A two-year archive conservation project funded by the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust and Wiltshire Record Society

What Are the Arundell Court Rolls?

The Arundell Court Rolls are original parchment manuscripts held at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre (WSHC). Dating from 1331 to 1799, they contain valuable legal information about land ownership and tenant rights in Wiltshire. These documents offer a fascinating glimpse into:

• Social and economic history across centuries
• The impact of the Black Death on society and labour
• The rise and fall of the Arundell family, prominent landowners and Royalists during the Civil War

What Will the Project Do?

• There are 125 parchment rolls
• 20 rolls are severely damaged and at risk of total information loss, these will receive specialist conservation treatment
• The remaining rolls will be cleaned and rehoused for long-term preservation

The project will also:

• Involve WSHC volunteers, students, and heritage professionals
• Promote skills sharing across the conservation community
• Take over 300 hours of expert work across two years

Why It Matters

Without this work, irreplaceable historical records could be lost forever. This project ensures that future generations can explore and learn from Wiltshire’s rich past.

Follow the journey on social media:

@heritage_wshc   

Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre     

  Conservation and Museums Advisory Service