DD - Episode 40 - Upper Beeding

What do a royal farm, a fallen estate, and a couple of jars of honey have in common? This week we travel to Upper Beeding in Sussex, once one of the most valuable holdings in the entire county, to uncover a story of royal wealth, Norman redistribution, and the small, sweet traces of medieval beekeeping.

We’ll explore the unique administrative structure of Sussex, explain what on earth a “rape” is (yes, really), and examine why a place that once rendered nearly £100 under King Edward was worth less than half that just twenty years later. Along the way, we dive into the fascinating, buzzing world of medieval beekeeping—complete with wax, war-hives, and the earliest beekeeping suits.

And in our reflections from past to present, we consider what this tiny Domesday entry can teach us about fragile infrastructure, overlooked labour, and how much is hidden in the smallest details.Join the discussion in the Domesday Delving Facebook group, where you’ll find medieval honeycake and mead recipes inspired by this episode.

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This episode brought to you with the support of Hermelinda Emelisse Theedom.