Offord Cluny

Offord Cluny is a village and former civil parish in Huntingdonshire. It is in the twin village of Offord D'Arcy and together they are known as The Offords. At the time of the 2001 census, the population of the village was 502 people. The name 'Offord' originates from the name 'Upeforde', which in turn is believed to be derived from the Old English pre 7th Century 'uppe', up (stream), and 'ford', ford. In 1086 there was just one manor at Offord ClUny; the annual rent paid to the lord of the manor in 1066 had been £10 and the rent was the same in 1086. The tax assessment in the Domesday Book was known as geld or danegeld and was a type of land-tax based on the hide or ploughland. It was originally a way of collecting a tribute to pay the Danes when they attacked England, and was only levied when necessary. Following the Norman Conquest, the geld was being used to raise money for continental wars by 1130.