In some cases the holding handed over is simply described by the one comprehensive word '_virgata_' (the Latin equivalent for 'yard-land'), without any further description. The 'virgate' of A. B. is transferred to C. D. in one lump; _i.e._ the holding is an indivisible whole, evidently so well known as to need no description of its contents. In other cases the holding is in the same way described as a '_half-virgate_,' without any details being needful as to its contents. But in the case of all other holdings the contents are described in detail half-acre by half-acre, each half-acre being identified by the names of the holders [p024] of the strips on either side of it. They vary in size from one half-acre to 8 or 10 or 12 half-acres, and in a few cases more. The greater number of them are, however, evidently the holdings of small cottier tenants. A few cases occur, but only a few, where a messuage is held without land. «What is a virgate or yard-land?» But the question of interest is what may be the nature of the holdings called virgates and half-virgates--these well-known _bundles_ of land, which, as already said, need no description of their contents. Fortunately in one single case a virgate or yard-land--that of John Moldeson--loses its indivisible unity and is let out again by the lord to several persons in portions. These being new holdings, and no longer making up a virgate, it became needful to describe their contents on the rolls.[20] Thus the details of which a virgate was made up are accidentally exposed to view. Putting the broken pieces of it together, this virgate of John Moldeson is found to have consisted of a messuage in the village of Shipton, in the manor of Winslow, and the following half-acre strips of land scattered all over the open fields of the manor. «The virgate or yard-land of John Moldeson.» _Where situated._ _Between the Land of_