EADRIC DE LAXFIELD - the major Saxon landowner in Happing.

Bill Wilcox M.A.

Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066, Eadric de Laxfield was the largest Saxon landowner within Happing. He is contained within numerous parish histories of east Suffolk & Norfolk and noted in several historical works on late Anglo-Saxon society. Whilst little is known about him, historians often use him to illustrate various issues relating to that period, although none have attempted a biography. I consider this surprising as he was obviously an extremely wealthy and influential figure not just in East Anglia, but also in the country as a whole, and who undoubtedly rubbed shoulders with the Anglo-Saxon nobility. His name appears several times in the Domesday Book as the antecessor or predecessor of Robert, son of William Malet, plus in various Anglo-Saxon and medieval documents. Unfortunately, it appears that some of these documents have been misinterpreted, which has led to some confusion about him. This article is intended to detail the few known sources of information about him, to (hopefully) correct some past misinterpretations and to offer some new ideas about Eadric of Laxfield.

Majority of information about Eadric de Laxfield comes from the Norfolk & Suffolk entries in the Little Domesday Book. However, various Eadrics are noted and whilst it may have been clear at the time, it is now difficult to determine exactly whom is being referred to unless it is written in full. Eadric was a common English name at the time and Eadric de Laxfield had at least one man called Eadric under his patronage (1), who may have been called Eadric Grim (2). Domesday refers to Eadric, a Thegn and Eadric de Laxfield together (3). Eadric, steersman of King's ship who did not survive the Conquest (4) unlike Eadric de Laxfield - see below. Eadric, the King's Reeve and Malet's predecessor are also referred to together (5). Whilst the situation is confusing, it appears that there were at least four Eadrics before the Conquest (TRE), and maybe more, in Norfolk and Suffolk; Eadric de Laxfield, Eadric Grim, Eadric the King's Reeve and Eadric, steersman of the King's ship. In a charter of the Abbey of Bury St Edmunds, dated between 1066 and 1086, a list of previous occupants of a fee, is headed Eadric Cecus (the Blind). All eight occupants listed correspond to men under the patronage of Eadric de Laxfield as listed in Domesday (32). It is therefore concluded that Eadric Cecus and Eadric de Laxfield are one and the same. Domesday records Eadric Cecus in Wiltshire both before the Conquest (TRE) and afterwards (TRW) (6). Three other East Anglian Magnates also held land in Wiltshire TRE, two under names different from those used in Little Domesday (19). Holding lands in various parts of the country was not unusual. For example, Eadric, steersman of King Edward's ship also held lands in Worcestershire (33). As a consequence of this confusion, the writer has discounted all Eadrics in the Domesday Book unless it specifically refers to Eadric de Laxfield, Eadric Cecus, Robert or William Malet's antecessor or it is an Eadric listed under Robert Malet's lands, inferring that the Eadric noted was Robert Malet's predecessor (i.e. Eadric de Laxfield).

Clues to the origin of Eadric de Laxfield are his English name and his father's English name, Ingeld (7). Francis Blomefield, a county historian writing in the 18th century, states 'that he was a Dane by extraction is probable' and that 'he was a Thegn or nobleman of Danish extraction' (8). Why Blomefield came to this conclusion is unclear and he may have had access to a document now lost. However, it is possible that Blomefield could have confused Eadric de Laxfield with Eadric, steersman of King's ship who was made an outlaw in Denmark immediately after the Conquest (4). It is accepted locally that Eadric de Laxfield was Danish and a depiction of him, resplendent in a horned Viking helmet, is to be found on the village sign of Happisburgh in northeast Norfolk.

THE VILLAGE SIGN OF HAPPISBURGH SHOWING EADRIC DE LAXFIELD ( ON RIGHT).

