Blackmore (Fingrith): The Black Death 1349

Essex Review.  No. 205.  Volume LII. (January 1943) Pages 13-20

THE BLACK DEATH IN ESSEX

BY THE REV. JOHN L. FISHER, M.A.

In the autumn of 1348 the terrible epidemic known to us as the Black Death reached the West of England from the Continent. Through the winter months it spread eastwards to Winchester and Oxford and on to London. It appeared in Essex in the spring of 1349, swept through that county and then took a fearful toll in East Anglia (Suffolk and Norfolk). For the crucial months, when the plague was at its height, there is less documentary evidence for Essex than for some other counties, but a valuable sidelight can be obtained from the Court Rolls of the manor of Fingreth in Blackmore. These rolls have now been acquired by the Essex Record Office.

In the fourteenth century there were two manors in Blackmore of about equal size the manor of Blackmore held by the Prior and Canons of that place, and the manor of Fingreth held by the Earls of Oxford. As no medieval extent or rental of this latter manor is available, the number of the tenants can only be estimated from such evidence as the Court Rolls supply. Fortunately a small membrane attached to the roll gives two lists drawn up in 1352. The first is a list of the men of the vill of Fingreth, arranged in eight tithings, each furnishing two capital pledges; the second is a list of the tenements which owe suit of court to the manor of Fingreth. This list has been so altered and corrected from time to time that it is difficult to count the original entries, but the number appears to be fifty-four. An extent of the manor, drawn up in 1498, describes 88 tenements, many of them isolated crofts, held by 41 tenants. By this date some of the smaller holdings had been grouped together. In 1348 the number of tenants was somewhat larger, probably between sixty and sixty-five.

The principal court of the manor of Fingreth and view of Frank pledge were held on Whit-Monday; a court was always held after the fair on the morrow of St. Laurence's day (11 August) and there were usually two or three other courts during the autumn, winter or early spring.

At the Whit-Monday court in 1348 it is found by inquest that Robert atte Tye's nearest heirs are his daughters Maude and Albreda and that the nearest heir to the tenement of Wyot Nel is his son John. Joan Ballard has come of age and is admitted to the land of John Ballard, which has been in the lord's hand during her minority. The holding of Roger le Wheler, who has lately died, is divided between his widow and his daughter. It will be seen that at this court only one recent death is reported, while two others have probably occurred during the year just past.

At a court held in December, 1348, the death of Alice Samannes is reported, and her daughter Christine is admitted to her tenement.

By 23 March, 1349, when the next court was held, the epidemic had evidently reached Blackmore. Twelve recent deaths have occurred amongst the tenants, including both Maude and Albreda atte Tye.

During the next two months the pestilence raged through the village. In 1349 Whit-Monday fell on 1 June; at the court held on that day fifteen deaths are reported since the last court, but the claims for admission to tenements and the long list of vacant holdings taken into the lord's hand indicate that fifty-five tenants have recently died.  The record of this court is of such importance that it is here given in full.

FYNGRYTH.-COURT and VIEW held there on Whit-Monday in the 23rd year of the reign of King Edward III (1349).

Richard Maillol essoigned at the last court has not come to warrant his essoign; therefore he is amerced 3d.

It is granted that Walter Hykehyd have and hold a messuage and 20 a, of customary land which were formerly of John Gerard, because the heir of the same tenement is not of full age, for rendering the customary services until the majority of William, son of the said John, who is the nearest heir of the same John. The aforesaid Walter will furnish the said William, son and heir of the said John, with all necessaries until he comes of age, and he made fine for having the said wardship, 12d.

Adam, who was son and heir of Margery Gerold, came into court and claimed a messuage and 8 a, of free land which were formerly of Margery Gerold and which the same Margery held of the lord by the service of 5s. 6d. a year. She gives the lord for a relief 5s. 6d, and does fealty; pledges Adam Scabourgh and Richard Adam.

From the issue of the lands of Margery Gerold-6d.

John Lyefhese, who held of the lord a messuage and 8 a. of customary land, has died since the last court, after whose death there fell to the lord as heriot a horse, worth 3s. 4d. John, son of Alan Smythes, comes and claims the said tenement as the nearest heir of the said John, and is admitted, and gives to the lord as earnest-money, 25., and does fealty.

