Note 95 — PART I TERRITORIAL STUDIES (continued 3)

It is impossible to resist the inference, from such evidence as we have, that the amount of the servitium debitum was a matter of custom and tradition, and could not usually be determined by reference to written grants or charters. On this point the returns of three Essex tenants are most instructive, while their similarity is so striking, that, as in the case of the Shropshire formulæ, it can scarcely be due to accident. The Earl of Essex closes with the words: 'et homines mei dicunt mihi quod debeo Domino Regi lx. milites'. Walter fitz Robert, who follows him, writes: 'et hoc mihi homines mei intelligere faciunt, quod debeo inde Regi servitium de l. militibus'. William de Montfichet ends thus: 'et hoc faciunt homines mei mihi intelligere—quod pater meus deserviebat per xl. milites'. With these expressions we may compare those of William fitz Alan's tenants, who assert that his Norfolk fief 'non debet domino Regi nisi i. militem ... ut antiqui testantur'; that his Shropshire fief 'non debet Regi nisi x. milites in exercitu ... sicut antiqui testantur'; and that, as to his Wiltshire fief, 'non sumus certi quod servitium debeat Regi de hoc tenemento'. The Abbot of Chertsey, also, states his servitium debitum with the proviso 'secundum quod scire possumus'. These expressions explain the uncertainty as to the servitium debitum in such cases as the See of Worcester and Ramsey Abbey.95