DOMESDAY BOOK
The following are the returns of _Domesday Book_ for the villages round
London which are included in this Survey. The translations are those of
the Rev. William Bawdwen, 1812:—
_Stepney._—“In Osuluestan (Ossulston) hundred, the Bishop of London
holds Stibenhede (Stepney) for thirty-two hides. There is land to
twenty-five ploughs. Fourteen hides belong to the demesne, and there
are three ploughs there; and twenty-two ploughs of the villanes. There
are forty-four villanes of one virgate each; and seven villanes of half
a hide each; and nine villanes of half a virgate each; and forty-six
cottagers of one hide; they pay thirty shillings a year. There are
four mills of four pounds and sixteen shillings save fourpence. Meadow
sufficient for twenty-five ploughs. Pasture for the cattle of the
village, and fifteen shillings. Pannage for five hundred hogs, and
forty shillings. Its whole value is forty-eight pounds; and it was
worth the same when received; in King Edward’s time fifty pounds. This
manor was and is part of the see.
In the same village Hugh de Berneres holds five hides and one virgate
of land under the bishop. There is land to four ploughs. There is one
plough in the demesne; and the villanes have three ploughs. There is
one villane of half a hide; and six villanes of three virgates; and two
bordars of half a virgate; and three cottagers of two acres and a half;
and one mill of sixty-six shillings and eightpence. Meadow sufficient
for four ploughs. Pannage for one hundred and fifty hogs, and three
shillings and a half. The whole is worth six pounds; the same when
received; in King Edward’s time seven pounds. Sired held two hides and
a half of this manor, he was a canon of St. Paul’s, he might give and
sell it to whom he would without leave of the bishop. In King Edward’s
time the canons of St. Paul held two hides and a half for their Sabbath
day’s support (_de dominico victu suo_); and Doding held one virgate,
and one mill of the proper manor of the bishop; he could not give or
sell it without his leave.
In the same village the wife of Brien holds five hides of the bishop.
There is land to two ploughs and a half. There is one plough in the
demesne, and the villane might make one plough. There is one villane of
half a hide; he pays four shillings a year for his house; and another
villane of half a hide, pays eight shillings. Roger the sheriff holds
a half a hide, and fifteen bordars of ten acres, pay nine shillings.
Pannage for sixty hogs. Pasture for the cattle of the village, and five
shillings. It is altogether worth sixty shillings; when received the
like; in King Edward’s time one hundred shillings. William, the bishop,
held this land in demesne, in the manor of Stibenhede (Stepney), on the
very day on which King Edward died.
In the same village Rannulf Flambard holds three hides and a half of
the bishop. There is land to five ploughs. There are two ploughs in
the demesne; and three ploughs belonging to the villanes. There are
fourteen bordars of one hide and a half. Meadow for two ploughs and
two shillings. There is no pasture. Wood (_nemus_) to make hedges. It
is altogether worth four pounds. Goduin held this land under Bishop
William. In King Edward’s time he could not give nor sell it without
leave of the bishop. [_Orig._ 127, _b._ 1.]
[Illustration: PART OF A PAGE OF DOMESDAY BOOK
From the original in the Public Record Office.]
In the same village William de Ver holds one hide of the bishop. There
is land to one plough, and it is there in the demesne. This land is
worth sixteen shillings; the like when received; in King Edward’s time
twenty shillings. In King Edward’s time, William, the bishop, held this
land in demesne with his manor of Stibenhede (Stepney).
In the same village Engelbric, a canon, holds of the bishop one hide
and one virgate. There is land to one plough, and it is there in the
demesne. There is one villane of one virgate; and four bordars of seven
acres each; and one cottager. It is worth altogether forty shillings;
the like when received; in King Edward’s time forty shillings. The same
canon held it of Bishop William. In King Edward’s time he could not
sell it.
In the same village the Bishop of Lisieux holds one hide and a half
of the Bishop of London. There is land to one plough; and there is a
half a plough there; and a half may be made. There are two bordars of
five acres each; and two cottagers of four acres; and one cottager. In
the whole it is worth forty shillings; the like when received; in King
Edward’s time fifty shillings. Bishop William held this land in demesne
on the very day King Edward died.
