Tithe Map of Luton

What is the tithe? 

Tithes were an annual tax paid by landowners to support local churches and clergy. This was originally 10% of their agricultural produce. 

Major changes to this practice happened after the Church of England was forced to break away from the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church during the English Reformation of the sixteenth century. A lot of Church-owned land passed to lay people, who then received the tithes.

Why the 1842 tithe map?

The 1836 Tithe Commutation Act outlawed the practice of payments in produce as that was seen as outdated. Instead, produce such as corn, wheat and orchard fruit were converted into money equivalents. 

Who created the Luton Tithe Map? 

Assistant tithe commissioners surveyed the land to provide definitive answers as to which land was tithed, who owned it, the amounts to pay and to whom. The results were written down and all parties had to agree. For Luton, this was done by assistant tithe commissioner John Maurice Herbert, Barrister at Lincoln's Inn and a Henry Davies from whom we only know that he was from Kimpton. 

What shape does the tithe map take? 

The tithe records consist of 2 parts: 

• a tithe map and

• a book called the register of tithe apportionments

In the register, Luton parish consists of 'six several Townships or hamlets called respectively Luton township, Stopsley, East Hyde, West Hide, Limbury cum Biscott and Leagrave'.

Who benefitted?

The distribution of tithes was worked out in great detail and down to the last pence.