Drenches

or DRENGES (Law Lat. drengi). A species of tenants mentioned in knight service. The same author quotes an old manuscript record of the family of Sharburn, 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 consuio et auxilio.

Spelman.

According to Lord Coke, who spells the word dreuchs, they were free tenants of a manor.

Co. Litt. 6b.