Medieval life in Much Wenlock

To access the interactive map click on "Medieval Much Wenlock interactive map" in the side menu.

Until the dissolution of the priory of St. Milburge’s in the reign of Henry VIII, its priors were Lords of the Manor for Much Wenlock and its outlying territories. These outlying manorial lands can be seen on the interactive map and include Eaton and Stoke St. Milborough. The prior ran his own court and levied fines. Each of the priory’s manors would have had its own bailiff directly responsible to the prior. Under them were reeves responsible for the day to day organizing of the peasants on the estate. There were two courts; the prior’s little court for minor matters such as settling rents and the great court, held twice a year in which more important and criminal matters were looked into. Thousands of documents would have been generated over hundreds of years. Most were probably destroyed at the dissolution in 1540, but a few court rolls, relating to court sessions for six years during the 14th and 15th centuries have survived as has a specialised Entry Fine Roll of 1321 dealing with conditions of tenancy etc. These precious documents combine to give a revealing insight into life in the area in the late Middle Ages.

By the middle of the thirteenth century the town itself was to a large extent self-governing although still paying rents and owing services to the priory. In 1468 it become a borough and some of the priory’s rights were formally devolved to it notably the keeping of law and order, now settled in two royal courts, and the holding of markets and fairs. It was also allowed to elect a Member of Parliament. Elsewhere little changed until the dissolution of the priory in 1540.

You can look at a selection of these documents by clicking on “Medieval Much Wenlock interactive map” in the side menu, then on the buttons below the interactive map, and then on the hotspots that light up on the map.

A glossary of medieval terms can also be downloaded to help you understand the documents better (see link below).

Particular thanks are due to Allan Howard for producing the accompanying illustrations.

All these documents and more can be found in “Wenlock in the Middle Ages” by W.F Mumford (1977) which is strongly recommended for further reading.

Click on link below to download a glossary of medieval terms

To access the interactive map click on "Medieval Much Wenlock interactive map" in the side menu.