John Godelond came and surrendered into the lord's hand 3 a. of customary land to the use of Andrew Shorbred, to whom seisin is delivered to hold -to the same Andrew for the term of his life for the customary services, and he gives to the lord for a fine 12d. and does fealty.

At that court came Rose, who was the wife of William Ambrose, and received of the lord a messuage and 2 a. of mollond, which the said William formerly held of the lord by the service, etc., to be held by the same Rose for the term of her life by doing the customary services, and she gives to the lord for a fine of entry, 12.d. and does fealty.

William, son of John le Hunte, came into court, and claimed a tenement, viz., a free cottage, after the death of Roger le Hunte, who held the said cottage of the lord by the service of 5d. a year. It was presented at the last court that a certain Reginald, son of Alice, sister of the said Roger, was the nearest heir of the said Roger on the day he died, and he has not applied for the said cottage ; therefore it is granted to the said William to have and to hold the said cottage for the services, etc. And he gives to the lord for a relief, 5d., and does fealty.

Ordered that 5 day-works be seised into the lord's hand as an escheat after the death of Cecily, daughter of John Plum of Lambourne, because she was a bastard.

Ordered that a piece of customary land be seised into the lord's hand, which land Richard Aunselyn held of the lord by the rent of 1d. a year, and which fell into the lord's hand by the death of the said Richard, and that the profits be accounted for.

John atte Well, who held of the lord a cottage and 18 a. of customary land, has died since the last court. After whose death there fell to the lord as heriot nothing, because he had no animals. After whose death came his son John, who is his nearest heir and of full age, and claimed the tenements on his father's death, and is admitted to hold to himself and his issue for the customary services, and he gives as earnest-money 12d., and does fealty.

Maud Aluryth, who held of the lord 1½a. of free land, has died since the last court, after whose death there fell no heriot to the lord as she had no animals. Service 3d. a year. To that court came William, brother of the same Maud and claimed the said land as the nearest heir after the death of the said Maud his sister. He is admitted, and gives to the lord for a fine 3d. and does fealty.

John Hardyng, who held of the lord a messuage and 3 a. of customary land, has died since the last court, After whose death there fell no heriot to the lord. John, son and heir of the said John, came and claimed the said tenement as his nearest heir, and is admitted, and gives to the lord as earnest-money, 9d., and does fealty.

John Serie, who held of the lord a messuage and 40 a. of customary land, has died since the last court, after whose death there fell to the lord as heriot an ox. Agnes, who was his wife, came and claimed to hold the same tenement for the term of her life as free bench, according to the custom of the manor. She is admitted and gives to the lord as earnest-money 3s., and does fealty. The same Agnes comes and seeks licence of the lord to marry where she wishes, and gives to the lord for having his licence, 2s.

Agnes Page, who held of the lord a cottage with curtilage of bondland (nativ’), has died since the last court, after whose death came Juliana, who was the daughter of the same Agnes, and claimed the said tenement as her heir and was admitted to hold to herself and her issue of the lord by the services, etc., and she gives for a line 6d and does fealty.

John Adam, who held of the lord a messuage and 9 a. of free land by the service of 6s. 2d a year, has died since the last court. Heriot a full-grown calf. After his death came Richard, son and nearest heir of the said Adam, and claimed the said tenement in heredity, to whom it is granted to hold to him and his heirs by the customary services, and he gives as a relief 6s. 2d. and does fealty.

Henry Boteler gives to the lord as fine for suit of court up to the next leet— 12d.

John Gerold, who held of the lord a messuage and 11a. of free land by the service of 7s. 1d. a year (has died since the last court). No heriot as he had no animals. After his death came Nicholas his brother and claimed the said tenement; seisin is delivered to him to hold to himself and his heirs of the lord for the services, etc., and he gives to the lord for a relief 7s. 1d. and does fealty.

Agnes Page, who held of the lord a messuage and 17a. of customary land, has died since the last court, after whose death there fell as a heriot one horse. Maude, Joan, and Juliana, her daughters, present in court, claimed the tenement and were admitted as the nearest heirs of the said Agnes, to hold for themselves and their issue, by the customary services, and they give to the lord as earnest-money half a mark, and they do fealty.

John Rolf came and claimed to hold the tenement, which was of Alice Starlyng, for the term of her life according to the custom of the manor, for that he married her and begat a legitimate son between them, etc., and he gives for a fine 3d. and does fealty.

