318 The Customs of Four Manors of the Abbey of Lacock. 



capellarius " of 1260 has become " Galfridus le hattare " in 1280, 

 the intermediate link being the French " chapelier." Again 

 " Ricardus carucarius " of 1260 has become by 1280 " Bicardus le 

 akerman," or ploughman. Both these occurred in Bishopstrow. 

 Other like equivalents will suggest themselves to anyone who 

 reads the parallel records of Bishopstrow and Heddington. 



It is of interest to notice that three-quarters of an acre was 

 considered to he a fair day's work in mowing in Lacock manor ; 

 now-a-days, I believe that an acre is considered about an average, 

 but we must take into consideration, first, that scythes were very 

 much more heavy am' cumbersome, and the ground much rougher 

 than in these days ; next, that, after his task completed, the 

 thirteenth century labourer could have the rest of the time for 

 himself, whereas now the full day's work is required for the day's 

 wage. 



I spoke earlier of the rough attempt at equity visible in the 

 appointment of the bailiff by the lord, ami the reeve, or provost, 

 by the tenants, as jointly responsible for the due performance of 

 the works: the same tendency is visible in the various allowances 

 for reaping, ploughing, and carrying the corn : e.g. } after the tenant 

 has mown his three-quarter acre, he is allowed t<> take of what he 

 lias mown as much as he can hold between his two //lores ; and we 

 notice this specially in the regulations that allow to the swine-herd 

 the second-best young pig, and all. except the hams, of the second-best 

 pig at Martinmas, or give the neat-herd the otVal of the scco/i<t-best 

 beast. The explanation in each case is probably that the bailitV 

 took first choice, for the lady of the manor, and the servant next, 

 just as, in the old days of the tithe-sheaf, etc.. the farmer arranged 

 bis sheaves in what order he liked, and the parson began his count 

 where he pleased. It is also noticeable, as illustrating the innate 

 love of fairness of these documents that though this is the record 

 preserved by the abbey, i.e., the landlord, it is specified that if the 

 reeve on Lacock manor be chosen from among the " cotsetel " he 

 ought of right to have his food at the lady's table, but that this 

 privilege had been unjustly withdrawn. 



These are, with the exception of a rental of the manor of Castle 



