https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/domesday-delving--6269199
Episodes are uploaded weekly on Tuesdays. ]]>enHistoryClaire Stephen-Walkerhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a80fc7de7b7d61f393c15122cae2b2c8.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/domesday-delving--6269199Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:14:05 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerClaire Stephen-Walkerclaire.stephenwalker@gmail.comDomesday Delving is a journey back in time to explore the hidden histories of England's towns and villages as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. From the lives of local peasants and the roles of medieval churches to the power struggles between...
Episodes are uploaded weekly on Tuesdays. ]]>false3a850c08-445e-5b93-b640-0fa39a8bb767episodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-54-gloucester--68370790
patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68370790Fri, 31 Oct 2025 20:13:00 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerGloucester: saints, sheriffs, and the bright fort by the Severn. From Roman Colonia Glevum to Æthelflæd’s Mercian power-base and the Norman ledger of Domesday, this episode traces how one city was rebuilt in stone, faith, and finance. We follow...
patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>2910aethelflead,anglo-saxon,dice,domesday,falconry,games,hunting,normanfalse54fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-53-cirencester--67863819https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67863819Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look at Cirencester's past through the lens of the Domesday Book, along with a brief explanation of work in the middle ages and a look at William FitzOsbern, one of the most powerful men in the Norman regime. 1507anglo-saxon,cirencester,domesday,england,history,norman,william_fitzosbernfalse53fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-52-special-york--67417913
In 1086 York sprawls across two full pages of Domesday, a record of a city scarred by rebellion, half-emptied by the Harrying of the North, and reshaped by Norman castles. In this special episode, we look at York before the Conquest, dig into Domesday’s tangle of messuages, priests, usurpers and French settlers, and explore what happens when two legal systems — Anglo-Saxon and Norman — collide. Along the way we follow rabbit holes into William’s double-castle strategy, the devastation of the Harrying, and the shifting laws that made whole villages pay for a Norman’s death.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67417913Tue, 19 Aug 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerOne year of Domesday Delving! To mark the occasion, we’re tackling one of the great titans of the survey: the City of York. In 1086 York sprawls across two full pages of Domesday, a record of a city scarred by rebellion, half-emptied by the Harrying...
In 1086 York sprawls across two full pages of Domesday, a record of a city scarred by rebellion, half-emptied by the Harrying of the North, and reshaped by Norman castles. In this special episode, we look at York before the Conquest, dig into Domesday’s tangle of messuages, priests, usurpers and French settlers, and explore what happens when two legal systems — Anglo-Saxon and Norman — collide. Along the way we follow rabbit holes into William’s double-castle strategy, the devastation of the Harrying, and the shifting laws that made whole villages pay for a Norman’s death.]]>2716anglo-saxon,conquest,danish,harrying-of-the-north,history,law,norman,viking,william-the-conqueror,yorkfalse52fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-51-benson--67318423https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67318423Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerBenson, Oxfordshire, was once the richest royal manor in the county – and its story reaches from ancient settlements to the halls of kings. In this episode of Domesday Delving, we trace Benson’s journey from the days of Offa of Mercia and the Battle...1739anglo-saxon,benson,conquest,history,norman,offa,oxfordshirefalse51fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-50-tring--67172977
We dive into the shady post-Conquest manoeuvres of Ingelric, a native landholder who tried to game the new Norman system by attaching other people's land to his own. It didn’t end well for him. Along the way, we examine sokemen, slaves, woodland for 1,000 pigs, and a berewick with its own plough team. Plus: what Domesday really counted, and what it didn’t—and why Tring's listed population likely represents only half the story.

As always, we wrap up with a modern lesson in who gets to write history—and why it matters. 

If you want to join the Patreon, the link is: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

And if you want some cyberpunk adventure, here's the link to Inheritance: https://books2read.com/u/3LMqqw]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67172977Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerThis week on Domesday Delving, we explore the Hertfordshire manor of Tring—once a sprawling 39-hide estate, dramatically reduced to just 5 hides and a virgate by the time of the Domesday Book. What happened? We dive into the shady post-Conquest...
We dive into the shady post-Conquest manoeuvres of Ingelric, a native landholder who tried to game the new Norman system by attaching other people's land to his own. It didn’t end well for him. Along the way, we examine sokemen, slaves, woodland for 1,000 pigs, and a berewick with its own plough team. Plus: what Domesday really counted, and what it didn’t—and why Tring's listed population likely represents only half the story.

As always, we wrap up with a modern lesson in who gets to write history—and why it matters. 

