Note 311 — Book VIII.

Precarias. “Vide Somn. Tract. de Gavelkynd in voc. Benerth, p. 18.” (Al. MS.) “Benerth,” says Lord Coke, “signifieth the service of the plough and cart.” Co. Litt. 86. a. Precariæ are said to be day-works, which the Tenants of some manors are bound, by reason of their tenures, to do for their Lords in Harvest-time; and they are in some places called bind-days for bidden-days, since, as it has been remarked, bidden est precari. This custom is said to be plainly set forth in the Great Book of the Customs of the Monastery of Battel tit. Appelderham fo. 60. an extract from which the reader will find in Spelm. Gloss. ad voc. precariæ. Somner, indeed, considers it a species of Tillage service, performed precario. (Ubi Supra.)