The son of a burgess came of
age when he could count money, measure cloth, and manage his
father's concerns.
Female heirs remained in the custody of their lords until they
married. The lord was bound to find a marriage for his ward when
she became fourteen years of age and then deliver her inheritance
to her. She could not marry without her lord's consent, because
her husband was expected to be the lord's ally and to do homage to
him. But if a female heir lost her virginity, her inheritance
escheated to her lord. A woman with property could not do homage
because she could not perform military service, but she generally
swore fealty. She could receive homage from men.
Bastards were not heirs, even if their father married their mother
after birth.
Any adult inheriting land had to pay a "relief" to the lord of the
land. For a knight's fee, this was 100s. For socage land, this was
one year's value. The amount for a barony depended upon the King's
pleasure.
Heirs (but not widows) were bound to pay the debts of their
fathers and ancestors. A man who married a woman who had inherited
land could not sell this land without the consent of its heirs.
When a man dies, his wife shall take one-third and his heirs shall
take one-third of his chattels [movables or personal property].
The other third he may dispose of by will. If he had no heirs and
no will [intestate], all his chattels would escheat to his lord.
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