Feet Of Fines For The County Of Somerset 1196-1460

Unlock Your Somerset Ancestors: The Definitive Guide to Medieval Land and Family (1196-1460)

Break through your pre-parish record brick walls and discover the land-owning families of medieval Somerset.

Have your Somerset family lines run cold in the 16th century? Do you wonder who lived on the land, worked the fields, and held power in the county centuries before the first parish registers were kept? The answer lies in one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, resources for medieval genealogy: the Feet of Fines.

We are proud to present Feet Of Fines For The County Of Somerset 1196-1460, a meticulously transcribed and indexed collection of these vital legal documents.

What is a "Foot of a Fine"?

Imagine a world before modern property deeds. A "Fine" (or final concord) was the official, legally binding agreement for the transfer of land or property, recorded before the King's royal court. The "Foot of the Fine" was the copy of this agreement, filed by the court and retained for posterity. For over 250 years, these documents are the single most consistent record of who owned what in Somerset.

Why This Collection is Indispensable for Your Research:

This isn't just a list of names; it's a window into the lives and relationships of your medieval ancestors. Within these pages, you can:

Discover Ancestors in the "Dark Ages": Find the names of your ancestors, from powerful lords to modest tenants, living between the reigns of Richard I and Edward IV.
Uncover Family Relationships: Fines often list husbands, wives, sons, daughters, and heirs, providing one of the few ways to prove family connections in this era. Discover the maiden names of female ancestors through marriage settlements.

Trace Your Family's Footprint: Follow the transfer of specific manors, messuages (houses with land), and tenements through generations. See where your family lived and how their fortunes rose and fell.
Break Down Brick Walls: A single land transaction can link two families, solve a relationship puzzle, or provide the clue you need to push your family tree back another generation.
Add Rich Context to Your Tree: Connect your family to the historical tapestry of Somerset, from the Barons' Wars to the Black Death and the dawn of the Wars of the Roses.
Product Features:

Comprehensive Coverage: Includes every surviving Foot of a Fine for the County of Somerset from 1196 to 1460.
Expert Translations: Original Latin text has been transcribed into modern English, making these crucial records accessible to all researchers.
Invaluable Indexes: Features complete and easy-to-use indexes of both Persons and Places, allowing you to quickly locate your surnames and ancestral villages.
Authoritative Source: An essential reference work for any serious genealogist with Somerset roots, local historian, or student of medieval England.
Don't let your medieval ancestors remain hidden in the mists of time. Step beyond the parish records and walk in the footsteps of your forebears.

Order your copy of Feet Of Fines For The County Of Somerset 1196-1460 today and unlock the secrets of your family's distant past!