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Archiver > BUCKS > 2002-07 > 1026656551


From: Eve McLaughlin <>
Subject: [BKM] 1606 4 yard of land and a half
Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 15:22:31 +0100
In-Reply-To: <81.1e489be7.2a6215cb@aol.com>



>the Latin word equivalent to yardland, virgate, came from the Latin word
>'virga', also meaning a stick or rod. Land held by serfs was said to be held
>per virgam, or by the rod. In fact when such land was granted or transferred
>a rod would often be ceremonially handed to the new owner.

Land was transferred 'per virgam' (by the rod) is opposed to 'per
copiam' (by a copy (of court roll). If the person had his paperwork
describing exactly which pieces of land he held safely, the heir could
display his copy (to compare with the details as written in the Court
rolls of the manor); if he had lost it, had it burnt, if mice had eaten
it, the heir could still be admitted, by the steward, whose symbol of
office was the rod or wand. The person asking for admittance touched the
steward's wand of office, as a substitute for the old ceremony of
placing his hands between the hands of his lord, to swear fealty.

--
Eve McLaughlin

Author of the McLaughlin Guides for family historians
Secretary Bucks Genealogical Society

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