Goodman's Croft

By Crusader1307

A ''Crofter'' was a term applied to a Tenant-Landowner and dates to 16th Century England and Scotland. The associated term ''Goodman'' was related to His practice of hard work and ''good Christian value''. His parcel of land was known as a Croft. As part of a Legend which is hard to trace to it's logical origins, it was (and still is for some), a practice by which a small portion of land is left uncultivated or developed, and left to grow wild. This Croft was dedicated to a Spirit (many in fact), that was invoked to protect The Land and all occupants therein. Obviously Pagan as one possibility, the practice can still be found in use in some small Villages in both Scotland and England.