Collection Contents
Collection
To view an item-level inventory of the Battle Abbey Archives, see the:
I. Pre-Dissolution Records
Abbey accounts (BA 139-142 , 144-151, 272).
1346-1383, 1508-1509
Note: numbers BA 147-151 not used.
Folder 1
Abbey accounts. BA 139-142, 144-146
Folder 18 (BA 141)
Account of the monastery of St Martin of Battle in the time of Sir Lawrence Champion abbot there at the time of his election
ending on the vigil of St Michael 1H8'.
[1508 December 8]-1509 September 28 BA 141
Folder 18 (BA 272)
Three pages of an abbey account.
1508-1509 BA 272
Almoners' accounts (BA 152-227).
1359-1418
Note: numbers BA 223-227 not used.
Folder 2
Almoners' accounts. BA 152-189
Folder 3
Almoners' accounts. BA 190-222
Cellarers' accounts (BA 286-334).
1306-approximately 1530
Note: numbers BA 331-334 not used.
Folder 11
Cellarers' accounts. BA 286-334
Chaplain's accounts (BA 278).
1520-1521
Folder 12
Abbot's chaplain's account. BA 278
Draft account of Dom John Benygne, chaplain of Lawrence [Champion], abbot of Battle.
25 Mar 1520 - 25 Mar 1521 BA 278
Sacrists' accounts (BA 228-271, 518).
1399-1513
Note: numbers BA 268-271 not used.
Folder 16
Sacrists' accounts. BA 228-249, 255-256, 267
Folder 17
Sacrists' accounts. BA 250-254, 257-266
Folder 21 (BA 518)
Sacrists' account (fragment). BA 518
Stewards' (Seneschal's) accounts (BA 143, 273-277, 279-285).
1488-1531
Note: numbers BA 281-285 not used.
Folder 18 (BA 143, 273-277, 279-280)
Stewards' accounts. BA 143, 273-277, 279-285
Treasurers' accounts (BA 111-138).
1350-1531
Note: numbers BA 134-138 not used.
Folder 19
Treasurers' accounts BA 111-138
Miscellaneous accounts (BA 516-517).
1312
Folder 21 (BA 516)
Fabric roll, [Brecon Castle].
1312 BA 516
Folder 21 (BA 517)
Account of the almoner for Maxfield.
Approximately 1340 BA 517
b. Estate and Manorial Accounts
Beadles' accounts (Battle) (BA 1-110).
1326-1527
Note: numbers BA 106-110 not used.
Folder 8
Beadles' accounts. BA 1-49
Folder 9
Beadles' accounts. BA 50-75
Folder 10
Beadles' accounts. BA 76-105
Accounts of the serjeant of Barnhorn (Sussex) (BA 335-435, 447).
1325-1494
Chiefly consists of bailiff, serjeant, and reeve's accounts.
Note: numbers BA 431-435 not used.
Folder 4
Accounts of the serjeant of Barnhorn. BA 335-358
Folder 5
Accounts of the serjeant of Barnhorn. BA 359-377, 379-389, 447
Folder 6
Accounts of the serjeant of Barnhorn. BA 390-408
Folder 7
Accounts of the serjeant of Barnhorn. BA 378, 409-430
Accounts of the serjeant of Icklesham (Sussex) (BA 436-446, 448-474).
1306-1390
Chiefly serjeant's accounts.
Note: numbers 470-474 not used.
Folder 13
Accounts of the serjeant of Icklesham. BA 436-437, 438a-b, 439-446, 448-474
Manor of Marshalls accounts (BA 475).
1325-1334
Folder 15 (BA 475)
Account of Thomas Tyting, keeper of the manor of Marshall.
1325-1326 BA 475
Manor of Marley (Sussex) accounts (BA 476-494).
1309-1511
Consists of Serjeant's and reeve's accounts and miscellaneous.
Note: numbers 490-494 not used.
