Norman Sinclair’s Notes, pages 7-10
From the Domesday Book to the Dissolution of the Monasteries – 1066 to 1539
Elmswell in 1086
1066 to 1539
As your own personal research is always the most valuable and the most interesting way of finding out, you should visit the Record Offices at Bury and Ipswich, where the librarians and their assistants are most helpful: Bury St Edmunds – Shire Hall; Ipswich – County Hall, St Helen’s St.
1086
Estimated population – 140
Number of dwellings – 35
1283
Principal tenant of Abbey land was William Fitz Radulf.
Other tenants were Gilbert Fitz Andree, William de Botenhagh (N.B. Buttonhaugh) Robert Bardalf, William de Aula (de Aula means of the hall. He could have been the Abbot’s steward)
Elmswell and neighbourhood was largely occupied by yeomen small holders living in moated halls, such as Elmswell Old Hall, Lea Farm, Hardings Farm, Mutton Hall and Darsham’s Farm.
1281
Tithes (one-tenth of the produce of a holding) were allotted to the Abbey Almoner, who at this time was Walter le Aumoner.
1327
Principal land holder was John Mancer. Others were William Bardolf, Gilbert de Ormeshead, William Attelane and Richard Betonu (Buttonhaugh).
1349
In the year of the Black Death (bubonic plague) Elmswell lost 3 rectors. Owing to its close connection with Bury, the plague was carried to the village by the constant flow of visitors, abbey officials and servants. The village was ravaged and survivors moved from around the church (see map, page 7) to higher ground East of Old Hall.
1433 to 1539
The young Henry VI stayed at “Elmeswell” Hall, from the 23rd of January until Lent. His host was Abbot William Currey. “His manor of Elmswell was enriched with canals and an abundance of fish, pike eels, etc. His groves were well stocked with game…”
The large filled in pond close to Hall Cottages could have been one of these ‘canals’ or fish ponds. The surname Piscator crops up in records of this time. The Piscators would be manorial servants with the duty of supplying fish to the Hall, especially on Fridays. (which Mr. Gent of School Road still does, but not to the Hall because it is empty)
From this time onwards the remaining woodlands to the north of Hawk End Lane and East of Ashfield Road were being turned into ploughland.
Field names help us here. Those with the ending Breck were lands claimed from the woods, those with the ending Stubbings were lands cleared of tree stumps.