The Manors of Richards Castle in the Domesday Book |
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The landholdings of Richards Castle were known as the Honour of Richards Castle and the Barony of Burford. The difference seems to be one of purpose. For the purpose of defence the landholdings of the Honour supported the maintenance and manning of the castle. For the purpose of taxation the landholdings formed the barony of Burford. It seems that Burford was the caput, or chief manor, and place of residence of the early lords of Richards Castle, and the rights and obligations of barony, which later included a place in the national parliament, were tied to this manor. The Honour of Richards Castle consisted of those lands set aside under the lord of the Honour for the maintenance of the castle as a military base. The lands as a unit were called the chatellany of Richards Castle. Burford was the caput or capital manor of the Honour of Richards Castle. The lord of Burford was classed as a baron. Richards Castle was known to the crown as the barony of Burford. The two terms, the Honour of Richards Castle and the barony of Burford are, in ordinary usage, interchangeable. There follows two lists. The first list contains all the manors which were stated to be part of the landholding of Osbern fitzRichard at the Domesday Survey in 1086. The second list shows all those manors appearing in later feodaries as appurtaining to Richards Castle. While the two lists are similar there are differences in numbers. In general the differences are explainable by the creation of new manors as the result of population growth, but there are cases which indicate errors in the original Domesday Survey.
THE ABSTRACTS FROM THE DOMESDAY BOOK
The counties in which Osbern fitzRichard held lands at the Domesday Survey are:- Bedfordshire 4 manors Gloucestershire 2 manors Herefordshire 23 manors Nottinghamshire 3 manors Shropshire 14 manors Warwickshire 11 manors Worcestershire 18 manors
The Domesday book gives 75 holdings in 7 counties. This may be compared with the list of 159 manors in 15 counties found in later times.
THE DOMESDAY SURVEY
The Lands of Osbern fitzRichard in Bedfordshire
1. Easton ( Stodden) Estone Stori, Earl Tosti's man, held it TRE 1/2 hide plus 1/2 virgate : value 10 shillings. Hugh Hubald holds from Osbern.
2. Riseley ( Stodden) Riselai Alwin, Stori's man, held it TRE 1/2 hide : value 5 shillings. Hugh Hubaud holds it from Osbern.
3. Keysoe ( Stodden) Caissot 1 virgate : value 2 shillings. Hugh Hubald holds of Osbern.
4. Elvedon ( Stodden) Elvendone Alwin, Stori's man, held it TRE 1 hide plus 1 virgate : value10 shillings. Hugh holds from Osbern.
1086 A1086: The Domesday Survey
The Lands of Osbern FitzRichard in Gloucestershire
1. Naunton ( Salmonsbury) Niwetone Thurstan held it TRE 5 hides : value £3. Robert d'Oilly holds from Osbern.
EvK10, a pre-survey listing, states that "Westbyrie, 30 hides. Of this manor 25 hides have been taken away; In Chire 6 hides, In Clistone 10 hides In Noent and Cligest' 8 hides In Ladewent 1 hide. The abbot of Cormeilles, Osbern and William sons of Richard hold these lands.
Under 'The Land of the King' DB states 1.11 In Westbury on Severn 30 hides. King Edward held it TRE 6 hides in Kyre were taken from this manor And in Clifton on Teme 10 hides In Newent and Kingstone 8 hides In Edvin Loach 1 hide. The abbot of Cormeilles, Osbern and William sons of Richard, now hold these lands.
In 1086 Clifton on Teme, Edvin Loach, Kyre Parva and Kyre Wyard were in Worcestershire. Kingstone in Weston under Penyard was in Herefordshire. Newent was in Gloucestershire.
The 6 hides in Kyre were held by The bishop of Hereford 2 hides Osbern fitzRichard 4 hides.
The 10 hides in Clifton on Teme were held by Osbern fitzRichard: Clifton on Teme 3 hides Stanford on Teme 1 1/2 hides Shelsley 1 hide Homme Castle 1 hide Lower Sapey 3 hides
The remaining 1/2 hide was held by the abbot of Cormeilles at Tenbury Wells.
The 8 hides in Newent and Kingstone were held by the abbot of Cormeilles, 6 hides being in Newent and 2 in Kingstone.
Osbern fitzRichard held the 1 hide in Edvin Loach.
