Andrew studied Astrophysics at the University of Leicester, gained a First Class MA in European Historical Archaeology at the University of Sheffield and PhD from Keele exploring the early medieval history and archaeology of the diocese of Lichfield and the cult of its patron saint, St Chad.

This paper will explore evidence provided by the historic landscape, place-names and topography of tenth- and eleventh-century Staffordshire, as well as that contained within Domesday Book and charters, in order to characterize those landholders other than the kind, earls, bishop and abbots who otherwise dominate the record. The relationship of these people with royal authority will also be analysed, with a view to evaluating some of the causes and consequences of the creation of the shire and its constituent hundreds.