The earliest record of Eadric de Laxfield is a writ by Edward the Confessor, restoring him of his lands and men, after some form of outlawry (9). Some of Eadric's men appear to have been held by Harold Godwineson during his outlawry (10), possibly whilst Harold was Earl of East Anglia. Ingeld, the father of Eadric de Laxfield, held land in Stoke Holy Cross TRE (51). Assuming that Eadric de Laxfield was at least 18 years old at the time of his outlawry, when Harold was last Earl of East Anglia, and allowing Eadric to be a maximum of 52 years old (with his father being 70 years old) at the time of the Norman Conquest, the probable date of birth of Eadric de Laxfield is between 996 and 1014. As the Domesday Survey is abbreviated and formulaic, text such as 'x held freely' and 'y could go with his land' have been shown to relate to the services of a Thegn that were owed to the King, which apply to the lands of Eadric de Laxfield suggesting that he was a King's Thegn (11). The Domesday survey for Wiltshire states that Eadric Cecus (alias Eadric de Laxfield) held Hartham TRE (6) and that Hartham was held by two Thegns TRE (12). The Norfolk Domesday text also signifies that Eadric Grim was a King's Thegn (11) plus that he was half under the patronage of Eadric de Laxfield (2), suggesting that Eadric de Laxfield was of a higher status to Eadric Grim. In conclusion, it appears that Eadric de Laxfield was at least a King's Thegn. Eadric de Laxfield held Dunwich TRE (13), where if a thief was caught he was judged (presumably by Eadric de Laxfield) but that corporal punishment took place in Blythburgh (15). Blythburgh was a royal estate (14) where there was a moneychanger prior to 1066 (15) and so appears to be of a higher status than Dunwich. It has been suggested that Eadric de Laxfield may have been a pre-conquest Shire Reeve (16), although no direct evidence for this is provided. However, the pre-conquest Shire Reeve of Wiltshire was called Eadric (17). Recent research in the subject has hinted that a geographical title, such as 'de Laxfield', could signify an official title or office holding (41), although exactly what this signifies is unclear. However, if the addition of 'de Laxfield' was not some form of official title, it is speculated that it could hint at his origin (in Suffolk). As stated above, Eadric de Laxfield was outlawed at some time during King Edward's reign (9). It has been pointed out that if he had been exiled alone, one would expect some chronicler to note it but if it was connected with a major rebellion then it may have been omitted as an unnecessary detail. It has been speculated that his outlawry may have been connected with the banishment in 1046 of Osgod Clapa, a prominent East Anglian Magnate, who returned to raid England in 1049 or the outlawry of Earl Aelfgar between 1055 and 1056 (20). The only clue is that Eadric's return to favour appears to be when Harold was still Earl of East Anglia (i.e., prior to 1053) (10). This suggests that Eadric de Laxfield may have been connected with Osgod Clapa's rebellion. As a result of his outlawry, Eadric may have been forced to relinquish a portion of his estate, leaving his lands centered on Laxfield in Suffolk (21). However, Domesday states 'the return of his lands and the return of his free men' (9), implying all of them.

THE LANDS OF EADRIC DE LAXFIELD IN EAST ANGLIA.