1086 A1086:11 The Domesday Survey
Lands of Osbern fitzRichard in Herefordshire
1. Milton (Hazeltree) Mildetune Osbern held it TRE 2 hides : 20s.
2. Byton (Hazeltree) Boitune Osbern held it TRE 2 hides : 20s.
3. Bradley (Hazeltree) Bradelege Osbern held it TRE 1 hide : waste
4. Titley (Hazeltree) Titelege Osbern held it TRE 3 hides : waste
5. Little Brampton (Hazeltree) Bruntune Osbern held it TRE 1 hide : waste
6. Knill (Hazeltree) Chenille Osbern held it TRE 2 hides : waste
7. Lower Harpton (Hazeltree) Hercope Osbern held it TRE 1/2 hide : waste
8. Harpton (Hazeltree) Hertune Osbern held it TRE 3 hides : waste
9. Nash (Hazeltree) Hech Osbern held it TRE 1 hide : waste
10. Clatterbrune (Hazeltree) Clatretune Osbern held it TRE 2 hides : waste
11. Querentune (Hazeltree) Querentune Osbern held it TRE 1 hide : waste
12. Discoed (Hazeltree) Discote Osbern held it TRE 3 hides : waste
13. Cascob (Hazeltree) Cascope Osbern held it TRE 1/2 hide : waste
14. Lye (Hazeltree) Lege Osbern held it TRE 1/2 hide : value 5 shillings.
15. Titley (Elsdon) Titellege Earl (= King) Harold held it TRE 3 hides : waste
16. Newton (Stretford) Neutone Saeric held it TRE 1/2 hide : value 24 shillings. Herbert had it from Richard Scrope.
17. Staunton on Arrow (Staple) Stantune Seisyll held it TRE 4 hides : value 60 shillings. Drogo holds it from Osbern
18. Bodenham (Thornlaw) Bodeham Osbern held it TRE 1 1/2 hides : value 48 shillings
19. Whyle (Wolphy) Huilech Osbern held it TRE 1 hide : 8 shillings
20. Lyde (Cutsthorn) Lude Seisyll held it TRE 2 hides : 30 shillings. Roger de Lacy holds it from Osbern
21. Ludford (Wolphy) Ludeforde 1 hide : value 20 shillings. This manor was transferred to Shropshire after 1086.
22. Richards Castle Castello Auretone 3 hides : 23 men : value 20 shillings
Osbern fitzRichard held a total of 22 manors in Herefordshire. 12 manors, comprising 21 hides were waste. 3 manors, comprising 6 1/2 hides and valued at 114 shillings, were in service. 7 manors, comprising 11 hides and valued at 141 shillings, were in demesne.
In the castle of Ewyas Harold William and Osbern held 4 carucates, valued at 20 shillings, from Roger de Lacy.
In Alton Osbern held 2/3 hide, valued at 10 shillings from Roger de Lacy.
23. Osbern fitzRichard held Wapley, a member of Leominster, by the king's gift. 2 hides : value 20 shillings.
The Gloucestershire DB states that the abbot of Cormeilles, and Osbern and William, sons of Richard, hold certain lands taken from the manor of Westbury on Severn. These were 1. Kyre 6 hides 2. Clifton on Teme 10 hides 3. Newent and Kingstone 8 hides 4. Edvin Loach 1 hide.
1086 A1086: The Domesday Survey
The Lands of Osbern fitzRichard in Nottinghamshire
1. Granby ( Bingham) Grenebi Earl Algar held it TRE 3 carucates : value £15 Robert d'Oilly holds of Osbern
2. Wiverton ( Bingham) Wiuretone 3 1/2 bovates : value not stated Member of Colston Bassett
3. Salterford ( Bingham) Saltreford 6 bovates : value not stated Member of Colston Bassett
Colston Bassett is not entered in the Domesday Survey.
1086 A1086: The Domesday Survey
The Lands of Osbern fitzRichard in Oxfordshire
1. Mollington Leofwin of Nuneham's mother held it. 5 hides : value 60 shillings William holds of Osbern.
This is a duplicate of a Warwickshire entry and simply reflects the fact that Mollington is now in Oxfordshire, due to an adjustment of the county boundaries. It generally appears in Warwickshire feodaries in the period covered by this history but is dealt with under Oxfordshire in modern accounts.
1086 A1086:13 The Domesday Survey
The Lands of Osbern fitzRichard in Shropshire
1. Burford (Overs) Bureford Richard held it TRE 6 1/2 hides : value £4
2. Tetshill (Overs) Tedenesolle Saeward held it TRE 1 hide : value 10 shillings.
3. Ashford Carbonell (Culvestone) Esseford Lethi held it TRE 2 hides : value 8 shillings.
4. Humet (Leintwardine) Humet Osbern held it TRE 5 hides : value 10 shillings.
5. Stanage (Leintwardine) Stanege 6 hides : waste
6. Cascob (Leintwardine) Cascop 1/2 hide : waste Osbern held it TRE 1/2 hide : waste
7. Ackhill (Leintwardine ) Achel Edric held it TRE 3 hides : waste
8. Neen Sollars (Condertree ) Nene Siward held it TRE value 18 shillings. Siward holds from Osbern
9. Milson ( Overs) Mulstone 3 1/2 hides : value 10 shillings.
The above manors were held in chief. The following manors were held of intermediate lords.
