Desborough in the Domesday Book

A village in Rothwell hundred, in the county of Northamptonshire.

Four manors recorded in Domesday.

• 1st Manor

  • Tenant in Chief in 1086: William Peverel
  • Lord of the Manor in 1086: Ambrose of Tilsworth (subinfeudated)
  • Taxable Value: 1 ¹⁄₄ geld
  • Value to Lord of the Manor: £2 in 1066; £2 in 1086
  • Households: 11 villagers; 8 smallholders; 3 slaves; 1 female slave
  • Plough Teams: 2 lord's ploughs; 1 ¹⁄₂ men's ploughs (3 plough lands)
  • Woodland: 2 furlongs
  • Mills: 1, value 2 shillings

• 2nd Manor

  • Lord of the Manor in 1066: Oswulf son of Frani
  • Tenant in Chief in 1086: Robert of Tosny
  • Lord of the Manor in 1086: Hugh (subinfeudated)
  • Taxable Value: ¹⁄₂ geld
  • Value to Lord of the Manor: 5 shillings in 1066; £1 in 1086
  • Households: 3 smallholders; 2 slaves
  • Plough Teams: 1 lord's plough (2 plough lands)
  • Woodland: ¹⁄₂ acre

• 3rd Manor

  • Lord of the Manor in 1066: Fredegis of Preston
  • Tenant in Chief in 1086: Count of Mortain
  • Lord of the Manor in 1086: Alan of Whilton (subinfeudated)
  • Taxable Value: ¹⁄₄ geld
  • Value to Lord of the Manor: 3 shillings in 1066; 5 shillings in 1086
  • Households: 2 smallholders

• 4th Manor

  • Lord of the Manor in 1066: King Edward
  • Tenant in Chief in 1086: King William
  • Lord of the Manor in 1086: King William
  • Taxable Value: ¹⁄₈ geld