When Henry Tudor ascended the throne in 1509 to become King Henry VIII, he called for an account of his income from all manors and liberties in the Duchy of Lancaster. The Rental Survey for Aldbourne is held in the National Archives at Kew under the reference DL 49/9/23.

The survey was held in the Court House on the 12th September 1509 under the supervision of John FitzJames and Thomas Hobson. It opens with a list of prominent villagers who were called to attest its findings. The tenants of the manor are then listed street by street with brief details of the property they held and the annual rent they paid. It also notes whether or not the rent was in arrears. In many entries the description of the property includes the names of previous tenants.

Street Names which appear include West Street (Westrete) and High Street (Hyghstrete) i.e. The Green & Square. Several properties are also noted as being in Lottage (Lotewyche).

Following the list for the village proper, the outlying settlements are also covered, including Snap (Snappe), Upham, Baydon (Baden), Hill wood (Hylwode), Pikewood (Pykewode), Wanborough and two properties in “Hamett & Wodhous”.

Some of the families which we know from later records are clearly already resident in the village – names such as: Goddard, Appleby, Bacon, Walrond, Sheppard, Stone, Coleman, Carter, Knackston, Adams and Hungerford.

The transcription is not yet complete, but to view the progress so far, click here.