7 6 SOCIAL DISTINCTIONS, AND THE 



Again, let us investigate the facts contained in a rental of 

 Stillington, in the county of Durham, compiled in the year 

 1321. 



The bailiff holds two bovates (oxgangs) of land belonging 

 to the lord, twenty-seven acres of 'Hamsterley' land, and three 

 of cotland with a messuage, and a moiety of the mill and 

 pandoxium; for which he pays rent ^5 i is. iod. 



Another tenant holds a toft, a space (area) near the toft, and 

 two oxgangs of land, one of his lord's, the other of c husband' 

 land, at a rent of ^3 $s. 



A third has an oxgang of husband land, and pays j^i. 



A fourth and fifth have each a toft, one oxgang of lord's 

 land, and two of husband land, at a rent of ^4. 



A sixth has a toft, two oxgangs of lord's land, one of husband 

 land, two acres of meadow, three acres of hamsterley land, and 

 one plot (area) of cotland, at a rent of i is. 4^. 



A seventh has a toft, an oxgang of lord's land, and another 

 of husband land, at a rent of ^3. 



A sixth has two oxgangs of husband land, half an oxgang 

 of lord's land, and pays a rent of ^3. 



A seventh, tenth, and eleventh hold similar pieces with the 

 third, at the same rent. 



An eighth, who is a widow, holds one oxgang of lord's land, 

 one of husband land, and an c area cotagii,' and pays ^4 is. 6d. 



A ninth has thirty acres of hamsterley land, three acres, a 

 toft, and a cottage, where he lives, and pays j^i 131. 4^. 



There are two other tenants of small parcels. There are 

 also eight coterells who hold cottages and pieces of land 

 varying from nine acres downwards to two. 



Note is taken in this manor of the destruction of the grange 

 and mill by fire ; that is, probably by the Scotch. 



The oxgang is said to be equal to the hide or carucate, eight 

 of these hides making a knight's fee. 



The incidents of villenage are given in the Cuxham rental, 

 and omitted in that of Ibstone. The tenant is restrained from 

 selling ox or calf, colt or filly (if this be the distinction between 



