Babergh Hundred Military Survey of 1522

This database contains the military survey of 1522 for Babergh Hundred located in Suffolk County, England. This transcription of the survey was taken from the original located in the Lincolnshire Record Office. The purpose of this survey was to "provide an indication of the country's capacity to supply arms and armour in time of war, the provision of which was linked to a person's stated wealth. Everyone listed, whether clerical or lay, was required to state on oath the value of his goods and, where appropriate, the annual value of his lands, benefice or stipend." What is unique about the Military Survey is that it provides details on both the goods and the lands of an individual. Other records usually only provide details on one or the other because a person was only taxed on one of those items, whichever provided the greatest revenue. Because the Military Survey provides information on both items, it more clearly indicates a person's wealth.