socage

The census did not identify population by language and religion, and so the commissioners used the form of land tenure as a proxy, assuming that residents on seigneurial lands were overwhelmingly French, and those on socage lands overwhelmingly English.

(6) S.23(3) He shall be legally or equitably seised as of Freehold for his own Use and Benefit of Lands or Tenements held in Free and Common Socage, or seised or possessed for his own Use and Benefit of Lands or Tenements held in Franc-alleu or in Roture, within the Province for which he is appointed, of the Value of Four thousand Dollars, over and above all Rents, Dues, Debts, Charges, Mortgages, and Incumbrances due or payable out of or charged on or affecting the same.

Podian emplear la tierra como duenos, darla en herencia y arrendarla para usos agricolas (socage).

Many are very specific to the Middle Ages - dealing with property ownership, the workings of the justice system, and taxes with no modern equivalent ("scutage" and "socage" anyone?)

The system of socage was also dissolved, in exchange for an indemnity that peasants were to pay in annual instalments within 15 years.

Because of this, even potentially confusing issues such as dower, tails male, jointure, gavelkind and socage are made accessible.