IPM valuations: the question of accuracy (1)
Posted by: mholford 8 years ago
Digitization of the IPMs makes the documents much more widely accessible. The addition of extensive markup also allows new questions to be asked and old questions to be answered in new ways. The markup relating to holdings is now (more or less) complete for the years 1427-42 (CIPM volumes 23 to 25) and in the coming months we will be exploring the data that is now available.
How accurate and reliable are the IPM valuations? Many historians have been sceptical. For example, when IPMs are compared to other sources, such as estate accounts, their values often appear low. But how much weight should be given to comparisons such as these, which can be made in relatively few cases because lay estate records survive so fitfully? The IPM valuations themselves offer another way of approaching the question: if we cannot easily determine how accurate they may be, we can say something about how precise they are and the extent to which they are round figures and approximations.
Values attributed to 1182 manors have been extracted from the IPMs for 1427-42. (These are values in the form "the manor of (x) is worth £10 yearly". Other manors are valued using detailed extents (e.g. "the manor of (x) contains 100 a. arable, worth 2d. per acre, 200 a. pasture, worth 1d. per acre", and so on). We will consider these in a later post.)
Analysis of these values confirms that the great majority are expressed in more-or-less rounded figures. Nearly 87% (1025) can be expressed as integer multiples of pounds (240d.) or marks (160d.). Nearly 46%, furthermore, are multiples of £5 or 5 marks: £5 (108 manors), £10 (145), and £20 (90); 5m. (36), 10m. (93) and 20m. (66) - although neither £15 or 15m. was a common valuation. There were also significant clusters at £2(3m.) (88), £4(6m.) (53) and £12(18m.) (31), a further 15%. There was evidently a strong inclination for values to be rounded up or down to multiples of 5 or (less commonly) 4, which becomes increasingly apparent the larger the value For example we have 11 manors valued at £30(45m), 23 valued at £40(60m), but only 6 with values between those sums (3 at 50m., 1 at £34 and two more precise values). Conversely the smaller the value, particularly below £5, the greater the number of different values recorded in the documents.
That values are often given in rounded terms does not, of course, mean that they are completely inaccurate. The values were often intended to be approximations, expressing a notional or average annual value rather than the exact value of a particular year. However, the extent of approximation is still significant, and it is important to recognize that values, particularly larger ones, were commonly rounded to the nearest £10 and not to a smaller unit.
The relatively few manors (just over 100) with more "exact" valuations are listed below. (The table includes all values not exactly divisible by 40d.). There is scope for more research on how and why these valuations were arrived at and whether they are accurate as well as precise. It is interesting, for example, that the IPMs for Humphrey, son of John earl of Arundel (CIPM 25.88-98) include only one (25.97) with "exact" valuations, and even in this inquisition many other values are given in what seem to be more "round" figures. Was better information available for some manors than others? Were some escheators more assiduous than others in their valuations?
