Legal Definitions - wainable

Wainable is an archaic legal term used to describe land that is suitable for plowing or cultivation. Essentially, it refers to ground that can be tilled and used for growing crops.

• Example 1: Historical Land Deed
  In a 17th-century land deed, a property might be described as "comprising ten acres of woodland and twenty acres of wainable ground near the river." This description would inform potential buyers that a significant portion of the land was fertile and ready for agricultural use, distinguishing it from forested or rocky areas.
• Example 2: Manorial Records
  During the medieval period, manorial records often categorized land based on its utility. A lord might grant a tenant "a cottage and five wainable fields," indicating that the tenant was expected to farm these specific plots to produce food and contribute to the manor's output, as opposed to pastureland or common ground.
• Example 3: Colonial Settlement Reports
  Early colonial settlers in North America often sought out wainable land to establish self-sufficient farms. A scout's report might note, "The valley beyond the hills appears largely wainable, offering excellent prospects for new settlements due to its rich soil and flat terrain," signaling its potential for immediate agricultural development.