Feudal Statistics 75 



equivalent for hidation. So when an inquisition 

 was taken throughout the Kingdom, for the 



(3) assessment of a Scutage, the Sheriffs were re- 

 quired to return the number of fees in each 

 hundred, estimating their extent by the actual 

 number of hides or proportions of a hide," citing 

 the T. de N. and the Abbot of Ramsey's case. 



p. clxiv. "and moreover the extent of the hide or carucate 

 is often stated in denominations of an acre both 



(4) of arable and pasture land," citing Kirkby's 

 Quest, fo. 228. 



It has already been allowed that sub-infeuda- Remarks 



j on. Scirnc. 



tions were (or are returned) by Hides and Caru- 

 cates, whence so many make a fee ; the establish- 

 ment of the feudal system did not of course 

 extinguish hides (as units for rates and taxes) 

 or acres as areal measures, but as less than 3 

 or more than 150 carucates might make a fee, 

 and in a feudal tax contribute not by the rate 

 of carucates but at that of fees, it is difficult to 

 discern how this can be termed a tax on the land 

 unit. For instance taking examples from the The theory 

 T. de N. which seems to be indicated in the numerous 

 3rd of the above extracts, on p. 337 the Earl of Records. 

 Chester holds in Horsinton 2 carucates of which 

 Walt, de Bolesby holds i, whence n bovates (/.*., 

 i-| car.) make a fee, and lord Simon de Kyme 

 holds the other whence 20 bovates (2^ car.) make 

 etc., and on p. 249 in the Gascony inquisitions in 

 co. Beds., Peter de Lekeburn holds 8 virgates 

 (2 Hides) for \ of a fee ; Walt. /. Alex, holds 

 i virgate for T ^ of a fee (here 3f Hides make 

 i fee), the Prior of Neuham 2 Hides for ^ of a 

 fee (32 Hides per fee), and further divers tenants 



