Some Spalding Priory Vagabonds of the Twelve‐Sixties*

Abstract

Abstract The censuses made around the twelve‐sixties relating to Spalding priory contain not only demographic information but information on emigrant serfs. One category of these was that classified as vagabonds. It is highly likely that most of these departed illegally. By using all the available sources on Spalding priory it is possible to investigate the vagabonds and reach some interesting conclusions about the priory, and more particularly its bond peasants. Perhaps not surprisingly, the priory seems to have been more worried about emigration after 1348 than before. More surprising is evidence that serfs with expectations of land or dowries were choosing to emigrate. The fact that parents were not being held responsible for female vagabonds is also worthy of note.