The system of grouping townships in the west for the payment of a food-rent (_firma unius noctis_) was exactly parallel to the grouping in the east for the payment, not of rent but of 'geld'. We can best trace this parallel in Somerset, because the _firma unius noctis_ of the days before the Conquest had been there commuted for a money payment at the time of Domesday. Turning to the Cambridgeshire hundred of Long Stow, we find one of its 'blocks' (of twenty-five hides) divided into three equal parts, while another is divided into three parts, of which one is half the size of the two others. And so in Somerset we have Frome and Bedminster combined in one group for the payment of this _firma_, and the two Perrotts similarly combined with Curry. Frome and Bedminster are each assigned the same payment, but in the other group the contribution of one is half that of the two others. Here are the Somerset groups of demesne, each charged with the render of a _firma unius noctis_. _Commutation_ £ s d Somerton (with Borough of Langport) 79 10 7 } Chedder (with borough of Axbridge) 21 0 2-1/2} 100 10 9-1/2 North Petherton 42 8 4 } South Petherton 42 8 4 } 106 0 10 Curry Rivell 21 4 2 } Williton } Carhampton } 105 17 4-1/2 Cannington } Frome 53 0 5 } Bruton 53 0 5 } 106 0 10 Milborne Port (with Ilchester) 79 10 7 [Bedminster[203] 21 0 2-1/2] Of these two last, Milborne Port is entered as having paid three-quarters of a _firma noctis_ under the Confessor, while Bedminster--though in the midst of this group of _firma_ Manors--is alone in having no render T.R.E. assigned to it. One is tempted to look on the two as originally combined in one _firma_ (like Somerton and Chedder), save that the whole width of the county divides them, while in the other cases the constituents are grouped geographically. The Wiltshire Manors, each of which rendered a _firma unius noctis_, were: _Ploughlands_ _Valets_ Calne 29 Bedwin 79 Amesbury 40 Warminster 40 Chippenham 100 £110 'Theodulveshide' 40 £100 From the figures given for Somerset and Wilts, it may fairly be concluded that, in this district, the value of the 'firma' was about £105. In Somerset, however, there was clearly a special sum, £106 0s 10d, on which calculations were based. An examination of Mr Eyton's statements on the _firma unius noctis_ in Somerset and Dorset would prove a peculiarly conclusive test of his whole system.