Feet of Fines (1509-1547)

Post date: Sep 29, 2012 11:10:23 AM

Kent Archaeological Society (KAS) published in 1998 transcriptions of the Feet of Fines relating to Kent under the editorship of Michael Zell. The term "Feet of fines" basically means the legal record of a land transaction (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feet_of_Fines.).

The record shows

• the grantor,

• recipient,

• a brief description of the property and

• the sale price (or whether it was an "enfeoffment ").

The number of such transactions in Kent increased substantially during the reign of King Henry VIII, but as it was not the only way to sale land it may or may not reflect a growing market in land. The following table shows the average number of transactions in Kent by different periods of time, as calculated by Michael Zell:

A couple of explanations:

• a mark is equivalent to 67 new pence.

• a messuage means a house and the immediately surrounding land and outbuildings (or curtillage).

• enfeoffment means the transfer of land in return for a pledge of service.

792: Thomas Wright and wife Agnes to Sir Thomas Neville, Roger Drewe, cleric, Thomas Garnell, and Robert Ormeston, messuage and 3 acres in Wateringbury and Mereworth. 20 Marks. [1528].

857: Edward Odyern and wife Anne to Nic Moyce, George Codde and Thomas Rowe, messuage and 7 acres land in Wateringbury £40 [1529].

1477: Chris Clerke, Chaplain of Kent's Chantry at Headcorn to Thomas Lord Crumwell, manor of Thomherst with 300 acres meadow, 400 acres pasture, and 40 acres wood in Headcorn, Frittenden, Biddenden, Ulcombe, Staplehurst, East Sutton and Wateringbury £400. [1539].

2126: Philip Herbard and wife Margaret to John Huggens one third of 7 messuages, 100 acres land, 30 acres meadow, 100 acres pasture and 40 acres wood in Mereworth, Wateringbury, East Peckham, Maidstone, Chatham, Rochester, and swanscombe. 100 marks [1545].

2215: Robert Sonnyng and wife Margery, and William Hustwayatt and wife, Thomasine to Thomas Roydon , Esq.,10 acres land, 20 acres pasture and 10 acres wood in Wateringbury, East Peckham and Nettlestead . £40 [1545]

According to A.R.Cook in his book about Roydon, A Manor Through Four Centuries, (O.U.P. 1938), Thomas Roydon was born in 1484 and acquired lands throughout Kent from an inherited fortune, the origins of which are unknown. In 1509 he married Margaret, daughter of William Whetenhall of Hextal, and they acquired the manor of 'Fortune' in East Peckham, very near to Margaret's birthplace, and at which Thomas built his mansion,probably around 1535, which he called Roydon after his own name; subsequently he added further lands such as the parcel above. He died in 1557 and Margaret in 1576.

2229: Henry Manfeld and wife Jane to John Downes moiety of manor of Boyners w/1 mill, 38 acres of land , and 43 acres meadow in East Peckham, Wateringbury, Hadlow , Tudeley, Lamberhurst and Yalding £200 [1545].

2237: John Downes to William Mousehurst and wife Thomasine. 80 acres land called The Lilly in Wateringbury. Enfeoffment [1545]

"The Lilly in Wateringbury" is likely to have related to the area later called Lilly Hoo, a detached part of Wateringbury (or den in the weald) of 84 acres at the time of the Tithe Commutation survey in 1839 - the 80 acres mentioned above would have only been an approximate measurement. See Highway repairs and Lilly Hoo.