The Grey of Ruthin valor: the valor of the English lands of Edmund Grey, Earl of Kent, drawn up from the ministers’ accounts of 1467-8

A later Earl of Kent: Henry Grey, 6th Earl of Kent d.1614 and his wife, Mary, d.1590, in Flitton Church

photo: Honor Lewington

The valor, or survey, of the finances of the English lands of Edmund Grey, Earl of Kent (also Lord Grey of Ruthin in Wales), was drawn up from the Earl’s accounts in 1467-8. The Earl held estates in eight counties, and nearly half of the manors were in Bedfordshire. The introduction analyses the gross value of, and charges upon, each manor.

The text of the accounts includes the rents, tenants’ names, field names and a mass of detail about individual tenant’s holdings. Amongst the more unexpected items of repairs is the cost at 3s 4d for making a new cucking stool in Blunham.

Other valuations of the estate to 1524 are given in summary.

About the author(s)

Jack; R. I. (1)

Reviews

‘This book provides interesting and important indications of the prosperity of a family at the top of the lesser nobility.’ – G. L. Harriss, English Historical Review, vol. 83 (1968), p. 386-7.

Publication details

The Grey of Ruthin valor: the valor of the English lands of Edmund Grey, Earl of Kent, drawn up from the ministers’ accounts of 1467-8, edited with an introduction by R. I. Jack. Sydney, Sydney University Press and Bedford, BHRS, 1965. Ix,158p., illus, map. BHRS vol. 46

Out of print

This volume is available as an ebook from Boydell & Brewer for £19.99.

Individual members of the Society can purchase the ebook for £4.00.

Information on membership can be found here.

Suppliers

The Eagle Bookshop (92)

Keywords

accounts (9)

Grey (Edmund Grey Earl of Kent) (1)

Grey family (3)

manors (8)

maps (22)

property values (1)

Time period

1467-1468, 1524

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