Boldon Book; Bolden Book
A customal account by the Bishop of Durham taken in 1183AD. Customal accounts listed the labour, money and produce owed by custom to the Bishop. As such, unlike the Domesday Book, the account is not comprehensive. It only covers selected areas, (those of importance to the Bishops of Durham). It therefore includes the area of North Durham, (see Norhamshire) and Bedlingtonshire, but not where other landowners predominated, such as Barnard Castle, Hartlepool, and the Sadberge wapentake.
The dues were assessed at the individual and community level, so individuals (sometimes with occupations listed) and places are mentioned. The customs due could be specified produce, labour or service at special times of the year. It was written in Latin - though an English translation is available.
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