Reference
L7
Title
Deeds of Property in Harrold
Date free text
1522 - 1887
Production date
From: 1522 To: 1887
Admin/biog history
The de Greys acquired Harrold manor between 1272 and 1278 (V.C.H.iii),
at which time there were attached to it the two mills, the free fishery,
and the Park. There are a few documents concerning various family trusts
and relative transactions in the collection (Jeayes' catalogue 541-70, and
7/1-5). The last purchase of any size in Harrold appears to have been
in 1722 and comprised the Dungey farm and wood estate. The deeds of this
property show the gradual conversion of extensive woodland (200 acres in
1636) to farm land (40 acres of wood and 120 acres of land in 1696).
The will of James Boteler in 1691 gives directions for felling trees and
ploughing up the land, and also provides for a house to be built at Dungey.
There are several references to the woodwards, particularly the bequest
to Richard Gray for his 'true and faithful service' (7/10).
Between 1616 and 1619 several small properties were sold in
pursuance of a trust deed of 1616.
The leases
The Park and sheepwalk: the leases of the Park give details of
the duties expected of the park-keeper. From William Belfeld (who held
the office from 1584 and earlier until 1601), Robert Langhorne and Thomas
Lillingstone similar services were expected - the maintenances of the deer,
killing and delivery of deer at Wrest, keeping of the Earl's horses in
winter and summer. In the leases to John Munnes, from 1616, first appears
the clause which would seem to indicate the beginning of the gradual
conversion of the Park to farm land. There is an unfortunate gap in the
leases from 1632, just when developments in dis-parking might be expected
although in 1686 the Park seems still to be extensive. These two leases
(7/75-6) give details of the number and ages of deer to be kept, which
is smaller than a century earlier. Munnes, in 1611, was to keep one hundred
deer at least (7/68). By 1743 most, if not all, the area of the Park has
become farm land and is presumably included in the leases of Harrold Park
farm (7/88-92). There are two leases of the sheepgate, once with the
Park (7/51) and once as a separate property (7/73). Some of the Park
leases specify the keeping of a particular number of sheep in the Park.
The Mills and fishery: there are three leases of the 'two mills
under one roof' and the fishery. Each tenant is to leave two pairs of
millstones at the end of his term, and in1594 it is particularly specified
that a pair of new floodgates is to be erected. Each tenant is allowed
'damboot' in the piece of ground 'staked out for that purpose called
the Old Orchard'. The mills and fishery were sold in 1617 to Sir Thomas
Boteler of Biddenham, reserving only the right of fishing (which was the
subject of a later law-suit). Of passing interest is the alternative
name for the Ouse - 'Wringtail'.
The later leases contain the formal clauses for good husbandry
and little else of agricultral interest.
Reference
Level of description
sub-fonds