At its origin in mediaeval England, Copyhold tenure was tenure of land according to the custom of the manor, the "title deeds" being a copy of the record of the manor court.
Copyholds were gradually enfranchised (turned into ordinary holdings of land—either freehold or 999-year leasehold) during the 19th century. Legislation in the 1920s finally extinguished the last of them.
For further information see Manorial Law (1996) by Andrew Barsby.
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