Clayton in the Domesday Book (1086)
Clayton is named in the Domesday Book, compiled by Norman commissioners in 1086, entered under the hundred of Ati’s Cross in Cheshire. The survey assessed Clayton at 5.9 carucates of taxable land.
At the time of the survey, Clayton supported a recorded population of 5 villagers, 18 smallholders, 5 slaves, working 8 ploughs between them.
By 1086 Clayton was worth 9.77 shillings, up from 5 shillings before the Conquest – in contrast to many Yorkshire neighbours whose valuations collapsed.
The survey lists 5 manors at Clayton under different lords. Splitting a single settlement between multiple tenants was common across the North – Saxon estates broken up and handed to William’s followers after 1066.
Resources Recorded at Clayton (1086)
- Cattle: 6
- Pigs: 14
- Sheep: 12
- Horses (cobs): 1
- Meadow: 15 acres
- Woodland: 10 pigs
Other Settlements in Ati’s Cross
Data derived from the Open Domesday project (opendomesday.org), based on the Domesday Book dataset compiled by Professor J.J.N. Palmer and team. The Domesday Book (1086) is in the public domain.
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