Land attached to a central manor for payment of dues and for judicial purposes. Often large units - perhaps of very ancient origin. (Wood, Michael. Domesday: A Search for the Roots of England, 214) In London, the estate within the city of a lord who retained some jurisdiction over his tenants. (Reynolds, Susan. An Introduction to the History of English Medieval Towns, 200) Note: from soc (Old English) = jurisdiction Related terms: Sake