PLOUGHLANDS Meaning and
Definition
-
Ploughlands refer to a unit of measurement or a geographical term used in the context of agriculture and land surveying. It is a term commonly found in historical texts, particularly in relation to medieval times or the period of land division based on the open-field system.
The definition of ploughlands is as follows. Ploughlands, also known as carucates, carucates of land, or carves, were the traditional units of measurement in which land was divided for cultivation and taxation purposes. This term was particularly prevalent in England during the feudal period.
One ploughland was the amount of land that a single plough team, usually consisting of eight oxen, could theoretically cultivate in one year. The size of a ploughland was not fixed and could vary depending on the productivity of the land and the fertility of the soil. It often ranged between 100 to 120 acres, but in some cases, it could be as small as 40 acres or as large as 150 acres.
These ploughlands were the basis for determining taxes and rent payments owed by peasants or serfs to their landlords or the local lord of the manor. The amount of land a peasant or serf occupied or worked on was measured in terms of ploughlands. This measurement also played a crucial role in determining the rights, obligations, and labor contributions expected from those living and working on the land.
Etymology of PLOUGHLANDS
The word "ploughlands" is derived from the combination of two elements: "plough" and "lands".
- "Plough" comes from the Old English word "plōh", which traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "*plōgaz". It refers to the agricultural tool used for turning and breaking up soil in preparation for sowing seeds or planting crops. It is related to the Latin word "plovus" and the Greek word "plōx", both having similar meanings.
- "Lands" originates from the Old English word "land", which has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "*landą". It signifies an area of ground, territory, or a specific geographical region. This term is also cognate with the Old Frisian "land", Dutch "land", German "Land", and Swedish "land".