| Inquisition | Date | County | Manor | Value(pence) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23-29 | 1428-01-28 | SUFFOLK | Albred Wykes | 944 |
| 23-29 | 1428-01-28 | SUFFOLK | Wangford | 460 |
| 23-31 | 1427-10-22 | SUFFOLK | Rothenhall | 808 |
| 23-41 | 1428-05-24 | CUMBERLAND | Little Orton | 2488 |
| 23-41 | 1428-05-24 | CUMBERLAND | Wiggonby | 903 |
| 23-73 | 1427-11-04 | CORNWALL | Rosecraddock | 2545.5 |
| 23-90 | 1428-01-09 | YORKSHIRE | West Tanfield | 9172 |
| 23-90 | 1428-01-09 | YORKSHIRE | Carthorpe | 3412 |
| 23-113 | 1427-10-28 | YORKSHIRE | Newsham | 316 |
| 23-132 | 1428-05-20 | STAFFORDSHIRE | Upper Arley | 3070 |
| 23-222 | 1429-03-09 | SUSSEX | Crowhurst | 2098.5 |
| 23-222 | 1429-03-09 | SUSSEX | Burwash | 3504 |
| 23-222 | 1429-03-09 | SUSSEX | Bivelham | 1713.75 |
| 23-225 | 1428-10-08 | BEDFORDSHIRE | Eastcotts | 2688 |
| 23-289 | 1428-11-01 | SUFFOLK | Albred Wykes | 944 |
| 23-289 | 1428-11-01 | SUFFOLK | Wangford | 460 |
| 23-318 | 1429-06-12 | Wiltshire | Woodhill | 4605 |
| 23-382 | 1429-10-18 | OXFORDSHIRE | Somerton | 1488 |
| 23-390 | 1429-10-18 | OXFORDSHIRE | Broughton | 1490 |
| 23-390 | 1429-10-18 | OXFORDSHIRE | Standlake | 2220 |
| 23-392 | 1429-09-30 | BUCKINGHAMSHIRE | Fulmer | 468 |
| 23-392 | 1429-09-30 | BUCKINGHAMSHIRE | Ditton | 1308 |
| 23-402 | 1429-10-26 | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE | East Leake | 20 |
| 23-409 | 1429-11-08 | YORKSHIRE | Shelfhalle | 187.25 |
| 23-482 | 1431-05-12 | DORSET | Iwerne Stepleton | 922 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Shelve | 72 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Wentnor | 108 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Yockleton | 312 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Hayes | 168 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Habberley | 144 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Loton | 96 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Cardeston | 156 |
| 23-488 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | The Hem | 180 |
| 23-516 | 1431-10-11 | NORFOLK | Thursford | 408 |
| 23-529 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Shelve | 144 |
| 23-529 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Wentnor | 216 |
| 23-529 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Yockleton | 624 |
| 23-529 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Hayes | 336 |
| 23-529 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Habberley | 288 |
| 23-529 | 1430-10-26 | SHROPSHIRE | Loton | 192 |
| 23-542 | 1430-11-06 | YORKSHIRE | Roos | 10832 |
| 23-542 | 1430-11-06 | YORKSHIRE | Thornton-in-Craven | 5577 |
| 23-546 | 1430-11-02 | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE | Warsop | 64 |
| 23-566 | 1431-10-01 | DEVON | Littlehempston | 1728 |
| 23-577 | 1431-04-17 | DEVON | Clifford | 1056 |
| 23-614 | 1431-11-20 | SOMERSET | Chiselborough | 2700 |
| 23-634 | 1432-06-21 | LINCOLNSHIRE | Burton Pedwardine | 1745 |
| 23-634 | 1432-06-21 | LINCOLNSHIRE | Nocton | 1692.5 |
| 24-22 | 1433-03-10 | HEREFORDSHIRE | Stoke Bliss | 372 |
| 24-22 | 1433-03-10 | HEREFORDSHIRE | Whyle | 486 |
| 24-27 | 1433-02-10 | ESSEX | Sandon | 3060 |
| 24-29 | 1433-07-06 | ESSEX | Wallbury | 1608 |
