This week it’s all about words and phrases found in genealogy, family and house history research beginning with the letter R.
Rape – An area of jurisdiction in Sussex
Recepta/ae – money(ies) received
RECEPTACULUM – part of a house which on the death of the owner or tenant was to be retained by the elderly members of the family residing there – supposedly one third of the house, but usually two rooms
RECOGNISANCE – Sum of money pledged as security by a bond for preforming an act or avoiding an offence – sum was forfeited if the act was not performed or the offence was committed
RECUSANTS – nonconformists – those who refused to attend the parish church, esp. Roman Catholics
Redditus – rent
REEVE – ‘foreman’ of the manor
RELICT – Widow/Widower
Relictae et executrices in dicto testament nominate – relict and executrix named in the said will
RELIEF – Payment made by an heir to succeed to a freehold inheritance, often the value of the annual rent
Remisse, relaxasse et quietclamasse – have remised, relaxed and quitclaimed
REMOVAL – removal of a person back to the parish of settlement, who was or was potentially a burden on the parish i.e. did or would require poor relief
Renatus – baptised
RESIANT – resident of a manor
REVERSATION/REVERSIO – Reversion (see below)
REVERSION – Return of land to the donor or grantor or his heir where there are no heirs to a fee tail at the end of a life tenancy or at the end of a lease
RIVULUS – stream/brook
ROD – aka a POLE or PERCH – a standard measure equal to about five and a half yards or sixteen and a half feet
Roda/ae – rood(s) (see below)
ROGUE MONEY – Payment by the constable of each parish to the High Constable of the county for the maintenance of the prisoners in the county gaol
ROOD – a measurement of land of about one quarter of an acre or 660 feet long or 40 square perches in area
ROPE MONDAY – the second Monday after Easter Day
ROTULATIO – enrolment, entry on a roll
ROYAL OAK DAY – 29th May – the anniversary of the Restoration (1660) once celebrated by wearing of oak-leaevs, recalling the Bosocobel Oak near Worcester, the hiding place of Charles II
R.R – Regni Regis/Regina – in the year of King/Queen….
I would love to hear what obscure words and phrases you have found in your research – sarah@spfhhistory.co.uk