PODCAST · history
Domesday Delving
by Claire Stephen-Walker
Domesday 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 lords, each episode offers an engaging and in-depth look at a different location in medieval England. Whether you have a personal connection to a place or are simply curious about the past, Domesday Delving brings history to life with vivid storytelling and expert insights. Episodes are uploaded weekly on Tuesdays.
Episodes
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DD - Episode 54 - Gloucester
Gloucester: 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 Æthelflæd, the Lady of the Mercians, bringing the...
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DD - Episode 53 - Cirencester
A 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.
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DD - Episode 52 - Special - York
One 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 of the North, and reshaped by Norman castles.…
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DD - Episode 51 - Benson
Benson, 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 of Bensington, through its role as a prized…
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DD - Episode 50 - Tring
This 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 manoeuvres of Ingelric, a native landholder who…
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DD- Episode 49 - Harrow on the Hill
Once 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 Archbishop Lanfranc, and examines what it…
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DD - Episode 48 - Fawton
This 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 into the life and legacy of Robert of Mortain,...
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DD - Episode 47 - West Clyst
In 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 Conquest. Through this brief but revealing entry, we...
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DD - Episode 46 - Taunton
In 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 fines to buried lords and bishop-run courts,...
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DD - Episode 45 - Swyre
In 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 last crowned Anglo-Saxon king. Was Harold...
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DD - Episode 44 - Bedwyn
This 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 what it means when wealth loses its weight.…
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DD - Episode 43 - Speen
This 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 the Church, and the uncomfortable ways in…
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DD - Episode 42 - Damerham
This 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 reveals confusion over land value, rising rents,...
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DD - Episode 41 - Mortlake
This 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 church and state after the Norman Conquest. We…
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DD - Episode 40 - Upper Beeding
What 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 redistribution, and the small, sweet traces of medieval...
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DD - Episode 39 - Special - Lady Asa
In 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 own right, kept it after separating from her...
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DD - Episode 38 - Elham
In 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 slaves still labouring in 1086, Elham tells a...
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DD - Episode 37 - Aylsham
In 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 rivalries and personal ambitions helped doom…
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DD - Episode 36 - Chebsey
In 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 demolished within a generation. What does this tell us...
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DD - Episode 35 - Malpas
In 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 Earl Edwin of Mercia, Malpas stood at the edge…
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DD - Episode 34 - Saltby
Saltby 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 son of Lady Godiva, Saltby passed into the hands…
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DD - Episode 33 - Corby
In 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 Confessor’s reign and the Domesday survey to cause such...
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DD - Episode 32 - Camelot
Sometimes, 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 disrepair by 1086, this manor raises fascinating...
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DD - Episode 31 - Battlesden
A look into Battlesden at the time of the Domesday Survey, including a look at the ruthless High Sherrif of Cumberland.
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DD - Episode 30 - Eckington
In 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 mean for the people who worked the land? And...
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DD - Episode 29 - Ledbury
In 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 slow disappearance of Anglo-Saxon traditions...
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DD - Episode 28 - Aylesbury
In 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 under Norman rule, from increased taxation to...
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DD - Episode 27 - Great Hormead
A 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.
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DD - Episode 26 - Special - Skyrack Wapentake
Six 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.
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DD - Episode 25 - High Wycombe
A detailed look into High Wycombe before and after the Norman Conquest, along with a short delve into the life of Queen Edith.
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DD - Episode 24 - Peterborough
A look into Peterborough's entry in the Domesday Book, along with a deeper delve into the history of the abbey.
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DD - Episode 23 - Ruislip
An examination of the village of Ruislip in Middlesex, and a look at the importance of hunting for medieval nobility.
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DD - Episode 22 - Kirk Hammerton
Were 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.
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DD - Episode 21 - Clun
Step 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. Resistance, resilience, and the human cost of change...
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DD - Episode 20 - Islip
A 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.
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DD - Episode 19 - Chepstow - NYE Special
A New Year's Eve look at the town of Chepstow through the lens of the Domesday Book.
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DD - Episode 18 - Coventry - Christmas Special
In 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 embodied by one of its most famous figures, Lady...
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DD - Episode 17 - Bratton
A look into Bratton, Somerset, before and after 1066.
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DD - Episode 16 - Little Puddle
A look at the charmingly named Little Puddle in Dorset. Along with an examination of the complexities of medieval land ownership.
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DD - Episode 15 - Luckington
A delve into the past of Luckington in Wiltshire, and an in-depth look at ridge-and-furrow ploughing techniques.
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DD - Episode 14 - Winkton
A look into Winkton, Hampshire in 1086. It examines the importance of hunting, eels, and the creation of the New Forest.
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DD - Episode 13 - Special - Penzance, Halifax, Ashington, Tongwynlais
A delve into 4 towns not included in the Domesday Book, but requested by listeners or of personal significance to myself.
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DD - Episode 12 - Ockham
A look into life in medieval Ockham, Surrey, along with an in-depth examination of medieval fisheries
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DD - Episode 11 - Kingston By Sea
A delve into Kingston by Sea and the importance of salt production in Medieval England.
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DD - Episode 10 - Okehampton
Okehampton'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.
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DD - Episode 9 - Helston
An exploration of medieval Helston in Cornwall, complete with an explanation of just how important ale really was to the medieval economy.
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DD - Episode 8 - Lowestoft
In 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 community, its ties to one of the most powerful...
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DD - Episode 7 - Ruckinge
In 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 uncover what half a sulung of land meant, explore…
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DD - Episode 6 - Pontefract (Tanshelf)
In 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 Norman Conquest reshaped this vital stronghold....
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DD Episode 5 - Lonton
In 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 brutal campaign, the rebellion that fueled…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Domesday 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 lords, each episode offers an engaging and in-depth look at a different location in medieval England. Whether you have a personal connection to a place or are simply curious about the past, Domesday Delving brings history to life with vivid storytelling and expert insights.
Episodes are uploaded weekly on Tuesdays.
HOSTED BY
Claire Stephen-Walker
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Domesday Delving have?
Domesday Delving currently has 54 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Domesday Delving about?
Domesday 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 lords, each episode offers an engaging and in-depth...
How often does Domesday Delving release new episodes?
Domesday Delving has 54 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Domesday Delving?
You can listen to Domesday Delving on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Domesday Delving?
Domesday Delving is created and hosted by Claire Stephen-Walker.
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