 Although the settlement of North Petherton had what was then considered to be a very large population, it paid little tax as much of it, including the Manor of North Petherton, was held by the king.The Manor and hundred were granted at fee farm by Henry I to John of Erleigh (d. circa 1162).The North Petherton hundred, the former royal estate, was held by the family of John of Erleigh as was the manor of North Petherton until 1371 when his descendant another John of Erleigh was licensed to alienate the hundred and manor to John and Margery Cole.