Hedgebote

/ˈhɛdʒboʊt/ noun

Definition

In medieval law, the right of a tenant to cut wood from hedges or the hedge itself as allowed under the lease agreement.

Etymology

From 'hedge' combined with 'bote' (Old English for 'repair' or 'remedy'), referring to a tenant's allowance to maintain hedges as part of property rights.

Kelly Says

Medieval farming agreements were incredibly specific—'hedgebote' gave poor farmers the legal right to gather dead wood from hedges for heating and repairs, protecting them from getting in trouble.

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