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Simple English definitions for legal terms
copyhold
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A quick definition of copyhold:
Copyhold was a way of owning land in the past where the person who owned the land had to do certain things for the person who owned the manor. These things were written down in the manor's court records. Over time, the rules changed and the person who owned the land had to do different things. In 1922, the law changed and copyhold land became either freehold or leasehold land. Before this, people who owned copyhold land had to go to the manor's court to transfer the land to someone else. Some copyhold land was special and not affected by the current lord's rules.
A more thorough explanation:
Definition: Copyhold is a type of historical land tenure where the tenant had to provide customary services to the lord of the manor, as recorded in the manor's court rolls. This type of tenure evolved from pure villeinage and was abolished by the Law of Property Act of 1922, which converted copyhold land into freehold or leasehold land.
Examples: In the past, if someone held land on copyhold tenure, they had to perform certain services for the lord of the manor, such as providing labor or paying rent. The lord would record these services in the manor's court rolls, and the tenant would receive a copy of the entry to prove their title to the land. For example, a copyholder might have to provide a certain number of days of labor each year to maintain the lord's fields or pay a fee to use the lord's mill.
Explanation: Copyhold was a way for lords of the manor to maintain control over their land and ensure that tenants provided the necessary services to keep the manor running smoothly. The system evolved over time, and by the fifteenth century, copyhold tenure was seen as an advantage for tenants, who were often personally free and had commuted their services for a sum of money. However, the system was eventually abolished in favor of freehold or leasehold land, which gave tenants more control over their property.