There are a number of entries which apply to Guilden
Morden in the Domesday Book 1086.
Probably, there was no great distinction between
Steeple and Guilden Morden - both villages being thinly populated
and spread out. Steeple Morden is directly referred to and Guilden
is assumed - the "Other Morden" or as "Morden".
The entries refer to four people to whom the land
has been given by the William I or Willliam the Bastard as he was
more effectionally known: Sheriff Picot of Cambridge, Lord Hardwin
of Scales, and Geoffrey de Mandeville and the above, Earl Roger. The
largest manor was that of Picot's, at 3 and a half hides, 8 freemen,
one slave and a mill. This passed to his successor, Pain Peverel and
then to his son, William Peverel, who died without issue.
Subsequently the holdings passed down as five manors. Pichards,
Bondesbury, Odsey, Avenels and one around Town's End Farm.
Geoffrey de Mandeville's estate became Foxleys Manor
and Earl Roger's land passed with the Shingay manor to the Knights
Hospitallers and their succesors.
Some of the names and places can be recognised, in
Fox Cottage, Fox Corner, Fox Hill, Fox Hill Rd. Avenels is opposite
the Old Post Office and Town House at the corner of High St and
Church St. Shingay retains its name in the title of the local
united benefice of the Church Of England. Bell's Meadow, Cannons
Close, Dubs Knoll, were all named after included or adjacent fields.
A "hide" is usually reckoned as 120 acres and a
"virgate" as a quarter of a hide. The Mill was almost certainly at
the site of Hooks Mill
