Law. Also free bank. (See quot. 1670.)

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1670.  Blount, Law Dict., Free-bench … Signifies that estate in Copihold Lands which the Wife, being espoused a Virgin, hath, after the death of her Husband, for her Dower, according to the custom of the Mannor.

2

1714.  Spect., No. 614, 1 Nov., ¶ 16. If she will come into the Court riding backward upon a Black Ram, with his Tail in her Hand, and say the Words following, the Steward is bound by the Custom to re-admit her to her Free-Bench.

        Here I am,
Riding upon a Black Ram,
Like a Whore as I am.

3

1764.  Kirby, Suffolk Trav. (ed. 2), 27. To hold in Name of Free-bank, while she keeps her Widowhood.

4

1818.  Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), I. 328–9. If the widow be entitled to the whole of the copyhold, as her free bench, she may enter immediately; as the law casts the possession upon her, in the same manner as it does upon the heir, in cases of descent.

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