A HISTORY OF SUFFOLK 



this the profits from the ewe-flock and lambs are very considerable. Yet for 

 all this they pay but £2'^ ^ year rent. 



The intermission of manorial courts from 1643 to 1650 during the Civil 

 War and the unsettled state of the lordship of the manors led to great con- 

 fusion in many cases about the ownership of the land. The Act of Charles II 

 which converted all tenures into free and socage had considerable effects in 

 those parts of Suffolk where the ancient services remained intact, and many 

 manors were lost to their former owners."* The historian of Framlingham, 

 while lamenting this effect of the ' sacred laws of liberty,' holds out the 

 warning that even the rights remaining are threatened by the extravagant 

 demands of lords of manors and stewards for fines and fees on the admission 

 of copyhold tenants."^ 



With regard to the personnel of the farmers under these prosperous 

 conditions Reyce's statement may well be believed : ' Whilst many of the 

 better sort, as having passed their uttermost period do suffer an utter declina- 

 tion, these only (the yeomanry of the county) do arise and do lay such strong 

 sure and deep foundations that from thence in time are derived many noble 

 and worthy families.' "' Of the position of the agricultural labourer in the 

 middle of the 17th century, interesting evidence is afforded by agreements 

 between Paul D'Ewes (father of Simonds D'Ewes the diarist) and a shepherd, 

 a ploughman, and a labourer employed on his estate in 1628—9."' John 

 Tillot, the shepherd, is bound over to keep his master's flocks well and safely, 

 to make good any that are missing, and if any die to bring him the skins. 

 He is also to make amends for any corn bitten or spoiled by the sheep, and 

 to bring any stray sheep to Stowlangtoft pound. 



If any man do sow any ground, and the stiffs of the field are broken, and may not be 

 duly taken and fed as heretofore they have been used, then the said Tillot to feed ofif the 

 said corn and to drive his sheep upon that part of the ploughed land. And to forbid any 

 particular man to sow his ground or any part thereof whereby the sheep-walk may be hindered. 



He is also to keep the ' conies ' from destroying the corn and to stop their 

 runs, but to kill none upon the warren ; and to mend gaps in the hedges 

 when need arises. 



In consideration of these services Paul D'Ewes agrees to give pasture 

 for fifty ewes yearly, in money for wages 50J. yearly, in corn 7 combs, and 

 2 bushels of rye, and 7 combs and 2 bushels of barley, part of the corn 

 grown on the estate ; also a fleece at every shearing and a sucking lamb. 



To the ploughman,"" one Bartholomew Peirson, D'Ewes lets the house 

 called Dutchman's House at the rent of ^2 loj. per annum, the yards and a 

 close of pasture belonging to it at ^^4 additional ; Chandler's meadow, con- 

 taining 1 1 acres, and certain fields lately divided at £% i os. in all ; with all 

 the profits derived therefrom, as part and parcel of his wages ; with the sum 

 of ^5 in money paid half-yearly, to make a total of >C20. Peirson for his 

 part agrees to serve Paul D'Ewes as his ploughman and servant for one year, 

 and to do no other work for any man whatsoever. He is also bound to main- 

 tain and keep at his own charges one other able and sufficient ploughman or 

 husbandman, as his servant, to be used solely in D'Ewes' interest. Both men 

 are to be ' careful, diligent, and painful ' in the work which their master 



'" MS. Hist, of Framlingham (Add. MS. 33247), fol. 391. ■" Ibid. fol. 399. 



"» Reyce, Breviary o/Suff, 58. '" Harl. "MS. 98, fol. 31. "° Ibid. fol. 32. 



668 