John Wyot, who held of the lord a cottage and a rood of customary land, has died, and after his death Nicholas, brother of the said John, seeks to be admitted to the said tenement as his inheritance, and it is found that the said Nicholas is the nearest heir, and it is granted that he enter on the same tenement, and he gives for a fine as earnest-money 3d. and does fealty.

Stephen atte Bete comes and seeks permission to let to William Smerman all the lands and tenements he holds of the lord in the vill of Fyngryth to hold to William his heirs amd assigns of the lord from .... last past for the next six years following and he gives for a fine 18d.

Edith, who was the wife of Roger Serie, comes and claims an acre of land as free bench, and as it is found that she ought to hold it, it is granted to her and she gives the lord for a line, 3d. and does fealty.

It is found by enquiry that the prior of Blackmore holds of the lord a heriotable tenement, and that the lord of the same priory shall have the best animal but one by name of heriot, and it is found that John de Bumpstede, formerly prior of the same place, has died since the last court and that Geoffrey Wytoutethegate was elected prior after him and that he has died : it is ordered that the two best animals be seised, etc., and retained, etc. 

Margaret Ryngold, who held of the lord 5a. of land with appurtenances, has died since the last court, after whose death came John Page and claimed the said 5a. and appurtenances by his hereditary right after the death of the said Margaret. It is found by enquiry that the said John Page is the next heir to the said land; therefore he is admitted to hold of the lord by the customary services and he gives for a fine of entry 6d. and does fealty.

John Dymottes surrendered into the hand of the lord a cottage with appurtenances to (the use of) Agnes Lorkynes and the lord granted and transferred the said cottage with appurtenances to the said Agnes to hold to her and her heirs, etc., and she gives to the lord for a fine of entry 3s and does fealty.

Richard le Rede came into court and surrendered into the hand of the lord a cottage and half an acre of land with appurtenances, to the use of John le Rede and his heirs, and the lord granted and transferred the said cottage with appurtenances to the said John to hold to himself and his heirs of the lord by the customary services, and he gives to the lord for a fine of entry,— and does fealty.

Richard atte Ferne, who held of the lord a tenement and 16a. of land, has died since the last court, after whose death came Joan, wife of the said Richard and claimed the said tenement for the term of her life as free bench, according to the custom of the manor and she is admitted, and she gives the lord for a fine of entry, 12d, and does fealty.

Roger le Herde surrendered into the hand of the lord half an acre of pasture with appurtenances to the use of Henry Cotel, and the lord granted and transferred the aforesaid half acre of pasture to the aforesaid Henry to hold to him and his heirs of the lord by the customary services, and he gives to the lord for a fine of entry, 6d. and does fealty.

John atte Ferne, who held of the lord a messuage and 3a. of customary land, has died since the last court, after whose death there fell to the lord as heriot one pig; and Sarra, wife of the said John, came and claimed to hold the said tenement for the term of her life as free bench after the death of the said John her husband, according to the custom of the manor, and she is admitted as tenant, to hold, etc., and she gives to the lord as a fine of entry 4d. and does fealty.

John Adam, junior, who held of the lord a (messuage and) 4a. of free land and 3a. of customary land has died since the last court, after whose death came Richard Adam and claimed the said tenement as his hereditary right after the death of the said John. It is found by enquiry that the aforesaid Richard is the next heir to the said tenement, therefore it is granted him to enter and to hold the said tenement by the customary services, etc. save the rights, etc., and he gives for a fine of entry, 8d. and does fealty.

Ordered that there be seised into the lord's hand a tenement and 24 a. of customary land and one ox as heriot, after the death of John Laufare, and an account rendered of the profits.

Also one cottage with adjoining curtilage, after the death of Ralph Smerman, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 26 a. of land, and one horse as heriot, after the death of Richard Andrew and an account rendered.

Also a cottage with curtilage, after the death of William Hereward, and an account rendered.