Folder 14
Manor of Marley accounts. BA 476-482, 484-489
Folder 15 (BA 483)
Account of Nicholas ate Se, serjeant of
Marshall.
1333-1334 BA 483
Wye (Kent) accounts (BA 495-515).
1361-1526
Chiefly beadle's accounts and accounts of the deputy keeper of the woods.
c. Court rolls and other court records
Note
The court rolls have been disbanded.
Battle
Abbot's
leuga court rolls (including views of frankpledge called here, misleadingly, "hundred").
Manor of Battle court rolls (BA 546-892).
1406-1537
Folder 24
Manor of Battle court rolls. BA 546-655
Folder 25
Manor of Battle court rolls. BA 656-755
Folder 26
Manor of Battle court rolls. BA 756-857
Folder 27
Manor of Battle court rolls. BA 858-892
Folder 28
Gaol delivery rolls.
1303-approximately 1340 BA 893-899
Volume 5
Extracts from Battle court rolls, 1247-1580.
1538-1591
Physical Description: 28 x 20 cm
Phillipps number: 9919
Compiled in the 16th century and covering the years 1247-1532, continued contemporaneously through 1580.
Folder 23
Court rolls, Barnhorn hallmoot (BA 523-545).
1307-1611
Folder 29
Manor of Bodiam court rolls.
1645-1650 BA 900-903
Folder 30
Manor of Marley court rolls.
1421-1537 BA 904-925
Wode [Atte Wode, Le Wode] (Sussex)
Folder 31
Manor of Wode court rolls.
1369-1403 BA 926-932
d. Rentals and surveys, with related documents
Folder 33
Battle rentals.
1252-1351 BA 943-946
Folder 34
Cellarers' rentals.
Approximately 1380-1494 BA 947-954
Folder 36
Sacrists' rentals.
Approximately 1380-approximately 1530 BA 968-973
Folder 35
Miscellaneous rentals.
Approximately 1320-approximately 1530 BA 955-967
Volume 29
Cartulary.
[Approximately 1070]-approximately 1560
Access Information
RESTRICTED. Available with curatorial approval. Requires extended retrieval and delivery time.
Phillipps number: 9928
As well as containing the texts of royal and papal charters of grant
and privilege, written out in full, the cartulary includes, in
summary form, details of the many hundred grants of land which went
to form the abbey's estates in eleven counties.
Additional Guides
Volume 30
Sacrist's cartulary, compiled by Sir John Waller, sacrist of
Battle, 10 and 11 H4 [1408-1410].
1408-1512
Access Information
RESTRICTED. Available with curatorial approval. Requires extended retrieval and delivery time.
Phillipps number: 9929
Additional Guides
Volume 31
Cartulary Casley Volume I [transcript of BA volumes 29 and 33].
1727
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9930 vol. 1
Transcripts made by David Casley, keeper of the king's and Cottonian
library, from manuscripts in the hands of Thomas Webster, bt.
Volume 32
Cartulary Casley Volume II [transcript of BA volume 30 and Cottonian manuscripts].
1726-1727
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9930 vol. 2
Transcript of BA Vol 30 and Cottonian manuscripts relating to Battle
Abbey above by David Casley, keeper of the king's and Cottonian
library, from manuscripts in the hands of Thomas Webster, bt.
Folder 22 (BA 519-520)
Almoners' rolls of charters of Maxfield.
Approximately 1250-approximately 1270 BA 519-520
Folder 22 (BA 521)
Roll of charters of Webbings and Catermansland in Wartling,
including the will of Adam Iwood (1418-1450).
Approximately 1450 BA 521
Folder 22 (BA 522)
Treasurer's roll of charters of Snailham in Guestling.
Approximately 1450 BA 522
Folder 32
External affairs miscellaneous.
Approximately 1450-approximately 1640 BA 933-942
Folder 37
Documents concerning the liberties of Battle, fines in the royal courts and other legal proceedings.
1427-1514 BA 974-989
Folder 38
Subsidy returns.
