tenure for which a tenant has nothing to show but the copy of the rolls made by the steward of the lord's court.

It is called a base tenure; because the tenant holds the land at the will of the lord. However, it is not simply at the will of the lord, but according to the custom of the manor by which such estate is descendible, and the tenant's heirs may inherit it; and a copy-holder, so long as he does his services, and does not break the custom, cannot be ejected by the lord; and if he be, he shall have trespass against him. See the articles Tenure and Villenage.