In medieval England, avera and inward (or inguard) were feudal obligations assessed against a royal demesne. The terms refer to various services rendered to the crown in lieu of payment in coin. Avera is connected with carrying items by horse,[1] or possibly ploughing[2] or both. Inward is probably the provision of a bodyguard during a royal visit:[3] in Anglo-Saxon England it could be claimed by a sheriff.[4] The services could usually be commuted to a monetary payment: in Hertfordshire avera could be commuted for fourpence.[5] The services were usually found in the eastern counties, especially Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire,[6] due from sokemen.[7] In Hertfordshire, inward is found only in the manor of Hitchin.[7]
. A general introduction to Domesday Book: accompanied by indexes of the tenants in chief, and under tenants, at the time of the survey, as wall as of the holders of lands ... Volume 1 . Sir Henry Ellis . Henry Ellis (librarian) . 1833 . 263 . Commission on the Public Records .