A study of some of the characteristics of the holdings and agriculture of Eastry Manor, East Kent from c. 1086 to c. 1350

Abstract

This thesis examines some of the characteristics of the holdings and agriculture of Eastry Manor, East Kent, from c.1086 to c. 1350. Canterbury Cathedral Archives contain rich documentary evidence of many of the former Benedictine manors of East Kent. This study looks into the evolution of one of the manors of East Kent which previously has not been examined in detail. Abundant manorial documents for the period have made it possible to reconstruct many characteristics ofthe demesne and the tenants' holdings. Information emerges about Eastry's sulungs, cotland, assarts, denns, marshland, tenure and population which give rise to new questions. The documents relating to the demesne provide important material about the medieval agrarian economy of East Kent. A comparison of the information of each successive century reveals changes which resulted from the interrelationship of the physical and human factors of the area.