About the book

“Elizabeth Griffiths's work on the archives of Norfolk gentry has shown just how much can be gleaned from material as prosaic as accounts, not only regarding the estate economy and family finances, but also on other aspects of gentry lives and attitudes.” Patricia Croot, The English Historical Review

“[H]ighly recommended reading both for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of English agriculture in the modern age and for those who are interested in the peculiar English gentry, their attitudes and their role in society.” Lluís Torró Gil, Historia Agraria

“This collection of essays has been thoughtfully edited by Jane Whittle, who emphasises that it is important for historians to keep records of their research so that it is not lost to future researchers. This insightful work by Elizabeth Griffiths would have been lost had she not followed the record-keeping example of Hamon and Alice Le Strange.” Heather Falvey, The Local Historian

“This will be a lasting memorial to Elizabeth Griffiths' work and a valuable addition to the discussion on the 17th century gentry and their estates.” Evelyn Lord, Cambridgeshire Association for Local History Review

“The book is very readable. There is a great deal of fascinating detail derived from the archives that is backed up by a familiarity with modern farming practices and estate management together with an on-the-ground knowledge of topography and soils.” Victor Morgan, Norfolk Archaeology

Securing the long-term survival and status of the family has always been the principal concern of the English aristocracy and gentry. Central to that ambition has been the successful management of their landed estates, whilst failure in this regard could spell ruination for an entire family. In the sixteenth century, the task became more difficult as price inflation reduced the value of rents; improved management skills were called for. In Norfolk, estates began to change hands rapidly as the unaware or simply incompetent failed to grasp the issues, while the more astute and enterprising landowners capitalised on their neighbours' misfortunes.

When Sir Hamon Le Strange inherited his family's ancient estate at Hunstanton in 1604 it was much depleted and heavily encumbered. The outlook was bleak: such circumstances often led to the disappearance of families as landowners. However, within a generation, he and his remarkable wife Alice had modernised the estate and secured the family's future. After 700 years, the Le Stranges still survive and prosper on their estate at Hunstanton, making them the longest surviving gentry family in Norfolk.