Due to the problems with the name of Eadric in the Domesday Book, it is difficult to access the exact wealth and lands of Eadric de Laxfield TRE. Estimates of his wealth range from £187 in 28 villages (the writer's estimate), £191 with men commended to him holding lands valued at a further £244 (22) and £230 in 33 villages (21). From Domesday, it is estimated that he held the patronage of around 568 men plus 4 women, his estates included 15 mills, 50 bee hives, 93 lord's ploughs, at least 1 Haga (23), possible markets and fisheries, 2475 acres of woodland, 402 acres of meadow, 55 horses, 1624 sheep, 162 cattle, 288 goats and 484 pigs. Prior to the Norman Conquest Eadric de Laxfield paid £10 a year (as tax) for the port of Dunwich but in King William's time this became 60,000 herrings (13). Great Hockham in Norfolk is listed under the lands of Roger Bigot in the Domesday Survey as being held by Eadric, a Thegn TRE (24). Some writers have connected this Eadric with Eadric de Laxfield (25). This manor contained, amongst other things, 220 wild mares and 5 horses (male) TRE but had just 2 horses TRW (24). As a guide to judging the size of each major estate held by Eadric de Laxfield, the pre-Conquest values are given; Dunwich (£16), Leiston (£16), Eye 26 (£15), Laxfield (£15), Badingham (£15), Dennington (£14), Tannington (£14), Stradbroke (£14), Happisburgh (£10), Huntingfield (£8), Chillesford (£8), Staverton (£6), Snape (£6), Bacton (27) (£5.5), Hollesley (£5), Horsford (£3) and Horsham St Faiths (£3). It has been suggested that Eadric de Laxfield, like other Thegns, owned his own ship (28). However, no evidence for this is provided and this could be confusion with Eadric, steersman of the King's ship (4). The lands of Eadric de Laxfield and the men under his patronage are predominately congregated in east Suffolk, which was dominated by Ely cathedral and may have been part of its original endowment (29). Five of his holdings were near or next to the sea with the 'burgh' element of Happisburgh in Norfolk implying a fortified place (30). Eye (meaning island) in Suffolk appears to have been an important pre-conquest centre with its Haga (23), that probably persuaded the Malet family to site their Caput, build a castle and hold a market there(31). Eye was possibly also the Caput of Eadric de Laxfield. Having established that Eadric de Laxfield was Eadric Cecus, it is tempting to search for other connections in Wiltshire. Godric the Huntsman is also noted as holding Hartham TRW, his father held it TRE (6), possibly suggesting that Godric was Eadric's son. The wife of an 'Eadric' held TRW; half a messuage in Malmsbury (52), one plough-land in Etchilhampton (53) and the manor of Calstone Wellington (53) that were originally held by her husband. The demesne farm in Chippingham was held TRE by Celein, on lease from Eadric the Sheriff (17). A writ from early in the reign of William shows that Eadric the Sheriff, like Eadric de Laxfield, stayed in office after the Conquest (61), although for how long is not known. Does this suggest that Eadric de Laxfield and Eadric the Sheriff were one and the same? Other estates in Wiltshire held TRE by an 'Eadric' include; Berwick St James (53), Burbage and Blunesdon St Andrew (54), Frustfield and Chisbury (55), Berkhampton (56), Alderton and Etone (57), Pewsey (58), Draycot Cerne and Chelworth (58). Thirteen manors in and around Wiltshire were held by an 'Eadric' TRE that were subsequently held by Ernulf de Hesdin TRW, suggesting that this Eadric was his predecessor. These manors are; Etchilhampton, Calstone Wellington and Berwick St James, all in Wiltshire (53), Linkenholt (59) and Come (60) in Hampshire. Kingstone Magna (18) in Dorset. Weston, Tickenham and Rodden (49) in Somerset. Oldbury on the Hill, Badmington, Acton Turville and Hanham (50) in Gloucestershire. However, there is no direct evidence that this Eadric was Eadric de Laxfield.

