During the late 1570’s through to the 1580’s, England began preparing for possible war with the likes of Spain.
Some of the records of the muster rolls made for preparation of these likely wars are still available for this period, and it’s an interesting insight into how many of our ancestors were expected to take up arms in the name of England and of Queen Elizabeth I.
Most were farmers, labourers and many were gentleman and yeoman in some cases entire villages of an able age appear in the muster rolls mostly aged between 14 and 60.
This page was originally published on my blog as a post on the 21st July 2016, but I have decided to add it’s content and index as a page category, so I can continue to add to it’s content.
The Muster Rolls for Surrey, England can be viewed online and it gives you a break down of each parish and which men and what position they held, it even includes as to whether they are expected to provide weapons. Many of the wealthiest families would be expected to do so.
Below is a list of ancestors (I have been able to identify) from my own family history that appear in the Surrey Muster Rolls, many belong within the same family.
Surrey, England
Source:
Publication: Surrey Musters – Surrey Records Society vol 3
Author: Surrey Records Society
Publisher: Roworth and Co.
Parish of Bramley
Edward Elliott (12th great-uncle) – born 1564 – Billman
Parish of Wonersh
Lawrence Streate (13th great-uncle) – born 1543 – Archer of the second sorte
John Streate (13th great-uncle) – born 1549 – Archer selected
Thomas Franncis (12th great-grandfather) – born 1540 – Billman
John Ticknor (12th great-grandfather) – born 1545 – Billman of the second sorte
John Steere (12th great-grandfather) – born 1548 – Pikeman selected
William Steere (13th great-uncle) – born 1550 – Billman of the best sorte
Robert Steere (13th great-uncle) – born 1554 – Billman of the best sorte
Thomas Steere (13th great-uncle) – born 1566 – Archer of the second sorte
Ralph Baxe (12th great-grandfather) – born 1547 – Archer selected
Parish of Godalming
James Elliott (12th great-uncle) – born 1555 – Archer selected
Richard Elliott (12th great-uncle) – born 1550 – Archer selected
John Elliott (12th great-uncle) – born 1566 – Archer selected
Robert Elliott (12th great-uncle) – born 1557 – Archer of the second sorte
William Peryor (13th great-uncle) – born 1540 – Archer Selected
Walter Peryor (12th great-grandfather) – born 1550 – Gunner / Harquebus
Parish of Thorpe
Thomas Beauchamp (14th great-uncle) – born 1550 – Billman of the second sorte
The Lives of my Ancestors 