The Normans had a considerable impact on the local people and way of life. After defeating the English, King William and his knights set to and divided up the land amongst themselves. The small parcels of land and their inhabitants of the Saxon manorial system were taken over by the new Norman masters. Being a sportsman, King William took Gillingham and its forest for himself. It was well stocked with game and Gillingham became a Royal Manor and separate from the manor, was a Royal Forest.

Some of the communities on the outskirts of the present Parish were made into small manors and their Norman masters adopted the old Saxon names which exist today: Bugley (William de Bogley), spelt Bogeley in 1275; Ham (William de Hamme), spelt Hamme in 1275 and Wyke (William de Weeke), spelt the same in 1244. Records tell us that there was a member of the Wyke or Week family living in Wyke in the 14^th century, when Richard de Wyke and his wife Alice held 2 messuages* and 35 acres of land in a 1329 survey. *a dwelling with outbuildings and the surrounding land that is used by the occupants.

The takeover by the Normans and the imposition of the feudal system altered the way of life of the local people drastically. Since the Romans left, Britons and Saxons had mingled and intermarried and life had been quiet, if not prosperous, although to some a struggle to keep alive. Now, however, the feudal system was being enforced upon them with taxes and laws, which were harsh, the forest enclosed and the refinement of the manorial system were taken over by the new Norman masters. The Lord of the Manor was the king of all his servants and administrators; some were ‘free men’, the remainder were serfs and there was a long struggle to grow enough food to exist, work for the Lord, pay taxes, as well as endure harsh laws.