Earlier History

1730

Basil Prichard probably built the first of three large mansions on the Hope End Estate. See Hope End. Later the Heywoods and Hewitts, who lived at Hope End, became major benefactors of the village and considerably influenced life here.

1629

King Charles 1 , desperate for money to fund his rule without Parliament, sold several Manors (including Ledbury) to the Corporation of London. Local gentry then bought the Lordship and Manor for £1400. Other farmhouses were built or rebuilt around this time including Priors Court, Arknell, Withers, Callow Croft and Root Farm (now demolished). See Historic Houses 

1559

Upon orders of the King (and later Queen Elizabeth 1) some 500 acres of the Lord’s land (including Wellington Heath) passed from the Bishop to the Crown. Around this time several farmhouses were built including Burtons Farm and Stonehouse (Uplands). see Historic Houses 

1453-1516

The then Bishop granted a virgate to John Prioure and later Richard Hayward of Walyntona juxta Ledbury was recorded as owning this virgate which became known as Priors Court. He provided military service for the Bishop. Unfree peasants had to work two days a week for him. Aluardus de la Frith who farmed 12 acres also had to look after the Lord’s cornfield and prison. Pigs (Pegs) Farm already existed in some form in this period. See Pegs Farm and Prior's Court listed under Historic Houses.

1210-1288

Allan de Walyntone and later John de Walyntone now holding one and a half hides and half a “virgate” (15 acres).

Domesday Book and 12th Century

Walynton was not specifically mentioned in the Domesday Book but two Knights are recorded for Ledbury holding a “hide” (120 acres). Ledbury was founded as a Manor “Denzein” (inhabited) with “Burgesses” (freemen) paying “Burgages” to the Lord of the Manor. The area outside the Manor became the “Manor Foreign” where life was of a more servile feudal nature. Later the Manor Foreign was split into 5 parts including Wellington and Plaistow.

Prior to Norman Conquest

Feudal Holdings (Manors) granted by the Bishop of Hereford included Colwall, Bosbury, Eastnor, Donnington, Cradley, Mathon, Ledbury and Coddington. Knights had to provide military service or pay “scutage” (tax).