 

 services for the lord, but did not hold at the will of the lord. 



Then we have the customary or copyhold tenant Avhose lands 

 were holden by copy of Court Roll ; that is, the muniments of 

 title to such lands were copies of the roll or book in which an 

 account was kept of the proceedings of the Courts of the Manor 

 to which the lands belonged, for " all copyhold lands are said to 

 belong to and to be parcel of some manor," and subject also to 

 an annual rental, and to a heriot and fine on death or renewal 

 and " by all other burthens, customs, and services due and of 

 right accustomed," according to the custom of the manor of 

 which they were holden, for "custom is the life of copyholds." 



Now let us consider the constitution of these manorial Courts. 



First we have the Court Baron or Customary Court, which was 

 holden either with or without the Court Leet or View of Frank- 

 pledge ; over this Court the lord or his steward presided, the 

 freeholders and the customary tenants or copyholders being the 

 suitors or homage. At this Court the deaths of tenants were 

 presented, estates surrendered and regranted by copy of Court 

 Roll, and the interests generally of the lord of the manor were 

 protected. 



The View of Frank-pledge or Court Leet usually followed 

 (though it may be seen from the Court Rolls of Stratton that a 

 special Court Baron was sometimes separately held for the 

 purpose of surrenders and admissions). At this Court offenders 

 were brought up, and, if adjudged guilty, were declared at the 

 mercy of the lord, fines were assessed, presentments relating to 

 matters within the manor were made, and the interest both of 

 the lord and his customary or copyhold tenants were protected. 

 This Court was composed of the several officers of the manor, 

 viz., the constable, the tithing-man, or head borough, the 

 hayward, the viewers of fields and the tellers of cattle, and the 

 jury and the homage. 



