Legal Definitions - cotset

A cotset was a historical term used in medieval England to describe a specific type of peasant within the feudal system. A cotset held a small plot of land and a cottage from a lord. In exchange for these provisions, the cotset was obligated to provide a defined amount of labor or services to the lord, typically on the lord's personal land (demesne). This arrangement was a fundamental part of the manorial system, where land tenure was directly linked to service.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a cotset:

• Imagine a cotset named Thomas living on Lord Ashworth's estate in the 12th century. Thomas and his family are granted a small cottage and a garden plot for their own use. In return, Thomas is required to spend three days each week working in Lord Ashworth's fields, helping with tasks like plowing, planting, and harvesting the lord's crops.

  This example demonstrates a cotset providing direct agricultural labor to the lord as their primary obligation, receiving a dwelling and land in exchange.

• Consider a cotset family on the manor of Lady Eleanor. The family occupies a small dwelling and cultivates a modest patch of land for their sustenance. As part of their service, one member of the family, perhaps a younger son, is regularly assigned to assist in the lord's stables, caring for horses and maintaining equipment for a set number of days each month.

  This illustrates a cotset providing specific, non-agricultural support services to the lord, receiving the customary cottage and land in return.

• On the estate of Baronet Croft, a cotset named Elara is responsible for maintaining a section of the manor's boundary fences and clearing ditches around the common pasture. She lives in a small dwelling provided by the Baronet and cultivates a small plot of land adjacent to her cottage. Her labor ensures the upkeep of essential manorial infrastructure.

  This example shows a cotset fulfilling their labor obligation through maintenance and infrastructure upkeep, receiving a cottage and land as compensation.