When Harold Godwineson held the Earldom of East Anglia, he would have courted the support of the local Thegns, possibly using gifts. For example, a lady named Wulfgyth (possibly in 1046) bequeathed a manor in Norfolk to Harold (34) who appears to have passed it onto Eadric de Laxfield who held it prior to 1066 (35). During Eadric's exile, Stanwine of Peasenhall seems to have sought the support of Harold who was content to hand back this man upon the restoration of Eadric (36). These two examples hint at a degree of cordiality between the two men. Some writers also point to Bristrich, in Wiltshire, as being a companion of Eadric de Laxfield, as they both appear as ministerial witnesses on the Waltham abbey foundation charter (19). However, it is not certain that this 'Eadric' was Eadric de Laxfield. With the inferred good relationship between Eadric de Laxfield and Harold Godwineson, plus the huge resources of Eadric (men, horses and the strategic position of some of his estates), it would seem likely that when Harold became King Harold II, he would demand assistance from Eadric during the troubles of 1066. Unfortunately, one can only speculate about what part Eadric actually played at this time. With his lands in northeast Norfolk, Eadric would probably have known Eadric Steersman and Abbot Aelfwold of St Benet's Abbey of Holme. Abbot Aelfwold organized the English fleet that had at least one battle against King William (37), and was probably commanded by Eadric steersman, a benefactor to St Benet with lands nearby (38). Both men suffered exile in Denmark by King William because of their role in the defence of the coast under King Harold II (39). Some writers state that men holding lands of St Benet's Abbey of Holme appear to have fought at the battle of Hastings (40) although no reference for this is given and again it maybe referring to Eadric Steersman. Whilst exile was the standard punishment for anyone who fought at Hastings against King William, the buying back of one's lands was known provided that the individual swore allegiance to King William and was no longer seen as a threat. Eadric de Laxfield is noted in Domesday as holding land in Wiltshire after the Conquest (6) and current research also suggests that he survived the Norman Conquest but not up to the time of the survey (41). Some writers point to Eadric de Laxfield being exiled by King William because he 'invaded' Happisburgh, Ludham and Sea Palling in northeast Norfolk after the rebellion of Earl Ralph in 1075 (42). However, the Domesday reference to this clearly states that this was Eadric, a man of Count Alan, who was originally under the patronage of Eadric de Laxfield TRE (43). Eadric de Laxfield has also been associated (44) with the capture and ransom of an 'Eadric' by Waleram (45). Whilst Eadric de Laxfield held land in Saxlingham (46), it is not clear if this was he.

MALET FAMILY ARMS.

William Malet had started building the castle at Eye prior to his death around 1071 (47) and so it appears that Eadric de Laxfield had been deposed by this date. William died whilst in the fens in the King's service (48), probably fighting against Hereward the Wake and other English nobles at Ely. The writer speculates if Eadric was one of these nobles because with his estates being in an area dominated by Ely, he may have had connections with the cathedral plus the rebellion at Ely occurred about the same time when he lost his estate at Eye. As Eadric de Laxfield was William Malet's antecessor, did William chase Eadric to Ely to specifically kill or capture him and claim his lands?

GLOSSARY:

Antecessor or predecessor: preceding pre-Conquest landholder, from whom the 1086 holder might claim legal title.

Caput: Principle Manor.

Fee: A piece of land held in return for military service.

Haga: Enclosed space associated with a Lordship.

King's Thegn: A man of noble status commended directly to the King.

Reeve: An administrative officer.

TRE (Tempore Regis Edwardi): during the time of King Edward the Confessor (i.e. pre 1066).

TRW (Tempore Regis Willelmi): during the time of King William (i.e. post 1066 and more especially at the time of the Domesday survey in 1086).

Thegn: A man of noble status.

DBi refers to the Greater Domesday survey and DBii the Little Domesday survey.

REFERENCES:

1 DBii fols: 148v & 310v.

2 DBii fol: 293v.

3 DBii fol: 260v.

4 DBii fol: 200.

5 DBii fol: 322v.

6 DBi fol: 74.

7 DBii fol: 299v. There is note of an Ingeld, a Thegn, in Stoke Holy Cross, Norfolk -DBii fol: 264v. A doubtful charter of King Edward, dated 1055 is witnessed by 'Ingold' - Miller S, Anglo-Saxon Charters homepage, undated, S1026, www.trin.cam.ac.uk/sdk13/chartwww/newRegReg.html.

8 Blomefield F, An Essay of the history of the county of Norfolk, 1808, London: pages 296 & 246.

9 DBii fol: 310v & Hart C, The Early Charters of Eastern England, 1966, Leicester University Press: page 68 - charter number 97, dated between 1042 & 1065 (lost).

10 DBii fol: 332.

11 Roffe D, The King's Thegns of England on the eve of the Norman Conquest, 2003, http://www.roffe.freeserve.co.uk/index.htm.

12 DBi fol: 69v.

13 DBii fol: 311v.

14 DBii fol: 282.

15 DBii fols: 312 & 312v.

16 Liddiard R, Landscapes of Lordship - Norman Castles and the Countryside in Medieval Norfolk, 1066 - 1200, 2000, BAR British Series 309: page 35.

