Barton-le-Clay

Coordinates: 51°58′01″N 0°25′27″W / 51.9669°N 0.4241°W / 51.9669; -0.4241

Barton-le-Clay is a small town and a civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. The town has existed since at least 1066 and is mentioned in the Domesday Book.

History

Ancient history

To the southwest of the town, across the A6 is Sharpenhoe Clappers, an Iron Age hill fort.

The Domesday Book

Barton-Le-Clay Domesday Book entry, taken from 210d 2.

In FLITT Hundred M. The Abbot also holds Barton (in-the-clay). It answers for 11 hides. Land for 12 ploughs. In lordship 3 hides; 2 ploughs there; a third possible. 20 villagers have 9 ploughs. 7 smallholders and 6 slaves. 1 mill, 2s, meadow for 6 ploughs; woodland, 200 pigs. In total, value £10; the same when acquired; before 1066 £12. This manor always lay in (the lands of) St Benedict's Church. With this manor the Abbot claims against Nigel of Aubigny and Walter the Fleming 12 acres (49,000 m²) of meadow which lay there before 1066, but John of Les Roches dispossessed him wrongfully, and this the Hundred testifies.