Kent Hundred Rolls Online

Stored in the National Archives at Kew, these records have now been made accessible with a new web edition by the KAS, comprising the complete Rolls for Kent. They appear in the original Latin, with an English translation by Dr Bridget Jones and are a mine of information for historians.

The Hundred Rolls of 1274-5 were commissioned by Edward I. He returned from crusade in 1274 to find the crown weakened by civil war during 1258-65, and a kingdom of extensive local government corruption. The Hundred Rolls were a survey of liberties and land ownership, whence enquiry was to be made into the King’s rights which had been usurped by lay and ecclesiastical lords. They also looked into the excessive demands made by those holding power, who were misusing new royal procedures for their own ends to strengthen their hold over tenants.

Commissioners were appointed, two for each group of counties. The sheriff gathered a jury for each Hundred, who were to appear before the commissioners on a set day and place.

Go to www.kentarchaeology.ac/khrp/ khrpa.html to view the Kent Hundred Rolls.