A form of customary land tenure recorded through entries in the manorial court rolls.
Copyhold was a form of customary land tenure in which a tenant’s rights were recognised through an entry in the manorial court roll.
When a tenant was admitted to a copyhold holding, a copy of the court roll entry was provided as evidence of the tenant’s rights, which gave rise to the name “copyhold”.
Copyhold tenants held their land according to the customs of the individual manor. They commonly paid rents and customary fines and might be required to seek the court’s approval when transferring or inheriting their holdings.
Copyhold was one of the most important forms of customary tenure in England until it was converted into freehold under twentieth-century reforms.
See also:
Admission
Court Roll
Customary Tenant
Fine
Surrender
Tenant
