And this ought to be by long continuance of time, the contrary whereof man's memory cannot discern ; for at this day a Mannor cannot be made because a Court-Baron cannot be made, and a Mannor cannot be without a Court-Baron and Suitors and Freeholders, two at the least ; for if all the Freeholds except one escheat to the Lord, or if he purchase all | except one, there his Mannor is gone, for that it can- I not be a Mannor without a Court Baron (as is aforesaid) and a Court-Baron cannot be holden but before Suitors, and not before one Suitor ; and therefore where but one Freehold or Freeholder is, there cannot be a Mannor properly, although in common speech it may be so called.

Mansion (Mansio) is most commonly taken for the Chief Messuage or habitation of the Lord of a Mannor, the ilannor-House where he doth most reside, his Capital Messuage as it is called ; of which the wife by the Statute of Magna Charta, chapter 7. shall have her Quarantine." *

It will be noticed that in this description the Court- Leet is not mentioned. This is because, though it existed in every Manor, it was not of its essence as the Court-Baron was. The Court-Leet was a Sheriff's court and had cognizance only of offences against the King, or the King's peace, below the degree of high treason.

The Manors of New York, in consequence of their having been erected after the statute of Charles II. (12 Charles IL, ch. 24, Anno 1660) abolishing the