In the same village, William, the chamberlain, holds one hide and a
half, and one virgate, of the bishop. There is land to one plough and
a half. There is one plough in the demesne; and a half may be made.
There is one villane of one virgate; and six bordars of five acres. It
is in the whole worth thirty shillings; when received the like; in King
Edward’s time forty shillings. Bishop William held this land in demesne
on the day on which King Edward died.
In the same village Aluric Chacepul holds one hide of the bishop. There
is land to one plough, but the plough is wanting. This land is worth
ten shillings; the like when received; in King Edward’s time thirteen
shillings and fourpence. Bishop William held this land in demesne in
King Edward’s time.
In the same village Edmund, son of Algot, holds one mill of the bishop,
which is worth thirty-two shillings and sixpence; the like when
received; but it was not there in King Edward’s time.
In the same village Aluuin, son of Britmar, holds one mill which is
worth twenty shillings; the like when received; in King Edward’s time
the like. He himself held it of Bishop William.”
_Fulham._—“In _Fvleham_ (Fulham) the Bishop of London holds forty
hides. There is land to forty ploughs. Thirteen hides belong to the
demesne, and there are four ploughs there. Among the freemen (franc)
and the villanes are twenty-six ploughs; and ten more might be made.
There are five villanes of one hide each; and thirteen villanes of one
virgate each; and thirty-four villanes of half a virgate each; and
twenty-two cottagers of half a hide; and eight cottagers with their own
gardens. Foreigners and certain burgesses of London hold amongst them
twenty-three hides of the land of the villanes. Thirty-one villanes
and bordars dwell under them. Meadow for forty ploughs. Pasture for
the cattle of the village. For half the stream ten shillings. Pannage
for one thousand hogs, and seventeen pence. Its whole value is forty
pounds; the like when received; in King Edward’s time fifty pounds.
This manor was and is part of the see.
[Illustration: WILLIAM I. AND II.
HENRY I. AND STEPHEN
Royal MS. 14 C VII.]
In the same village Fulchered holds five hides of the Bishop of London.
There is land to three ploughs. There is one plough in the demesne;
and one plough of the villanes, and a third may be made. There are six
villanes of half a hide; and four cottagers of eight acres; and three
cottagers. Meadow for one ox. Pasture for the cattle of the village.
Pannage for three hundred hogs. Its whole value is sixty shillings; the
like when received; in King Edward’s time one hundred shillings. Two
sokemen held this land; they were vassals of the Bishop of London; they
could not give or sell without leave of the bishop in King Edward’s
time. [_Orig._ 127, _b._ 2.]
_Manor._—In the same village the canons of St. Paul hold of the King
five hides for one manor. There is land to five ploughs. Three hides
belong to the demesne, and there are two ploughs there. The villanes
have two ploughs, and a third may be made. There are eight villanes of
one virgate each; and seven villanes of half a virgate each; and seven
bordars of five acres each; and sixteen cottagers; and two bondmen.
Meadow for five ploughs. Pasture for the cattle of the village. Pannage
for one hundred and fifty hogs. It is worth, in the whole, eight
pounds; the same when received; in King Edward’s time ten pounds. The
same canons of St. Paul held this manor in demesne in King Edward’s
time, and it is for their support (_de victu eorum_).”
_Rugmere._—“Ralph, a canon, holds _Rugemere_ (Rugmere). It answered for
two hides. There is land to one plough and a half. There is one plough
in the demesne, and half a plough may be made. Wood (_nemus_) for the
hedges, and four shillings. This land is worth thirty-five shillings;
the same when received; in King Edward’s time forty shillings. It was,
in King Edward’s time, and is now in the demesne of the canons.”
_St. Pancras._—“The canons of St. Paul hold four hides to _Scm
Pancratium_ (St. Pancras). There is land to two ploughs. The villanes
have one plough, and another plough may be made. Wood for the hedges.
