Gebur

An AS peasant before the Conquest; his land, a *virgate, reverted on death to his lord upon whom he was dependent. The gebur is mentioned in Ine's laws of the late 7c. The following details are from *Rectitudines Singularum Personarum, a treatise on such things, dating from the early 11c and written most likely in Mercia. He owed both week-work and casual work: three days a week in harvest, also from *Candlemas (February 2) until Easter, then two days a week at all other times. If he had carrying to do, then he need not do the week-work while using his horse. He was required to plough an acre a week from start of ploughing till *Martinmas (November 11), then a further eight acres, two of which were his payment for pasturage. He also paid 10d rent. He was further required to render barley, hens, a lamb; and give some loaves to the swineherd. When first taking the land, the gebur would have had his land already sown, and would also have been given stock, implements, and even utensils for the house. However, everything returned to the lord on the gebur's death. -

Cf. Ceorl