Middle English Dictionary Entry
assart n.
Entry Info
| Forms | assart n. |
| Etymology | OF; CF essart; see P. Vinogradoff, Villainage 332. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A parcel of cleared land (as in a forest), a clearing; (b) a rent on such land.
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1252) Cart.Ramsey in RS 79.1344 : Tenet etiam quinque assarta sine servitio. ]
- [ (1278) RParl.1.9b : Il unt un assart en le cunte de Norhampton. ]
- a1450 Forest Laws (Dc 335)241 : Yf ther be ony assartes or purprestures made with in the forest mo than haue be graunted by the kynges chartours of olde tyme, ye shul do vs to wete.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)182/20 : Pers fitz herbert..grauntyd..þat þey may close here assarte þat lyeth nyhe hys parke of woluerton, & to ere hyt & to sowe.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)606/12 : All hys londe the whyche is callid assart, with þe mede þe whyche is called suggemede.
b
- [ (1141-54) Chart.St.Paul in RHS ser.3.5828 : Clamaui quietos..de essartis & placitis forestariorum. ]
- (1464) RParl.5.569a : Many grete fermes and sommes under dyvers old names.. summe by the name of firma Balliarum, summe under the name of Assart.