History Never Repeats

The Domesday Book is England's earliest surviving public record. In 1085 King William (The Conkerer - yes, he played Conkers) commissioned a survey of the country to find out who owned the land, people and livestock. Amazingly it was completed just a year later. You cannot escape the taxman.


This great historical record is now available to view via the Online National Archives. Simple place and name searches are free. For a fee you can download page images and detailed translated information.

So what does a Domesday Book search for my hometown tell me?

Place name: Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
Folio: 137r Great Domesday Book
Domesday place name: Cestrehont/Cestrehunt
People mentioned: Alric, man of Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury; Alsige, man of Eadgifu the Fair; Alweard; Alweard, man of Earl Harold; Alweard, thegn of Earl Harold; Ansketil de Rots; Asgot, man of Eadgifu the Fair; Count Alan; Eadgifu the Fair; Earl of Ralph East Anglia; Eustace, Count of Boulogne; Goda, man of King Edward; Godgyth, man of Esger the staller; Hardwin de Scales; Ingelric; Lanfranc, Archbishop of Canterbury; Leofgeat; Lyfing the priest, man of Eadgifu the Fair; Ralph; Ramsey, Abbey of St Benedict of; Ramsey, Aelfwine, Abbot of St Benedict of, man of; Robert; Robert fitzRoscelin; Roger; Roger de Mussegros; Rumold; Snerrir, man of Eadgifu the Fair; Sokemen of Eadgifu the Fair; Sokemen of Ingelric; Sokemen of Thegn of King Edward Oswulf son of Frani; Thorbiorn, man of Eadgifu the Fair; Wyrdcritter, Count of Enefelde; Wife of Godwine; Wimund

I find it fascinating reading the names above. Good to see a few recognisable ones too. I wonder whatever happened to Alan and Roger?