If you want to join the Patreon, the link is: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

And if you want some cyberpunk adventure, here's the link to Inheritance: https://books2read.com/u/3LMqqw]]>924anglo-saxon,conquest,domesday,eustace-of-bolougne,hastings,history,norman,politics,tring,william-the-conquerorfalse49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-49-harrow-on-the-hill--67069686
If you enjoy the show, support it on Patreon at patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

A warm thank you to the current Patrons: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom, and Norman.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67069686Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerOnce a pagan lookout, later a Christian shrine, and by 1086, a centre of Norman authority—Harrow on the Hill stands as a layered landmark in England’s long story. This episode delves into the Domesday entry for Harrow, explores the remarkable life of...
If you enjoy the show, support it on Patreon at patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

A warm thank you to the current Patrons: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom, and Norman.]]>17011066,anglo-saxon,church,domesday,feudalism,history,lanfranc,norman,reform,societyfalse49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-48-fawton--66984588
We delve into the life and legacy of Robert of Mortain, the Conqueror’s quiet but crucial half-brother, and ask what we can learn from his bold wager: 120 ships, pledged to an uncertain invasion. Was it madness, loyalty… or something more strategic?

Plus, a look at how even something as humble as a sheep can reflect centuries of trade — and a reminder that calculated risks, not blind luck, are the engines of real change.

A warm thank you to this week's Patrons: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom, and Norman. 

Patreon: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

Cattle Raid: https://books2read.com/u/3LMK21]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66984588Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerThis week, we head to the remote reaches of Cornwall, where the Count of Mortain held almost everything in sight — including Fawton, a manor that offers a rare glimpse into post-Conquest livestock records and the booming medieval wool trade. We delve...
We delve into the life and legacy of Robert of Mortain, the Conqueror’s quiet but crucial half-brother, and ask what we can learn from his bold wager: 120 ships, pledged to an uncertain invasion. Was it madness, loyalty… or something more strategic?

Plus, a look at how even something as humble as a sheep can reflect centuries of trade — and a reminder that calculated risks, not blind luck, are the engines of real change.

A warm thank you to this week's Patrons: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom, and Norman. 

Patreon: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

Cattle Raid: https://books2read.com/u/3LMK21]]>14751066,conquest,cornwall,count-of-mortain,domesday-book,england,fawton,history,medieval,norman,reward,risk,woolfalse48fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-47-west-clyst--66961816
Through this brief but revealing entry, we explore what was lost when women like Wulfgifu were written out of history, what ordinary people might have eaten in 1086, and why the silences in our records matter just as much as the words.

A story of ploughs, pottage, and the politics of memory.

This episode was brought to you by: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom, and Norman. If you want to help them keep making this possible, join the Patreon at: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66961816Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we turn our attention to the quiet Devon manor of West Clyst—a small estate with just a handful of tenants and a single named landholder: Wulfgifu, an Anglo-Saxon woman whose name disappears after the Norman...
Through this brief but revealing entry, we explore what was lost when women like Wulfgifu were written out of history, what ordinary people might have eaten in 1086, and why the silences in our records matter just as much as the words.

A story of ploughs, pottage, and the politics of memory.

This episode was brought to you by: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom, and Norman. If you want to help them keep making this possible, join the Patreon at: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>733bias,conquest,devonshire,domesday,food,history,medieval,records,westclyst,women,wulfgifufalse47fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-46-taunton--66893990
Plus: a deep dive into swineherds, tax biases, and why local control isn't always local accountability.

This episode brought to you by: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom and Norman. 

Patreon: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66893990Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore the powerful and complex town of Taunton, Somerset—a Domesday entry bursting with legal privileges, economic reach, and a population that far exceeded what the record shows. From borough-rights and crime...
Plus: a deep dive into swineherds, tax biases, and why local control isn't always local accountability.

This episode brought to you by: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom and Norman. 

Patreon: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>1553anglo-saxon,bishops,church,domesday,governance,history,justice,landholding,medieval,norman,power,slavery,somerset,taunton,taxationfalse46fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-45-swyre--66812349
Was Harold Godwinson truly the usurper the Normans painted him to be — or a legitimate king cut down by an invading opportunist? Why does so much of what we “know” about 1066 come from those who had the most to gain from rewriting the story? We explore how propaganda shaped the narrative of conquest — and how it still works today. From medieval tapestries to modern news channels, we ask: who gets to tell the story, and what happens when we only hear one side?]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66812349Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:00:09 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this week’s episode of Domesday Delving, we travel to Swyre in Dorset — a small coastal holding with a rare gem in its Domesday entry: a clear acknowledgement of King Harold. From this one line, we dive into the life, reign, and legacy of England’s...
Was Harold Godwinson truly the usurper the Normans painted him to be — or a legitimate king cut down by an invading opportunist? Why does so much of what we “know” about 1066 come from those who had the most to gain from rewriting the story? We explore how propaganda shaped the narrative of conquest — and how it still works today. From medieval tapestries to modern news channels, we ask: who gets to tell the story, and what happens when we only hear one side?]]>1830anglo-saxon,domesday,harold-godwinson,history,king,norman,oath,william-the-conquerorfalse45fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-44-bedwyn--66690274
Along the way, we look at coliberts, crown land, and why even the absence of a mint can tell us a great deal about value, power, and who gets remembered in history]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66690274Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerThis week on Domesday Delving, we journey to Bedwyn in Wiltshire, a royal estate so significant it was never taxed in hides. We explore the powerful symbolism of money, from medieval plough-teams and burgesses to today's digital currencies, and ask...
Along the way, we look at coliberts, crown land, and why even the absence of a mint can tell us a great deal about value, power, and who gets remembered in history]]>932anglo-saxon,bedwyn,coin,conquest,history,medieval,money,norman,wiltshirefalse44fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-43-speen--66587875
As promised, here are the links, in order, to Kidnap, Organ Grinders, and Payback:

