Medieval Family History - taking the plunge...

[Lady Di]

I have also FINALLY encountered some of my rellies back in the 1500's. I almost threw a party the first time I encountered anyone in the 1500 but I now have a lovely group of them - all from the northern Herts area (country estates!!)

It's been a steep learning curve trying to work out what was happening in the UK in those days - particularly as I know next to nothing about UK history of that era - but I'm learning!!

Have fun Keith and if you find some of yours crossed the border into Herts I may have a book or two that may help (and I'll check the index first  )

Di

[behindthefrogs]

That medieval genealogy site looks great!  Already found an article about the medieval Norreys family through it.  Can't at present access the second half, so I hope I can connect them to my later Norreys!   

MarieC

Are your Norreys the Berkshire family?  If they are I might have some relevant information.  I tried checking the SIT but you don't seem to have an entry for them there.

David

[Lesanne]

Did I hear Norrey's in Berkshire ......  
 They are connected to Ricot and Speke as well.

The family tree is in the book 'Hundred's of Bray'.
It's all in the Scavenger Hunt. 

Keith, get on the Scavenger Hunt list.... 

[Keith Sherwood]

Hi again, Di,
Don't think we've communicated on here since they padlocked my Cambs look-up thread on here ages ago.
I only go very occasionally to the CCRO these days, but am hoping to get there next Tuesday to see what they have on the 1524 Lay Subsidy.  Pssst...Need any quick look-ups whilst I'm there...?
keith
...and thanks, Lesanne, I'll see what I can scavenge there...

[Lady Di]

Me thinks you may regret that offer Keith 

PM sent

 

[Keith Sherwood]

Di,
Have PM-ed you back, will see what I can find...
This morning I read an interesting article in the "Genealogists Magazine" that says the problem with medieval genealogy is the identification of wives and biological heirs (they don't get mentioned in the records!).
Descent of land does, but not the correct roots, as grandchildren, nephews, nieces, etc. may be heirs without us knowing about it.
A publication has just come out called:"Widows, Heirs and Heiresses in the late 12thC" edited and translated by John Walmsley.
There's info on English families due to the custom that widows and under-age heirs became wards of the king, and so saleable commodities; records had to be kept of their origins and worth.  The document dates to 1185, covers 12 counties, and has 228 entries with names and property from minor holdings of a few shillings to large estates..
The entries name not only the widow, but often the name and ages of her children or the siblings of the heir or heiress.
The book costs £23.15 (funny price, must be converted from another currency, perhaps U.S. dollars) and the ref no is: ISBN 13 978-0-06698-353-2
Apparently, even later ag. labs. might have recorded medieval ancestors before the family went downhill economically.  Families of course can slide down the social scale as well as rise up.
Back to Paul Chambers book again, after that little diversion...
keith

[Lydart]

There's info on English families due to the custom that widows and under-age heirs became wards of the king, and so saleable commodities; records had to be kept of their origins and worth.

Keith, would this apply to the common or garden ag. lab type person, i.e. the medieval peasant living in a mud and wattle hovel and working for the local lord of the manor ?  Or wouldn't widows and orphans just have to struggle on the best they could, hoping for charity from the church when they needed it ?

(Just finished reading 'The Pillars of the Earth' ... so have got a better idea of what life was like in the 1150's !)

[Lesanne]

  Hmmmm..... Bedtime reading...

http://vi.uh.edu/pages/bob/elhone/seisin.html

[behindthefrogs]

There's info on English families due to the custom that widows and under-age heirs became wards of the king, and so saleable commodities; records had to be kept of their origins and worth.

Keith, would this apply to the common or garden ag. lab type person, i.e. the medieval peasant living in a mud and wattle hovel and working for the local lord of the manor ?  Or wouldn't widows and orphans just have to struggle on the best they could, hoping for charity from the church when they needed it ?

(

Weren't the lower class the serfs who were effectively slaves who could be  bought and sold at the will of the lord of the manor?

David