esne

m (-es/-as) 1. a man of the servile class, a laborer, slave, servant, retainer; 2. in a more general sense, a servant; 2a. youth, young man, man; 3. scholar [Goth asneis]; a man of mark, a learned, brave, etc. man; 4. a man; The esne was probably a poor freeman from whom a certain portion of labor could be demanded in consideration of his holdings, or a certain rent (gafol) reserved out of the produce of the hives, flocks, or herds committed to his care. He was a poor mercenary, serving for hire, or for his land, but was not of so low a rank as the þéow or wealh; [Gif man mid esnes cwénan geligeþ, be cwicum ceorle, 2 gebéte; if a man lie with an esne's wife, her husband still living, let him make a twofold payment]; [Gif esne ofer dryhtnes hǽse þéowweorc wyrce an Sunnanǽfen, æfter hire setlgange, óþ Mónnanǽfenes setlgang, 80 scillingas se dryhtne gebéte. Gif esne déþ, his ráde, þæs dæges, 6 se wiþ dryhten gebéte, oððe sine hygd; if an esne do a servile labor, contrary to his lord's command, from sunset on Sunday-eve (sunset on Saturday) till sunset on Monday-eve (sunset on Sunday), let him make amends to his lord with 80 shillings. If an esne do (servile work) of his own accord on that day (Sunday), let him make amends to his lord with 6 shillings, or his hide.]