https://books2read.com/u/3JwE0e

https://books2read.com/u/bOk1d0

https://books2read.com/u/4AyO5e]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66587875Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerThis week, we delve into Speen in Berkshire, a village whose Domesday entry includes a church, a mill, and seven slaves. What begins as a straightforward exploration quickly spirals into a deeper conversation about the history of slavery, the role of...
As promised, here are the links, in order, to Kidnap, Organ Grinders, and Payback:

https://books2read.com/u/3JwE0e

https://books2read.com/u/bOk1d0

https://books2read.com/u/4AyO5e]]>774berkshire,domesday,faith,history,medieval,religion,slavery,speenfalse43fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-42-damerham--66460411
Once a royal estate and later a valuable holding of Glastonbury Abbey, Damerham’s Domesday entry reveals confusion over land value, rising rents, and a striking population of coliberts - freemen in a feudal world.

We dig into the medieval tax system, ask who really pays for empire-building, and reflect on how today’s tax avoidance by global giants echoes the same patterns, squeezing the poorest while the wealthiest slip away. Yes, this one’s political. And yes, it needs to be.

Also: Payback, the third book in the Orbitals series, is out now! Corporate cybercrime, revenge, and high-speed justice for just 99 cents this month. You can get it here: https://books2read.com/u/4AyO5e]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66460411Sun, 08 Jun 2025 09:29:45 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerThis week on Domesday Delving, we travel to Damerham in Hampshire, a village with Neolithic tombs, a royal past, and a surprisingly tangled tax record. Once a royal estate and later a valuable holding of Glastonbury Abbey, Damerham’s Domesday entry...
Once a royal estate and later a valuable holding of Glastonbury Abbey, Damerham’s Domesday entry reveals confusion over land value, rising rents, and a striking population of coliberts - freemen in a feudal world.

We dig into the medieval tax system, ask who really pays for empire-building, and reflect on how today’s tax avoidance by global giants echoes the same patterns, squeezing the poorest while the wealthiest slip away. Yes, this one’s political. And yes, it needs to be.

Also: Payback, the third book in the Orbitals series, is out now! Corporate cybercrime, revenge, and high-speed justice for just 99 cents this month. You can get it here: https://books2read.com/u/4AyO5e]]>892coliberts,damerham,domesday,hampshire,norman,tax,william-the-conquerorfalse42fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-41-mortlake--66347202
Once the domain of Archbishop Stigand and later seized by Lanfranc, Mortlake offers a window into the tangled relationship between church and state after the Norman Conquest. We look at the political rivalry between these two ecclesiastical giants, the Church's role in government, and how rural manors ended up controlling urban real estate.

Along the way, we unpack strange terms like "messuage," revisit the question of Harold’s legitimacy, and explore what happens when religion and political power become too closely entwined.

Domesday Delving has a Patreon here: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

And if you want to escape medieval England for a cyberpunk future, Payback is available here: https://books2read.com/u/4AyO5e

This episode brought to you by Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66347202Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerThis week, we head to Mortlake in Surrey, a manor so rich in assets it even held properties in London and Southwark. Once the domain of Archbishop Stigand and later seized by Lanfranc, Mortlake offers a window into the tangled relationship between...
Once the domain of Archbishop Stigand and later seized by Lanfranc, Mortlake offers a window into the tangled relationship between church and state after the Norman Conquest. We look at the political rivalry between these two ecclesiastical giants, the Church's role in government, and how rural manors ended up controlling urban real estate.

Along the way, we unpack strange terms like "messuage," revisit the question of Harold’s legitimacy, and explore what happens when religion and political power become too closely entwined.

