Manors associated with Stowupland
By the time of Domesday the manorial system was established, there was great diversity among manors, but all land ultimately was owned by the Crown who could grant it to subjects who were then said to “hold” that land.
The term can be defined as a territorial unit that was originally held by feudal tenure by a landlord who was themselves a tenant of the Crown or an overlord. The Lord of the Manor’s house was the “manor house” and the land the lord farmed himself was “demesne land”. Others occupying land in a manor were “villeins” and owed allegance to the lord along with certain duties such as working the lords land for a certain number of days a year.
The villeins tenancy was held by “copyhold”, this meant the transfer of the land either through sale or bequest had been sanctioned by the Lord [usually a steward was tasked with the actual administration] in a “Manorial Court” and recorded in the Manor Court rolls [or later in books] and the tenant held a copy of this record.
The feudal system declined in the late 14th century and land became increasingly “free” in which case the Lord acted more as a normal landlord. The Lord of the Manor’s powers declined, however the copyhold system wasn’t ended until the 1920s. {Neil Langridge, 2024}
Over the centuries Stowupland has had many Lords of the Manor and indeed many manors – untangling them is far from easy!
It’s first division was following 1066 when William the Conqueror divided the Royal Manor in two. What was to become Stowupland was given to Hugh de Montfort who became our first Lord of the Manor.
13th and 14th century held by Maundevilles from the Amondevil family – various spellings are found {ECA)
see also Medieval Thorney
Columbyne Hall from Columbers family {ECA)
From Kebyll family {ECA)
often in association with Thorney Campsey
from Brasyer family {ECA} ass with Mumpliers and Lezens.
from Mumpliers family {ECA} ass with Lezens and Braziers
Ena Carter’s notes suggested that she assumed the manor was associated with Liesne in France. However it is now thought to be more likely that it was Lesnes Abbey in Kent.
From the 1800’s the manor was associated with the manors of Mumpliers and Braziers.
from Nunnery of Campsey {ECA}
Reference is often found to Thorney Saxton, e.g. John Poley knyght holdeth diverse lands medowes &pastures sumtyne copie as also free lynge in Thorney Saxton late John Tyrell ar et antia Robert Hottofte and rent by yere & sut to court -xliiis iid. {Rental of Thorney Hall Manor 1618 from manorial documents in Hadleigh Archive – Neil Langridge}.
Over the centuries there have been other Manors who have annexed areas within Stowupland’s borders
Cardens – Cardinal’s Road area (Stowmarket)
Gipping Manor
Stonham in the 14th century some 34 acres in Thorney belonged to Stonham Hall, lands of Hervey be Beri. (Are these lands that are known as Harveys to the east of Saxham Street?)
