Norton court book and the Black Death

[Ref: 65514]

Hertfordshire archive and local studies

Hertfordshire archive and local studies

Hertfordshire archives and local studies

Photograph by Nicholas Connell

The great outbreak of bubonic plague, known as the Black Death, arrived in England in 1348. The epidemic was so virulent that in 1348-49 it is estimated that at least one third of the whole population of England died. Evidence of its effect can be found in the legal documents of the manor, the court books.

Even small country parishes such as Norton did not escape the ravages of the Black Death. Sixteen tenants are reported to have died (mortuus est) on these pages alone. It has been estimated that Norton lost at least 35% of its population. The majority of deaths were reported at the spring courts, in April and May 1349. Examination of the book shows that four deaths had occurred in the autumn of 1348, with four more following up to 25 April 1349. After that date and before 29 June, twenty nine  deaths followed.

The manorial court continued to admit new tenants to take over the vacant properties and allow widows to marry. The second entry on the left hand page above relates to John Neweman who has died holding a messuage and a cottage. It is possible that the Mabil Neweman (second entry on the right hand page) is his widow seeking the permission of the court to marry again.