v.] DISTRIBUTION OF LAND IN ENGLAND. 21 



average about one-fourth of the extent which a 

 plough could cultivate in a year, and therefore about 

 equal to two oxgangs. Hence the gebur could not 

 afford to keep a plough of his own. Several, there- 

 fore, must unite in order to maintain a plough, and 

 the gebur was, accordingly, to be supplied with two 

 oxen, so that four geburs could have a plough among 

 them, and employ it in cultivating the land which 

 they held in severalty. 



The fact that the land was thus cultivated in com- 

 mon by no means proves that it was owned in 

 common. I can therefore see, in the circumstance of 

 a common cultivation, no sufficient reason for holdino- 

 that these intermixed fields were not, in numerous 

 instances, the holdings of villeins which, in process of 

 time, were converted into copyholds. 



The second fact, that these intermixed fields were 

 subject to a common right of pasture, after the crop 

 had been removed, appears to be equally insufficient 

 for the purpose of establishing Mr. Nasse's conclusion. 

 Depasturing of cattle and sheep, upon small portions 

 of uninclosed land, held by several occupiers, must be 

 enjoyed, if at all, by them in common ; and the 

 exigencies of cultivation by a common plough for- 

 bade inclosures. It was for the general benefit that 

 the stubble and other pasturage should not be 

 wasted ; and the fact of a common enjoyment by 

 no means proves that the land itself was common 

 property. 



