Agricultural History Review, Volume 47 Part 2 (1999), pp. 145–160

The paper examines the relatively under-explored subject of late medieval demesne personnel through the example of Newton, Cheshire. Based on an unusually rich set of accounts, the paper discusses the contracts, tasks and wages of Newton's servants and labourers and seeks to locate the former in relation to established types of medieval fiunuli and early modern servants of husbandry. The paper argues that, in contrast to some recent historical research, the balance of power at Newton lay with the landlord. 

Complete Volume PDF