Legal Definitions - hine

The term hine refers to a historical designation used in England for a servant primarily employed in agricultural labor or farm work. This individual would have been responsible for tasks related to husbandry, such as cultivating crops, tending to livestock, or maintaining farm property, typically under the direction of a landowner or farmer.

• Example 1: In 16th-century rural England, a young man named Arthur was employed on a large estate, spending his days plowing fields, sowing seeds, and assisting with the annual harvest. He lived in a small cottage provided by the lord of the manor.

  Explanation: Arthur's role as a servant performing essential agricultural duties on an English estate during a historical period perfectly illustrates the concept of a hine, as he was engaged in husbandry labor.

• Example 2: Eleanor worked on a smaller farm in 18th-century Yorkshire, where her primary responsibilities included milking the cows, shearing the sheep, and ensuring the pigs were fed daily. She was paid a small wage and provided with meals by the farmer's family.

  Explanation: Eleanor's position as a servant dedicated to the care and management of farm animals (livestock husbandry) on an English farm during a historical era makes her an example of a hine.

• Example 3: During the early 19th century, before widespread industrialization, Thomas was a live-in worker on a farm in Kent. His duties varied seasonally, from mending fences and clearing ditches in winter to assisting with haymaking and fruit picking in summer, all under the farmer's direct supervision.

  Explanation: Thomas's role as a resident servant performing a wide range of general farm maintenance and agricultural tasks in historical England exemplifies a hine, highlighting the diverse nature of husbandry work.