Legal Definitions - hide land

Hide land refers to an ancient unit of land measurement used in England, primarily during the Anglo-Saxon and early Norman periods. Historically, it represented the amount of land considered sufficient to support a single household or family, including their dependents and livestock. The actual size of a "hide" varied significantly depending on the region, the quality of the land, and the specific historical period, but it was often estimated to be around 60 to 120 acres. This unit was crucial for administrative purposes, especially for assessing taxes and military service obligations.

• Example 1: Feudal Grant

  Imagine an Anglo-Saxon lord in the 9th century granting a parcel of land to a loyal freeman in exchange for military service and loyalty. The charter might specify that the freeman is granted "two hides of land" in a particular village. This designation would immediately convey to all parties the approximate extent of the land being conveyed and its expected capacity to sustain the freeman and his family, as well as the associated obligations.

  This example illustrates "hide land" as a practical unit for land grants and the establishment of feudal relationships, indicating the land's capacity to support a household.

• Example 2: Domesday Book Assessment

  When William the Conqueror commissioned the Domesday Book in the late 11th century, his surveyors meticulously recorded the landholdings across England. For many manors, the entries would state how many "hides" of land were present, such as "Wiltshire manor holds ten hides." This information was vital for the Crown to understand the wealth of the kingdom, assess taxes, and determine military levies, as each hide was theoretically capable of supporting a certain number of men or contributing a specific amount of revenue.

  This example demonstrates "hide land" as a fundamental unit for large-scale administrative and taxation purposes, reflecting its role in governmental assessment of resources.

• Example 3: Agricultural Productivity

  Consider a medieval peasant family striving for self-sufficiency. If a family was said to farm "half a hide of land," it implied a specific agricultural capacity. This amount of land would be expected to yield enough crops and provide sufficient grazing for animals to feed the family throughout the year, assuming good harvests and proper management. It was a benchmark for agricultural productivity and the sustenance of a rural household.

  This example highlights "hide land" in the context of agricultural self-sufficiency, showing how it was understood as a measure of a family's ability to sustain itself from the land.