| Description | Explains difference between free and base copyholds in the Manor of Sedgley, with reference to 'the Nature of Borough English':
'In the Manor of Sedgley there are two sorts of Copyhold Estates, one held freely by Copy of Court Roll and is called free Copyhold Land, the other is called Base or Customary Copyhold Land. The free Copyhold Estates are descendable according to the Common Law as Freehold Estates descend_ The Base or Customary Lands for the first descent only next after a Surrender descend to the Eldest Son but no longer without a new Surrender_ And if there be no such Surrender to carry it to the Eldest Son, then upon every Decease all such Base or Customary Lands are descendable to the Youngest Son in the Nature of Borough English, if no Son to the Daughters as Coheirs_ if no Issue Son or Daughter to the Youngest Brother or Sister and if no Brother or Sister to the youngest Kinsman or Kinsmen and never to the Eldest without a Surrender'. |