CORNWALL SUBSIDIES

IN THE REIGN OF HENRY VIII

 

A description of these taxes can be found in various resources from UK Public Record Office, to published books and CD’s such as:

Cornwall Subsidies in the Reign of Henry VIII” by T.L. STOATE (Published by same 1985) which is available on CD at the bookshop.

 

A man could be taxed on: Goods, Wages or Land; whichever had the biggest revenue. Any woman included in the rolls were widows.  The process involved assessment by Assessors, then sub or petty collectors in each parish.  This money was then passed to the High collectors, who would deliver the monies to the Exchequer.

 

It is noted in Sloane’s book that in the 1524 roll some temporary/duplication of surnames does occur. An important point is made for genealogists “At the time of the 1524 subsidy surnames in the west of Cornwall had not yet become entirely fixed and hereditary.  Two naming customs were (a) to take the name of the farm or hamlet where he lived and (b) to take the father’s Christian name as a surname..” page vi.

 

Remember for Breage, surrounding parishes may contain the surnames you are looking for.  Breage was part of the Kerrier hundred. Place names mentioned: Trevena, Pellor, Sparnon, Tregonning, Herland, Huthnance, Pengwedna, Tregunno, Methleigh, Tremearn, Trequean, Pentreath, Keneggy, Penhale, Trewavas, Trevorian, Godolphin, Treworlis, Chytodden, Lesceave, Trewithick, Tregew, Troon, Polgrene (Wendron)

 

As with all transcriptions, this information is designed to direct the researcher to the original data - for more information & explanation.

 

1524 SUBSIDIES ROLL for BREKE (Breage)

TOTAL: £16.16.10

See Surname list for details

 

1526 SUBSIDY ROLL

William Godolghan is the only Breage name mentioned.

 

1543 SUBSIDIES ROLL for Seynt Brecke

TOTAL: £10.10.6

See Surname list for details

 

1523 ANTICIPATION RETURN for KERRIER Hundred

William Godolghan is the only Breage name mentioned.

 

1545 BENEVOLENCE ROLL

Names mentioned for Brege: William Godolghan, John Mylyton & John Spernan.