Crossword Genius

People farming English manor redeployed in yards? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

yeomanry

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'people farming' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how they can define each other.

'english manor redeployed in yards?' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'redeployed' indicates anagramming the letters.
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'yards?' becomes 'yy' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'e'+'manor'='emanor'
'emanor' with letters rearranged gives 'eomanr'.
'eomanr' inserted within 'yy' is 'YEOMANRY'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for yeomanry that I've seen before include "Group of bodyguards" , "Old social class" , "Originally, cavalry force of smallholders" , "Hist. home defence volunteers" , "Guards" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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