Monument record 0852800000 - Amersham old town

The exact date of the establishment of the borough of Amersham is unknown, but it is possible that the grant of burgage rights to a certain section of the tenants may have followed the royal grant of a market and fair in 1200. It is also significant that the 'trithinga' or 'fridboru' mentioned in 1276 was held within a liberty then believed to have been granted by King John. However this may be, the institution of a borough within the township was probably due here, as frequently in similar cases, to some industrial settlement or development of trade, encouraged or at least allowed by the lord of the manor. By 1262 we hear definitely of the township of Agmondesham outside the borough ('extra burgum'). At the end of the 13th century the borough is specifically included among the possessions of the Earls of Essex as attached to their manor of Amersham. From an early date Amersham exercised the privilege attached to a borough of Parliamentary representation. Two members were returned in 1300-1, 1306, 1306-7 and 1309 but the right was allowed to fall into abeyance for over 300 years. [Further detail] (B4).
From 1086 onwards the manor of Amersham was held by the de Mandevilles. In 1227 it was represented as a borough and vill by its own jury at the eyre. In 1307-22 it was taxed as a borough; in 1332-6 styled a vill (B5).
[Entry for the Bishop of Bayeux] In Amersham Roger holds 1/2 hide from the Bishop. Land for 1 plough; it is there, with 3 smallholders. 1 mill at 4s; meadow for 1 plough. The value of this land is and always was 20s. Alwin, Queen Edith's man, held this land; he could sell.
[Entry for the Count of Mortain] In Amersham Aelmer holds 1/2 hide from the Count. Land for 2 ploughs; they are there, with 1 villager and 1 smallholder. Meadow for 2 ploughs; woodland, 20 pigs. The value is and always was 20s. Siward, Aldeva's man, held this land; he could sell.
[Entry for Geoffrey de Mandeville] Geoffrey de Mandeville holds Amersham. It answers for 7 1/2 hides. Land for 16 ploughs; in lordship 2 hides; 3 ploughs there. 14 villagers with 4 smallholders have 9 ploughs; a further 4 possible. 7 slaves; meadow for 16 ploughs; woodland 400 pigs. The total value is and was £9; before 1066 £16. Queen Edith held this manor.
[Entry for Hugh of Bolbec] In Amersham Wulfgeat holds 1/2 hide from Hugh. Land for 2 ploughs; they are there, with 2 villagers and 3 smallholders. 1 mill at 5s; woodland, 20 pigs. The value is and always was 20s. He also held it before 1066; he could sell.
[Entry for Thurstan Mantle] In Amersham Thurstan holds 1/2 hide. Land for 2 ploughs; 1 there; another possible. 2 villagers with 1 smallholder. Meadow for 2 ploughs; woodland, 30 pigs. The value is and was 13s 4d; before 1066, 20s. Thorkell, King Edward's man, held this land; he could sell.
[Geoffrey de Mandeville held 1/2 hide of Farnham (Royal) in Amersham, of which he dispossessed the said Bertram [of Verdun] while he was overseas on the King's service. The Hundred confirms this. Ralph Tallboys built a mill on Bertram's land which was not there before 1066, as the Hundred testifies.]
[Entry for Jocelyn the Breton] Jocelyn the Breton holds 1/2 hide in Amersham. Land for 1 plough; it is there, with 5 smallholders. 1 mill at 4s; meadow for 1 plough. The value is and always was 20s. Aelfric, Godric the Sheriff's man, held this land; he could sell (B1).
NGR to centre of Amersham old town.
Conservation Areas designated on 10th March 1969 (Amersham Old Town)(B2).
Historic towns characterisation project carried out in 2008. See report for detail (B3).