Yalding

Question 1

Where is Yalding located, and when was it founded?

Answer 1

Yalding is situated in Kent and was founded during Norman times.

Question 2

What geographical features are near Yalding?

Answer 2

Yalding is located next to the rivers Medway and Beult.

Question 3

How did the rivers near Yalding affect the area?

Answer 3

The rivers brought both advantages and challenges:

Advantages: They facilitated communication, trade, and provided fish for consumption.
Challenges: Frequent floods from these rivers often damaged crops, led to the loss of livestock, and caused bogginess in the ground, attracting mosquitoes and spreading malaria.

Question 4

What were some positive aspects of the rivers for the people of Yalding?

Answer 4

The rivers were beneficial for trade, transportation, and a food source due to the availability of fish.

Question 5

What were some of the challenges posed by the rivers in Yalding?

Answer 5

The rivers caused frequent floods, which damaged crops and drowned livestock. Additionally, the boggy ground attracted mosquitoes, increasing the risk of malaria.

Question 6

Who was the Lord of the Manor in Yalding, and what characterized his status?

Answer 6

Hugh de Audley was the Lord of the Manor and one of the largest landowners in England, signifying significant wealth and power.

Question 7

Who managed the village in Hugh de Audley’s absence?

Answer 7

When Hugh de Audley was away, the village was overseen by John Giffard.

Question 8

What was expected from the villagers in Yalding towards the Lord of the Manor?

Answer 8

The Lord of the Manor expected loyalty from the villagers.

Question 9

What were the obligations of serfs and freemen towards the Lord of the Manor?

Answer 9

Serfs had to work on the demesne land, divided into ‘week work’ and ‘boon work.’ Freemen paid rent for their land and had additional obligations like using the Lord’s oven for baking bread.

Question 10

Were there any special privileges granted by the Lord of the Manor?

Answer 10

Edeline Hale and Alice Nash were permitted to brew ale as they held a special license from Hugh de Audley.

Question 11

What were some significant events related to farming and weather in Yalding during the 14th century?

Answer 11

In 1330, heavy rain destroyed a considerable portion of crops, leading to starvation and loss of life.

By 1333, a combination of drought and a disease outbreak among sheep caused further agricultural losses.

The year 1334 saw poor harvests adding to the challenges faced by the villagers.

Question 12

What farming method did villagers use in Yalding, and how did it work?

Answer 12

Villagers employed the three-field system:

One field cultivated rye or wheat.

Another field grew barley, oats, or peas.

The third field remained fallow, allowing animals to graze on it.
Rotation among these fields maximized their productivity.

Question 13

How did the villagers utilize wheat and rye in their diet?

Answer 13

Wheat was used to make white bread, while rye was utilized for darker bread, primarily consumed by poorer villagers.

Question 14

What was the purpose of growing meadow grass, and what did it become when dried?

Answer 14

Villagers grew meadow grass, which, when dried, served as hay for feeding animals.

Question 15

Why were animals allowed on fallow fields, and how did peasants collaborate in farming?

Answer 15

Animals were permitted on fallow fields because their manure helped fertilize the soil for the following year’s wheat or rye crops. Additionally, peasants often shared resources like oxen and ploughs for agricultural tasks.

Question 16

What was the primary food staple in Yalding, and how did it differ among villagers based on wealth?

Answer 16

Bread was the main staple food. Richer farmers had access to white bread, while poorer farmers consumed rye bread.

Question 17

What was the primary source of meat in Yalding, and why could villagers not hunt certain animals?

Answer 17

Pigs were the main source of meat. Other wild animals like deer, wild boar, hares, and rabbits belonged to Hugh de Audley, preventing villagers from hunting them.

Question 18

What permission did Hugh de Audley grant to the villagers concerning food from the River Beult?

Answer 18

Hugh de Audley allowed villagers to catch dace, grayling, and gudgeon from the River Beult.

Question 19

Apart from bread and meat, what were common food and drink items in Yalding?

Answer 19

Water and milk were consumed by villagers, but the primary drink was ale. Pottage, a dish made of vegetables, grains, and occasionally meat, was also a common meal.

Question 20

What were some prevalent diseases in Yalding during the medieval period?

Answer 20

Common diseases in Yalding included leprosy, typhoid, dysentery, diphtheria, smallpox, measles, and the infamous Black Death.

Question 21

What were the symptoms and impact of the Black Death in Yalding?

Answer 21

The Black Death, hitting Yalding in 1349, caused symptoms like high temperature, tiredness, shivering, widespread pains, and the appearance of boils or buboes. An estimated 30-50% of the English population died from this pandemic between 1348-1350.

Question 22

How did leprosy affect individuals in Yalding?

Answer 22

Leprosy resulted in the slow deterioration of facial features and limbs.

Question 23

What was the death toll during the outbreak of various diseases in Yalding?

Answer 23

In 1316, around 10% of the population died due to various diseases. Smallpox, measles, and other diseases also caused considerable suffering.

Question 24

Where were the laws of Yalding recorded, and what was the ‘hue and cry’ in the village?

Answer 24

Yalding’s laws were documented in a document called the Custumal. The ‘hue and cry’ was a call to all villagers to help catch a culprit.

Question 25

How did the Manor Court operate in Yalding, and who documented its proceedings?

Answer 25

The Manor Court met regularly, where evidence was presented to juries. Geoffrey Fletcher, the manorial clerk, recorded all decisions made at court.

Question 26

What were some typical punishments for guilty villagers in Yalding, and how were they determined?

Answer 26

Guilty villagers might pay fines, be placed in the stocks, or, for severe crimes, be sent to the King’s Courts for execution or mutilation. Punishments often depended on the location:

In some parts of Kent, criminals were buried alive.

In coastal areas, individuals could be thrown off cliffs.

In Portsmouth, criminals were burnt to death.

Question 27

What permissions were required for village fairs in Yalding, and what activities took place during these fairs?

Answer 27

Village fairs in Yalding needed permission from King Edward III. Activities included archery competitions, wrestling, football matches, and bear baiting.

Question 28

What was the popularity of fairs in the 14th century, and what was their significance for the Lord of the Manor?

Answer 28

Fairs were highly popular during the 14th century, with almost 2,000 taking place in England by 1330. These events were profitable opportunities for the Lord of the Manor to earn extra money.

Question 29

How did football differ from the modern game, and what historical event involving football is noteworthy?

Answer 29

Football in Yalding was different from the modern game. It allowed the use of any body part, games could involve up to 500 players, and aggressive behavior was common. Notably, in 1314, the Pope issued a special pardon to a player who accidentally killed an opponent.

Question 30

What led to the ban on football by King Edward III in 1331, and what was the significance of the longbow in the 14th century?

Answer 30

King Edward III banned football because people were neglecting their longbow practice. The longbow was the most significant weapon during the 14th century.

Question 31

What was the remarkable range achievable with the longbow?

Answer 31

A skilled archer using a longbow could hit a target up to 320 meters away.

Question 32

How did captured Englishmen often face consequences related to the longbow, and what law was passed concerning the ownership of longbows?

Answer 32

Captured Englishmen often had their thumbs and first two fingers cut off to prevent them from using a longbow. Additionally, a law was enacted that mandated all men earning less than 100 pence a year to own a longbow.