10. Condover ( Condover ) Conendovre King Edward held it TRE 1 hide : Osbern holds of Earl Roger
11. Forton (Baschurch ) Fordune Edmer held it TRE 3 hides : value 25 shillings Osbern holds of Roger de Lacy who holds of Earl Roger
12. Badger (Alnothstree ) Beghesovre Browning held it TRE 1/2 hide : value 10 shillings Robert holds of Osbern who holds of Earl Roger
13. Brockton ( Alnothstree) Broctone Browning held it TRE 1 virgate : value 12 pence
14. Ryton ( Alnothstree ) Ruitone Wivar and Brictwold held it TRE 5 hides : 20 shillings Osbern holds of Earl Roger.
Burford was a multiple manor with several members which were:- 1. Grete 2. Stoke 3. Tilsop (Tileshop) 4. Wn'tone 5. Watmore (Wetemora) 6. Nash ( Esses) 7. Weston (Westona) 8. Whitton (Wyttone) 9. Cornwood (Cromwode) 10. Boraston (Burestone) 11. Harthall (Herthale) 12. Court of Hill (Hulla) 13. Overton
Burford was coupled with Stapleton (Stepelton)
Osbern fitzRichard also held the manors of:- 1. Kinsham, both upper and lower; alias Kyngesheinde 2. Willey; alias Wylyeye 3. Presteigne; alias Prestehemed; 7 hides.
At a later time Hugh de Mortimer held Willey of Richards Castle, and Ralph de Lingen held Kinsham of Richards Castle.
Cainham and its members Hope Bagot and Hints, including Hints Uppencott or Luppencott alias Upmaneton or Opemenekete. These were part of the barony of Burford. Ralph de Mortemer was the chief subtenant of Cainham and under him Robert Veci and Walter were subtenants.
1086 A1086: The Domesday Survey
The Lands of Osbern fitzRichard in Warwickshire
1. Aston Cantlow (Ferncombe) Estone Earl Algar held it TRE 5 hides : value £6
2. Wilmcote ( Pathlow) Wilmecote Leofwin Doda held it TRE 3 hides : value 60 shillings. Urse holds from Osbern.
3. Dunchurch ( Marton) Donecerce Wulfmer held it TRE. 5 hides : value 100 shillings. William holds from Osbern.
4. Barford ( Tremlow) Bereforde 4 hides : value 40 shillings. Hugh holds from Osbern.
5. Hillborough and 6. Binton ( Ferncombe) Hildebereurde; Benintone Ludric held it TRE 3 1/2 hides : value 40 shillings. Hugh holds from Osbern.
7. Ipsley ( Ferncombe ) Epeslei Earl Algar held it TRE 3 hides : value 40 shillings. Hugh hold from Osbern.
8. Temple Grafton ( Ferncombe) Grastone Merwin, Scroti, Toti and Tosti held it TRE. 5 hides : value 40 shillings. Gilbert holds from Osbern.
9. Stretton on Fosse ( Barcheston) Stratone Brictric held it TRE 2 hides : value 30 shillings. Walter holds from Osbern.
10. Mollington ( Hunsbury) Mollitone Leofwin of Newnham's mother held it TRE 5 hides : value 60 shillings. William holds of Osbern. This entry is repeated in The Domesday Book for Oxfordshire, becuse the village was later transferred to that county.
"The abbot of Coventry is asserted to have bought his land at Binley, which formerly belonged to Ealdgyth, daughter of Alfgar (read daughter of Leofric), and wife of Gruffydd of North Wales, of Osbern FitzRichard; and it is a singular fact that, although this land is entered in Domesday under his fief, not under Osbern's, Binley is found long afterwards feudally dependent on Richard's Castle, the head of Osbern's fief."
From the above Binley must be added to the list of Osbern's lands in Warwickshire.
11. Binley ( Stoneleigh) Bilveie Aldyth wife of Gruffydd held it TRE 3 hides : value 60 shillings. The abbot of Coventry bought this land from Osbern fitzRichard.
Of these eleven manors 10 were in service and one in demesne.