Domesday Delving has a Patreon here: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

And if you want to escape medieval England for a cyberpunk future, Payback is available here: https://books2read.com/u/4AyO5e

This episode brought to you by Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom.]]>1000anglo-saxon,church,domesday,lanfranc,london,mortlake,norman,putney,sigand,soutwarkfalse41fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-40-upper-beeding--66290199
We’ll explore the unique administrative structure of Sussex, explain what on earth a “rape” is (yes, really), and examine why a place that once rendered nearly £100 under King Edward was worth less than half that just twenty years later. Along the way, we dive into the fascinating, buzzing world of medieval beekeeping—complete with wax, war-hives, and the earliest beekeeping suits.

And in our reflections from past to present, we consider what this tiny Domesday entry can teach us about fragile infrastructure, overlooked labour, and how much is hidden in the smallest details.Join the discussion in the Domesday Delving Facebook group, where you’ll find medieval honeycake and mead recipes inspired by this episode.

Support the podcast at patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

This episode brought to you with the support of Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66290199Tue, 27 May 2025 11:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerWhat do a royal farm, a fallen estate, and a couple of jars of honey have in common? This week we travel to Upper Beeding in Sussex, once one of the most valuable holdings in the entire county, to uncover a story of royal wealth, Norman...
We’ll explore the unique administrative structure of Sussex, explain what on earth a “rape” is (yes, really), and examine why a place that once rendered nearly £100 under King Edward was worth less than half that just twenty years later. Along the way, we dive into the fascinating, buzzing world of medieval beekeeping—complete with wax, war-hives, and the earliest beekeeping suits.

And in our reflections from past to present, we consider what this tiny Domesday entry can teach us about fragile infrastructure, overlooked labour, and how much is hidden in the smallest details.Join the discussion in the Domesday Delving Facebook group, where you’ll find medieval honeycake and mead recipes inspired by this episode.

Support the podcast at patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

This episode brought to you with the support of Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom.]]>734anglo-danish,anglo-saxon,beekeeping,domesday,herdigeld,honey,medieval,norman,taxfalse40fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-39-special-lady-asa--66137750
Her story isn't just a legal oddity. It’s a window into a world where Anglo-Saxon women had more rights than we often remember, and where the Norman conquest erased far more than just names on a page. Along the way, we explore how religious and cultural changes affected women’s rights, why Asa’s land was taken despite clear testimony in her favour, and how quickly rights can vanish when power decides they no longer exist.

If you want to join the Patreon, here’s the link: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66137750Tue, 20 May 2025 11:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this special episode of Domesday Delving, we take a step back from villages and livestock to explore one of the most remarkable stories buried in the margins of the Domesday Book: the case of Asa, a woman in pre-Conquest England who held land in...
Her story isn't just a legal oddity. It’s a window into a world where Anglo-Saxon women had more rights than we often remember, and where the Norman conquest erased far more than just names on a page. Along the way, we explore how religious and cultural changes affected women’s rights, why Asa’s land was taken despite clear testimony in her favour, and how quickly rights can vanish when power decides they no longer exist.

If you want to join the Patreon, here’s the link: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>869anglo-saxon,conquest,domesday,norman,politics,power,religion,womenfalse39fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-38-elham--66055783
From flourishing manorial profits to the shadow of eight slaves still labouring in 1086, Elham tells a story of ambition, control, and the long reach of power. But this week’s episode takes us far beyond Kent to the heart of Norman politics, rebellion, and one man’s attempt to seize two crowns.

We explore the remarkable life of Odo of Bayeux: bishop, warrior, earl, papal hopeful, and probable patron of the Bayeux Tapestry. His rise, his fall, and his final march on Crusade offer a glimpse into a world where faith, power, and family were constantly at war.Plus: a brief look at what the Bayeux Tapestry means to us today, and what Odo never meant it to.

If you’d like to support the show, you can now do so on Patreon here: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

And if cyberpunk dystopias are more your speed, my latest novel Organ Grinders is now available here:  https://books2read.com/u/bOk1d0

This episode brought to you with the generous support of Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66055783Tue, 13 May 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we travel to the Kentish village of Elham, once held directly by the Bishop of Bayeux himself, none other than Odo, half-brother of William the Conqueror. From flourishing manorial profits to the shadow of eight...
From flourishing manorial profits to the shadow of eight slaves still labouring in 1086, Elham tells a story of ambition, control, and the long reach of power. But this week’s episode takes us far beyond Kent to the heart of Norman politics, rebellion, and one man’s attempt to seize two crowns.

We explore the remarkable life of Odo of Bayeux: bishop, warrior, earl, papal hopeful, and probable patron of the Bayeux Tapestry. His rise, his fall, and his final march on Crusade offer a glimpse into a world where faith, power, and family were constantly at war.Plus: a brief look at what the Bayeux Tapestry means to us today, and what Odo never meant it to.

