Legal Definitions - festing-penny

The term festing-penny is a historical legal concept referring to a small initial payment given to a servant or worker at the time they were hired. This payment acted as a form of "earnest money," signifying a binding agreement between the employer and the employee. It confirmed the commitment of both parties to the employment contract, particularly common in earlier centuries for domestic, agricultural, or skilled trade positions.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a festing-penny:

• Imagine a farmer in 18th-century rural England who needed extra hands for the upcoming harvest season. After interviewing a young man for the laboring position and agreeing on the terms of employment, the farmer might hand the young man a shilling. This shilling would serve as the festing-penny, solidifying the agreement and ensuring the young man's commitment to show up for work when the harvest began.

• Consider a wealthy household in 17th-century London seeking to hire a new scullery maid. After a successful interview, the lady of the house, through her steward, might present the chosen candidate with a small coin, perhaps a groat. This payment would act as the festing-penny, confirming that the position was hers and that she was expected to commence her duties on the agreed-upon date, creating a formal, albeit simple, employment contract.

• In a medieval town, a master craftsman, such as a blacksmith, might agree to take on a new apprentice for a period of several years. To formalize this significant commitment from both sides—the master to teach and the apprentice to serve and learn—the master might give the apprentice a small sum of money or a valuable token. This initial payment would function as a festing-penny, sealing the apprenticeship agreement and marking the official start of their working relationship.