Obligations of a Villein
From the Domesday Book, 1086 A.D.
Hugh Miller holds 1 virgate of land in villenage by paying thence to the
said abbot 3s. 1d. Likewise the same Hugh works through the whole year
except 1 week at Christmas, 1 week at Easter, and 1 at Whitsuntide, that
is in each week 3 days, each with 1 man, and in autumn each day with two
men, performing the said works at the will of the said abbot as in plowing
and other work. Likewise he gives 1 bushel of wheat for benseed and 18
sheaves of oats for fodder-corn. Likewise he gives 3 hens and 1 cock
yearly and 5 eggs at Easter. Likewise he does carrying to Peterborough
and to Jakele and no where else, at the will of the said abbot. Likewise
if he sells a brood mare in his court yard for 10s or more, he shall give
to the said abbot 4d., and if for less he shall give nothing to the
aforesaid.
J.H. Robinson, trans., University of Pennsylvania Translations and
Reprints, Vol III, No. 5. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania,
1912.