Pasture for the cattle, and twentypence. There are four villanes who
hold this land under the canons; and seven cottagers. Its whole value
is forty shillings; the same when received; in King Edward’s time sixty
shillings. This manor was and is in the demesne of St. Paul.”
_Islington._—“In _Isendone_ (Islington) the canons of St. Paul have two
hides. Land to one plough and a half. There is one plough there, and a
half may be made. There are three villanes of one virgate. Pasture for
the cattle of the village. This land is and was worth forty shillings.
This laid and lies in the demesne of the church of St. Paul.
In the same village the canons themselves have two hides of land. There
is land there to two ploughs and a half, and they are there now. There
are four villanes who hold this land under the canons; and four bordars
and thirteen cottagers. This land is worth thirty shillings; the same
when received; in King Edward’s time forty shillings. This laid and
lies in the demesne of the church of St. Paul.”
_Hoxton._—“In _Hochestone_ (Hoxton) the canons of St. Paul have one
hide. Land to one plough, and it is now there; and three villanes hold
this land under the canons. Pasture for the cattle. This land was and
is worth twenty shillings. This laid and lies in the demesne of the
church of St. Paul.
_Manor._—The canons hold _Hochestone_ (Hoxton) for three hides. There
is land to three ploughs, and they are there; and seven villanes
who hold this land; and sixteen cottagers. It is worth in the whole
fifty-five shillings; the same when received; in King Edward’s time
sixty shillings. This manor belonged and belongs to the church of St.
Paul.
The canons of St. Paul have, at the bishop’s gate, ten cottagers of
nine acres, who pay eighteen shillings and sixpence a year. In King
Edward’s time they likewise held them, and they had the same.”
_Westminster._—“In the village where the church of St. Peter is
situate, the abbot of the same place holds thirteen hides and a half.
There is land to eleven ploughs. Nine hides and one virgate belong to
the demesne, and there are four ploughs therein. The villanes have six
ploughs, and one plough more may be made. There are nine villanes of
one virgate each; one villane of one hide; and nine villanes of half a
virgate each; and one cottager of five acres; and forty-one cottagers
who pay forty shillings a year for their gardens. Meadow for eleven
ploughs. Pasture for the cattle of the village. Pannage for one hundred
hogs. And twenty-five houses of the knights of the abbot and of other
vassals, who pay eight shillings a year. Its whole value is ten pounds;
the same when received; in King Edward’s time twelve pounds. This manor
was and is in the demesne of the church of St. Peter, of Westminster.
In the same village Bainiard holds three hides of the abbot. There
is land to two ploughs, and they are there in the demesne, and one
cottager. Pannage for one hundred hogs. Pasture for the cattle. There
are four arpents of vineyard, newly planted. Its whole value is sixty
shillings; when received twenty shillings; in King Edward’s time six
pounds. This land belonged and belongs to the church of St. Peter.”
_Hampstead._—“The Abbot of St. Peter holds _Hamestede_ (Hampstead) for
four hides. Land to three ploughs. Three hides and a half belong to the
demesne, and there is one plough therein. The villanes have one plough,
and another may be made. There is one villane of one virgate; and five
bordars of one virgate; and one bondman. Pannage for one hundred hogs.
In the whole it is worth fifty shillings; the same when received; in
King Edward’s time one hundred shillings.
In the same village Rannulf Pevrel holds under the abbot, one hide of
the land of the villanes. Land to half a plough, and it is there. This
land was and is worth five shillings. This manor altogether laid and
lies in the demesne of the church of St. Peter.”
_Tyburn._—“The abbess of Berking holds _Tiburne_ (Tyburn) of the King;
it answered for five hides. Land to three ploughs. There are two hides
in the demesne, and there is one plough therein. The villanes have two
ploughs. There are two villanes of half a hide; and one villane of half
a virgate; and two bordars of ten acres; and three cottagers. Pasture
for the cattle of the village. Pannage for fifty hogs. For herbage
fortypence. It is worth in the whole fifty-two shillings; the same
when received; in King Edward’s time one hundred shillings. This manor
always belonged and belongs to the church of Berking.”
