Most people were unaware of many of these events, nor were they even likely to be aware of time itself. People of this age probably
were unaware of the century in which they lived. Life still revolved around the seasons, and mechanical clocks, such as they
were, were not available for general use. The impact of anything that was happening in the country probably had little effect
upon people of this time.
In 1208, Pope Innocent III placed an interdict on
Walter Kep, the ancestor of John Keep, was born in Astwood,
While we know little about John Keep of
That little
is known is no surprise because Walter lived over twice as far back in time as John. John lived about 350 years ago, but Walter
lived nearly 800 years in the past. We do know that the 13th century was a remarkable one because the world was awakening from
many centuries of lethargy and thoughtless minds. However, the Dark Ages could not be terminated all at once; ignorance and
wars continued, the Inquisition began in earnest, most people lived in shocking conditions, and medical knowledge and practice would
try our credibility.
The following is provided to place the time in which Walter lived. It is not an attempt to present a history of the 13th century, but to remind readers of selected events of that century that may be recognized.
Walter was born
at the outset of the Late Middle Ages within the loose boundaries of Medieval times. The 6th Crusade had ended, and he probably
lived through the end of the 7th. Magna Carta had been sealed by King John only 15 years earlier. Henry III, who probably
outlived Walter, had recently declared himself of age to rule
The ordinary family probably had a house of thatch, mud, and dirty brown wood. Outside would be found the ignored refuse of domestic animals, and these animals were also kept in part of the building, including a pigpen and places for chickens and cattle. The inside of the house was all soot. The floor of the living area was made of dirt and rush that was simply added to periodically but not cleaned out. Consequently they were unspeakably filthy. Personal hygiene was not attended to.
In
good years, food was plentiful, consisting usually at least of pork sausage, a lot of black bread, and soup made with whatever was
available from vegetables and leftovers. They drank beer and very little if any water because it was often unfit. The
beer was flat and tasteless, made without hops. Flavorings were added.
People at that time were generally small, whatever their situation in life, probably little over 5 feet tall. Many people died
before age 30 usually from disease, and everyone looked very old for their age. The death due to childbirth was terribly high. Clothing may have been from woven wool for the more fortunate; otherwise animal skins were used. Few people had a change of
clothing and it was consequently unclean.
Medical help was available, but of questionable value. Physicians believed that
a red curtain draped around a couch would cure smallpox, heart palpitations could be cured by carrying a piece of coral in the mouth,
some medicines would work only if boiled in the skin of puppies and, if liquid, were drunk from a church bell, and donkey hoofs attached
to the leg could cure gout. Even Roger Bacon, now considered one of the leading advocates of modern scientific method at that
time, believed that most ailments came from God and shouldn't be interfered with.
But the 13th century saw some awakening in the minds of the people. Colored cloth began to be used in clothing again. The science of Plato, Euclid, Aristotle, and Pythagoras were rediscovered because of Englishmen like Roger Bacon and Robert Grosseteste
and the rebirth of the scientific method. It was a time of greatness that stood out from the surrounding darkness: Thomas
Aquinas and Duns Scotus in philosophy; Giotto in painting; Innocent III as pope; and Guy of Montpellier with his hospitals of the
Holy Ghost with ideas that must have had an effect upon those at
Buildings in cities began to be more spacious and with larger windows for increased light and ventilation. There was more often than not running water available for general use and to carry sewage away.
There is some evidence that Walter's situation may have been above average because his close descendants appear to have had an elevated station in life. It can only be hoped that Walter and his family were among those who were considered more fortunate. All of us who are his descendants have to feel very fortunate indeed that the poor chances for survival fell favorably on Walter and his family.
The following is interesting because not a great deal is known about the Estwode (Astwood)
of that time, and more so because it mentions Walter Kep's grandchild, Roger Kepe. It is about Tickford Priory which relates
to Astwood as demonstrated by the Calendar of Patent Rolls dated 14 Oct 1351 Westminster: “Presentation pf Roger Kepe of
Estwode, chaplain, to the vicarage of the church of Estwode, in the diocese of Lincoln, in the king’s gift by reason of the priory
of Tikford in his hands as above.”
Tickford Priory was founded circa 1140 by Fulk Paganel and is thought to be the earliest of all the Buckinghamshire priories.
It was a cell of the Cluniac Abbey of Marmoutier at
Early in the 13th century, the Dominican and Franciscan friars arrived in
The Naval Battles of Damme (1213) and Sandwich (1217) marked the turning point in the way
The following
is not meant to describe the conditions under which Walter lived, which are unknown to us, but it certainly depicts what he observed. It can be assumed that the wealthy lived comfortable lives, as comfort was defined at that time. History tells us that those
of less fortunate means generally had adequate food in times of plenty, and survived in times of crop failures. If he belonged
to a guild, if accessible near Astwood, his situation would have been better.
Dr.
Presentation of Roger Kepe of Estwode, chaplain, to the vicarage of the church of Estwode, in the diocese of Lincoln, in the king’s gift by reason of the priory of Tikford in his hands as above.
The church stands at the west end of the village, and the north, south and east walls of the Nave are believed to date from the late 12th or early 13th century.above.
In the south-east window sill of the chancel there is a piscina, a stone basin with a drain, used by the priests to rinse their hands
during mass, dating from the 14th century. There is a second one in the south aisle at the east end of the south wall, with a circular
basin, chamfered jambs, and a trefoiled head, also of the 14th century, which Roger may well have used during his tenure at the church.