Note 24 — Chapter II · THE ENGLISH OPEN FIELD SYSTEM TRACED BACK TO THE DOMESDAY SURVEY—IT IS THE SHELL OF SERFDOM—THE MANOR WITH A VILLAGE COMMUNITY IN VILLENAGE UPON IT.

All the 153 holdings which changed hands on the death of the tenants of the Black Death were re-granted to the single heir of the deceased holder or to a reversioner, or in default of such were retained by the lord. In no case was there a subdivision by inheritance. The heriot of a virgate was generally an ox, or money payment of its value. But the amount was often reduced 'propter paupertatem;' and sometimes when a succeeding tenant could not pay, a half-acre was deducted from the virgate and held by the lord instead of the heriot.