iv I The Demesne. 1400 1605. 59 



An account roll of 1604-5 shows that the net profits from the 



manor in that yr.ir were 50. 



1604-5 



Receipts. 



. s. d. 



1 i\cd rents 39 9 of 



Farm of demesne meadow, woods, etc 7 J 5 



Courts 7 13 9 



Total 54 i? 9l 



Expenses. 



' d. 



Rents paid (Castleward) i 4 



Steward and accountant ... ... ... ... ... 4 15 8 



Total 4 17 o 



Net profit 50 o gf 



Our evidence, then, points to the conclusion that during the 

 period 1400-1605 the net profits of the manor continued to decline. 



The rents were for the most part fixed in amount, and, with the 

 fall in the value of money in the sixteenth century, became less 

 valuable to the lord. With the extinction of serfdom, which was 

 complete in Forncett manor in the year 1575, a source of revenue 

 ceased. Tallage, and such payments as merchet, chevage, and fines 

 to administer the goods of deceased serfs, were no longer rendered. 

 The courts also were less profitable than in earlier times, and the 

 mill was no longer a source of income 1 . 



1 Escheators' Inquisition, 1406. Mill used to be let for 20*. Out of repair and worth 

 nothing. 