1086 A1086:15 The Domesday Survey
The Lands of Osbern fitzRichard in Worcestershire
1. Berrington (Doddingtree) Beritune His father, Richard Scrob, held it TRE 2 hides : value 20 shillings.
2. Tenbury Wells (Doddingtree) Tamedeberie His father, Richard Scrob, held it TRE 3 hides : value 40 shillings.
3. Clifton on Teme (Doddingtree) Clistune * 3 hides : value 40 shillings. Robert d'Oilly held of Osbern.
4. Kyre (Doddingtree) Chure # 3 hides : value 40 shillings.
5. Stanford on Teme (Doddingtree) Stanford * Brictric, a thane of Queen Edith, held it TRE 1 1/2 hides : value 20 shillings.
6. Shelsey (Doddingtree) Caldeslei * Sigmund, a thane of Earl Edwin, held it TRE 1 hide : value 30 shillings.
7. Kyre (Doddingtree) Cuer # His father, Richard Scrob, held it TRE 1 hide : value 10 shillings. Herbert held of Osbern.
8. Homme Castle (Doddingtree) Hame * Osbern himself held it TRE. 1 hide : value 30 shillings.
9. Lower Sapey (Doddingtree) Sapie * Osbern himself held it TRE 3 hides : value30 shillings.
10. Carton (Doddingtree ) Carletune His father, Richard Scrob, held it TRE 1 hide plus 1 virgate : value 5 shillings. Odo held of Osbern.
11. Edvin Loach (Doddingtree) Edevent @ Wulfleah held it TRE 1 hide : value 28 shillings. Herbert held of Osbern
12. Wychbold (Clent) Wicelbold Earl Godwin held it TRE 11 hides : value £15.
13. Elmbridge (Clent) Elmerige Alfgeat held it TRE 8 hides : value 50 shillings
14. Crowle (Esch) Croelai Ketelbert held it TRE 5 hides : value 40 shillings. Urse held of Osbern.
The above manors were held in chief of the king. Osbern fitzRichard also held, as a tenant of the Church of Worcester:-
15. Cotheridge (Oswaldstow) Codrie 1 hide : value 40 shillings.
Osbern's father, Richard Scrob, held it for the service the bishop wished.
A1086:1 lists certain lands, formerly in King Edward's holding in Westbury on Severn which are held by Osbern fitzRichard and William fitzRichard in:- 'Chire (Kyre, Worcs) Clifton (Clifton on Teme, Worcs) Ladewent (Edvin Loach, Worcs) Newent, Gloucs. Kingston, Glouces.
* These five manors make up the 9 1/2 hides in Clifton on Teme held as a former outlier of King Edward's manor of Westbury on Severn.
# These two manors make up the 4 hides in Kyre held as a former outlier of Westbury on Severn.
@ This manor was a former outlier of Westbury on Severn.
These outlier manors of Westbury on Severn were acquired by Richard Scrob.
The Lands of Osbern FitzRichard
Osbern fitz Richard, the lord of Richards Castle in 1086, is known to have held at least 104 manors spread over nine English counties as shown in the Domesday Survey. He almost certainty held more. The Survey shows sixteen different Osberns / Osberts / Odberts but, in some cases the same man is described differently. For example, Osbern of Exeter and Osbern of Breteuil refer to the same man. The problem is to identify those references which are aliases for Osbern fitzRichard. This can only be done on the basis of later information. He may have held 15 additional manors in 3 other counties.
The counties in which Osbern fitzRichard held lands at the Survey are:- Bedfordshire 4 manors Cheshire Hugh FitzOsbern held 10 manors Gloucestershire 4 manors plus possibly 3 more Herefordshire 17 manors Nottinghamshire 4 manors plus possibly 5 more Oxfordshire 1 manor Shropshire 24 manors Staffordshire 1 manor plus possibly 1 more Warwickshire 13 manors Worcestershire 13 manors
He also possibly held lands in Surrey poss 1 manor Sussex poss3 manors Wiltshire poss 2 manors
The Bedfordshire Lands
Riseley Keysoe 8m N. of Bedford Elvedon 8m N. of Bedford Easton
Osbern's tenant in these manors was Hugh Hubald.
The Gloucestershire Lands
Naunton Between Cheltenham and Stow on the Wold Turkdean 3 m. S. of Naunton Newent 8m. E. of Ross on Wye.
Osbern also held Condicote Latton Long Newnton Any or all may refer to Osbern fitzRichard.
