Page:English Historical Review Volume 37.djvu/79

1922 were needed for the conclusion that Serlo preceded rather than followed Ivo, it would be found in a comparison of Serlo's account with Ivo's. For in the first place, the remnant of farm for which Serlo owes is some 80 less than that owed by Ivo. Thus, other things being equal, it seems fair to assume that the smaller the remnant the older the account, because the longer it had been on the books the more chances it has had of being reduced. This argument cannot be pressed far, but it has some weight. Again, the same suggestion of greater age is given by the general form of Serlo's entry, especially by the greater abbreviation and compression of the account. For a noticeable thing about the entries in the Pipe Roll of 31 Henry I, as also in the later Pipe Rolls, is the tendency shown by the scribes to abbreviate them after their first appearance. Each time an old item presents itself for recopying to the scribe, he seems inclined to treat it more curtly and give it less space; if it is a group of items, such as the remnant of a sheriff's account, as in this case, instead of each item being accorded a line to itself, all are crowded together into as small a space as possible. Now, while every item in that of Ivo is still given a separate line, those of Serlo's account are all crowded together. Thus the smaller amount owed by Serlo and the greater compression of the items of his account both suggest, apart from other evidence, that his term of office preceded that of Ivo de Heriz. As to the length of Serlo's term, there is no indication one way or the other. It would be exceptional if he had not been in office for at least a year; it would be nothing unusual if his term had covered a number of years preceding Michaelmas 1127. Devonshire

Geoffrey accounts both for the 'new' and the 'old' farm. In the entry immediately following, Richard cleared up an indebtedness of £20 for an 'old farm', doubtless that of 1127–8.

Hampshire

William accounts both for the 'new' and the 'old' farm. From a reference of about the year 1115, it appears that he was also holding the office at that date.

Huntingdonshire