Also a tenement and 5a. of land and one cow as heriot after the death of Sarra atte Roche, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 26 a. of land and 20 a. of Rochelond and one ox-as heriot, after the death of John Symond, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of John Alstoun, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage and half an acre of land after the death of William le Hierd and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 8 a. of customary land which John le Fuller held by the service of 5s. 6d. and one tainter-ground which the same John held to himself and his heirs of the lord by the service of 13d. a year, after the death of the said John, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 3 a. of free land after the death of John Frevill, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 60 a, of land and a horse as heriot, after the death of John le Raan, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage and a heifer as heriot, after the death of Juliana Laverke, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of Christine Semannes, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage and an acre of customary land after the death of John Ragoun, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 8 a, of customary land after the death of Miles de Stapleford and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of Adam Squyer, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 7 a. of customary land and 3 a. of free land, and a horse as heriot, after the death of William Badecok, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 12 a. of land and one ewe as heriot, after the death of John Josep, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of Joan Perkynnes, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of John le Thrawere, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 2 a. of land after the death of Agnes Kynotes, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of Joan Cokes, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and to 10a. of land and one stot as heriot after the death of Roger atte Feld and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 4 a. of land after the death of Roger Laufare, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of John Ferthyng, and an account rendered.

Also a cottage after the death of Robert atte Tye, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 4 a. of land after the death of Helewise la Stires, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 5 a. of land after the death of John Spicebotere, and an account rendered.

Also a tenement by the service of 1d. a year after the death of Thomas Smereman, and an account rendered.

Also to retain all the lands and tenements which Agnes, daughter of Walter Fraunceys, held, and an account rendered.

Also a piece of land by the service of 1d. a year after the death of Richard Duntele, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 6 a. of customary land and 4 a. of free land after the death of John atte Verne, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 4 a. of free land after the death of Margaret le Heyward.

Also a messuage and one acre of customary land after the death of Emma, who was the wife of John le Raan, and an account rendered.

Also a messuage and 12 a. of free land and 6 a. of bond land after the death of Richard le Maillour and an account rendered.

Now concerning the View.

From all the capital pledges for a common fine, 13s. 4d.

Also they present that William Spryg has made a certain purpresture at Horsfrithe, 3 perches in length and 3 feet in width ; therefore he is fined 3d. and ordered to make amends before the next court.

Also that Thomas Andrew, who owed to the lord one capon as chevage, has died since the last court, so that the chevage of the said capon has ceased.

Also that Richard Lorkyn unjustly raised a hue and cry against Peter Keneman, the lord's bailiff; therefore he is fined 3d.

Also that Richard Alurych is a butcher and sells meat outside the market of the vill in the lord's fee. Therefore he is fined 3d.

Also that William Smerman is a tanner, etc., fined 3d.

Also that Adam Smerman is a tanner, etc., fined 3d.

Also that William Page (fined 6d.), Richard le Cook (fined 4d.) and William Dounioun (fined 6d.), are bakers and have sold bread against the assize; therefore they are in mercy.

Also that William Page, Richard Gerold, Roger Campe, Emma la Smythes, Agnes the wife of John, and Martha, the wife of Richard Cook, are brewers and have broken the assize; therefore they are in mercy (Page is fined 6d., all the others 4d.).

Also that Walter Hikebrid, Peter Keneman, John le Smyth and Richard atte Ree are ale-tasters and have not done then duty; therefore they are in mercy (each fined 3d.).

Also that Adam Sabourgh is elected to the office of reeve at the manor of - , for taking pledges and paying wages as ordered by the lord.

On 30 June another court was held with a long list of vacant tenements very much as in the previous court, but showing that six or seven more tenants had died. The fury of the epidemic was now spent and the fair-time court in August only records one additional death. In all at least seventy tenants of the manor appear to have died during the first six months of 1349 the deaths of wives and children, who were not themselves holders of property, are of course not recorded, nor is any notice taken of the demesne servants.

Eventually heirs were found to most of the vacant holdings, but nine tenements remained in the lord's hand because there was no issue, i.e., the late tenant had left no survivor.

The mortality in East Anglia was very high and there is good evidence for estimating that half the population perished. The Fingreth court-rolls suggest that the death-rate in Essex was equally high. The courts held in the autumn of 1349 and the years immediately following are largely concerned with the collection of heriots and arrears of rent and with injunctions to the executors of the deceased. Curiously enough it is not till 1355 that there is any direct mention of the plague; in a court of that year tenants are found for two cottages which had been in the lord's hand on account of the pestilence.

[In the record of the Court Rolls of Colchester (Oath Book, pub. 1907, pp. 55-57) the year 1348-9 is recorded as ‘the year of the first pestilence’ (in prima pestilencia) and 110 wills were recorded. In 1349-50, 25 wills are recorded. In 1360-1, marked as 'the second pestilence' (pestilencia secunda) 33 wills were recorded.]