Here below is written the inquest upon the lands, in what manner the King’s barons make enquiry, to wit, by the oath of the sheriff of the shire, and of all the barons and their Frenchmen, and of the whole hundred, of the priest, the reeve, and six villeins of each town. Then how the manor is named; who held it in the time of King Edward; who holds it now; how many hides; how many ploughs on the demesne, and how many men; how many villeins; how many cotters; how many serfs; how many freemen; how many socmen;[6] how much wood; how much meadow; how many pastures; how many mills; how many fishponds; how much has been added or taken away; how much it was worth altogether; and how much now; how much each freeman or socman there had or has. All this for three periods; to wit, in the time of King Edward; and when King William granted it; and as it is now; and if more can be had therefrom than is had.
THE DOMESDAY DESCRIPTION OF SHREWSBURY.
Source.—Domesday Book, vol. i., p. 252.
In the city of Shrewsbury in the time of King Edward there were 252 houses, and as many burgesses in the same houses, rendering yearly 7l. 16s. 8d. of rent. King Edward had there the customs below written.
If any man wittingly broke the peace of the King given with his own hand, he was made an outlaw. And he who broke the peace of the King given by the sheriff made amends in 100s. and gave as much as he who committed “Forestel”[7] or “Heinfare.”[8] These three forfeitures King Edward had in demesne in the whole of England beyond the farms.
When the King lay in this city, twelve men of the city of the better sort served him, keeping watch over him. And when he went hunting there, burgesses of the better sort, having horses, guarded him with arms in like manner. And for beating the woods the sheriff sent thirty-six footmen, so long as the King were there. And for the park of Marsetelie he found thirty-six men by custom for eight days.
When the sheriff wished to go into Wales, he who went not after being summoned by him gave 40s. of forfeiture.
A woman in any wise taking a husband gave to the King 20s. if she was a widow, 10s. if she was a maid, in what wise soever she should take a man.
Any burgess soever whose house should be burned by any chance or hap or by negligence, gave to the King 40s. for forfeiture, and to his two nearer neighbours 2s. to each.