If you’d like to support the show, you can now do so on Patreon here: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

And if cyberpunk dystopias are more your speed, my latest novel Organ Grinders is now available here:  https://books2read.com/u/bOk1d0

This episode brought to you with the generous support of Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom.]]>1390false38fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-37-aylsham--65922884
We’ll unravel the rise and catastrophic fall of the powerful House of Godwin, whose internal rivalries and personal ambitions helped doom even their strongest estates. From bustling fields and scattered berewicks to the cold realities of post-Conquest life, Aylsham’s story shows how even mighty families can fall, and how places endure even when dynasties do not.

Join the Domesday Delving Facebook group for discussions and episode updates, and if you’d like to help support the podcast, here's the Patreon link - patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

If you enjoy fast-paced, gritty stories, my new cyberpunk novel Organ Grinders is now available here:  https://books2read.com/u/bOk1d0]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65922884Tue, 06 May 2025 11:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore Aylsham in Norfolk—a manor once held by Gyrth Godwinson, brother to Harold, England’s last Anglo-Saxon king. We’ll unravel the rise and catastrophic fall of the powerful House of Godwin, whose internal...
We’ll unravel the rise and catastrophic fall of the powerful House of Godwin, whose internal rivalries and personal ambitions helped doom even their strongest estates. From bustling fields and scattered berewicks to the cold realities of post-Conquest life, Aylsham’s story shows how even mighty families can fall, and how places endure even when dynasties do not.

Join the Domesday Delving Facebook group for discussions and episode updates, and if you’d like to help support the podcast, here's the Patreon link - patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

If you enjoy fast-paced, gritty stories, my new cyberpunk novel Organ Grinders is now available here:  https://books2read.com/u/bOk1d0]]>811anglo-saxon,aylsham,domesday,godwin,godwinson,gyrth,harold,history,norfolk,norman,sweyn,tostigfalse37fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-36-chebsey--65760097
What does this tell us about rebellion, royal insecurity, and the fragile hold the Normans had over England? We’ll explore Chebsey’s landscape of ploughs, villagers, and priests, take a look at the rapid rise and fall of early Norman fortifications, and reflect on how even the smallest places survived the shockwaves of conquest.

Join the Domesday Delving Facebook group for discussion and episode updates, and if you’d like to help support the podcast, you can join our Patreon here: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

Patreon Supporters: Villeins: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65760097Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we visit Chebsey in Staffordshire, a small village whose Domesday entry reveals a story of hidden upheaval. Part of Chebsey’s land was taken to build an early castle at Stafford, only for that castle to be...
What does this tell us about rebellion, royal insecurity, and the fragile hold the Normans had over England? We’ll explore Chebsey’s landscape of ploughs, villagers, and priests, take a look at the rapid rise and fall of early Norman fortifications, and reflect on how even the smallest places survived the shockwaves of conquest.

Join the Domesday Delving Facebook group for discussion and episode updates, and if you’d like to help support the podcast, you can join our Patreon here: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

Patreon Supporters: Villeins: Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom]]>685anglo-saxon,castle,chebsey,domesday,medieval,normanfalse36fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-35-malpas--65661886
But long before that name took hold, the Anglo-Saxons called it Depenbech: the deep stream valley. Once held by Earl Edwin of Mercia, Malpas stood at the edge of Anglo-Saxon power and Norman ambition. We explore what the Domesday Book reveals about the manor’s collapse into waste after the Conquest, and how it began the slow process of recovery under a new Norman baron.

This episode also dives into the life and downfall of Edwin himself—a powerful noble caught between loyalty and survival, and a man whose story ended in betrayal. We’ll trace the passage from valley to ruin to resilience—and reflect on how the Domesday Book preserves not only wealth and ownership, but silence, loss, and endurance.

Join the Domesday Delving Facebook group for community and discussion, and if you’d like to help support the show, here’s the link to the Patreon: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65661886Tue, 22 Apr 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we travel to Malpas in Cheshire—a place whose name, from the Old French mal pas, means bad passage. But long before that name took hold, the Anglo-Saxons called it Depenbech: the deep stream valley. Once held by...
But long before that name took hold, the Anglo-Saxons called it Depenbech: the deep stream valley. Once held by Earl Edwin of Mercia, Malpas stood at the edge of Anglo-Saxon power and Norman ambition. We explore what the Domesday Book reveals about the manor’s collapse into waste after the Conquest, and how it began the slow process of recovery under a new Norman baron.

This episode also dives into the life and downfall of Edwin himself—a powerful noble caught between loyalty and survival, and a man whose story ended in betrayal. We’ll trace the passage from valley to ruin to resilience—and reflect on how the Domesday Book preserves not only wealth and ownership, but silence, loss, and endurance.

