The Register Of Thomas De Cantilupe Bishop Of Hereford 1275-1282

Unlock the Doors to Your 13th-Century Past: The Register of Thomas de Cantilupe, Bishop of Hereford (1275-1282)

Please Note the registers is in Latin

Are you tracing your family history back to the medieval heart of England? Do your roots lie in the historic counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, or the turbulent Welsh Marches? If so, this is not just a book—it is a time capsule. This published edition of the Register of Thomas de Cantilupe is your direct link to the lives, names, and stories of your ancestors from the reign of King Edward I.

Step into a world written on parchment, a time before parish registers began, when the Bishop’s register was the most comprehensive record of a region’s people. Thomas de Cantilupe was no ordinary bishop; he was a former Lord Chancellor of England, a formidable statesman, and a man so revered he was canonised a saint after his death. His meticulous records offer an unparalleled glimpse into a society on the edge of conquest and faith.

What You Will Discover Inside:

This is far more than a list of names. Within these pages, you will find the raw data of medieval life, including:

Ordinations: The names of priests, deacons, and sub-deacons, revealing the clerical figures of your ancestors' communities.

Institutions to Benefices: Discover which clergy were appointed to specific local churches, often naming the local patron (the lord of the manor) who presented them.

Visitation Records: Read the Bishop's notes as he toured his diocese, uncovering moral lapses, disputes, and the state of local churches and monasteries.

Ecclesiastical Court Cases: Find detailed accounts of disputes over marriage contracts, wills, tithes, and inheritance. Your ancestors may have been a plaintiff, defendant, or witness!

Wills and Testaments: Especially of the clergy and wealthier laity, these documents can name family members, friends, and bequests of cherished items.

Mentions of Laity: From powerful landowners to humble tenants, the register names countless ordinary people caught up in the administration of the church.

A Window into a Turbulent Era: Encountering the Famous

While this register chronicles the lives of everyday folk, it is set against a backdrop of immense historical drama, featuring figures who shaped a nation. As the register for the entire Diocese of Hereford, its pages echo with the politics and conflicts of the age. You will find your ancestors' lives intertwined with:

King Edward I ("Longshanks"): The reigning monarch during Cantilupe's episcopate. The Bishop famously clashed with the King over the rights of the Church, a power struggle that reverberates through the register.

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales: The Diocese of Hereford was the frontier of the English Marches. The register is filled with references to the constant warfare, raids, and fragile truces with the Welsh princes. Your ancestors may have been soldiers, victims, or beneficiaries of this conflict.

The Marcher Lords: Powerful, semi-independent earls who ruled the borderlands. Figures like Gilbert de Clare, the "Red Earl" of Gloucester, and the Mortimer family of Wigmore are frequently mentioned in disputes over land and church rights. Seeing their names provides context for the power structures your ancestors lived under.
Why This Register is Essential for Your Research:

Break Through the 1538 Barrier: This is a primary source for genealogy well before the start of most parish registers.
Place Your Ancestors in Context: Go beyond names and dates to understand their community, social standing, and the major events that shaped their lives.
Source of Unique Surnames: Discover early forms of surnames, many of which may have evolved over centuries.
Authoritative and Accessible: This edition provides a full transcription (and often a translation) of the original Latin, complete with a comprehensive index, making this invaluable resource accessible to the modern researcher.