codes for manorial changes

There were considerable numbers of changes made to the structure of manors between 1066 and 1086, the majority reflecting the opportunistic, unscrupulous, or rapacious conduct of the new ruling class, or of elements within it, as they sought to enlarge their holdings or to merge once separate properties, perhaps for tax advantages. All these codes therefore imply the possibility of illegal action.

The coding employed here divides them in seven groups:

M1: This code identifies all additions or losses to manors after the Conquest where these involved part of a holding rather than the merging of entire holdings

M2: This code identifies all holdings which were merged after the Conquest

M3: This code identifies all holdings which were probably merged after the Conquest, the evidence being multiple ownership before the Conquest where there is no clear indication of a joint tenure

M4: This code identifies all holdings which were divided after the Conquest

M5: This code identifies miscellaneous changes in manorial status after the Conquest, including the apparent loss of manorial status enjoyed in 1066

M8: This code identifies holdings held as a manor after the Conquest where this specific form of words is employed

M9: This code identifies holdings held as several manors after the Conquest

For the use of codes in searching the text, see properties and property searching.