Steven Till

Carucate

1) A measurement of land, equal to a hide (used in Danelaw) (MEDIEV-L. Medieval Terms)

2) Danish equivalent of a hide. The land ploughed by eight oxen; actual area varied locally and like the hide could be reassessed. (Wood, Michael. Domesday: A Search for the Roots of England, 213)

3) A “plough-land”; a measurement of land, notionally as much land as could be kept under the plough in one years by a plough-team of eight oxen. The amount of land so described varied in different parts of the country between 60 and 120 acres. (Warren, W.L. Henry II, 633)

Extract from the Domesday Survey of the Count of Norfolk:

The land of Robert Malet.

Fredrebruge Hundred and half Glorestorp. Godwin, a freeman, held it. Two carucates of land in the time of king Edward. Then and afterwards 8 villains; now 3. Then and afterwards 3 bordars; now 5. At all times 3 serfs, and 30 acres of meadow. At all times 2 carucates in demesne. Then half a carucate of the men, and now. Woods for 8 swine, and 2 mills. Here are located 13 socmen, of 40 acres of land. When it was received there were 2 r.,’ now 1. At all times 8 swine, then 20 sheep, and it is worth 60 shillings.

*term definitions retrieved from Netserf’s Medieval Glossary (http://www.netserf.org/Glossary)

Filed under: Middle Ages History, Medieval Glossary, Medieval History on March 5th, 2010