Lincolnshire · Domesday Book 1086

Braceby in the Domesday Book

A settlement recorded in William the Conqueror's great survey of England, completed in 1086. 3 manors were recorded here.

In 1086, Braceby was held by King William.

Historical Context

Braceby in 1086

The Domesday Book was the result of a comprehensive survey ordered by William the Conqueror at Christmas 1085. Royal commissioners rode out across every county of England, recording the name and size of every settlement, who held it, what it was worth, and how that compared with the value it had held in the time of Edward the Confessor twenty years before.

For a settlement like Braceby, being entered in the Domesday Book was a defining moment in its history — a written acknowledgement of its existence by the new Norman state. The survey recorded the manor's lord, its taxable assessment in hides or carucates, the number of ploughs at work, and the population of villagers, smallholders and slaves who farmed the land.

The names of Domesday settlements reveal the deep roots of England's landscape. Many carry Saxon, Danish or even older origins — names that were already ancient when the Norman commissioners inscribed them in the great survey. Understanding a place's Domesday record is the first step in tracing the full arc of its history from the early medieval period to the present day.

About this area

Lincolnshire in the Domesday survey

Lincolnshire in 1086 was one of England's most populous and prosperous counties, with a strong Scandinavian heritage reflected in its place-names and social structure. The city of Lincoln was a major urban centre, and the county's flat eastern fenlands were highly productive agricultural land. Its position on the North Sea coast made it important for trade with Scandinavia and the Low Countries.

Common questions

Questions about Braceby

Was Braceby in the Domesday Book?+
Yes. Braceby was recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book as a settlement in the historic county of Lincolnshire.
Who held Braceby in 1086?+
In 1086, Braceby was held by King William.
Who held Braceby before the Norman Conquest?+
Before the Conquest in 1066, Braceby was held by Queen Edith.
How many people lived in Braceby in 1086?+
The 1086 survey recorded 10 people in Braceby: 7 villagers and 3 smallholders.
What land did Braceby have in 1086?+
The Domesday Book records Braceby as having 9 ploughs in use, 140 acres of meadow, 110 acres of woodland.
Where is Braceby today?+
Braceby is a settlement in the historic county of Lincolnshire, England.
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