Ealing and Its Vicinity

This compact volume offers a clear portrait of Ealing and its surroundings, for residents and casual visitors alike. It outlines the parish’s borders, its place along Uxbridge Road, and its connections to neighboring villages and the Thames. The tone stays informal, avoiding dense antiquarian jargon while delivering solid historic facts.

The book then explains the old manorial system, showing how the See of London held the estate and how copyhold tenancy grew from medieval villeinage. It describes the unusual “Borough English” rule that passes land to the youngest son, a practice that sets Ealing apart from typical primogeniture. These legal quirks are presented with clear examples that make English land law surprisingly accessible.

It also maps the courts of leet and baron that met each spring and autumn, and decodes the language of quit rents and heriots. Practical details—such as the parish’s acreage, its historic name variations, and the layout of its villages—create a vivid local picture. For anyone curious about the area’s heritage, it serves as a handy, readable companion.