Henlow Grey Manor

The manor of Henlow Grey had its origins in an estate of 3½ hides in Henlow held by Walter the Fleming at the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086, which became part of the barony of Wahull (or Odell) held by Walter the Fleming’s descendants.

In 1086 the manor was held from Walter the Fleming by a man named Hugh, but by the 13th century it had been acquired by the Grey family. In 1242 John de Grey held 3 hides in Henlow from the honour of Wahull, and in 1396 Eleanor, wife of Reginald de Grey of Ruthyn died in possession of the manor. When Edmund Grey was created earl of Kent in 1486 he still held this Henlow property, which appears to have followed the same descent as the Manor of Wrest in Silsoe from the 11th century to the 20th century.

Bedfordshire Archives holds comprehensive manorial records relating to Henlow Grey as part of the Lucas collection, which includes the records of the Grey family at Wrest Park. In addition the National Archives holds a file of evidence relating to the enfranchisement of copyhold land. A full list of the records known to survive for Henlow Grey can be found on the Manorial Documents Register available through the online catalogue of the National Archives.