Although Norwich's custumal prohibited serfs from becoming freemen, it may be doubted that a thorough enquiry was made of the background of each applicant. |
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It is likely that the original account was written as an introduction or appendix to the custumal in the Domesday and also to the list of gild ordinances. |
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Hudson found the custumal in a mid-fifteenth century volume of memoranda known as the Book of Pleas, and this was the version he included in his publication. |
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Those of Maldon, it is stated in the sixteenth century recension of the custumal, were customarily made by bailiffs, burgesses, freemen, and commonalty. |
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