Description:TRANSLATION:
"Drogo also holds 1 hide from William in Handsworth. Land for 2 ploughs. In lordship 1; 6 villagers with 4 smallholders have 2 ploughs. A mill at 2s; meadow, 2 acres; woodland half league long and as wide. The value was and is 20s. Alfward and Alwin held it, with full jurisdiction".
BACKGROUND:
During 1085/ 1086 a survey of England was carried out on the orders of William I, who had become King of England twenty years earlier following the Battle of Hastings. William wanted an accurate record of his kingdom's wealth and used the findings to tighten his grip on the kingdom, by taxation and highlighting who the wealthiest landowners were - and therefore those with the capacity to oppose him.