MANOR FROM HEAVEN: MANORIAL RECORDS AT LAMBETH PALACE LIBRARY

This paper explores the manorial records held at Lambeth Palace Library, home to the archive of the Church Commissioners, who remain lords of many hundreds of manors today. It explores how the changing administration of the archbishop of Canterbury’s properties, and of the wider estates of the Church of England, has shaped the collection at Lambeth and on deposit elsewhere. The paper contrasts the importance given to manorial documents as a genre by the Manorial Documents Register with the significance of the manor as viewed by those managing the estates. Finally, it provides an overview of the work currently being undertaken by Lambeth Palace Library to fully catalogue and provide access to this material.