Volume 1

Berkeley manuscripts. Abstracts and extracts of Smyth's Lives of the Berkeleys, illustrative of ancient manners and the constitution; including all the pedigrees in that ancient manuscript. To which are annexed, a copious history of the castle and parish of Berkeley, consisting of matter never before published; and biographical anecdotes of Dr. Jenner / By Thomas Dudley Fosbroke, M.A. F.S.A.

Thomas Dudley Fosbroke

Date:: 1821

Credit: Berkeley manuscripts. Abstracts and extracts of Smyth's Lives of the Berkeleys, illustrative of ancient manners and the constitution; including all the pedigrees in that ancient manuscript. To which are annexed, a copious history of the castle and parish of Berkeley, consisting of matter never before published; and biographical anecdotes of Dr. Jenner / By Thomas Dudley Fosbroke, M.A. F.S.A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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men, radchenisters, having forty-eight plow- tillages with their men. There are twenty- two coliberti, and fifteen ancille. There are eight mills of 57s. 6d. rent. In this Manor two brothers in the time of King Edward held fivé hides in Cromhal, having in demean two plow-tillages, and six villeins and five bordars having six plow-til- lages. These two brothers might dispose of themselves, with their land, as they pleased, which was then worth 41, now 31. Earl Wil- liam commended them to the Steward of Berchelai, that he might have their service, as Roger says. For this Manor, with all its appurtenances, Roger pays a farm [rent] of 1701. in weight of lawful money. The same Roger hath (belonging to this Manor) two hides in Hislinbruge, one hide at Claenhangare, one hide at Hirslege, seven hides at Nevetone. There are in demean ten plow-tillages, and thirteen villeins, and twen- ty-one bordars with twenty-two plow-tillages. There are sixteen servi, and a mill of 5s. The whole, in the time of King Edward, was worth 9l. now 111. 10s. acres. There were twenty-two soccage te- nants, and fifteen female serfs, dependant entirely upon the lord. There were eight mills at about 7s. a year rent. [The farms were about 20 acres (arable) each.] In the time of Edward the Confessor, two brothers held 800 acres in Cromhall, 80 being in their own occupation, and 240 divided among six farmers and five cottagers, paying rent in services and kind. These brothers were emancipated, and held their land in free-hold, which was then worth 4/. now 81. Earl William commended them to the Steward of Berkeley, that he might have their military service, suit of court, wardships, and other feudal claims. For this Manor, with all its appurtenances, Roger pays a farm of 2040 ounces of silver, which, at 5s,6d. per oz. is 5611. in modern money; but, as silver was scarcer than now, the rent was much higher in reality. The same Roger has, annexed to this Manor, 320 acres in Slimbridge, 160 acres at Clinger, 160 acres at Hurst, and 1120 at Newington Bagpath. Of these, 400 are in the occupation of the lord, and 880 divided among 13 farmers and 1 cottagers. Thus 1760 acres were worth 180 ounces of silver, or 491. 10s. of modern money, at 5s, Gd, per oz.; or not five farthings an acre. These remarks are rather hints to political ceconomists, than accu- rate suggestions ; for population will force demand, and cheapness of money, acting in aid, raise the price of all provisional articles. A census taken at the period could alone determine the question philo- sophically. — There cannot be a doubt that these 1760 acres now let for 4000/. per annum at least. The modern rent of the mill would be 28/. 1s.; but there was a feudal obligation to grind at particular mills. The reader will recollect that all these calculations proceed upon 20s. (as is known) being then 1 Ib. of silver, or 12 oz. Troy, taken at the modern price of 5s. 6d. per oz. ; of course the metal was then more scarce and valuable than it now is. Cc

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