Words In History: Gersum, Girsom
Historian George Redmonds finds historical references to the word "gersum'', a premium or fine paid by a tenant to a landlord.
George has examined thousands of centuries-old documents to trace the evolution of the meaning a various words. To read more of his findings please click on http://www.openwriting.com/archives/words_in_history/
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A gersum was a premium or fine, paid by a tenant to his landlord when he entered on his holding. In fact, in 1593, such a payment was called 'an 'encomin or girsom', but this was a comparatively late reference in Swaledale.
In an undated thirteenth-century charter, probably pre-1279, Thomas, son of Ralph, made a payment 'in gersuma' for land in Hallamshire. An account roll for Whitby Abbey in 1394-5 contains a list of the 'firma' or farms and that is followed by another list of about thirty payments under the heading 'Gersummse'.
The word also appears as garsom, grassom and gressome.
