Tracing one member of our Family Tree was an amazing journey. We reached back to Philip Astley who was born 1122 and died in 1165. Can you believe we have personal records going back 900 years?
His son, Thomas Astley was born in 1157 in Creek, Northamptonshire, England. He married Maud Camvile.
What was life like so long ago? We actually can't imagine life without all the conviences we know. We rely on history and the following is what I found about life for those who lived in Northamptonshire in the "Middle Ages."
Northamptonshire information:
First of all, about locations. To add "shire" in England history is their word for "County' as we use in the U. S.
Apparently one of the most famous places in Northamptonshire were the Castles.
His son, Thomas Astley was born in 1157 in Creek, Northamptonshire, England. He married Maud Camvile.
What was life like so long ago? We actually can't imagine life without all the conviences we know. We rely on history and the following is what I found about life for those who lived in Northamptonshire in the "Middle Ages."
Northamptonshire information:
First of all, about locations. To add "shire" in England history is their word for "County' as we use in the U. S.
Apparently one of the most famous places in Northamptonshire were the Castles.
There was a Castle there named Northampton but sadly it is lost forever.
It is highly likely that Northampton Castle looked sim
ilar to this image.
Northamptonshire was a favourite playground of Royalty and King John in particular visited the Castle no less than 30 times in his 17 year rule (1199 - 1216).
Younger brother of King Richard I is most well known as being the enemy of the fictional Robin Hood.
He was imprisoned here just before he signed the Magna Carta.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA where our forefathers lived.
Keep in mind that the oldest record of our personal forefather, at this time is Thomas Astley's father, Philip Astley. He was born 1122 and died 1165.
AMAZING to actually have these records.
HERE WE GO ~ INFORMATION on life at the time they lived.
The Middle Ages (1154 - 1485)
Without doubt, Northamptonshire was bucking the trend in this era in what was also known as the 'Dark Ages'. Northampton was truly in it's golden age as it rose to become one of the most important towns in the country. Unfortunately this success did not last till the end of the Middle Ages...
It was certainly a mix of fortunes for the folk of Northamptonshire as into this era saw prosperity and population growth. Many of the large houses in the county were built which encouraged visits from the Kings court for entertainment and sport.
Much of the local woodland (e.g. Salcey, Silverstone etc.) was a popular hunting ground for nobles. Nearly 50 Town charters were issued by the various Kings which legitimised commerce at the markets and town centres, a sure sign of a prospering population. Amazingly Northampton becomes the third largest town in England.
Northampton Castle became host to Parliament(Actually in 1131 under the Normans) establishing it as the center of government decision making for the Kingdom. It is hard to believe that this county and town were so prominent in the Kings standing and yet today Northamptonshire and the history of it are largely anonymous.
The castle was also the site for many great tournaments and was truly an important place for the Kings court.
Perhaps this is the reason for the great trades which grew around the county's popularity. Large groups of tailors, weavers and of course shoemakers appearing throughout the county and specifically in Northampton town itself.
Peter the Cordwainer (shoemaker) is noted as the earliest reference to the shoemaking trade in 1202.
A twist in fortunes is evident as a downward spiral begins with comments in historical texts to many villages being abandoned. Poor climate resulting in starvation and deprivation for the commonfolk is mentioned but also the Bubonic Plague (1348-50) took its toll along with other epidemics resulting in the county population being reduced by as much as 40 percent.
These scenes are not hard to imagine as it is this period that is commonly portrayed in the media with the likes of Robin Hood riding to the rescue of no doubt similar folk just some 50 miles North in Nottinghamshire.
Perhaps contrary to these scenes though, the sudden loss in the workforce meant that the local lords were forced to pay a good wage to the peasants and they certainly prospered in the latter years.
We have to assume our forefathers were not among the peasants/commonfolk by the fact their births/deaths were recorded.
June
It is highly likely that Northampton Castle looked sim
ilar to this image.Northamptonshire was a favourite playground of Royalty and King John in particular visited the Castle no less than 30 times in his 17 year rule (1199 - 1216).
Younger brother of King Richard I is most well known as being the enemy of the fictional Robin Hood.
He was imprisoned here just before he signed the Magna Carta.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA where our forefathers lived.
Keep in mind that the oldest record of our personal forefather, at this time is Thomas Astley's father, Philip Astley. He was born 1122 and died 1165.
AMAZING to actually have these records.
HERE WE GO ~ INFORMATION on life at the time they lived.
The Middle Ages (1154 - 1485)
Without doubt, Northamptonshire was bucking the trend in this era in what was also known as the 'Dark Ages'. Northampton was truly in it's golden age as it rose to become one of the most important towns in the country. Unfortunately this success did not last till the end of the Middle Ages...
It was certainly a mix of fortunes for the folk of Northamptonshire as into this era saw prosperity and population growth. Many of the large houses in the county were built which encouraged visits from the Kings court for entertainment and sport.
Much of the local woodland (e.g. Salcey, Silverstone etc.) was a popular hunting ground for nobles. Nearly 50 Town charters were issued by the various Kings which legitimised commerce at the markets and town centres, a sure sign of a prospering population. Amazingly Northampton becomes the third largest town in England.
Northampton Castle became host to Parliament(Actually in 1131 under the Normans) establishing it as the center of government decision making for the Kingdom. It is hard to believe that this county and town were so prominent in the Kings standing and yet today Northamptonshire and the history of it are largely anonymous.
The castle was also the site for many great tournaments and was truly an important place for the Kings court.
Perhaps this is the reason for the great trades which grew around the county's popularity. Large groups of tailors, weavers and of course shoemakers appearing throughout the county and specifically in Northampton town itself.
Peter the Cordwainer (shoemaker) is noted as the earliest reference to the shoemaking trade in 1202.
A twist in fortunes is evident as a downward spiral begins with comments in historical texts to many villages being abandoned. Poor climate resulting in starvation and deprivation for the commonfolk is mentioned but also the Bubonic Plague (1348-50) took its toll along with other epidemics resulting in the county population being reduced by as much as 40 percent.
These scenes are not hard to imagine as it is this period that is commonly portrayed in the media with the likes of Robin Hood riding to the rescue of no doubt similar folk just some 50 miles North in Nottinghamshire.
Perhaps contrary to these scenes though, the sudden loss in the workforce meant that the local lords were forced to pay a good wage to the peasants and they certainly prospered in the latter years.
We have to assume our forefathers were not among the peasants/commonfolk by the fact their births/deaths were recorded.
June
