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Land changes hands
In the aftermath of the Black Death, the pressure on land in the area around Somersham seems to have subsided. In the time before 1348 land was being taken back from marsh and forest to put under the plough. Good land was rarely seen changing hands as it was needed to provide for an expanding population. By the end of the 14th century, we see relatively large tracts of land changing hands once more.
July 18 1387 at Somersham
Close Rolls
John Barnet, William Petteworth and Roger Beauchamp clerks to Thomas Fysshe, Henry Thirnynge, John fysshe and Robert Dyntone, chaplains of the chantry of “la grene” in the city of Ely and to their successors:
Charter of a toft, 92 ½ acres of land, 13 acres 3 roods of meadow, 4 acres half a rood of marsh, 6 ½ acres of wood and 2shillings of rent in Somersham and Pidele in aid of their maintenance, having obtained license of the king. Witnesses Hugh la Zouch, William Cheyne knights, Roger Harleston, John Broune.
Patent Rolls Richard II 1390
6 December 1390 Westminster
License for 50 s paid to the king by John, bishop of Ely for the alienation in mortmain by Master John Bernard, John Wynkeperie and Thomas Spaldyng clerks, of 31 acres 1 rood of land and 5 ½ acres of meadow not held in chief, to the said bishop and his successors for the enlargement of the bishop’s park.
Close Rolls
The Nativity of St John the Baptist (May 16th ) 1393 at Somersham
Hubert de Lakforde clerk and Hugh de Brampton to John de Brampton. Confirmation for his life of a yearly rent of 10 marks to be taken of all the lands oin Somersham which were of Alan de Wodhouse and which by fine levied in the king’s court the said Hubert and Hugh had be feoffment of John de Brampton and Isobel his wife and after by a writing of John atte Crouche, William Wykham and William Spenser.
Patent Rolls
9 October 1397 Westminster
License for John, bishop of Ely with the assent of his chapter to alienate in mortmain 31 acres of his demesne land belonging to the Episcopal manor of Somersham, to the parson of the parish church of Somersham for the time being, which church is of the bishop’s patronage, in exchange for 31 acres of land in Somersham belonging to the said parson and church
By p.s. For 20 s paid in the hanaper.
Patent Rolls and also Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem
9 June 1399
License for 2 marks paid in the hanaper by John bishop of Ely for the alienation in mortmain to him by John Bernard, William Clay and Robert Wetheryngsete clerks, of a messauge, 30 acres of land and 1 ½ acres of pasture in Somersham, not held in chief, for the enlargement of the bishop’s park of Somersham.