Flitwick
The Normans
Flitwick and the Normans
The Population of Flitwick at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086 was as follows:-
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Under Tenants (landowners) - 1
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Villains (Small holdings of the above) - 5
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Bordars (cottagers who paid their rent either in service or produce) - 11
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Serfs (practically slaves) - 0
Not a large number of people, but the population of Bedfordshire at this time only totalled 3,891:-
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Tenants in chief (Nobility, Norman Barons, etc) - 104
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Under Tenants - 237
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Villains - 1890
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Bordars - 1182
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Serfs - 478
By 1086 the Norman William Lovet had displaced Alwin, the Saxon owner of Flitwick. William is thought to have lived in a small castle surrounded by a moat, the remains of which still exist in Temple Field north of the church.
The Saxon church on the estate was replaced by a stone built building which had a small chancel and nave.
On the death of William Lovet, Flitwick passed into the hands of the Countess of Albemarle. William Earl of Albemarle and his wife Hawis were the overlords until 1195. After William's death in that year, Hawis continued as overlord. She was succeeded by her son William until his death in 1241
Sources:
- Flitwick : the story of an old Bedfordshire village, by Rev. J. L. Ward Petley
- Flitwick : a short history, by Ampthill and District Archaeological and Local History Society
- Victoria County Histories : Bedfordshire
