Note 545 — Chapter III · THE QUESTION OF TENANT RIGHT

Calendar of Proceedings in Chancery in the Reign of Edward VI. Bills to establish a fine certain on admission and alienation, to get protection against exorbitant fines, &c. are common. For popular complaints see E. E. T. S., A Supplication of the Poore Commons: “These extortioners have so improved theyr lands that they make of a xls. fyne xl. pounds,” &c. For an actual instance see the following case. The tenants of Austenfield claim “that of ancient time all the customary tenants of the said manor of Austenfield were finable at fines certain, until of late years the lords moved by covetousness, by troubling and vexing their copyholders, drove many of them, for the buying of their quietness, to be at fines uncertain" (William Salt Collection, vol. ix. Chancery Proceedings. Bdle. 12, No. 70).