E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hobnail.
When the London sheriff is sworn in, the tenants of a manor in Shropshire are directed to come forth and do service, whereupon the senior alderman below the chair steps forward and chops a stick, in token that the tenants of this county supplied their feudal lord with fuel.
1
The owners of a forge in St. Clements are then called forth to do suit and service, when an officer of the court produces six horse-shoes and sixty-one hobnails, which he used to count before the cursitor baron till that office was abolished in 1857.
