Yesterday, I had cause to look at a book entitled ‘Men and Armour for Gloucestershire in 1608’. by John Smith. It is a transcript of the information produced by a military survey of the county of Gloucesteshire in that year. As such, it lists, under hundreds, manors and tithings, the name, occupation or description of each person in the county capable of bearing arms or, if incapacitated, the armour he can contribute. Thus, it contains a list of all the men from the ages of 16 to 60 in Gloucestershire in 1608 and is particularly useful for tracing ancestors in the early 17th century. Also included is a code for the age and another for the stature of the man concerned. For instance, the entry for one man is:
Badgeworth:
Richard Gwynnett, husbandman, 2, m., tr. hath a musket furnished.
The ‘2’ tells us that he is about 40 years (as opposed to 20 or 50-60)
The ‘m’ means that he is of middle stature ‘fitt to make a musketyer’.
Finally, the ‘tr’ means he was a trained soldier at that time.
The best feature of the book is that it has an excellent index which makes searching for your ancestors in the early seventeenth century very easy.
I should love to know any Grimmett entries in this book – Smith, Men & Armour – is there an ISBN number available? I am hoping I could order through ny local library, as I am nowhere close to Gloucestershire RO where I presume they have a copy.
Any help appreciated!
I’m searching for Parker, Maberly, Hathaway,Putt in Westerleigh, Pucklechurch and Mangotsfield and surrounding Parishes.
Hi Monica
You may find a copy of Men and Armour in Gloucestershire in 1608 in your local library or be able to order a copy through them but, as far as I know, it is not online anywhere.
Liz
Richard Gwynnett is my 10th Gt-grandfather. He was the son of George and Eleanor Gwynnedd of Shurdington Magna, formerly of Carnavon Wales. The Harl. MS 1543 fo 190 names him as the son of George and eleanor and the husband of Mary Estcourt, dau of Richard Estcourt of Long Newnton and his wife Agnes Coxe. He bore his father’s Arms, “Azure a chevron betwen three spear-heads Argent embrued at the points proper. Crest: A horses head couped Sable, in mouth a broken spear-handle proper head Argent embrued Gules.” Before 1615, Richard lived at Crippett’s Farmhouse, Shurdington Magna. His son george b. 1580, lived at Rodmarton, Glou.