The lands bestowed upon Ansculf and Ghilo by William the Conquerer in 1066
The Domesday Book was commissioned by William The Conqueror in 1086 because William wanted to
know exactly what he had conquered and therefore how much tax revenue (Danegeld) he could raise.
With William in 1066 came Ansculf and his brother Giles (Ghilo) from Picquigny in Picardy in northern
France (our earliest known ancestors). They were rewarded with many lands. Ansculf died before 1086
and his lands were inherited by his son William FitzAnsculf. Fitz means 'son of'.
Listed below are all the lands bestowed on Ansculf and Giles. As you can see they were
substantial land owners, I've highlighted some of the more interesting entries. Apologies
if I haven't highlighted your town.
In addition there is one interesting entry, in Buckinghamshire, a place called Marsh Gibbon
says "Alric FitzAnsculf, the pre-Conquest holder, (under harsh conditions)". So far this is
the only mention I can find anywhere to Alric FitzAnsculf. I think it is a typing error because
there are other entries for Alric but not Alric FitzAnsculf.
William FitzAnsculf
Berkshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Buckinghamshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Middlesex
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Northamptonshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Oxfordshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Staffordshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Surrey
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Warwickshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Wiltshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Giles (brother of Ansculf)
Berkshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Buckinghamshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Northamptonshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
Oxfordshire
| Modern Name | Old Name | Under-Tenant |
|---|