1332 BA 990-995
Volume 33
Records removed from volume of transcripts of judicial and exchequer enrolments concerning the liberties of Battle, 1189-1323.
Approximately 1323
Access Information
RESTRICTED. Available with curatorial approval. Requires extended retrieval and delivery time.
Phillipps number: 9931
Volume in illuminated bookhand.
Additional Guides
Box 1
Records removed from volume 34 (Nos. 622-796)
Box 2
Records removed from volume 34 (Nos. 802-[2000])
Box 3
Records removed from volume 35
Box 4
Records removed from volume 36
Box 5
Records removed from volume 37 (Nos. 656-1128)
Box 6
Records removed from volume 37 (Nos. 1117-1516)
Box 7
Records removed from volume 38 (Nos. 620-1003)
Box 8
Records removed from volume 38 (Nos. 1109-1506)
Box 9
Records removed from volume 39 (Nos. 625-993)
Box 10
Records removed from volume 39 (Nos. 1002-1529)
Box 11
Records removed from volume 40 (Nos. 621-1246)
Box 12
Records removed from volume 40 (Nos. 1251-1517)
Box 13
Records removed from volume 41
Box 14
Records removed from volume 42 (644-[2002])
Folder OV
Records removed from volume 42 (No. 1531)
Box 15
Records removed from volume 43
Box 16
Records removed from volume 44
Box 17
Records removed from volume 45
Box 18
Records removed from volume 46
Box 19
Records removed from volume 47 (Nos. 623-897)
Box 20
Records removed from volume 47 (Nos. 901-1525)
Box 21
Records removed from volume 48 (Nos. 635-899)
Box 22
Records removed from volume 48 (Nos. 929-1476)
Box 23
Records removed from volume 49 (Nos. 631-1050)
Box 24
Records removed from volume 49 (Nos. 1305-[2001])
Box 25
Records removed from volume 50 (Nos. 904-[2003])
Box 26
Records removed from volume 50 (Nos. 1313-1484)
Volume 51
Records remaining in volume 51
Physical Description: 48 x 51 cm
Phillipps number: 9894
Box 27
Records removed from volume 51
Volume 52
Records remaining in volume 52
Physical Description: 48 x 51 cm
Phillipps number: 9895
Box 28
Records removed from volume 52 (Nos. 686-978)
Box 29
Records removed from volume 52 (Nos. 980-1392)
Box 30
Records removed from volume 52 (Nos. 1398-[2004])
Volume 53
Records remaining in volume 53
Physical Description: 48 x 51 cm
Phillipps number: 9896
Box 31
Records removed from volume 53 (Nos. 659-1358)
Box 32
Records removed from volume 53 (Nos. 1391-1615)
Volume 54
Records remaining in volume 54
Physical Description: 48 x 51 cm
Phillipps number: 9897
Box 33
Records removed from volume 54 (Nos. 724-1059)
Box 34
Records removed from volume 54 (Nos. 1302-1622)
Volume 55
Records remaining in volume 55
Physical Description: 48 x 51 cm
Phillipps number: 9898
Box 35
Records removed from volume 55
Box 36
Robertsbridge estate separated deeds.
16 deeds related to the Robertsbridge estate that were separated from volumes: volume 36 (1498, 1505, 1519); volume 37 (1221,
1502, 1520);
volume 38 (1524); volume 41 (1510); volume 42 (1230); volume 43 (1528); volume 44 (1523); volume 47 (727, 808, 820); volume
unidentified (662, 1504)
II. Post-Dissolution Papers
Volume 15
Manor of Battle, draft court baron court books, 1631-1678,
with memoranda of leases, 1560-1591.
1560-1678
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 1
Volume 16
Manor of Battle: draft court baron and high court books.
1677-1689.
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 2
Volume 17
Manor of Battle: draft court baron and high court books.
1686-1705
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 3
Volume 18
Manor of Battle: draft court baron and high court books.
