OLD ENGLISH VILLAGE LIFE. 1 63 



We have interesting evidence in The Terrier of the nature 

 of the lesser tithe, and we cannot be too thankful 

 that these payments in kind, with their troublesome and 

 cumbrous arrangements, have given place to simpler and 

 more satisfactory methods. The lesser tithe at Barrow 

 disappeared in 1787, when an enclosure of meadow land adjoin- 

 ing the Trent was assigned to the vicar in exchange. For 

 Arleston, some time before 1850, a rent charge had been paid 

 in lieu of tithe, but in that year it was redeemed by the payment 

 of a sum, in support of the living, to Queen Anne's Bounty. 

 Three years earlier, in 1847, the smaller tithe at Twyford was 

 commuted by the payment of a rent charge of ^27 10s. The 

 following extract from The Terrier will throw a clear light upon 

 the previous interesting but antiquated system : — " For ten 

 fleeces of wool, one fleece ; for ten lambs, one lamb, due to the 

 vicar; one fleece, and one lamb at 7, 8 or 9 allowing for the 

 number they fall short of 10; for every cow and calf three 

 half-pence ; for every barren cow a penny ; for every mare and 

 fole three pence ; for every messuage house with a garden 8d. ; 

 without a garden 6d. ; for every cottage house with a garden 

 4d. ; without a garden 2d. ; for every hive of bees in lieu of 

 tithe-honey and wax 2d. ; for every tradesman's hand 4d. ; every 

 tenth strick of flax and hemp; every tenth strike of apples and 

 pears ; three eggs for a cock ; two eggs for a hen ; three eggs for 

 a turkey cock ; two eggs for a turkey hen ; three eggs for a drake ; 

 two eggs for a duck; for every widower and widow as com- 

 municants 2d. ; for every bachelor and maid, being sixteen years 

 of age, id.; for every tenth goose, and tenth pig, one, and at 

 7, 8 or 9 as in wool and lamb. Two shillings in the pound for 

 Tithe Herbage." It is a wonderfully complete catalogue, 

 ingeniously devised to prevent any possibility of escape. The 

 vicar in those days must have had an interest not altogether 

 unselfish in the farm and farmyard, and must have been tempted 

 to breathe the prayer of the Psalmist that our oxen might be 

 strong to labour, and that there be no decay, and that our sheep 

 should bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets. 



