Manorial Records

Manorial records relating to Monmouthshire, 1314-1935, comprising court rolls and books, rentals, accounts, surveys and plans, deeds, correspondence, presentments, extents and other records of the manors of Abercarn, 1580-1899, Barton, 1755-1861, Bishton, 1642-1830, Brym, 1609, 1614, Caerwent, 1810, Caldicot and Newton, 1613-1867, Chepstow (Striguil), including Magor and Portcasseg, 1612-1902, Donewall, Llanover and Park Lettice, 1542-1824, Edlogan, including Magna Porta and Pulpen, 1459-1928, Goldcliff, 1663, 1784, Gwernesney and Tredeon, 1717, Hencourt, (Marshfield), 1710, Itton, 1695, 1782, Kemeys Commander, 1634, 1670, Kilgoygan, 1654-1761, Llanarth, Hendreobeth and Kevendoyglwydd, 1660-1814, Llangwm (Gwrda Bach), 1564-1919, Llanvair Discoed, 1738, Llanvair Kilgeddin, 1738-1805, Llanvihangel iuxta Rogiet, 1650-1803, Llanvihangel nigh Usk (St Michael), 1738-1884, Liswerry and Libeneth, 1629-1828, Machen, 1630-1815, Magna Porta, 1629-1810, Magor and Redwick, 1536-1843, Mathern, 1564-1682, Monmouth, 1610-1921, Newcastle, 1855, (St Brides) Netherwnt, Pencoed, Llandevenny and Wilcrick, 1649, 1801-1810, Newton iuxta Mathern (Moynes Court and Barrow Green), 1637-1717, Pellenny (Monkswood), 1785-1814, Pellenny, Llanover, Mamhilad and Gilgydyn, 1821-1838, Portcasseg, 1733-1898, Porton, 1575-1921, Portskewett, Sudbrook and Harpston 1569-1722, Preston, Traston, Milton and Llangovey, 1696-1826, Pulpen, 1764-1857, Raglan, 1570-1935, Redcastle, 1732-1804, Rogerstone, 1727-1811, Rumney, 1631-[1830], St Brides (Wentloog), 1710, Tregaer, Bryngwyn, Penrhos and Henllys, 1679-1860, Tregrug, 1459, 1701-1867, Trelleck, 1680-1934, Trelleck Grange, 1816-1844, Undy, 1650-1900, Usk, 1678-1920, Villa Michaelis (Llanvihangel Crucorney), 1824-1832, Wentsland and Bryngwyn, including Coldra, Magna Porta, Porton and Pulpen, 1633-1925, and Whitecastle, Skenfrith and Grosmont (The Three Castles), 1785; the lordship of Abergavenny (including the manors of Blaenau, Blorenge, Bryngwyn, Capella, Cilgydyn, Clytha, Coed Morgan, Coldbrook, Donewall, Llanover and Park Lettice, Ebbw Fawr, Ebbw Fychan, Greigien, Henllys (Tregaer), Llanarth, Llanellen, Llanvihangel Ystern Llewern, Llangattock Lingoed, Llangattock iuxta Usk, Llanover, Llanvapley, Llanvetherine, Llanwenarth, Mamhilad, Pellenny, Penrhos, Tregaer, Tregwyddell, Trebinkin, Trevethin, Villa Michaelis, Wernerrid and Weynydre), 1597-1893; Caerleon lordship and manor (including the manors of Ifton, Kemeys Inferior, Langstone and Llanvaches), 1314-1839; Newport and Newport Borough lordship, 1464-1790; Weltloog lordship (including Bassaleg, Cogan, Fleming, Cogan Pembroke, Duffryn, Ebboth (Greenfield), English Dowles, Fitz John de la Moor, Hencourt, Machen, Malpas, Mendalgief, Pencarn, Peterstone, Redcastle, Rogerstone, Rumney, St Brides, Sutton, Welsh Dowles and Youlton), 1700-1802; photostat copies and transcripts of documents (1201-1895), [20th century]. See also the Manorial Documents Register .

Manors were administrative, social, legal and economic units, which came into existence in England and parts of Wales during the Middle Ages. In Wales the manorial system was more complete and fully formed in the south-east, in particular in Monmouthshire. A manor consisted of the lord, his tenants and their land. By the 16th century the tenants held their land from the lord by three different tenures: freehold, copyhold or leasehold, giving different rights and conferring different duties, each involving payment of rents. Each manor was governed by a specific set of rules called the custom of the manor. A manor was administered by several officials on behalf of the lord. These usually included a steward, a bailiff and a reeve. Manorial courts played an important role in the administration of the manor. The Court baron enforced the custom of the manor and oversaw the transfer of copyhold land. Courts Leet dealt with offences devolved from the royal courts. The importance of the manorial courts decreased as time went by, especially after the 16th century, their place increasingly being taken by institutions such as the Quarter Sessions and the parish vestry. Copyhold tenure was abolished in the 1920s. Manors produced a variety of fairly standard documents. These include court rolls and other court documents; surveys, extents and rent rolls, giving written accounts of the manor and listing tenants; and accounts and other financial records.

Arranged alphabetically by manor

No restrictions

No information found

Compiled by Rhys Jones for the ANW project. The following sources were used in the compilation of this description: Monmouthshire Record Office, Guide to the Monmouthshire Record Office (Monmouthshire Record Office, 1959); Manorial Documents Register (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/mdr), viewed 12 January 2006; Ellis, Mary, Using Manorial Records (PRO, 1997); Watt, Helen, Welsh Manors and Their Records (National Library of Wales, 2000)

Hard copies of the catalogue are available at Gwent Record Office. Further details relating to the records can be accessed on-line from the Manorial Documents Register .

Usual copyright regulations apply

All records have been retained

Accruals are not expected

Further manorial records relating to Monmouthshire are in The National Archives, the National Library of Wales, British Library Manuscript Collections, and Gloucestershire Record Office.