The Herefordshire Lands
Brockmanton ?Brockhampton; 8m W. of Worcester Pudlestone; 3m E. of Leominster Richards Castle Collington; Between Leominster and Worcester Maund (Maghene Maurici) Salebury Milton Byton 5m W. of Mortimers Cross Bradley ? Between Droitwich and Alcester; in the Welsh march Titley 4m W. of Staunton on Arrow; in the Welsh march Knill 3m SW of Presteigne; in the Welsh march Lower Harpton 4m SW. of Presteigne; in the Welsh march Harpton 1m E. of New Radnor, Wales; in the Welsh march Nash 1m S. of Presteigne; in the Welsh march Clatterburn in the Welsh march Querentune in the Welsh march Discoed 3m W. of Presteigne, Wales; in the Welsh march Cascob 5m W. of Presteigne, Wales; in the Welsh march Lye 3m N. of Mortimers Cross Newton 5m S. of Leominster; tenant Herbert Staunton on Arrow 12m W. of Leominster; tenant Drogo Bodenham 8m N. of Hereford Whyle 3m E. of Leominster Ludlow; (Lyde) tenant Roger de Lacy Wapley ? Wapley Hill, 3m SE. of Presteigne Ewyas Harold 12m N. of Abergavenny; 1m S. of Abbey Dore Stanage 5m N. of Presteigne, Wales Little Brampton 3m S. of Presteigne; in the Welsh march Kyre Alton held of Roger de Lacy
The Nottinghamshire Lands
Wiverton Saltenford Granby 8m E of Nottingham Colston Bassett 6m SE of Nottingham
The tenant in all these manors was Robert d'Oilly, who was sheriff of Warwickshire at the time of the Survey.
Osbern held Sibthorpe of Count Alan East Stoke of Walter of Aincourt and possibly Clipstone Weston Beckingham Some or all these may refer to Osbern fitzRichard.
The Oxfordshire Lands
Mollington tenant William
The Shropshire Lands
Marlbrook Neen Sollars Tilshop Grete 1m N of Burford Hints 3m W of Cleobury Mortimer Ashford Carbonel 3m S of Ludlow Watmore 4m W of Ludlow Overton 1m S of Ludlow Milston Hull Hubaut Hulle Ashford Bowdler 3m S of Ludlow Badger 6m N of Bridgenorth; ten Robert Brockton 8m N of Bridgenorth Ryton 8m N of Bridgenorth Boraston 1m S of Burford Burford Ludford 1/4m S of Ludlow Stanage Humet
The Staffordshire Lands
Milwich Held of Robert of Stafford Arley Db says "Osbern fitzRichard took this manor by force from the canons of Wolverhampton.
The Surrey Lands
An Osbern held land in Mitcham This is possibly Osbern fitzRichard.
The Sussex Lands Held of the Count of Moretain Tilton Willingdon West Dean
The lands, held of the count of Mortain possibly refer to Osbern fitzRichard.
The Warwickshire Lands
Aston Cantlow 5m NW of Stratford on Avon Wilmcote 3m NW of Stratford on Avon Hillborough Binton 4m W of Stratford on Avon Temple Grafton 5m W of Stratford on Avon Stretton on Fosse Between Evesham and Banbury Barford 2m S of Warwick Dunchurch 2m S of Rugby Binley Coventry Hilberworth Mollington 5m N of Banbury Farnborough 2m N of Mollington Ipsley Redditch
The Wiltshire Lands
Osbern held in Long Newnton of Malmesbury Abbey Pertwood of the Bishop of Coutances These possibly refer to Osbern fitzRichard.
The Worcestershire Lands
Sapey Pichard ) Lower Sapey Sapey Sturmy ) Lower Sapey 10m NW of Worcester Stanford Sturmy) Little Stanford ) same place Between Leominster and Stourport Noverton ) Elmbridge 3m N of Droitwich Impney Astwood Robert Astwood Savage )same place Astwood Meynill ) Astwood Peremont Clifton on Teme 9m NW of Worcester Shelsley Walsh 9m NW of Worcester Carton in Bayton 1m S of Cleobury Mortimer Purshill Elmbridge Crowle ) Crowle Hackett )same place 3m E of Worcester Froxmere Court ) Kyre Wyard Between Leominster and Stourport Tenbury 8m S of Ludlow Alreton Wodefen Sutton Sturmy Kingstone 7m SW of Hereford Kyre Parva )same place Between Leominster and Stourport Stoke Bliss ) Edvin Loach Between Leominster and Worcester Cotheridge ; held of St.Mary's, Worcester Sagebury Ham Castle Woodmanton Berrington 1m W of Tenbury Wychbold 2m NE of Droitwich Dodderhill 2m NE of Droitwich
Tenants:- Clifton on Teme; Robert d'Oilly Carton ; Odo Kyre ; Herbert Edvin Loach ; Herbert Crowle ; Urse
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