[24] All the 153 holdings which changed hands on the death of the tenants of the Black Death were re-granted to the single heir of the deceased holder or to a reversioner, or in default of such were retained by the lord. In no case was there a subdivision by inheritance. The _heriot_ of a virgate was generally an ox, or money payment of its value. But the amount was often reduced 'propter paupertatem;' and sometimes when a succeeding tenant could not pay, a half-acre was deducted from the virgate and held by the lord instead of the heriot. [25] See under 23 Ed. III. a record of the unanimous finding of the jury to this effect. [26] The instances of fugitive villeins are very numerous for years after the Black Death; and inquiry into cases of this class formed a prominent part of the business transacted at the halimotes. [27] There were 22 cases of 'Lerewyt' recorded on the manor rolls in the first 10 years of Edward III. [28] See a case in 25 Ed. III. [29] See a case of this in 6 Ed. III. [30] See under 6 Ed. III. [31] Rot. Hund. No. of Acres in Acres in virgates a virgate a hide in each hide II. p. 629 VI. 40 240 VI. 28 168 IV. 48 192 631 VI. 30 180 635 VI. 25 150 636 IV. 30 120 V. 25 125 637 VIII. 15 120 640 IV. 30 120 640 V. 25 125 645 IV. 30 120 646 V. 26 130 648 IV. 30 120 653 IV. 30 120 654 IV. 30 120 656 IV. 24 144 658 V. 25 125 660 V. 25 125 661 VI. 20 120 [32] _Hundred Rolls, Oxon._ II. 708. Every virgate gives scutage 2s. 6d., 2 virgates give scutage 5s., 1 virgate gives scutage 2s. 6d., 4 virgates give scutage 10s., 2 virgates give scutage 5s., each when the scutage is 40s.. II. 709. 4 virgates give scutage 8s., 5 virgates give scutage 11s. 5d., each when the scutage is 40s.. II. 830. 1 hide gives scutage for a fourth part of a scutum. From these instances it is evident that normally 4 virgates = 1 hide, and 4 hides make a knight's fee. [33] _Hundred Rolls, Beds._ II. 321. Carucate of 120 acres. 324 Carucate of 80 acres. 325 Carucate of 100 acres. 326 Carucate of 120 acres. II. 328. Carucate of 200 acres. 329 Carucate of 80 acres. 332 Carucate of 100 acres.