Medieval Methods for Population Counting

In medieval Europe, there was no single, standardized method for counting population. Instead, population numbers were estimated or recorded in a fragmented and purpose-driven way—mainly for taxation, feudal obligations, or ecclesiastical administration.

Here’s how they did it:

Medieval Methods for Population Counting

1. Feudal Surveys and Manorial Rolls

• The most common source of population data came from landholder records.
• Manorial rolls, censuses, and extents listed:
• Names of heads of households
• Number of serfs, free tenants, and villeins
• Amount of land held
• Obligations in labor or goods
• Example: A manor might list “5 villeins, 3 cottars, 2 bordars” but not count children or women.

2. Domesday Book (England, 1086)

• Commissioned by William the Conqueror for taxation purposes.
• Did not count individuals directly, but:
• Households, plough teams, slaves, and livestock were recorded.
• Historians extrapolate total population from household numbers (e.g., multiply by average household size ~4.5–5.0).

3. Parish Records (Later Medieval Period)

• As the Church became more involved in recordkeeping:
• Baptism, marriage, and burial records helped estimate local populations.
• These become more systematic after ~1300 CE, especially in diocesan tax records.
• Tithe lists and ecclesiastical censuses served to calculate how many owed a tenth of their produce.

4. Musters and Military Levies

• Lords and kings occasionally called for feudal levies or musters:
• Lists of able-bodied men available for war.
• Sometimes included family members or retainers.
• These are useful for estimating adult male populations.

5. Poll Taxes and Hearth Taxes

• Some kingdoms (notably England and France) conducted poll taxes or hearth taxes:
• Individuals paid a flat tax (poll tax) or based on the number of hearths (fires) in their home.
• England’s 1377–1381 poll tax records are among the first with named individuals.

What Did "Population Count" Actually Mean?

For D&D / Verbobonc Use:

If you're designing a village like Hommlet, a realistic medieval-style estimate might go like this:

• 1 manor holds records of 20 households.
• Each household = ~4.5 people.
• Estimated population: ~90 people, but only 20 adult males may be listed by name.
• Tithes and militia rosters will show partial data; clerics and tax collectors might dispute totals based on season and famine.

Village Census Roll of Hommlet

Year: 576 CY
Prepared by: Name of Reeve or Clerk
**For the Lord of Hommlet and the Viscount of Verbobonc_

I. Household Registry (Feudal & Economic)

Note: Villeins owe both labor and goods; Freeholders pay only rent; Cotters have minimal land and lighter obligations.

II. Tithe & Ecclesiastical Register (Church of St. Cuthbert & Old Faith Grove)

III. Muster Roll (Able-bodied for Militia / Levy)

Note: All males aged 15–60 subject to service unless clergy or infirm. Daughters may serve if self-equipped.

IV. Trade & Artisan Log