Feet Of Fines For The County Of Sussex 1190-1509

Feet of Fines for the County of Sussex, 1190-1509: A Fully Transcribed & Indexed Collection

Unlock Over 300 Years of Sussex Landholding and Family Connections

Step beyond the limitations of parish registers and wills and into the world of medieval and early Tudor Sussex. The Feet of Fines are one of the most crucial, yet often underutilized, resources for the genealogist and local historian. This definitive collection, spanning the momentous years from 1190 to 1509, provides an unparalleled window into the lives of your ancestors.

What is a Foot of a Fine?

A "Fine" was the formal, final agreement of a lawsuit or, more commonly, a fictitious suit used to securely record the conveyance of freehold land. The agreement was written out three times on a single sheet of parchment. The top two copies were given to the parties, and the bottom part—the indented "Foot"—was retained by the court as a permanent official record. These documents are, in essence, a sophisticated medieval land registry.

Why are the Feet of Fines indispensable for your research?

Establish Family Relationships: Fines frequently name not only the grantor and grantee but also their wives, children, and heirs, using phrases like "John, son and heir of William..."

Trace Land Ownership: Follow the transfer of manors, messuages (houses with land), and tenements through generations. Pinpoint your ancestors to specific parishes, villages, and even named fields.

Break Down Brick Walls: When other records are silent, a land transaction can place an ancestor in a specific location at a specific time, providing the vital link you need.

Confirm Social Status: The very act of being involved in a Fine confirms your ancestor was a freeholder, placing them within the landed classes of Sussex society.

Discover Married Women's Identities: Wives were often required to give their consent for the sale of land, providing a rare record of their full maiden name.

This Collection Features:

Complete Coverage: Every surviving Foot of a Fine for the ancient county of Sussex from the 2nd year of Richard I to the 1st year of Henry VIII.

Expert Transcription: The original, abbreviated Latin has been fully transcribed into modern English, making these vital records accessible to all researchers.

Comprehensive Indexing: A masterfully compiled index of thousands of personal names and places allows for instant searching, saving you countless hours of painstaking research.

Historical Context: An introduction explains the process and legal significance of Fines, helping you interpret the records with confidence.

From the reign of Richard the Lionheart, through the turbulence of the Barons' Wars and the Wars of the Roses, to the dawn of the Tudor age, your Sussex ancestors were buying, selling, and securing their legacies. Let the Feet of Fines tell their story.

Add this cornerstone of Sussex genealogy to your library and uncover the land-owning roots of your family tree.