Define: Presentment Of Englishry

During the time of the Danish and Norman conquest of England, a regulation was established requiring the inhabitants of a village or hundred to provide evidence that a deceased individual was of English origin, rather than Danish or Norman. The purpose of this rule was to safeguard the Danes and Normans from potential harm by the English. Failure to substantiate the deceased person’s English identity would result in a monetary penalty. This regulation became known as the presentment of Englishry.

The act of presenting Englishry involves providing evidence that a deceased individual was of English origin, rather than Danish or Norman. This requirement was initially implemented by the Danes and later adopted by the Normans as a means to safeguard their respective communities from the English population. Failure to demonstrate that a deceased person discovered within a village or hundred was English would result in a monetary penalty. For instance, if a deceased individual was found in a village, the inhabitants of that village would need to establish their English origin. If they were unable to do so, they would be subject to a fine. Another example is seen during the Norman conquest of England in 1066, where the English were required to prove their Englishry to avoid punishment. These examples highlight how the presentment of Englishry served to protect the Danes and Normans from the English and how it was enforced through the imposition of fines.

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This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.