The Metham Family Cartulary: Reconstructed from Antiquarian Transcripts

David Crouch has reconstructed and edited the cartulary of the Metham family, a leading gentry family of Yorkshire, which dates back to the twelfth century. The cartulary, commissioned by Sir Alexander Metham in 1405, recorded the family's deeds and other documents, including over a thousand items. It survived until around 1680 and attracted the attention of two great Yorkshire antiquaries, Dr Nathaniel Johnston and James Torre. Crouch's edition provides a reconstruction of over 700 items and offers a new biography of Torre and a key to decoding Johnston's handwriting.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 20 December 2022
Publisher: Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society

The Methams, a prominent noble family in Yorkshire during the medieval era, can trace their origins back to a member of the Howden minster community in the 12th century. By 1405, the family had achieved significant prominence, possessing extensive estates spanning the East Riding and Vale of York. Their rise to power was fueled by strategic marriages, political appointments, and the exploitation of the debt market. At the height of their influence, Sir Alexander Metham commissioned a cartulary, a meticulously crafted book intended to record the family's deeds, charters, and other important documents. The cartulary, which once held over a thousand entries, endured until approximately 1680, serving as a valuable repository of the history of the East Riding. However, it mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind a void in historical records. Fortunately, the transcripts meticulously compiled by two renowned Yorkshire antiquaries, Dr. Nathaniel Johnston and James Torre, provide a remarkable reconstruction of over 700 items from the lost cartulary. This newfound insight into the past offers a fresh perspective on Yorkshire during the Middle Ages. Moreover, the edition includes a captivating new biography of Torre, shedding light on his life and contributions. Additionally, the book provides a key to deciphering Johnston's notoriously challenging handwriting, a puzzle that has perplexed scholars for centuries. David Crouch's meticulous reconstruction and edition of the cartulary of the Methams not only restores a significant portion of history but also enhances our understanding of this influential medieval family and their place in Yorkshire's rich tapestry.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781916506633