The English CoUagers of ilie Middle Ages. 11 



11 servi. In 1222 there are 24 ojieYarii (corresponding exactly to 

 the 24 villani), only 8 cotarii^ 23 lihere tenenies^ and 24 tenants of 

 the demesne, a considerable number of whom are also reckoned 

 ia the other classes. This would, appear to show that the free- 

 holders originated in cottagers as well as in villani. 



In the little manor of Norton, in Essex/ there were only two 

 hordarii; in 1222 there were six tenants holding from five to ten 

 acres apiece. Here it would appear that the hordarii were petty 

 tenants with no special rank. 



The conclasion which we seem entitled to draw, is that the Coi- 

 seicl of the Hediiudines, lumped together with other cottagers in 

 Domesday book, were nevertheless a quite permanent class, reap- 

 pearing in feudal times, under the name of Lundimirii, or '■ Mon- 

 daj''s men," as a kind of aristocracy among the cottagers ; that the 

 'Gehurs were, like the cotsetel, of free origin, but lower in condition, 

 and that they were the principal source of the cottagers upon 

 the tenement lands ; while the cottagers of the demesne and th« 

 cleared lands were in great part the descendants of the slaves 

 of the eleventh century. 



' Vol. ii. f. 12. 



