The particulars given in the holders of Stagsden lands the Domesday Survey of are as follows :—

With but this sparse information and other factors to be brought forward, it is not difficult at least to surmise the whereabouts of such respective holdings, if not conclusively to locate the precise boundaries.

Hugh de Beauchamp, the all important Baron of Bedford held the only land which is recorded as a Manor in Stagsden, of which two hides, it is stated, were held in demesne. This was a Manor not only of considerable importance, but of special interest, as it is the only instance in Domesday relating to any part of Bedfordshire wherein it is recorded “ There is a park for woodland beasts” (parchus ferarum silvaticarum). The location of such manorial demesne was, as will subsequently be proved, in the southern portion of the parish; and with other lands was continued to the north-eastern boundary.

The one hide held by Countess Judith was probably adjoining the above on the eastern side of the parish. The Countess held the whole of Kempston, as also 2 hides of land in the adjoining parish of Bromham; the latter included Buelles or Bowels Manor (the site of its Manor House appears previously to have been unrecorded) and she also held a mill. It seems reasonable to assume that her land in Stagsden would march with that in the adjoining parishes; and that portion of land which is divided off from the other part of the parish by the Bedford to Newport highway and the first connecting road to Kempston, at once suggests itself both as to area and placement, unless we have some rebutting evidence for the contrary. Further, the amount of woodland required for the pannage of swine, in proportion to the hidage belonging to the Countess, infers that her land was considerably wooded, which this part of the parish is even to the present day; and there is no evidence of any other part of Stagsden (at least as far back as the 13th century) ever being so much under woodland. Subsequently the land of the Countess Judith, whose sub-holder was Hugh de Beauchamp, became absorbed into other lands held by him in the parish, and no further mention of it as a separate estate appears to be traceable.