COPYHOLDERS Meaning and
Definition
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Copyholders was a term used in medieval England to refer to a specific class of landholders. In the feudal system, the copyholders were individuals who held land from a lord in exchange for providing certain services or dues. Unlike freeholders who owned their land outright, copyholders held their land on copyhold tenure, which was a form of lease or tenancy.
The name "copyholder" derived from the fact that these individuals held a copy of the entry in the manorial court rolls that recorded their rights and obligations as tenants. These court rolls were the legal documents that proved the copyholders' title to their land and outlined the terms of their tenancy. The copyholders were required to pay rent or render other services to the lord, such as providing military service or agricultural labor. They were also bound by the customs and regulations of the manor, which varied from place to place.
Copyhold tenure gradually declined and eventually disappeared following the passage of various land reform acts in the 19th century. These acts sought to convert copyhold land into freehold land, giving copyholders full ownership rights over their land. Today, the term "copyholder" is rarely used, as the feudal system has long been abolished in England, and the rights and obligations of landholders are primarily governed by modern property laws.
Common Misspellings for COPYHOLDERS
Etymology of COPYHOLDERS
The word "copyholders" has its roots in the Middle English term "copihaldere". It can be further broken down into two components: "copy" and "holder".
The term "copy" originally referred to a legal document creating a land title. In feudal England, landowners held a copy of the document, which granted them the right to occupy and use the land. These documents were usually written copies of ancient charters or deeds.
The word "holder" is derived from the Old English word "healdan", meaning "to hold". It denotes a person who possesses or keeps something.
Therefore, the term "copyholder" refers to a person who holds or possesses a copy, particularly a copy of a legal document granting land rights. In the context of feudal society, copyholders were tenants who held land in exchange for providing various services or payments to the lord of the manor.
Similar spelling words for COPYHOLDERS
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