CHAP. II.
PREFATORY OBSERVATIONS.
THE name of Retford not occurring in any known document previous to Doomsday survey, we are left completely in the dark respecting its foundation ; and were an opinion to be hazarded upon the subject, it would be considered useless, and its uncertainty tend to divest it of all authority. The time when the Romans reigned supreme in this country, notwithstanding the proximity of Retford to one of their public roads, as well as its comparatively short distance from Littleborough, one of their most favourite stations, (the undoubted "Agelocum" or "Segelocum" mentioned in the Itinerary of Antoninus,*) Retford must have been of trifling importance, otherwise, it is reasonable to presume it would not have, escaped the observation of that brave and warlike people. It is not, however, to these two circumstances alone that we would confine our attention, but, as will be shown in the historical account of Grove, that place was once occupied by her armies, and probably, from the eligibility of its situation, it was one of their favourite encampments, and became the central point of their military stations in this part of the country. Assuming this hypothesis to be true, and of which there can be little doubt, can it for a moment be supposed that Retford would have escaped their notice, had it been worthy of it? Reason would at once negative the supposition ;—we may therefore conclude that its native insignificance, combined with its low and swampy situation, rendered it any thing but desirable.
After the Romans had finally deserted the country, it was greatly annoyed by the internal divisions which sprung up between the Picts and Scots, till at length, after much bloodshed, it became a prey to the Saxons, who continued to hold it until they were completely routed by King Arthur, in 621, after whose death, the Britons were unable to maintain the power which they had acquired, and the Saxons again became "masters of the soil."
To this era the historian is accustomed to look for those records which form the groundwork, as well as give the earliest evidences, of local history. Indeed, according to Thoroton, there is not the name of a any field, hamlet, village, or town, which is not of Saxon etymology; yet strange as it may appear, not a single ray of documentary light; is on record respecting Retford, either to assist in piercing the gloom of that period, or to chase away the errors which superstition or traditionary legends may, since that time, have assisted in promulgating.
DOOMSDAY BOOK.
In Doomsday book, the name of Redforde and Redeford occurs in several places, but I am apprehensive that this place is only mentioned twice or three times at the farthest, the others evidently referring to West Retford, Radford near Worksop, or Radford near Nottingham, large quantities of land being mentioned which never existed here. In this opinion Mr. Thoroton appears to coincide. The entry is as under,—
From which may he gathered, that in Retford there was one mill belonging to the fee of Sutton, the property of the Archbishop of York. Two other entries, supposed by Bawdwin, to allude to this place, are as follows,—
That is,—In Odesthorpe (now unknown) and Retford, there was one bovat and three quarters of land to be taxed. The land four bovats. Soke in Clumber. The land was waste.
Also, in Odesthorpe and Retford, there was half an oxgang to be taxed. Land to four oxen. There is one villain* there, and the fourth part of one mill, and four acres of meadow. Thus briefly is Retford noticed, the foundation of its history consequently rests upon a very circumscribed basis.
* The villains were an order of tenantry somewhat superior to the "common herd": notwithstanding they were bondmen, born upon and transferable with estates; they were, however, allowed to hold land in their own right, and consequently though in a servile condition, they enjoyed privileges of which the bordars, who were servants of the lowest degree, were entirely deprived.
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