Medieval 1000 -1485 AD
Following the 1066 conquest of Britain by William of Normandy granted lands to his followers and supporters. The King’s lands in Passenham were granted to the de Ferrers family in 1086.
The Normans instigated systems of law and taxation to the country. A record of assets in the realm was completed in The Domesday Book that was completed by 1085. Passenham and Puxley are both listed but Deanshanger is not:
"The King holds Passenham (BASSONHÁ) 1 hide. land for 12 ploughs. In lordship 1, with 1 slave; 8 villagers and 6 smallholders with 1 free man who have 5 ploughs. A mill at 13s 4d; meadow, 30acres; woodland 1 league long and as wide.
Puxley (POCHĖSLEI) belongs to this manor. ½ hide. Land for 1 plough. 1 Freeman who has ½ plough and pays 5s. The whole paid £8 at face value before 1066; now £10”
Old Parish of Passenham
The old Parish of Passenham from the 13th century had 50 households in 1301. It included Passenham, Deanshanger which was the most populated area, Puxley which was actively being cleared of woodland, Old Stratford and the hamlets of Holywell and Little London (now absorbed by Deanshanger) and 1000 acres of Whittlewood Forest.
A Manor House & the Manor of Passenham is recorded as being owned by Ellias de Tingewick from around 1299. A former wooden structure that was a place of worship was replaced by St Guthlac’s Church in the 12thcentury. It famously included murals painted on the Chancel walls. The tower was added in the 14th century, it originally had a spire which later collapsed.
Deanshanger developed around a large green. During 13th century, some land in Deanshanger and its fields were granted to Snelshall Priory, a Benedictine monastery at Tattenhoe (now an area of Milton Keynes) and some timber clearance is recorded during this period.
Examples of the medieval ploughing ridge and furrow system can still be seen in the fields at Deanshanger Pocket Park.
Puxley, in the 14th century, was a settlement of considerable size with three large houses. A charter of 1384 reveals that an open-field agriculture system was practiced.
