The first record of Easton Grey comes from the Domesday Book.  In Domesday's all encompassing and mind-numbing accuracy one can understand both what made William a great leader and what made the Normans the greatest conquering force since the Romans.  The entry in Domesday begins;

"Ipse Ro.ten Estone Aluui tenuit" (Roger holds Estone himself)

So, we know that by 1066 the community had taken on the name Estone (or east farm) and that after the conquest it belonged to Roger de Barchelai - of the original Berkeley family whose name was later assumed by Fitz-Harding.

The full entry translates is:

"Roger holds Estone himself.  Alfwy held it before 1066; it paid tax for 3 hides, less 1/2 virgate.  Land for 3 ploughs, of which 2 hides are in lordship, 2 ploughs there, 4 slaves; 2 villagers and 3 smallholdings with 1 plough.

A mill which pays 6s

The value was 30s; now is 40s"

The Domesday entry tells us the Saxon owner of Estone farm was Alfwy  - the first actual name we have linked to Easton Grey. The entry indicates that it was a small farming community with a decent mill and owned by a powerful Norman overlord - who had been awarded the land by William the Conqueror.

Roger de Barchelai later became a monk in the Abbey St Peter at Gloucester and as a result of this the Abbey had the right of presenting the rectory of Easton Grey up until the Dissolution of the Monasteries.  The arms of the Berkeley family are still visible as a scultcheon in the East window in the chancel of the church.

From Easton Grey - A Brief Village History