Note 602 — Chapter III
Reading edition
Ely Inqu., Cotton MSS. Claudius, C. xi. 166, b: 'Metet dimidiam acram que vocatur þanc alfaker.' The name may possibly mean, that the peasant earned the gratitude of the lord by ploughing the half-acre. This construction would be supported by other instances of 'sentimental' terminology. Cf. Warwickshire Hundr. Roll, Q.R. Misc. Books, N. 18, f. 94, b: 'Love-bene.' Cartul. of Okeburn, Al. Prior. 2/2, 17: 'Post precarias consuetudinarias debet de gratia, ut dicitur, quocienscumque precatus fuerit, (operare) per unum hominem.' Roch. Custum., ed. Thorp, 10, b: 'Et pro prato de Dodecote falcando, pro amore, non pro debito, habebunt unum multonem et unum caseum de 4 d.'