Cromwellian Parliamentary Surveys facts for kids

The Parliamentary Surveys were special investigations ordered by Oliver Cromwell a long time ago, between 1647 and 1650. Their main goal was to find out who owned what land, especially land that used to belong to the King or the Church. Cromwell wanted to sell these lands to raise money for his army.

What Were the Parliamentary Surveys?

The Parliamentary Surveys were like a big "land census" or a detailed check of land ownership across England. They were started by Oliver Cromwell, who was a powerful leader during a time when England didn't have a king.

Why Were These Surveys Needed?

Cromwell had taken control of lands that belonged to the Crown (the King) and the Church. He needed money to pay his army, called the New Model Army. So, he decided to sell these lands. The surveys were done to figure out exactly what land was available and how much it was worth.

How Were the Surveys Done?

Teams of surveyors went around to different areas. Their job was to:

• Find out who owned land in each "manor" (a large estate with a village).
• Record how much land each person held.
• Note how much rent they paid.
• Estimate the true value of each piece of land.

Were the Surveys Always Accurate?

The accuracy of the surveys varied. If the surveyors could find old records from the previous landlord, the survey results were very accurate. However, if no old records existed, the surveyors had to hold special meetings. They asked all the tenants (people living on the land) to come and declare their land holdings. Not everyone showed up, so some surveys ended up being incomplete or not perfectly accurate.

What Happened to the Land After the Surveys?

Once the land was surveyed and valued, it was sold to new owners. The price was based on the survey's valuation. It was expected that the new owners would get at least 10 years of income from the property they bought. This turned out to be quite accurate! About 10 years later, in 1660, Charles II became king, and the monarchy was restored.

When the King and Church got their lands back in 1661-1662, the people who had bought the land from Cromwell usually didn't get much money back. It was decided that they had already enjoyed the income from the land for about 10 years, which was what they had paid for.

Where Can You Find These Old Records?

Even with some inaccuracies, many of these surveys are incredibly valuable today. They provide a complete record of tenants and land in many manors during the mid-1600s, especially for lands that belonged to the Crown or the Church.

Original copies of these surveys are kept in the Lambeth Palace Library in London. A few can also be found at the National Archives in Kew, London. Some local County Record Offices also have copies for their regions. Many of these old documents have been copied and organized, making them easier to study.