Marrin's Bookshop

Synopsis

Edited by h. c. f. lansberry.
(kent records. volume xxv).

Item Description

8vo. 5.75 x 8.75 inches. xxxiv + 266 pp. Serial title.

Illustrations

Illustrated by 8 black and white photographic plates at end.

Notes

This volume of the Kent Records series prints the wills and inventories of 153 households in the parish of Sevenoaks, which includes Sevenoaks Town, Sevenoaks Weald and Riverhead. The occupations covered include yeomen and husbandmen, craftsmen, tradesmen and innkeepers as well as gentlemen. The inventories are of particular value to economic historians, listing not only domestic and household items, but also the tools, equipment and stock of various trades and the implements, grain, hay, hops and livestock held by the farmers. For instance we find there were seven teams of four and one team of six oxen, the most favoured draught animals for working the land, particularly the heavy clay of the Weald. Appendices provide the 1664 Hearth Tax Returns for the area, the Rental of the Manor of Sevenoaks, 1665 and livestock and crop prices in the inventories, 1665-80.