Long-lost manuscript available to historians

A HISTORIC manuscript that had been missing for more than 100 years is now on show to the public after being donated to the Derbyshire records office.

The survey of manors in the county dates back to the 16th century and disappeared when it was loaned to a historian from Wirksworth in 1905.

The book, complete with its parchment wrapper, did not resurface until it was handed to county archivist Margaret O'Sullivan by history professor Mark Greengrass, from the University of Sheffield.

Mr Greengrass came across the document as he was winding up the estate of a former colleague called George Potter.

Mrs O'Sullivan said the book was an exciting find. She said: "The manuscript provides a snapshot of Derbyshire at a time when a lot of people were making their fortune."

The manuscript, which has been restored by staff at Derbyshire County Council's Records Office, gives details of more than 100 manors in Derbyshire.

It lists the size of the estates, who owned the land and how much it was worth.

One of the most detailed entries is for Eckington Manor in 1544. At the time, the estate included 800 acres of land, 100 acres of meadow, 700 acres of pasture, 400 acres of woodland, 500 acres of open land and cost just £24 a year in rent.

The book is now available to researchers at the New Street office, in Matlock.