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Great Staughton and its people by Anthony Withers, Chapter 14

2000 Years of English History.


This book is about the remarkable people from this modest Huntingdonshire village who, over thepast two millennia of England’s history, exercised power and influence both locally and on the national stage. The book gives a detailed biography of each of these characters, setting their lives in the wider context of English history from the time of the Romans to the present day.


An introduction to Chapter 14: The Protestation Returns of 1641


In the Domesday Book of 1086 and the Hundred Rolls of 1279 the principal landowners and tenants together with their landholdings were listed to provide the king with details of taxes due. The Protestation Returns of 1641 by contrast recorded the names of the ordinary citizens of every town and village in England. They were, admittedly, mostly men over the age of 18 but many women were also included. They were all obliged to pledge allegiance "to live and die for the true Protestant religion.” The Protestation Returns continue to provide invaluable information for people researching family genealogy, and for local historians interested in population studies and the distribution of surnames. One familiar Staughton name is to be found in this 1641 survey.


Feedback is welcome: aw.staughton@gmail.com


NEXT WEEK: Chapter 15: 'John Gaule: Preacher of the Word at Great Staughton'

The next chapter of the book will be uploaded to the website on Monday November 21


Click the PDF below to read Chapter 14.


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