Change and decay : the Warwickshire manors of the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield from the late thirteenth to the late sixteenth centuries
This thesis consists of an in-depth study of the medieval Warwickshire manors of the bishop of Coventry and Lichfield: Chadshunt and Nether Itchington which succumbed to depopulation and Gaydon, Upper Itchington and Tachbrook which continue to thrive. Chapter 2 sets the scene with an examination of the early history of the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield; and the topographical setting and field system of each manor. In Chapters 3 and 4 evidence of weaknesses and incipient problems or otherwise in both the rural economy and social structure in the late-thirteenth and early-fourteenth centuries is investigated in order to find early signs of the later problems which beset Chadshunt and Nether Itchington. In Chapter 5 agrarian by-laws are discussed and the transition from a two- to a three-field system at Gaydon, peasant cultivation of crops and ownership of livestock analysed. In Chapter 6 the final century of episcopal lordship is explored, before moving on to Thomas Fisher's tenure -as lord from 1547. Fisher has long been viewed as the depopulator of Nether Itchington and demolisher of its parish church. The blame is moved from his shoulders and laid on a decline in ale-brewing, a lack of heirs at Nether
Upton, Penelope Jayne George
History
Change and decay : the Warwickshire manors of the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield from the late thirteenth to the late sixteenth centuries. This thesis consists of an in-depth study of the medieval Warwickshire manors of the bishop of Coventry and Lichfield: Chadshunt and Nether Itchington which succumbed to depopulation and Gaydon, Upper Itchington and Tachbrook which continue to thrive. Chapter 2 sets the scene with an examination of the early history of the diocese of Coventry and Lichfield; and the topographical setting and field system of each manor. In Chapters 3 and 4 evidence of weaknesses and incipient problems or otherwise in both the rural economy and social structure in the late-thirteenth and early-fourteenth centuries is investigated in order to find early signs of the later problems which beset Chadshunt and Nether Itchington. In Chapter 5 agrarian by-laws are discussed and the transition from a two- to a three-field system at Gaydon, peasant cultivation of crops and ownership of livestock analysed. In Chapter 6 the final century of episcopal lordship is explored, before moving on to Thomas Fisher's tenure -as lord from 1547. Fisher has long been viewed as the depopulator of Nether Itchington and demolisher of its parish church. The blame is moved from his shoulders and laid on a decline in ale-brewing, a lack of heirs at Nether
change decay warwickshire manor bishop coventry consist depth_study medieval warwickshire manor bishop coventry succumb depopulation upper continue thrive set_scene examination early_history diocese coventry topographical setting field_system manor evidence weakness incipient problem otherwise rural_economy social_structure investigate order early sign later problem beset agrarian laws discuss transition field_system peasant cultivation crop ownership livestock analyse episcopal lordship explore move thomas fisher tenure lord fisher long view parish_church blame move shoulder laid decline lack heir