From: peter1623a via [gen-medieval@rootsweb.com] Sent: 18 June 2016 20:02 > > A big reason why I'm into genealogy is that it makes history come alive. A case in point is the following from the Inquisitions Post Mortem of Edward II, Volume 7 done at Bedfor 14 January, 13 Edward II, which I believe is 1320. It deals with Nicholas de Meperteshal (Meppershall) an ancestor of mine. > > "Meperteshael. The manor (extent given), including rents in Feelmereshan, held of the king in chief by service of being in the king's war for forty days at his own charges with a horse, hauberk, shield, sword, lance, iron cap and knife; and 18a. arable held of Henry atte Hoo by service of 18d. yearly." > > What particularly interests me is the list of what Nicholas took into battle. This helps to bring knighthood alive for me. > > I confess to not knowing about 18a or 18d refers to or "atte Hoo", although I suspect that 18a may refer to 18 acres and 18d to a monetary fee. > > Peter D. A. Warwick > __________________________________________ Oddly enough, in 1320 that was not a knight's armour - it describes what was then expected of a sergeant, or even a well-equipped hobelar. In Edw II's time a knight was expected have better armour, and to have a barded (armoured) horse, though the requirement for the latter would be dropped within a generation. The very fact that the equipment is specified tells us that Meppershall was not held by knight service, as the equipment needed to satisfy that service was never spelt out when tenure was described - it was only lesser degrees of equipment which were specified. Tenures which required less heavy equipment were held by grand sergeanty. Matt Tompkins