The Certificate of Musters of Shebbear Hundred, 1522

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In 1522 Cardinal Wolsey ordered a survey of every man over the age of 16, together with an assessment of his wealth and the military equipment he owned. Sometimes called the 'Tudor Domesday' the muster returns of 1522 present a unique insight into the people of Tudor England. Only two muster rolls from Devon have survived to the present day, that of the City of Exeter and the roll for twelve of the parishes of Shebbear Hundred in North Devon, which is presented here. Muster returns for the parishes of Landcross, Meeth, Little Torrington, Newton St. Petrock, Beaford, Alwington, Petrockstowe, Shebbear, Buckland Filleigh, Weare Giffard, Merton, and Peters Marland are reprinted for the first time, listing every adult male in each parish as well as a few females, together with their wealth and weapons. A short introduction includes an overview of Shebbear Hundred in the sixteenth century and a brief description of the weapons and armour mentioned in the text.