Join the Domesday Delving Facebook group for community and discussion, and if you’d like to help support the show, here’s the link to the Patreon: patreon.com/DomesdayDelving]]>818false35fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-34-saltby--65578393
Once held by Earl Morcar, the rebellious Anglo-Saxon noble and son of Lady Godiva, Saltby passed into the hands of Norman baron Roger de Bully after the Conquest but its productivity didn’t falter.

In this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore the remarkable scale of Saltby’s agricultural economy, uncover the biography of the powerful and ill-fated Earl Morcar, and delve into the lives of those who made the land work including those who had no freedom to call their own.It’s a story of hierarchy, continuity, and quiet endurance set in the fields of a village that still remembers its name, but not always its past.

Here’s the link to the brand-new Patreon account - patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

If you enjoy high-stakes storytelling, don’t forget to check out my cyberpunk novel Kidnap—available now: https://books2read.com/u/3JwE0e

Until next time, keep delving!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65578393Tue, 15 Apr 2025 09:59:25 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerSaltby in Leicestershire is no sleepy Domesday backwater. In 1086, it was a bustling, high-output manor with an astonishing workforce: 24 villans, 23 sokemen, 14 bordars and 16 slaves. Once held by Earl Morcar, the rebellious Anglo-Saxon noble and...
Once held by Earl Morcar, the rebellious Anglo-Saxon noble and son of Lady Godiva, Saltby passed into the hands of Norman baron Roger de Bully after the Conquest but its productivity didn’t falter.

In this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore the remarkable scale of Saltby’s agricultural economy, uncover the biography of the powerful and ill-fated Earl Morcar, and delve into the lives of those who made the land work including those who had no freedom to call their own.It’s a story of hierarchy, continuity, and quiet endurance set in the fields of a village that still remembers its name, but not always its past.

Here’s the link to the brand-new Patreon account - patreon.com/DomesdayDelving

If you enjoy high-stakes storytelling, don’t forget to check out my cyberpunk novel Kidnap—available now: https://books2read.com/u/3JwE0e

Until next time, keep delving!]]>891anglo-saxon,conquest,domesday,history,leicestershire,morcar,norman,saltbyfalse34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-33-corby--65430028https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65430028Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore the curious note that "many things are wanting to this manor"—including woodland and ironworks that had belonged to it in the time of King Edward. What happened in the twenty years between the...799corby,donesday,history,iron,ironstone,medieval,norman,smeltingfalse33fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-32-camelot--65262585
We’ll look at the landholders before and after the Conquest, including a shadowy figure named Earl Artor, and explore what this record can teach us about medieval administration, cultural memory, and the persistence of local tradition. Plus, we dive into the Arthurian mythos, its early sources, and why stories of Camelot still resonate today. 

And if you enjoy a good mystery, my cyberpunk novel Kidnap is out now! You can find it here: https://books2read.com/u/3JwE0e 

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65262585Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:44:17 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerSometimes, Domesday surprises even me. In this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore an unexpected and little-known entry recorded near the Welsh border: Camelot. With its mix of ploughland, meadows, a vineyard, and a hall already falling into...
We’ll look at the landholders before and after the Conquest, including a shadowy figure named Earl Artor, and explore what this record can teach us about medieval administration, cultural memory, and the persistence of local tradition. Plus, we dive into the Arthurian mythos, its early sources, and why stories of Camelot still resonate today. 

And if you enjoy a good mystery, my cyberpunk novel Kidnap is out now! You can find it here: https://books2read.com/u/3JwE0e 