1708-1721
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 6
Volume 19
Manors of Barnhorn, Swineham and Agmerhurst: draft court book; manor of Barnhorn stewards' papers.
1547-1728
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 7
Volume 20
Manors of Battle and Barnhorn: draft court baron courtbooks; manor of Battle: high court books.
1689-1714
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 4
Volume 21
Manors of Battle and Barnhorn: draft court baron courtbooks and stewards' papers, with other documents concerning the Battle
and Essex estates.
Approximately 1620-1766
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 5
Volume 22
Manor of Battle view of frankpledge: draft minutes, original
presentments and estreats.
1700 September-1727 October
Physical Description: 35 x 22 cm
Phillipps number: 9922 volume 8
Volume 26
Manor of Agmerhurst: draft court baron court book interleaved
with presentments, original surrenders and steward's
papers.
1627 May-1723 October
Physical Description: 33 x 22 cm
Phillipps number: 9925
Volume 3
Accounts of the Webster family at Copthall in Essex and Battle and East Grinstead in Sussex.
1710-1739
Physical Description: 22 x 18 cm
Phillipps number: 9917
Volume 4
Accounts of the Webster family at Copthall in Essex and
Battle in Sussex.
1724-1737
Physical Description: 26 x 20 cm
Phillipps number: 9918
Volume 6
Accounts of the Browne family at Poynings and Battle, and
yearly accounts of the Battle Estate.
1657-1711
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 1
Note: Part 3 onwards are all Battle.
Volume 7
Half-yearly accounts of the Battle Estate.
1711-1720
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 2
Volume 8
Half-yearly accounts of the Battle Estate, 1721-1725, furnace
accounts, 1723-1729, tithe lists and rentals.
1721-1729
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 3
Volume 9
Half-yearly accounts of the Battle Estate, tithe lists and
rentals.
1725-1729
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 4
Volume 10
Half-yearly accounts of the Battle Estate, 1729-1734, furnace
accounts, 1729-1733, tithe lists and rentals.
1729-1734
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 5
Volume 11
Half-yearly accounts of the Battle Estate and other accounts.
1731-1736
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 6
Volume 12
Half-yearly accounts of the Battle Estate and other accounts.
1736-1775
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 7
Volume 13
Gathering of accounts and correspondence.
1720-1735
Physical Description: 35 x 23 cm
Phillipps number: 9920 volume 8
Volume 14
Account book of Richard Nairn.
1725-1739
Physical Description: 17 x 11 cm
Phillipps number: 9921
Volume 23
Rental of the manors of Battle, Agmerhurst, Swineham and
Hastings College with its prebends and pensions, Feb 1595, annotated
16 Feb 1639.
1595-1639
Physical Description: 34 x 22 cm
Phillipps number: 9923 volume 1
Volume 24
Rentals of farm rents and quitrents.
1652-1685
Physical Description: 34 x 22 cm
Phillipps number: 9923 volume 2
Volume 25
Rental of the manors of Battle, Swineham, Hastings College with the prebend of Hooe, Barnhorn, new cottages built upon the
waste [of the manor of Battle] and Agmerhurst.
1680 March 26
Physical Description: 22 x 17 cm
Phillipps number: 9924
Volume 27
[Henry] Westall's accounts for Panningridge Furnace [in Ashburnham].
1546 January-December
Physical Description: 34 x 22 cm
Phillipps number: 9926
Volume 28
Account book [of Richard Nairn] as rector of Hastings All Saints and St Clement, 1729-1740, Hastings tithes, 1650-1655, and
accounts relating to the manors of Ewhurst, Udimore and Bodiam, 1624-1655.
1624-1740
Physical Description: 22 x 17 cm
Phillipps number: 9927
Box 66
Records removed from Volume 75.
Approximately 1720-1775
Phillipps number: 9939
Volume entitled "Webster Papers"; contains genealogical accounts, pedigrees, certified extracts, approximately 1720, letter
from and notes by Arthur Collins, 1743,
commissions, chancery petition related to the Whistler estate; correspondence concerning litigation, 1768; and litigation
accounts.
d. Post-dissolution deeds
Box 37
Records removed from Volume 56.
