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I cannot give you a precise definition for 'free board', but I have seen it in an inclosure award, where it seemed to refer to a right of access to the outside of the boundary of inclosed land. The outer edge of the ditch would be the boundary. The spoil from the ditch would have been thrown back on to the owners own land and he would have probably planted a hedge on the resulting bank. However he would want access to the exterior of the ditch from the former common land to clean out the ditch. I am certain that a driftway is a way for the driving of cattle (and probably other animals) though not necessarily confined to areas subject to Forest Law. Where the practice of perambulating the boundaries of a village survives (if that is what you are referring to), it is today purely ceremonial, since boundaries are now defined by Ordnance Survey maps. In the days before maps, it was highly necessary, as a means of preserving knowledge of the boundaries of a manor or parish. Peter King ----- Original Message ----- From: E & R Shanahan <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: 09 April 2002 09:14 Subject: Possession of Boundaries > I have been lucky enough to have been given a copy of the 1797 Possession > of the Boundaries of a small Oxfordshire village, where my forebears lived > at the time - and I would like to know if this procedure is still carried > out in England - or Britain for that matter. > With Global Positioning Satellites I expect it is no longer required, but > I would still like to know if the tradition lingers on ? > Also has anyone any idea what is the meaning of "board" in this respect > - my OED does not include this meaning - > quote > Claim a free Board four feet from edge of ditch > unquote > and further on > quote > ...claims the whole ditch and a free Board and a driftway. > unquote > would the 'driftway' be related to : Drift (Forest Law) driving of > cattle to one place on appointed day to determine ownership etc....OED. > Any help appreciated > > Eunice in Queensland >