]]>1254anglo-saxon,arthur,conquest,domesday,history,myth,normanfalse32fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-31-battlesden--65103460https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65103460Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:53:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look into Battlesden at the time of the Domesday Survey, including a look at the ruthless High Sherrif of Cumberland. 1286battlesden,conquest,domesday,history,sherriffalse31fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-30-eckington--64951351https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64951351Tue, 18 Mar 2025 12:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore what Eckington’s Domesday record tells us about life before and after the Norman Conquest. Who were the coliberts, and why are they so rarely mentioned? What did the shift from Anglo-Saxon to Norman rule...1174anglo-saxon,conquest,domesday,history,normanfalse30fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-29-ledbury--64806166
We’ll uncover why Harold Godwinson is never called King Harold in the Domesday Book, what it meant to be a radman in a changing world, and how a stake in a salt pan at Droitwich linked Ledbury to one of medieval England’s most important industries. And we’re busting the myth that the medieval world was grey and dull. From bright clothing and painted houses to decorated furniture and colourful markets, everyday medieval life was far more vivid than you might think.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64806166Tue, 11 Mar 2025 12:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we head to Ledbury in Herefordshire, a manor divided between knights, a priest, a radman, and the all-powerful Bishop of Hereford. But its Domesday entry also tells a tale of land disputes, shifting power, and the...
We’ll uncover why Harold Godwinson is never called King Harold in the Domesday Book, what it meant to be a radman in a changing world, and how a stake in a salt pan at Droitwich linked Ledbury to one of medieval England’s most important industries. And we’re busting the myth that the medieval world was grey and dull. From bright clothing and painted houses to decorated furniture and colourful markets, everyday medieval life was far more vivid than you might think.]]>1337anglo-saxon,art,conquest,domesday,history,ledbury,norman,surveyfalse29fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-28-aylesbury--64687344https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64687344Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:09 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire—a town with deep historical roots and a surprising connection to one very famous duck! Recorded as a royal demesne manor in the Domesday Book, Aylesbury saw major changes...744aylesbury,domesday,history,king,sokemen,taxfalse28fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-27-great-hormead--64433658https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64433658Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look into Great Hormead's Domesday Entry, along with a brief look at the enduring legacy of the Anglo Saxon royal house, and how it eventually reconnected with the Norman rulers to form the Plantagenet dynasty. 796anglo-saxon,domesday,dynasty,great-hormead,hertfordshire,history,normanfalse27fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-26-special-skyrack-wapentake--64325268https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64325268Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:00:09 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerSix months of Domesday Delving, and a look into the disputes section of Skyrack Wapentake - the larger area which includes Garforth, the setting for the very first episode of Domesday Delving. 1181anglo-saxon,domesday,england,garforth,history,medieval,norman,skyrack,wapentakefalse26fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-25-high-wycombe--63959298https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63959298Tue, 11 Feb 2025 12:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA detailed look into High Wycombe before and after the Norman Conquest, along with a short delve into the life of Queen Edith.850anglo-saxon,domesday,edith,england,high-wycombe,history,normanfalse25fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-24-peterborough--63781119https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63781119Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look into Peterborough's entry in the Domesday Book, along with a deeper delve into the history of the abbey.1154abbey,anglo-saxon,conquest,domesday,faith,norman,relics,religion,saintsfalse24fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-23-ruislip--63751574https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63751574Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerAn examination of the village of Ruislip in Middlesex, and a look at the importance of hunting for medieval nobility.917anglo-saxon,boar,conquest,deer,domesday,hare,hunting,medieval,norman,ruislipfalse22fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-22-kirk-hammerton--63686289https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63686289Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:00:06 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerWere Kirk and Green Hammerton swapped in modern Domesday research? Discover the truth behind “the other Hammerton”, the fate of two Yorkshire villages after the Norman Conquest.519anglo-saxon,domesday,hammerton,mistakes,norman,recordsfalse22fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-21-clun--63685499https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63685499Tue, 14 Jan 2025 11:07:54 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerStep into Clun, a quiet Shropshire town with a stormy past. In this week’s episode of Domesday Delving, we uncover the story of Eadric the Wild—a rebel who defied William the Conqueror—and the challenges of life in the turbulent Welsh Marches....1135anglo-saxon,border,domesday,eadric,history,norman,rebellion,welshfalse21fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-20-islip--63093546https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63093546Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look into the birthplace of Edward the Confessor both before and after the Norman Conquest, including a brief examination of the life of Edward himself. 669anglo-saxon,birthplace,confessor,conquest,edward,history,islip,king,normanfalse20fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-19-chepstow-nye-special--62706125https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62706125Tue, 31 Dec 2024 12:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA New Year's Eve look at the town of Chepstow through the lens of the Domesday Book. 533border,castle,chepstow,domesday,history,welshfalse19fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-18-coventry-christmas-special--62541469https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62541469Tue, 24 Dec 2024 12:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this special holiday episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Coventry, a medieval town filled with legends, faith, and festive traditions. Coventry’s Domesday entry reveals a thriving community that was as resilient as it was generous—values...1326anglo-saxon,carols,celebration,christmas,coventry,domesday,feasts,godiva,history,normanfalse18fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-17-bratton--62539914https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62539914Tue, 17 Dec 2024 12:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look into Bratton, Somerset, before and after 1066. 532anglo-saxon,bratton,domesday,farming,history,norman,somersetfalse17fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-16-little-puddle--62460439https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62460439Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:00:06 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look at the charmingly named Little Puddle in Dorset. Along with an examination of the complexities of medieval land ownership. 