1478, 1558-1603
Phillipps number: 9899
Contains deeds relating to the Battle Abbey estate, temp Elizabeth 1, including licence to receive in mortmain by Elizabeth
[Woodville],
relating to Godfrey's chantry land in the liberty of Pevensey, 24 February 1478; several documents removed.
Box 38
Records removed from Volume 57.
1603-1638
Phillipps number: 9900 volume 1
Deeds relating to the Battle Abbey and Bodiam estates, 1-13 Jas 1 (1603-1615), with one deed relating to Lenham, Kent; several
documents removed. 1625-1638.
Box 39
Records removed from Volume 58.
1619-1624, 1646
Phillipps number: 9900 volume 2
Deeds relating to the Battle Abbey and Bodiam estates, 17-22 Jas 1 (1619-1624); only one document of 1646 remains.
Box 40
Records removed from Volume 59.
1625-1649
Phillipps number: 9901
Deeds relating to the manor of Lenham, Kent; a stray Barnhorn court baron presentment, 1631; four Battle copies of court roll;
and deeds of the Powell estate in Bodiam; temp Chas 1 (1625-1649).
Box 41
Records removed from Volume 60.
1626-1742
Phillipps number: 9902
Deeds of the Battle Abbey estate in Sussex and at Lenham, Kent, and the London estate of the Webster family; many documents
removed; temp Chas 1 - Geo 2.
Box 42
Records removed from Volume 61.
1653-1743
Phillipps number: 9932
Deeds of estates in Devon, Hertfordshire, Shropshire, Hampshire, Stafford, Surrey Yorkshire and Sussex.
Records removed from Volume 62.
1640-1712
Phillipps number: 9933 volume 1
Deeds of estates in London and Middlesex.
Box 43
Records removed from Volume 62 (Items 1-23).
Box 44
Records removed from Volume 62 (Items 24-33).
Records removed from Volume 63.
1713-1734
Phillipps number: 9933 volume 2
Deeds of estates in London and Middlesex.
Box 45
Records removed from Volume 63 (Items 1-26).
Box 46
Records removed from Volume 63 (Items 27-33).
Box 47
Records removed from Volume 64.
1736-1773
Phillipps number: 9933 volume 3
Deeds of estates in London and Middlesex
Records removed from Volume 65.
1507-1698
Phillipps number: 9934 volume 1
Deeds of property in Ongar, Stanford Rivers, and the Priory of Berden; four maps of the manor of Gubbions by Thomas Peachy,
1608; map of a house and land called Flips in Marks Tey by JC, 1672; all Essex.
Box 48
Records removed from Volume 65 (Items 1-22).
Box 49
Records removed from Volume 65 (Items 23-42).
Records removed from Volume 66.
1700-1778
Phillipps number: 9934 volume 2
Deeds of estates in Ongar, Waltham Holy Cross and Walthamstow, Essex, with one deed of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and various
appointments of Thomas Webster bt to offices.
Box 50
Records removed from Volume 66 (Items 1-10).
Box 51
Records removed from Volume 66 (Items 11-26).
Box 52
Records removed from Volume 67.
1649-1675
Phillipps number: 9935 volume 1
Deeds of estates in Battle.
Records removed from Volume 68.
1676-1696
Phillipps number: 9935 volume 2
Deeds of estates in Battle.
Box 53
Records removed from Volume 68 (Items 1-15).
Box 54
Records removed from Volume 68 (Items 16-36).
Records removed from Volume 69.
1677-1714
Phillipps number: 9935 volume 3
Deeds of estates in Battle.
Box 55
Records removed from Volume 69 (Items 1-16).
Box 56
Records removed from Volume 69 (Items 17-39).
Records removed from Volume 70.
1718-1767
Phillipps number: 9935 volume 4
Deeds of estates in Battle.