[Illustration: NORMAN SOLDIERS
Harl. MS., Roll Y. 6.]
_Eia._—“Geoffry de Mandeville holds _Eia_ (qu. Ealing). It answered
for ten hides. There is land to eight ploughs. In the demesne are
five hides, and there are two ploughs therein. The villanes have five
ploughs, and a sixth may be made. There is one villane of half a hide;
and four villanes of one virgate each; and fourteen others of half a
virgate each; and four bordars of one virgate; and one cottager. Meadow
for eight ploughs, and for hay sixty shillings. For pasture seven
shillings. Its whole value is eight pounds; when received six pounds;
in King Edward’s time twelve pounds. Harold, son of Earl Ralph, held
this manor, whom Queen Eddid protected (_custodiebat_) with the manor
on that very day on which King Edward died. Afterwards William, the
chamberlain, held it of the Queen in fee for three pounds a year rent;
and after the death of the Queen he held it in the same manner of the
King. There are now four years since William relinquished the manor,
and the rent (that is twelve pounds) is not paid to the King from it.
In the same hundred Ralph holds of Geoffry one hide and a half. There
is land to one plough, and it is there; and four bordars of fourteen
acres; and one bondman. Meadow for one plough. Pasture for the cattle,
and thirteen pence. Wood (_nemus_) for the hedges. This land is worth
twenty shillings; when received, and in King Edward’s time, thirty
shillings. Two of King Edward’s sokemen held this land; they might sell
it to whom they would.”
_Stepney._—“Robert Fafiton holds four hides of the King in _Stibenhed_
(Stepney). There is land to three ploughs, and they are now there.
There is one villane of fourteen acres; and another of twelve acres;
and Roger, the sheriff, has one hide; and a bordar of half a hide and
half a virgate. Pannage for sixty hogs, and four shillings. It is
worth in the whole twenty shillings; the same when received; in King
Edward’s time eight pounds. Sired, a canon of St. Paul’s, held this
manor; he might sell it to whom he would. In King Edward’s time the
Bishop of London disputed his right to it (_reclam se habe debere_).
Besides these four hides there are now fifty-three acres of land, which
were not there in King Edward’s time, which Hugh de Berneres usurped
on the canons of St. Paul, and added it to this manor, as the hundred
testifies.
Robert, son of Rozelin, holds of the King three hides and a half in
_Stibenhed_ (Stepney). Land to two ploughs. Two hides are in the
demesne, and there is one plough therein. The villanes have one plough.
There is one villane of one virgate; and eight bordars of half a
virgate each; and four cottagers of nineteen acres. Meadow for two
ploughs; and wood for the hedges (_nemus ad sepes_). The whole is worth
fifty-three shillings; when received ten shillings; in King Edward’s
time four pounds. Aluuin Stichehare held this land for one manor; he
was a vassal of King Edward’s; he might sell it to whom he would. The
Bishop of London claims it.”
_Chelsea._—“Edward de Sarisberie holds _Chelched_ or _Cercehede_
(Chelsea) for two hides. There is land to five ploughs. One hide is
in the demesne, and there are now two ploughs there. The villanes
have one plough, and two ploughs might yet be made. There are two
villanes of two virgates; and four villanes of half a virgate each; and
three bordars of five acres each; and three bondmen. Meadow for two
ploughs. Pasture for the cattle of the village. Pannage for sixty hogs,
and fifty-two pence. Its whole value is nine pounds; the same when
received, and always. Wluuene, a vassal of King Edward’s, held this
manor; he might sell it to whom he would.”
_Kensington._—“Aubrey de Ver holds _Chenesit_ (Kensington) of the
Bishop of Constance. It answered for ten hides. There is land to ten
ploughs. There are four ploughs in the demesne there, and the villanes
have five ploughs, and a sixth might be made. There are twelve villanes
of one virgate each; and six villanes of three virgates. A priest has
half a virgate; and there are seven bondmen. Meadow for two ploughs.
Pasture for the cattle of the village. Pannage for two hundred hogs.