| 24-29 | 1433-07-06 | ESSEX | Hassenbrook | 1268 |
| 24-162 | 1433-10-22 | HEREFORDSHIRE | Tedstone Wafer | 964 |
| 24-184 | 1433-10-06 | BERKSHIRE | Upton Meols | 243.5 |
| 24-185 | 1433-10-03 | BUCKINGHAMSHIRE | Hardwick | 1611 |
| 24-236 | 1434-04-06 | STAFFORDSHIRE | Tunstall | 1684 |
| 24-236 | 1434-04-06 | STAFFORDSHIRE | Horton | 1025 |
| 24-240 | 1434-10-12 | DEVON | Clyfford | 1056 |
| 24-291 | 1435-06-18 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Kingsholm | 103.5 |
| 24-292 | 1435-06-20 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Kingsholm | 163.5 |
| 24-316 | 1435-03-02 | LEICESTERSHIRE | Barrow upon Soar | 614.5 |
| 24-316 | 1435-03-02 | LEICESTERSHIRE | Braunstone | 60 |
| 24-316 | 1435-03-02 | LEICESTERSHIRE | Houghton on the Hill | 333 |
| 24-316 | 1435-03-02 | LEICESTERSHIRE | Knossington | 306.5 |
| 24-339 | 1435-10-08 | SUSSEX | Kingston by Sea | 2796 |
| 24-375 | 1435-10-24 | NORFOLK | Castle Acre | 3162.75 |
| 24-375 | 1435-10-24 | NORFOLK | Mileham | 5588 |
| 24-437 | 1436-01-13 | LINCOLNSHIRE | Swinhope | 180 |
| 24-535 | 1437-11-14 | CAMBRIDGESHIRE | Bassingbourn | 11237.5 |
| 24-547 | 1437-10-29 | YORKSHIRE | Thornton in Lonsdale | 2937.5 |
| 24-600 | 1436-10-31 | SOMERSET | Pitney Lorty | 2392 |
| 24-616 | 1436-10-30 | CORNWALL | Kilminorth | 1251.5 |
| 24-616 | 1436-10-30 | CORNWALL | Lametton | 3200.5 |
| 24-646 | 1436-06-12 | NORFOLK | Castle Acre | 1054 |
| 24-646 | 1436-06-12 | NORFOLK | Mileham | 1862.5 |
| 24-688 | 1437-03-11 | LINCOLNSHIRE | Haconby | 2744 |
| 25-55 | 1437-11-09 | KENT | Tracy | 1550 |
| 25-97 | 1438-10-12 | SUSSEX | Westbourne | 3876 |
| 25-97 | 1438-10-12 | SUSSEX | Poling | 3012 |
| 25-97 | 1438-10-12 | SUSSEX | Wepham | 2376 |
| 25-97 | 1438-10-12 | SUSSEX | Orfold | 912 |
| 25-97 | 1438-10-12 | SUSSEX | Preston | 1296 |
| 25-99 | 1437-11-23 | KENT | Otham | 832 |
| 25-266 | 1439-08-20 | NORTHUMBERLAND | Gainford | 16014 |
| 25-286 | 1439-09-10 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Saltmore Court | 1264 |
| 25-286 | 1439-09-10 | GLOUCESTERSHIRE | Arlingham | 1921.5 |
| 25-310 | 1440-10-27 | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE | Perlethorpe | 492 |
| 25-337 | 1440-09-24 | DERBYSHIRE | Repton | 566 |
| 25-353 | 1440-04-04 | WESTMORLAND | Burton | 3036.5 |
| 25-364 | 1439-10-21 | ESSEX | Magdalen Laver | 2453.5 |
| 25-368 | 1440-10-06 | NORTHUMBERLAND | Mitford | 18 |
| 25-380 | 1440-05-17 | SHROPSHIRE | Teirtref | 216 |
| 25-380 | 1440-05-17 | SHROPSHIRE | Clunton | 288 |
| 25-388 | 1438-10-09 | KENT | Otham | 832 |
| 25-414 | 1439-10-24 | HAMPSHIRE | Wymering | 3980 |
| 25-457 | 1441-09-24 | BEDFORDSHIRE | Great Odell | 809.5 |
| 25-457 | 1441-09-24 | BEDFORDSHIRE | Langford | 4529.25 |
| 25-458 | 1441-06-29 | HEREFORDSHIRE | Wellington | 433.25 |
| 25-478d | 1441-10-31 | YORKSHIRE | Holme on Spalding Moor | 7442 |
| 25-502 | 1440-09-28 | LEICESTERSHIRE | Redmile | 76 |
| 25-507 | 1441-02-07 | DEVON | Tiverton | 10878 |
| 25-507 | 1441-02-07 | DEVON | Exminster | 2478 |
| 25-507 | 1441-02-07 | DEVON | Topsham | 4086 |
| 25-507 | 1441-02-07 | DEVON | Cherubeer | 504 |
| 25-507 | 1441-02-07 | DEVON | Chawleigh | 5176 |
| 25-507 | 1441-02-07 | DEVON | Newnham | 1052 |
| 25-507 | 1441-02-07 | DEVON | Musbury | 4860 |
| 25-618 | 1441-09-20 | SHROPSHIRE | Plas-yn-Dinas | 181 |
| 25-618 | 1441-09-20 | SHROPSHIRE | Plas-yn-Dinas | 181 |