Column by historian Roger Bingham of Ackenthwaite:

THE rules laid down by the manorial court at Mansergh in Lunesdale were as strict as those of any oppressive modern-day landlord, except that eviction was rare, as fines, which contributed to the landlord's income, were levied instead.

They included none to make any affray or any hubbleshaw (tumult), and none to cut down his lord’s woods except for building, or plows, harrows or other necessaries.

That none break the lord’s pinfold, none to cut any garding of spelks (willow splinters used to withy ground) and none to be taken in or inmate that is not born within township.

That none suffer any carding or diceing or any unlawful games within their house, or meet at any time.

That none shall break or carry away any of his neighbours' hedges and none to leave any fell gate in summer open. That fell gates adjoining to the common be hung at March 24 and be kept in good repair till All Hallows' Eve.

That every householder send an able workman to the highways when commanded.

That none shall burn any ling upon the common after the last day of March - neither any man’s servant or children - but shall forfeit or pay...

The fines either of 6s 8d or 3s 4d were quite high when set against a labourer’s traditional day rate of 1s ‘with or without meat’.