jan 1, 1540 - goodman

Description:

The male head of a household, and a title given to those under the rank of gentleman. In 1510, Robert Amyas of Nether Shitlington, gentleman, granted to John Byngley the right <i>to take all necessary wood to his husbandry geare ... except sawne timber </i>and he was to be <i>allowed to come to the hall of Nether Shitlington and sit at the table at meat next to the goodman of the house, whether he be gentleman or yeoman, during the twelve days of Christmas </i>(FACcclxxxiv). In 1540, Alison Barker, a widow, left 6s 8d to the vicar with the request that he <i>pray in his bedroll for my goodman saull,</i> Scarcroft (Th19/12).

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