17 DBi fol: 72v.

18 DBi fol: 80v.

19 Douglas, The Feudal book of Abbot Baldwin of Bury St Edmunds 1065 - 1098, Cambridge University Library: MS Mm.iv.19, fol.124 - Feudal Documents, 1932, Oxford University Press: xciii: footnote1.

20 Clarke P, The English Nobility under Edward the Confessor, 1994, Oxford Clarendon Press: pages 115 & 116.

21 Clarke P, The English Nobility under Edward the Confessor, 1994, Oxford Clarendon Press: pages 36, 37, 41 & 60.

22 Walker I, Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon King, 1997, Wrens park publishing: page 63.

23 Liddiard R, The Deer Parks of Domesday Book, 2003, Landscapes 4: pages 4-23.

24 DBii fol: 178.

25 Clarke P, The English Nobility under Edward the Confessor, 1994, Oxford Clarendon Press: page 284 and Victoria County Histories - Norfolk vol II: page 23.

26 For confirmation that Eadric held Eye refer to a charter for Eye priory by King Stephen dated 1137/8 regarding a church held '… in the time of Eadric de Laxfield…' - Cronne & Davis, Regesta Regum Anglo-Norman volume III AD 1135 - 1154, 1968, Oxford at the Claredon Press: page 109.

27 For confirmation that Eadric held Bacton refer to Vincent N, New charters of King Stephen with some reflections upon the royal forests during the anarchy (writ dated between 1146 - 1150), 1999, The English Historical Review: page 2.

28 Fleming R, The new Wealth, the new Rich and the new Political Style, 2000, Anglo-Norman studies volume 23, Boydell Press: page 20.

29 Warner P, Blything Hundred: a study in the development of settlement 400 - 1400, 1982, unpublished PhD thesis, University of Leicester: chapter 5.

30 Rye J, A Popular Guide to Norfolk Place-names, 2000, The Larks Press: page 54.

31 DBii fol: 379.

32 Douglas, The Feudal book of Abbot Baldwin of Bury St Edmunds 1065 - 1098, Cambridge University Library: MS Mm.iv.19, fol.124 - Feudal Documents, 1932, Oxford University Press: xc & xci.

33 DBi fol: 173v.

34 Miller S, Anglo-Saxon Charters homepage, undated, S1535, www.trin.cam.ac.uk/sdk13/chartwww/newRegReg.html.

35 DBii fol: 260a.

36 DBii fol: 332.

37 DBii fol: 14v.

38 Oxenedes J, Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes, edited by H Ellis, 2003, Elibron Classics: page 291 and Hart C, The Early Charters of Eastern England, 1966, Leicester University Press: page 92: charter number 134: AD 1047.

39 Oxenedes J, Chronica Johannis de Oxenedes, edited by H Ellis, 2003, Elibron Classics: page 293 and DBii fol: 200.

40 Walker I, Harold, the last Anglo-Saxon King, 1997, Wrens Park publishing: page 168.

41 Marten-Holden L, ongoing PhD research at the University of East Anglia into 11th & 12th Century Suffolk, personal comment.

42 Finn R W, Domesday Studies: The Eastern Counties, 1967, Longman: pages 7 & 29 and Blomefield F, An Essay of the history of the county of Norfolk, 1808, London: pages 297 & 298.

43 DBii fol: 150.

44 Victoria County Histories - Norfolk volume II: page 15.

45 DBii fol: 217a.

46 DBii fol: 154.

47 Paine C, The history of Eye, 1993, Benton de Beauvior: page 3 and Finn R W, Domesday Studies: The Eastern Counties, 1967, Longman: page 21.

48 DBii fols: 260a, 332v & 379.

49 DBi fol: 98.

50 DBi fol: 169

51 DBii fol: 264v

52 DBi fol: 64v

53 DBi fol: 70

54 DBi fol: 70v

55 DBi fol: 71

56 DBi fol: 71v

57 DBi fol: 73

58 DBi fol: 74v

59 DBi fol: 43

60 DBi fol: 46v

61 Hooper N A, "An introduction to the Wiltshire Domesday", date & publisher unknown.

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