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 classed and collected together (a) from the inquests, and put under the title of its proper owner in the form we now view it.

It is probable, the king's commissioners might find it impossible to take any exact survey of those counties, as they had suffered so much by the ravages of war; or they might be at that time in the hands of the Scots, or else in such condition as no commissioners dare adventure into them, to take the returns of juries, and make the survey. Brad. Int. Append. 17.

As to Durham, all the country between the Teis and Tine had been conferred by Alfred on the bishop of this fee; and at the coming in of the Conqueror he was reputed a Count Palatine.

Chester was a County Palatine, and Earl Hugh held the whole of it of the king, except what belonged to the bishop of Litchfield, called Chester, from his residing there.

The landholders in this county being few, the king's land, and that of the rest of the owners, is not distinguished by titles, and numbers, although they are separately set down.

(a) Compaginatum ex Rotulis baronum five jufticiariorum. Reg. Hon. Richmond.

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