592anglo-saxon,church,domesday,history,land,norman,queen,rule,womenfalse16fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-15-luckington--62428420https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62428420Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:00:07 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA delve into the past of Luckington in Wiltshire, and an in-depth look at ridge-and-furrow ploughing techniques.711anglo-saxon,bordar,domesday,history,lord,luckington,norman,peasant,ploughing,villan,wiltshirefalse15fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-14-winkton--62373991https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62373991Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:00:08 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look into Winkton, Hampshire in 1086. It examines the importance of hunting, eels, and the creation of the New Forest. 522anglo-saxon,conquest,domesday,eels,history,hunting,new-forest,norman,surveyfalse14fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-13-special-penzance-halifax-ashington-tongwynlais--62372214https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62372214Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:00:09 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA delve into 4 towns not included in the Domesday Book, but requested by listeners or of personal significance to myself. 453anglo-saxon,domesday,history,norman,survey,townsfalse13fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-12-ockham--62371738https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62371738Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:00:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA look into life in medieval Ockham, Surrey, along with an in-depth examination of medieval fisheries609anglo-saxon,conquest,domesday,feudal,fisheries,history,norman,surveyfalse12fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-11-kingston-by-sea--62349327https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62349327Tue, 29 Oct 2024 12:00:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerA delve into Kingston by Sea and the importance of salt production in Medieval England. 673domesday,economy,feudal,history,kingston,medieval,salt,saltpanfalse11fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-10-okehampton--62348951https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62348951Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:55:01 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerOkehampton's Domesday Delving episode, looking at slavery in the medieval period, the difference between serfs and slaves, along with the importance of milling and castles to the structure of society.795domesday,feudalism,medieval,milling,okehampton,serf,serfdom,slave,slavery,watermillfalse10fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-9-helston--62283349https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62283349Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:00:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerAn exploration of medieval Helston in Cornwall, complete with an explanation of just how important ale really was to the medieval economy. 651ale,alewife,alewives,brewing,cornwall,helston,labour,overlooked,womenfalse9fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-8-lowestoft--62089195https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62089195Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:00:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore the coastal settlement of Lowestoft in Suffolk, a berewick of Gorleston held by Gyrth Godwinson before the Norman Conquest. We'll dive into what life was like in this small but significant agricultural...577false8fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-7-ruckinge--62088765https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62088765Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:25:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we visit the small village of Ruckinge in Kent. Once held by Leofraed under King Edward, Ruckinge came under the control of Ralph fitz Richard after the Norman Conquest. We’ll dive into the Domesday entry to...365false7fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-6-pontefract-tanshelf--62088440https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62088440Tue, 24 Sep 2024 08:48:59 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Pontefract in West Yorkshire, known as Tanshelf at the time of the Domesday survey. We'll explore the life of Ilbert de Lacy, one of William the Conqueror’s most powerful barons, and uncover how the...661alms,anglo-saxon,domesday,fuedal,history,norman,pontefract,tanshelffalse6fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-5-lonton--61915696https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61915696Tue, 17 Sep 2024 10:04:54 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Lonton, the northernmost entry in the Domesday Book, and explore one of the darkest periods in England’s history: the Harrowing of the North. Discover the devastating impact of William the Conqueror’s...941domesday,harrying,history,lonton,northfalse5fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-4-bakewell--61249527
We’ll explore Bakewell’s origins, tracing back to its founding by Anglo-Saxons, and discover why it was a prized royal holding both before and after the Norman Conquest. We'll also delve into the medieval lead mines that made Bakewell a key industrial center, unearthing the dangerous and arduous work that sustained the community. 
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61249527Tue, 10 Sep 2024 10:30:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to Bakewell, a picturesque town in Derbyshire, best known today for its delicious puddings and tarts. But beneath its charming surface lies a rich history that’s been shaped by its strategic importance...
We’ll explore Bakewell’s origins, tracing back to its founding by Anglo-Saxons, and discover why it was a prized royal holding both before and after the Norman Conquest. We'll also delve into the medieval lead mines that made Bakewell a key industrial center, unearthing the dangerous and arduous work that sustained the community. 
]]>518bakewell,domesday,england,history,lead,medieval,miningfalse4fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-3-lavenham--61162949https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61162949Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:00:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we return to the medieval village of Lavenham, this time focusing on the lands once held by Wulfwine, an Anglo-Saxon thegn. After the Norman Conquest, these lands fell into the hands of the powerful Aubrey de Vere....683agriculture,anglo-saxon,history,lavenham,medieval,normanfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-2-lavenham--61156015https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61156015Tue, 27 Aug 2024 11:00:02 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we journey to the historic village of Lavenham in Suffolk, focusing on the section of the village that was held by Frodo, the Abbot's brother, after the Norman Conquest. Suggested by listener Charmaine Jones, this...500domesday,history,lavenhamfalsefullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/dd-episode-1-garforth--61090901
Music by Alban_Gogh from Pixabay]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61090901Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:40:04 +0000Claire Stephen-WalkerIn this episode of Domesday Delving, we explore the Yorkshire town of Garforth as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. We’ll delve into the impact of the Harrowing of the North, learn about the lives of Garforth’s villagers, and explore how this...
Music by Alban_Gogh from Pixabay]]>502domesday,garforth,history,medievalfalse1full