The Register Of Johannis Gilbert Bishop of Hereford 1375-1389

Unlock Your Herefordshire Ancestry: The Register of Johannis Gilbert, 1375-1389

Please Note the register is in Latin

Step back in time to the heart of medieval England. For the dedicated genealogist and local historian, few resources are as revealing or as precious as a bishop's register. Now, you can delve into the original records from the pivotal reign of King Richard II through the official register of Johannis Gilbert, Bishop of Hereford.

This meticulously preserved manuscript is not just a list of names; it is a living, breathing document of a society in flux. Within its pages, written by the hands of medieval scribes, you will find the stories of your ancestors against the backdrop of plagues, revolts, and royal intrigue.

What Secrets Will You Uncover Inside?

This register is a treasure trove of primary source material that goes far beyond simple baptism, marriage, and burial records. Discover:

Clergy Appointments: Find the names of priests, deans, and vicars who served your ancestors' parishes.

Wills and Testaments: Locate probate records and wills of prominent (and sometimes ordinary) laypeople, revealing family relationships, land holdings, and personal bequests.

Marriage Licenses & Dispensations: Uncover records of unions, including those requiring special permission, often hinting at family connections or social status.

Ecclesiastical Court Cases: Read transcripts of disputes over tithes, morality, inheritance, and land, offering a candid glimpse into the daily lives and conflicts of your forebears.

Institutions and Corrodies: Trace the transfer of property and the granting of annuities, which can illuminate the economic and social fabric of the community.

A Window into a Turbulent Age: Famous Names & Events

The period of 1375-1389 was one of the most dramatic in English history, and the Diocese of Hereford was at its very centre. As you explore the register, you are walking in the footsteps of giants:

King Richard II: This register covers the first decade of Richard's reign. As a young king, he held the title Earl of Hereford, a title traditionally bestowed on the Prince of Wales. His influence and royal commands would have echoed through the diocese, and his name may appear in correspondence or mandates.

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster: One of the most powerful men in England, Gaunt held vast estates in the Herefordshire and Welsh Marches region. His name and those of his officials are likely to appear in land transactions and legal disputes recorded by the bishop.

Edmund Mortimer, 3rd Earl of March: The Mortimers were the dominant noble family in the Welsh Marches. As Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and a key figure in the royal court, Edmund's influence over Herefordshire was immense. His dealings with the diocese would have been a matter of record.

The Aftermath of the Black Death & The Peasants' Revolt (1381): The register provides an unparalleled look at a society reshaped by plague and rebellion. Find evidence of labor shortages, economic change, and the social tensions that boiled over in 1381, an event that would have sent shockwaves through even the rural parishes of Hereford.

Why This Register is Essential for Your Research:

Primary Source Authenticity: This is the unfiltered, contemporary record. It is the definitive source for any serious research into 14th-century Herefordshire ancestry.
Rich Social Context: Move beyond names and dates to understand the world your ancestors inhabited—their faith, their disputes, their property, and their place in a rigid feudal hierarchy.
Connect to National History: See how your family's story intersects with the major political and social events that shaped a nation