Recap

If you have been working through the sections in order instead of dipping in and out, you should by now have picked up the main skills needed to start using manorial and other historical documents. In the remaining sections, we will cover the skills required to read the documents and delve more deeply into the different types of manorial records which have survived in Northumberland.

Before moving on, look at this checklist below and see whether you are confident about the following:

• What is a manor?
• What is the difference between a Court Leet and a Court Baron?
• Do you understand the layout (diplomatic) of manorial documents?
• Can you work out Roman numerals?
• Do you know what old currency is – pounds, shillings and pence?
• When were acres, roods and perches used?
• Can you convert Regnal Dates into their modern form?

If you are not sure about any of them, just go back and re-read the relevant section.

The earlier sections are a great reference resource for the future. However, it is important that you can understand and apply what we have covered so far before moving on. The skills learnt will really help you understand the contents of manorial documents. 

Now it’s time to try the next section – Tips for Reading Old Documents.