Offord D'arcy

Between 1017 and 1034 Aedric Bishop of Dorchester gave the abbot of Ramsey lands in Offord as an atonement, it was said, for cracking a bell while a boy at school at Ramsey Abbey, which subsequently became known as Broughtons Manor. In 1096 the abbey held 4 hides in Offord. Much of Aedrics endowment was lost in the early part of the 12th century, half a hide in Offord was recovered from Walter But, and a little later Abbot Walter (1133-60) without the assent of the monastery granted to Robert son of Hugh de Worcester 5 hides in Offord. This appears later as 4 hides which were held of the barony of Ramsey by foreign service and a rent of 20s. Apparently this property came to Ralf de Worcester, who agreed in 1194 to convey 3 hides to William le Daneys, said to be his uncle.

Ralf probably died soon after, and the conveyance was made by Hugh, his son, in 1199. The Worcesters retained, however, some lands held by them under the Daneys, as in 1218 William le Daneys made a grant to Ralf de Bray for his homage and service of all the land belonging to Ralf de Worcester in Offord which was of the fee of the Abbey of Ramsey.

In 1279, William de Broughton was holding a manor, with common fishery, in Offord D’arcy of the Abbot of Ramsey.

In 1086 the Domesday Book lists the agrarian holdings of Ramsey Abbey as 4 hides at the value of £4. (Ref 25)