The Foxearth and District Local History Society
Hinkford Hundred Poll-Tax Account of 1381

Lay Subsidy Roll, Essex, Hinckford Hundred, No. -107/68 (4 Rich. II).

Here are the Poll Tax returns of thirteen manors of Hinckford Hundred for 1381, the time of the Great Revolt of 1381 (Known misleadingly nowadays as the Peasants Revolt). It lists all the surviving poll tax records for the Hinkford Hundred, including Pentlow. It shows the remarkable survival of some local surnames. One should also note the enormous proportion of artisans in some of the villages. The most likely explanation is that each recorder took a different view of the categories and some lumped everyone who worked manually in one category, others were keen to distinguish all the trades they could. I have translated the first-names and the trades as best I can. There is a disparity in the proportion of men and women in some manors, which suggests that there has been some laxity in the accuracy of these rolls.

  1. Alhamston et Buris (Alphamstone)
  2. Bewchamp Oton (Belchamp Otten)
  3. Bumstede (Steeple Bumpstead
  4. Felstede (Felsted)
  5. Fynchyngfelde (Finchingfield)
  6. Gelham (Little Yeldham)
  7. Gosfeld (Gosfield)
  8. Hythingham Sibill (Sible Hedingham)
  9. Ovyton (Ovington)
  10. Pentelowe (Pentlow)
  11. Salyng Magna (Great Saling)
  12. Stebbing (Stebbing)
  13. Stunner (Sturmer)

Manor of Alphamstone & Bures (De Alhamston et De Buris.)

Free tenants

Labourers

Smiths

Fishmongers

Weavers

Manor of (Villa De Bewchamp Oton)

Free tenants

Labourers

Carvers

Proxima Summa Personarum lxxvj Proxima Summa iijii xvj s

The total stated is 145 persons, but only 143 are named � presumably a married pair has dropped out.

Steeple Bumpstead (Villa De Bumstede Ad Trim)

Free tenants

Labourers

Carvers

Smiths

Proxima Summa personarum cxlv

Summa vijti xs.

(The total stated is 145 persons, but only 143 are named � presumably a married pair has dropped out.)

The Manor of Felsted (Villa De Felstede.)

Frankelyn

Free tenants

Inherited Tenancy

Labourers

Carpenters

Carvers

Smiths

Fuller

Draper

Secretary (Settarius)

Butchers

Brewers

Cobblers

Weaver

Proxima Summa Personarum clxv Summa viijti vs.

Manor of Finchingfield (Villa De Fynchyngfelde)

Free tenants

Labourers

Cobblers

Carvers

Carpenter

Smiths

Proxima summa personarum clxxvii Summa viiifi xviis

Manor of Little Yeldham (Vill� De Gelham Parva)

Free tenants

Labourers

Servants

Manor of Gosfield (Vill� De Gosfeld)

Armourer

Franklin (Freeman)

Free tenants

Labourers

Servants

Servants and Labourers

Proxima Summa personarum xx iiij xiiij Summa iiijii xiiij s.

Manor of Sible Hedingham (Vill� De Hythingham Sibill.)

Free tenants

Labourers

Servants and Labourers

Fuller

Tilers

Priests

Carvers

Draper

Carpenters

Smiths

Proxima Summa personarum ccxiiij Summa xii xiiij s

Manor of Ovington (Vill� De Ovyton.)

Proxima Summa personarum vij Summa vij s

Manor of Pentlow (Villa De Pentelowe.)

Free tenants

Labourers

Servants and Labourers

Weaver

Proxima Summa Personarum li proxima Summa li s

Manor of Great Saling (Villa De Salyng Magna)

Franklin (freemen)

Labourers

Carpenters

Carvers

Proxima Summa Personarum xxxiij Summa xxxiij s.

Manor of Stebbing (Vill� De Stebbyng)

Servants

Free tenants

Inherited holding

Labourers

Shepherds

Carvers

Weavers

Carpenter

Draper

Miller

Butchers

Fullers

Cobblers

Smiths

Skinner

Servants

Tilers

Proxima Summa personarum civ Summa vijii xv s

Manor of Sturmer (Vill� De Sturmer.�)

Free tenants

Labourers

Smiths

Fullers

Carpenter

Cobblers

semi-virgaters.

Carver

Summa personarum cxiij Summa v i xiii s