Widows Working in the Fields
Margery, the widow, holds 24 acres & she pays 3s every year... From Michaelmas to the Feast of St Peter she must plough half an acre every week... & from the Feast of St John the Baptist until August she must perform manual service 3 days every week... She shall mow the lord's meadow for at least 4 days... & she must lift the lord's hay for at least 4 days... She shall weed 2 days... & from the Feast of St Peter until Michaelmas she must perform manual service 5 days a week... & furthermore she performs 8 boon works in autumn... & she shall give eggs at Easter at will.A Widow's labour services at Frochester Manor (1265)
