Of these there are stated by Blackstone, (from whom it will be perceived I chiefly take my information) to have been of the lay kind, as distinguished from those which were ecclesiastical, four different species, which took their denomination from the " nature of the several services or renders that were due to the Lords from their tenants." These services in respect to their quality were either free or base services; in respect to their quantity and the time of exacting them were either certain or uncertain. Free services were such as were not unbecoming the character of a soldier or a freeman to perform. Base services were such as were fit only for Peasants or persons of a servile rank. " The certain services " whether free or base, were such as were stinted in " quantity, and could not be exceeded on any pretence; as, to pay " a stated annual rent, or to plough such a field for three days: " The uncertain depended upon unknown contingencies; " as, to do a military service in person or pay an assessment " in lieu of it when called upon; or to wind a horn whenever " the Scots invaded the realm, which are free services, or to " do whatever the Lord should command, which is a base or " villein service.     Tenure is a stipulated condition under which (among other things) real property is held: The person holding Land under feudal tenure is called a tenant, and the property itself a tenement. Of tenements there were two kinds, frank tenement and Villenage: Of the former some were held freely, in consideration of homage or Knight service; others in free socage with the service of fealty only. Of base or Villein services I shall say nothing further, as they are not perceived to have taken root in Maryland, although the better kind of those services was evidently designed by Lord Baltimore to be introduced in reference to such of the Indians as might accept of copyhold estates. Of the two kinds comprehended in Frank tenement the tenure by Knights service, or in Chivalry, was the most universal and esteemed the most honorable species, but drew after it certain fruits and consequences so burthensome as to make it less desirable than that of common socage, and was attended by the particular disadvantage of uncertainty, at least in respect to time, in the services to be performed. The services by free socage were like the others free and honourable in their nature, and had the advantage of being reduced to an absolute certainty. It is by this tenure, to wit, free and common Socage, by fealty, only for all Services, that Lord Baltimore held the grant of Maryland, and under the same his grants were made to the settlers.     As to the derivation and general meaning of the term socage, Judge Blackstone distinguishes it from tenure in Chivalry