Box 57
Records removed from Volume 70 (Items 1-15).
Box 58
Records removed from Volume 70 (Items 16-38).
Records removed from Volume 71.
1621-1772
Phillipps number: 9936 volume 1
Deeds of estates in Sussex.
Box 59
Records removed from Volume 71 (Items 1-26).
Box 60
Records removed from Volume 71 (Items 27-33).
Records removed from Volume 72.
1546-1776
Phillipps number: 9936 volume 2
Deeds of estates in Sussex, 1673-1774, and of estates in Kent, of the Drayton family of Hackington and Chart, 1546-1745.
Box 61
Records removed from Volume 72 (Items 1-24).
Box 62
Records removed from Volume 72 (Items 25-47).
Records removed from Volume 73.
1632-1699
Phillipps number: 9937
Deeds relating to the manor of Samford Orcas, Somerset, 1640-1739, and to estates in Buckinghamshire, Minshull family, 1632-1699.
Box 63
Records removed from Volume 73 (Items 1-22).
Box 67
Records removed from Volume 73 (Items 23-28).
Box 64
Records removed from Volume 73 (Items 29-36).
Box 65
Records removed from Volume 74.
1701-1709
Phillipps number: 9938
Volume entitled "Relating to the Hudsons Bay Company"; contains documents relating to Godfrey Webster of London, merchant,
as executor of Henry Summers of London, merchant, and of a suit brought against
Webster in chancery by the beneficiaries.
Volume 76
Deeds miscellaneous; Minshall quietus; Langham Chances Land, Battle; early Webster of London; Battle estate.
1620-1760
Physical Description: 48 x 32 cm
Phillipps number: 9940
e. Manorial court rolls and rentals
Volume 95
Manors of Bayham and Battle: court rolls.
1553-1559
Physical Description: 54 x 35 cm
Phillipps number: 9914
Volume 96
Court roll, manors of Barnhorn, Bayham and Battle.
1560-1581
Physical Description: 54 x 35 cm
Phillipps number: 9915 vol. 1
Volume 97
Manor of Battle courts baron, views of frankpledge and high court, 1541-1546, 1581-1594; manors of Agmerhurst and Barnhorne,
1584-1591.
1541-1594
Physical Description: 54 x 35 cm
Phillipps number: 9915 vol. 2
Volume 98
Manor of Battle courts baron, views of frankpledge and high court, 1594‑1602; manor of Barnhorn courts baron, 1573, 1602.
1573-1602
Physical Description: 54 x 35 cm
Phillipps number: 9915 vol. 3
Volume 99
Manor of Battle courts baron and view of frankpledge, 1615‑1631;
stray manor of Agmerhurst presentments and drafts, 1604‑1641; rental, all manors, badly disordered, 1704 (endorsed 1680, in
error); rental, not including Barnhorn, 1639.
1604-1641, 1704
Physical Description: 54 x 35 cm
Phillipps number: 9916
III. 19th century manuscript catalog
Volume 1
Catalogus manuscriptorum Belli Abbatiae Tom 1.
Approximately 1830
Physical Description: 36 x 22 cm
Phillipps number: 8774 vol. 1
Volume of paper slips with manuscript descriptions of individual
documents and a reference number, pasted onto paper pages; begins
with undated material, and then runs in chronological order until
1406; the order at the beginning is not that of Thorpe; documents
thought to be of special significance come first. The slips bear the
ink numbers, and those on the first 4 pages have been re-numbered
serially. The undated deeds annotated in pencil with notes
concerning the existence of seals.
Volume 2
Catalogus manuscriptorum Belli Abbatiae Tom 2.
Approximately 1830
Physical Description: 36 x 22 cm
Phillipps number: 8774 vol. 2
Same as volume 1, covering 1406-1742.
IV. Empty bindings
Empty bindings for volumes 56-75, each measuring 48 x 32 cm. The documents in the volumes have been removed to boxes 37-67.
