_Dustpot--Forthlot._--In a Manorial Compotus, temp. Hen. V., I find the
following entry, under the head of Out-goings:--
"In custodes carucarum et carectarum nil quia per firmarium. Item
pro eorum _duspot_ (xij'd) nil, causa predicta. Item pro eorum
_forlot_ (iiij'd) nil, causa predicta," &c.
I have in vain consulted the glossaries within my reach,--Ducange,
Spelman, Halliwell, for the meaning of the terms _dustpot_ and _forlot_
(or, as spelt in another Compotus, _dustpot_ and _forthlot_). They
appear to have been customary payments to the servants who had the care
of the carts and carriages belonging to the manor, which, at the time of
this particular Compotus, were not payable by the lord, because the
demesne lands were in farm; and these dues were paid by the tenant. A
reference to the _Promptorinm Parvulorum_ (a further instalment of which
I rejoice to learn, from Mr. Way's communication, in No. 15., is in a
state of progress) has been equally unproductive. The editorial note to
the communications inserted in No. 17., on the interpretation of
_Pokership_, induces me to send you this query, in the hope of eliciting
information, if not from the gentleman you there refer to, at least from
some one or other of your numerous readers learned in Archaic words.
I may, at a future period trouble you with some further remarks arising
out of the same Compotus.