Legal Definitions - bedrip

Bedrip is a historical legal term that describes a specific service a tenant was obligated to provide to their landlord, particularly within the feudal land tenure system of medieval England. It refers to the duty of a tenant, often a "copyhold tenant," to help harvest the landlord's grain or other crops. This labor service was a form of rent or obligation, alongside or instead of monetary payments, for the right to occupy and farm their own land.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of bedrip:

• Imagine a farmer named Thomas in 14th-century England. Thomas holds a small farm from Lord Ashworth under a copyhold agreement. As part of his tenancy, the agreement stipulates that Thomas and his family must spend three days each autumn helping to harvest the wheat fields directly owned by Lord Ashworth. This specific obligation to provide labor for reaping the landlord's crops is an example of a bedrip.

• Consider the village of Oakhaven in the 16th century. Many villagers, including Eleanor, hold their cottages and small plots of land from the local manor lord. In addition to paying a small rent, Eleanor's tenancy agreement requires her to contribute two days of labor during the harvest season to gather the lord's barley. This mandated service of reaping the lord's grain is a clear illustration of a bedrip.

• During the medieval period, a family living on a large estate might have held their land through a copyhold tenure. The head of the household, John, was required by his landlord, Sir Reginald, to dedicate a certain number of days each year to assist with the harvest of Sir Reginald's personal fields. This compulsory service, where John and perhaps members of his family would help cut and gather the landlord's crops, represents a bedrip.