700-year-old scroll shows how Wulfrune became Wolves
This historic document containing details of a deal made back in 1299 gives an insight into when Wolverhampton was given its name as we know it today.
The scroll, which is owned by the Staffordshire Record Office, details an arrangement between Henry, son of Clement de Wolverhampton and Richard Leveson, where the city is referred to as 'Wolvernehampton'.
Experts have said it can help history lovers chronicle the switch from the Anglo-Saxon name for the city, 'Wulfrune-hampton', to the modern day 'Wolverhampton'.
Archive assistant Ben Cunliffe said: "This is an intriguing historical document, made early in Wolverhampton's history and is interesting for the spelling of the name 'Wolvernehampton'.
"This demonstrates the evolution of the original Wulfrune-hampton into the modern form."
The document, which is currently kept in storage, forms part of the Sutherland collection, a huge archive relating to past life in Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.
It is a record of an agreement made at the time of the marriage between Richard Leveson and Margery, the heiress of Henry, son of Clement de Wolverhampton.
The marriage meant that the Leveson family acquired a large amount of land and property in the area referred to in the text as Wolvernehampton, allowing them to leave their three sons estates in Willenhall and Wolverhampton.
The scroll counts as a document of a transaction that set them on their way to increased fortune in the city.
The Leveson family became very influential in Wolverhampton in the late Middle Ages and supported the development of St Peter's Collegiate Church.
Andrew George, principal archivist at Staffordshire Record Office, said: "We are delighted to look after this material covering more than 700 years of the county's history and make it available for use, through traditional means in our search room in Stafford, but also in a developing way through social media.
"This fascinating document provides history lovers with detail about the local influence of the Leveson family, reflecting their concern with ensuring the legacy of the Leveson family for future generations."
"It is one of many items for Wolverhampton held in the Record Office in Stafford as part of the massive Sutherland collection."
Staffordshire county councillor Mike Lawrence praised the importance of the document and said there is much more detail on the history of the Black Country and Staffordshire available to see at the Record Office.
He said: "This is a great example of some of the fascinating records we have in our collections.
"It's over 700 years old from the rich hoard of Leveson family records from Trentham and we are thrilled to be able to share it with the public of Staffordshire and beyond.
"We're also very excited about our project with Findmypast, making available online over six million key family history sources, parish registers for the county from 1538 to 1900, sharing them to help many more people access and use them."
For more information, visit sutherlandcollection.org.uk.
