er of Wolverhampton there were then "nine several leets, whereof
eight belong to the church. The custos, lately called the Dean, is lord
of the borough of Wolverhampton, Codsall, Hatherton, and Pelsall in com.
Stafford; and of Lutley in com. Wigorn; hath all manner of privileges
belonging to the View of Frankpledge (that is, the administration of
criminal justice, &c.), to Felons' goods, Deodands, Escheats, Marriage of
Wards, and Clerks of the Weekly Markets, rated at 150 pounds per annum,
and in the total is valued worth 300 pounds per annum.

"Each of the other portionaries (continues Erdeswick) have a several
leet; whereof

Kinvaston is reputed worth 100 (pounds)
Wobaston 100
Wilnall 100
Fetherston 80
Hilton 70
Monmore 70
Hatherton 40

"And the sacrist to attend them in capitulo, 40 pounds"--by no means a
poor salary in those days for such duties as the secretarial and
managerial work to a Chapter.

As to the three hides of Willenhall in the King's Manor of Stow Heath,
here is its later history as recorded by Dr. Vernon, a historiographer
who made some additions to Sampson Erdeswick's history:--

"In Willenhall is a manor called Stowheath, with a court baron and
court leet. Several lands there held by copy from that lords
thereof: four closes, called bundles, held of this manor, and were,
in 1729, confirmed by John, Lord Gower, and Peter Giffard, lords of
the manor of Stowheath; which four closes, with four others, were
sold about 1748 by Mr. Lane to Admiral Anson, together with three
tenements in Bloxwich, with all the manor lands, tithes, hall, and
park, &c., called Bentley, adjoining to Willenhall, for 13,500
pounds."

As to the adjoining hamlet, it may be mentioned that Domesday Book
formally recorded the canons of Wolverhampton to possess "five hides of
Wednesfelde; the arable land is three carucates; that there are six
villeins, and six bordars, who have six carucates; and that there is a
wood in which cattle are pastured, half a mile long and three furlongs
broad."

Such was life in Willenhall and Wednesfield at the Norman period, both
places being then overshadowed in more senses than one by the severely
protected royal pr