Drenches

Drenges. [L. Lat. drengi.] A species of tenants mentioned in Domesday book, whom Spelman supposes to have been military vassals or tenants by knightservice. The same author quotes an old MS. record of the family of Sharnbum, in Norfolk, from which it would appear that the name was given to certain tenants in capite, who, at the coming of William the Conqueror, being put out of their estates, were afterwards, upon complaint being made to him, restored to them, on their making it appear that they were owners thereof, and had taken no part against him either by aid or counsel, (in consilio et auonlio.) Spelman. According to Lord Coke, who spells the word dreuchs, they were free tenants of a manor.

Co. Lilt, 5 b.