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Husbandman and Yeoman

In general terms, a husbandman would be a tenant farmer of modest means and a yeoman a freeholder with an ample income The terms allowed exceptions -- a yeoman farmer was sometimes a copyholder or tenant for lives but nevertheless held a large farm. Any farmer with a large farm-house and well-run farm tended to call himself 'yeoman': there are many cases where others called him 'husbandman' but he called himself 'yeoman'. Conversely, a freeholder of a small estate could go down as 'husbandman'.

Pinder

An officer of the manor in charge of the pinfold or pound into which stray animals were put. He often received the fine paid for their release.

Villein

In mediaeval times an unfree tenant of the manor, his land holding at the will of the lord. He was above a serf (or slave) but was required to perform services on the lords demesne.

Autumn 1991 Index

© Alcester & District Local History Society 1991