ASHWEEK COURT ROLLS (MAP OF MENDIP)
The Map of the Manor of Ashweek was received from the Earl of Fortescue with the title deed of the manor. It is made from old parchment and measures 31 x 24 inches. All of the writing is Elizabethan style and the "Queens forest" mentioned probably refers to Queen Elizabeth 1st – No date can be found.
Outside and nearly all around the map are churches representing border parishes. Inside the oval are the churches lying within the border. The interior of the oval shows a network of roads with many a wayside cross. On this map only three mineries are shown.
East End of the Map Lettering
The owner of Charterhouse, son of Mr Robert May, had been making encroachments on the common land and pounding the commoners’ cattle. The inference is that he claimed for the Charterhouse Liberty full manorial rights with freedom form liability to commonage.
Against this the commoners assert as a fact that none of his predecessors, the names of whom appear, had made such a claim. "Until this Manne Mr Robert May his son was seizes thereof". This being the whole source of the trouble and the reason for this map being made. It appears to be more to do with commoners rights than that of mining.
West End of the Map Lettering
"All these borders and inhabitants being men of those parishes indicated outside and within it"
Queens forest is the whole area (20 miles east to south) liable in its length and breath to the run of their beasts. They appeal to Chief Justice Chokes judgement in Edward 4th Reign in support to their claim.
CHURCHES
Each is named and reading the bordering parishes they are from West clockwise:
|
Churchil |
Grendon |
West Cranmer |
Westbury |
|
Berrington |
Chuton |
Doulting |
Rodney Stoke |
|
Blagdon |
Chilcompton |
Shepton Mallet |
Draycot |
|
Obleighe |
Kylmersdon |
Croscombe |
Cheddar |
|
Compton |
Babington |
Dinder |
Compton Bishop |
|
M’tern |
Mells |
Mylton |
Winscombe |
|
East Hartney |
Leygh |
Wookey Hole |
|
|
West Hartney |
East Cranmer |
Easton |
|
Those within the oval:
|
Emborow |
Ham |
|
Benegar |
East Horrington |
|
Ashweek |
West Horrington |
|
Stokelane |
Preddy |
|
Downhead |
Shypham |
|
Chalcott |
Rowbarrow |
Making a total of 33 churches and 8 hamlets.
Against most of the churches there are names, probably the deputies who were sent to the meeting from these parishes. Above each name is a number, suggestions are that these stand for head of cattle for which pasturage has been claimed, but against Robert Howe of Churchill "40 years of age" has been added in a later hand.
The men won their case after the Lord Chief Justice summoned for the four Lords Royal and held a ‘court’ on the common.
