The Manors of Medieval Watford, Northamptonshire
As far back as the Norman Conquest of 1066, Watford with three towns was exceptional, established by the new King as a Manor and a Knight’s Fee — sufficient land to support a knight. In 1129 the Manor was awarded to the first of the Arderne Lords. After 150 years, the single holding was broken into separate manors for the deceased lord’s daughters. Some 350 troublesome years and three families later, the several manors of Watford were recombined by a wealthy London merchant.
Remarkably, the heirs of the Ardern family of Watford held the manors continuously for nearly 500 years from the twelfth century, claiming a unique place in English history.
Accurately presented and meticulously researched, both Manors and Knight’s Fee explore revealing and surprising stories of the Watford lands and those who occupied their medieval halls. The first books of the kind to be published on the subject, they represent a must-read for any English or medieval history enthusiast, with Knight's Fee directed more towards the scholar. The author adds colour to the story with original text and images of documents, reproductions of maps of the grounds, and ample charts of land holdings. Manors adds the option of illustrations in colour.
Arms and crest of de Clare.
Watford was first awarded by King William I to Richard de Clare after the Conquest. The manor descended through two more generations of de Clare.
Early in the 12th century, King Henry I next granted the manor and knight's fee of Watford to Agnes de Ardern and her son to hold of the de Clare barony. The manor and knight's fee remained with her descendants for 500 years -- unique in English history.
A map of the parish of Watford, Northamptonshire with the towns of Watford, Silsworth, and Murcott.
