The lord’s shepherd has a preeminence of tending his sheep on every part of the common; and wherever he herds the lord’s sheep, the several other shepherds are to give way to him, and give up their _hoofing-place_, so long as he pleases to depasture the lord’s sheep thereon. The lord holds his court _the first day in the year_, to entitle those several townships to such right of estray; the shepherd of each township attends the court, and does fealty, by bringing to the court a large _apple-pie_, and a twopenny _sweetcake_, (except the shepherd of Hewick, who compounds by paying sixteen pence for ale, which is drank as after mentioned,) and a _wooden spoon_; each pie is cut in two, and divided by the bailiff, one half between the steward, bailiff, and the tenant of the coney-warren before mentioned, and the other half into six parts, and divided amongst the six shepherds of the above mentioned six townships. In the pie brought by the shepherd of _Rainton_ an inner one is made, filled with _prunes_. The cakes are divided in the same manner. The bailiff of the manor provides _furmety_ and _mustard_, and delivers to each shepherd a _slice of cheese_ and a _penny roll_. The _furmety_, well mixed with mustard, is put into an earthen pot, and placed in a hole in the ground, in a garth belonging to the bailiff’s house; to which place the steward of the court, with the bailiff, tenant of the warren, and six shepherds, adjourn with their respective _wooden spoons_. The bailiff provides spoons for the stewards, the tenant of the warren, and himself. The steward first pays respect to the _furmety_, by taking a large spoonful, the bailiff has the next honour, the tenant of the warren next, then the shepherd of _Hutton Conyers_, and afterwards the other shepherds by regular turns; then each person is served with a glass of _ale_, (paid for by the sixteen pence brought by the _Hewick_ shepherd,) and the health of the lord of the manor is drank; then they adjourn back to the bailiff’s house, and the further business of the court is proceeded in.