Diocesan archive

Tithe maps can help us evidence land ownership and the changes in land-use over time. They give us insights into the physical context of the landscape at a moment in time - what types of land are there, what types are land are adjacent - and into land divisions such as enclosure. They're also a source for landscape names, in field and road names which can help us in understanding the history of the area.

As records of Church taxation, they can also provide indication of the types of produce grown or reared on the land, through taxes in kind, including different breed of livestock, crops, milk and the production of wool.  

The Cause Papers are records of the Church courts, running from 1300-1858. We're able to explore and extrapolate some environmental data from these records particularly through examining tithe cases. These give details of the types of crops and stock that were historically present in Yorkshire. For example, a tithe of 'turves' indicates the presence of peat and can help with mapping out the extent of changes to the peat landscape. You can also see evidence of climate events where tithes are unpaid due to poor harvest from drought, flood or blight.  

Search the Cause Papers

The Archbishops Registers can be an excellent source of information on the historic environment of Northern England. 

The first 32 registers, covering 1225-1650, have been digitised and are available online free of charge. The registers are in the process of being indexed, and there are useful terms to search for mentions of landscape and environment in historical Yorkshire. 

The physical registers themselves have also been the subject of bio-archeological research to understand more about the types of animal skins used in the parchment and where those animals came from.

Wills and inventories can offer other sources of information on the environment. These can include bequests of land, farming equipment and stock which can help illustrate how people lived and worked in the landscape. The will above bequeaths beehives, from next to a rosemary border in York.