And three arpents of vineyard. Its whole value is ten pounds; when
received six pounds; in King Edward’s time ten pounds. Eduuin, a thane
of King Edward’s, held this manor, and might sell it.”
[Illustration: NORMAN LONDON.]
_Islington._—“Derman holds of the King half a hide in _Iseldone_
(Islington). There is land to half a plough. There is one villane
there. This land is and was worth ten shillings. Algar, a vassal of
King Edward’s, held this land, and he might sell and give it.”
_Lisson Green._—“_Lilestone_ (Lilestone) answered for five hides.
Eideua holds it of the King. There is land to three ploughs. Four hides
and a half are in the demesne, and there are two ploughs there. The
villanes have one plough. There are four villanes of half a virgate
each; and three cottagers of two acres; and one bondman. Meadow for one
plough. Pasture for the cattle of the village. Pannage for one hundred
hogs. For herbage threepence. Its whole value is sixty shillings; the
same when received; in King Edward’s time forty shillings.’ Edward, son
of Suan, a vassal of King Edward’s, held this manor, and might sell it.”
According to the _A.S. Chronicle_, King William held a great Council,
and had much discourse “as to how the land was holden and by what men.
He sent over all England into every shire his men, and let them inquire
how many hundred hides were in each shire, and what land and cattle the
King himself had in the shire, and what rent he ought to receive yearly
in each. He let them also inquire how much land his archbishops had,
and his other bishops and his abbots, and each and what and how much
every man had who held land within the kingdom, as well on land as on
cattle, and how much each was worth.”
It must be remembered that the King under the Feudal system was the
overlord of all estates, and there was no land which was not under the
King as overlord. In the Survey of Middlesex there is no manor returned
as belonging to the Crown. In Ossulston Hundred, the King held 12½
acres of “No man’s land”; he also had thirty cottagers in one place and
two in another. Twenty-two owners of manors in Middlesex are entered in
_Domesday_, of these the Church had by far the largest share, viz. the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the Abbot of Westminster, the Abbot of the
Holy Trinity at Rouen, the Abbess of Barking, and the Bishop and Canons
of St. Paul. The last owned the principal part of Ossulston Hundred.
The largest manor round London was Stepney: at a very early period
the hamlets of Shoreditch, Stratford Bow, Hackney, Bethnal Green,
Whitechapel, Spitalfields, St. George’s in the East, Shadwell and
Limehouse are supposed to have been carved out of the great manor and
parish: in other words, the original parish of Stepney extended from
the great north road of Bishopsgate Without to the River Lea. That a
great part of Ossulston Hundred belonged to St. Paul’s is shown by
the fact that Twyford, Willesden, Harlesden, Totehill, St. Pancras,
Islington, Newington, Horton, Hoxton, and Drayton all belonged to this
church. The Abbot of Westminster held the manor—only second in size to
Stepney—of his church, that of Hampstead, that of Hendon, and another
manor, probably Belsize. There were only eight lay proprietors of
manors in the county.
It is clear from the _Domesday_ that London was confined within its
wall; that Westminster had no existence as a town; that outside the
walls the only parish inhabited, except by farmers, was a part of
Stepney; and that the northern part of the county, as is proved by the
“pannage” for swine, was covered with forest beginning beyond Islington
and Kentish Town, and covering Hampstead and Highgate, and so east and
west to Willesden on the west and the Essex Forest on the east.
In other words, there lay, all around London, a broad belt of manors
belonging to the Church. We may consider how the ownership of this land
would affect building and settlement outside the walls. We find, what
we should expect, the first settlement on the Moorland immediately
north of the walls; Smithfield and Clerkenwell the first suburbs. We
then find houses built as far as the “Bars” in the Whitechapel Road,
then in Holborn, and then in Fleet Street and in Bishopsgate Without.
Beyond the Bars there are difficulties; they seem to be surmounted in
Chancery Lane and St. Giles’s, also along the Strand, but not on the
east side, nor on the north. It would be interesting had one the time
to trace the gradual removal of the prohibition to build on the part of
the Bishop of London, the Abbot of Westminster, and the Chapter of St.
Paul’s.