Focus On Manorial Court Rolls
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine|January 2018

Court rolls are useful for both researching the pre-industrial era and finding your Victorian ancestors, explains Nick Barratt

Nick Barratt
Focus On Manorial Court Rolls

Certain historical dates stick in the mind. One of the most memorable is the battle of Hastings in 1066, when William of Normandy’s invading troops routed the Anglo-Saxons. King Harold was killed on the battlefield, along with many of his leading nobles. William took advantage to impose a new social order upon the country: a system of landholding that historians call feudalism.

The new king immediately claimed all lands as his own, with the exception of property in the possession of the Church. However, he also wished to reward his loyal followers, and did so by granting them some of this property; these families subsequently became the tenants-in-chief of the Crown and therefore the aristocracy. In turn, they too had followers to reward with land, thereby creating a hierarchical pyramid where everyone held land from an overlord (with the obvious exception of the monarch). The basic socio-economic land unit was known as a ‘knight’s fee’ – the amount of land required to generate sufficient income to support one knight for 40 days. Today we call this unit a ‘manor’.

This story is from the January 2018 edition of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2018 edition of Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? MAGAZINEView All
'My Tree Includes The Pioneer Of A Great British Pastime'
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

'My Tree Includes The Pioneer Of A Great British Pastime'

Pauline Godsall is proud to share a connection with Thomas Hiram Holding – a true British eccentric who encouraged our forebears to enjoy the great outdoors

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
30-Minute Genealogist
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

30-Minute Genealogist

Sara Khan shows how you can break down brick walls in your research in just half an hour

time-read
1 min  |
January 2018
'The FIBIS Database Smashed My Brick Wall'
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

'The FIBIS Database Smashed My Brick Wall'

Edwina Bentley was struggling to find her father’s family in India. Fortunately the Families In British India Society came to the rescue, learns Jon Bauckham

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2018
My Ancestor Was A...Brushmaker
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

My Ancestor Was A...Brushmaker

Until the arrival of mass production, creating a brush required the hard work of a team of highly skilled craftsmen, says KA Doughty

time-read
5 mins  |
January 2018
Focus On Manorial Court Rolls
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

Focus On Manorial Court Rolls

Court rolls are useful for both researching the pre-industrial era and finding your Victorian ancestors, explains Nick Barratt

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2018
Accidents and Suicides Killed My Ancestors
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

Accidents and Suicides Killed My Ancestors

Alison Burtt grew up with a sense of mystery as her father was unable to tell her much about his roots. The truth she uncovered was shocking, Matt Ford discovers.

time-read
7 mins  |
April 2017
Find A New Direction
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

Find A New Direction

Maps are a valuable resource often overlooked by family historians. Pam Ross explains why they’re worth exploring.

time-read
8 mins  |
April 2017
Cold Comfort
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

Cold Comfort

Ice skating is a timeless way to enjoy a wintry day. Amanda Randall looks at how our ancestors got their skates on

time-read
7 mins  |
January 2018
Addicted To The Thrill Of Detection
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

Addicted To The Thrill Of Detection

New Year is a time to cut down on vices – but it’s hard to break the grip of family history, says Alan Crosby

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018
Photographs From India
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

Photographs From India

The Families in British India Society tells Alan Crosby about a project to capture our ancestors’ graves

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2018