FREE-BENCH, signifies that estate in copy-hold which the wife, being espoused a virgin, has after the decease of her husband for her dower, according to the custom of the manor.
In regard to this free-bench, different manors have different customs: and in the manor of east and west Enbourn in the county of Berks, and in other parts of England, there is a custom, that when a copyhold tenant dies, the widow shall have her free-bench in all the deceased husband's lands, dam sola & casta fuerit, "whilst she lives single and chaste;" but if she is found to be guilty of incontinency, she shall forfeit her estate. Nevertheless, upon her coming into the court of the manor riding backwards on a black ram, with his tail in her hand, rehearsing a certain form of words, the reward is bound by custom to restore her to her free-bench. The words are,
Here I am,
Ridin' on a black Ram,
Like a whore as I am;
And for my circum crasum
Have lost my bicorn bancum,
And for my tail's shame
Have done this worldly shame:
Therefore, pray Mr Steward, let me have my land again