And be it known that the fruits which were then in the barn ought to be counted for the first year, because they were of our stock. In witness of which demise of the land and the manor we have caused our seal to be set to this present writing.[126] [Footnote 121: November 30.] [Footnote 122: March 25.] [Footnote 123: In law every man was forced to be in frankpledge, that is, to be one of a group, each member of which was responsible for the others' good behaviour. The 'view' was a half yearly survey of such groups, at which offences were presented and punished.] [Footnote 124: Fine.] [Footnote 125: _i.e._ Free from the inspection and audit of the lord's officer.] [Footnote 126: This document is of great interest as an instance of an early stock-and-land lease.] 6. GRANT OF A MANOR BY A LORD TO THE CUSTOMARY TENANTS AT FEE FARM [_Patent Roll, 6 Edward III, p. 2, m. 27_], _ante_ 1272. The King to all to whom, etc., greeting. We have inspected a writing which Richard, sometime earl of Cornwall, made to his customary tenants of his manor of Corsham in these words:-- To all to whom the present writing shall come, Richard, earl of Cornwall, greeting. Know all of you that we have demised and granted and by our present writing confirmed for us and our heirs to all our customary tenants of our manor of Corsham all our manor of Corsham, with the rents, demesnes, meadows, feedings and pastures to the said manor pertaining, saving to us a third part of the meadow of Myntemede, which third part the said customary tenants shall mow, carry and cock at their own costs, saving also to us the site of our fishpond, our parks, our warren, pleas, perquisites and all escheats which can escheat to us or our successors; to have and to hold to the said customary tenants and their successors of us and of our heirs for ever, for 110 marks to us and our heirs or assigns yearly to be paid to our bailiff in the said manor at two terms of the year, to wit, on the octave of Easter 55 marks and on the octave of Michaelmas 55 marks, for all services and demands to us or to our heirs or assigns belonging, saving to us all the things aforenamed. And we will that our said customary tenants for ever be quit of tallage and view of frankpledge and all other customs and services to us or to our heirs pertaining. Our aforesaid customary tenants, however, have granted for them and their successors that, if they keep not this covenant according to the form of the present writing, all their tenements which they hold of us shall revert to us and our heirs without any contradiction, if it be through them that the form of this writing be not kept. We will also and we grant that if any of our said customary tenants of our said manor of Corsham be rebellious, contravening the form of this writing, our bailiff for the time being shall have power to distrain him by lands and chattels to observe more fully all the things abovesaid according to the tenour of this writing.