Feet Of Fines For The County Of Dorset 1195-1327

Unlock Your Dorset Ancestors' Medieval Past: Bridge the Gap Before Parish Records

Delve into the definitive collection of land transactions for Dorset from the reign of Richard I to Edward II and discover the names, places, and relationships that shaped your family's story.

Have you hit the proverbial "brick wall" tracing your Dorset family tree? For most researchers, the trail goes cold with the advent of parish registers in the 16th century. But what if you could look back over a hundred years earlier, to a time of knights, manors, and medieval charters?

Feet of Fines For The County Of Dorset, 1195-1327 is your key to unlocking this crucial era. These documents are far more than dry legal texts. A "Foot of a Fine" was the official copy of a legal agreement (or 'final concord') used to record the transfer of land or property. For over 130 years, these documents captured the very fabric of Dorset's society, meticulously noting the individuals involved in the most significant transactions of their lives.

Inside this essential genealogical resource, you will discover:

The Full Names of Your Ancestors: Find the grantors and grantees of land, often including husbands, wives, sons, and daughters, establishing crucial family links.

Their Place in the World: Pinpoint your ancestors to specific manors, villages, and parishes across Dorset, from Abbotsbury to Yetminster.

Clues to Relationships & Status: Many fines were used to settle inheritances or formalise marriage settlements, revealing family connections and proving your ancestor's standing as a landholder.

A Glimpse into Daily Life: Understand the legal and social framework your ancestors operated within, providing rich context for your family history.

This meticulously compiled record is an indispensable primary source for anyone with roots in Dorset. It allows you to move beyond simple names and dates and piece together the lives, properties, and legacies of your medieval forebears.

Don't let your family history remain in the shadows of the Middle Ages. Add this cornerstone of Dorset genealogy to your library and connect with your ancestors like never before!