HACKNESS. [345 



ness, and four at the village of North-field. Being 

 thus secured against his brother, and his possess- 

 ions here enlarged, he and his monks continued in 

 this village some time ; but he returned to Whitby, 

 leaving some of the monks to reside here, in or near 

 the church of St. Peter ; which from this time be- 

 came a cell to Whitby. King Henry I. granted or 

 confirmed to them the church of Hackness, with 

 the appurtenances, and the franchises of soc, sac, 

 toll, team, and infangtheof ;* and Henry II. confir- 



* The terms soc, sac, &c. are of Saxon origin and hare 

 been variously defined. According to the most pro- 

 bable interpretation, soc, is the power of holding courts 

 to settle disputes, or to take cognizance of offences, ar- 

 ising within the bounds or manor in the district where it 

 is enjoyed, including the power of summoning the ten- 

 ants, or vassels to attend in such courts ; sac, is the 

 power of imposing fines, or forfeitures, in such courts. 

 Thol, or toll, is the right of buying or selling, and ta- 

 king custom, or toll, of such as buy, or sell, withiruthe 

 territory. Team is the privilege of having villains, or 

 slaves, and of disposing of them at pleasure ; and infang- 

 theof is the power of judging thieves, or robbers, when 

 found within the manor, or territory, and punishing 

 them, but not to take away their life. The monks 

 were at great pains to get their lands, possessions, and 

 privileges confirmed to them by the most ample securities, 

 and the grants made to them were executed with the 

 utmost solemnity, the donor usually oftered his bene- 

 faction on the altar, and deposited there in the presence 

 of witnesses, his staff, his knife, or some other pledge, 

 in token of giving seizin of the estate : the conveyance 

 was then signed, sealed and witnessed in due form, war- 

 ranting the premises to be the monks against all men 

 and women for ever ; and sometimes for the greater sta- 

 bility of the deed, pronouncing a blessing on all who 

 should confirm it, and a curse on all by whom it should 

 be infringed. When a grant was made by a tenant or 

 homager, care was taken to have it confirmed at the 

 time or shortly after by a superior under whom he heldj 



