The Communities of Brize Norton and Carterton

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The following article has been kindly prepared by Wendy Morgan who, amongst other things,  edits the Carterton Community Magazine and serves as both Secretary for St Britius DCC and archivist.  See also the item under history here

DOMESDAY BOOK 

William of Normandy was not named William the Conqueror for nothing. In 1066 land in England was taken from the English owners and given to his Norman Bishops, Earls and followers who in turn had Norman tenants or trustful English thegns in charge of their land. (Brize) Norton, Black Bourton and Astrop (Estrope) was owned (with others) by ROGER d’IVRY, a Norman Lord, who had tenants in charge of these villages. In 1086 – 1087 a survey was made to ascertain what size of land there was in each estate and county, who held it and the number of people who lived on it.

It was named the Kings Book and by the 12 century became the name we know it by today – The Domesday Book. By this book we know that Brize Norton and Astrop were in existence before that date.

FULK HOLDS ROGER 14 HIDES AND 11/2 VIRGATES IN NORTON. LAND FOR 12 PLOUGHS. NOW HE HAS IN DEMESNE 5 HIDES OF THE VILLANS LAND AND THERE ARE 5 PLOUGHS WITH l KNIGHT OF HIS. THERE ARE 8 SLAVES AND 13 VILLANS WITH 17 BORDARS AND 24 ACRES OF MEADOW, A GROVE 1 FURLONG LONG AND HALF A FURLONG BROAD. IT WAS WORTH K9: NOW K13. 14 THEGNS HELD THIS LAND.

ROGER HOLDS 1 HIDE IN ASTROP. LAND FOR 2 PLOUGHS. HE HAS THESE THERE WITH 4 SLAVES AND 1 VILLAN AND 4 BORDARS. THERE IS PASTURE 3 FURLONGS LONG IN LENGTH AND 2 FURLONGS IN BREADTH. IT WAS WORTH 20S: NOW WORTH 30S.

Old English Terms 

WENDY MORGAN