'ti*
THE
HI S T OR Y
O F
• •
SOMERSETSHIRE.
BY THE
REV. JOHN CO'LLINSON, F.A.S.
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
T H E
HISTORY
AND
ANTIQUITIES
OF THE
COUNTY
O F
SOMER
H
T,
COLLECTED FROM
AUTHENTICK RECORDS,
AND AN
ACTUAL SURVEY made by the late Mr. EDMUND RACK.
ADORNED WITH
A MAP OF THE COUNTY,*.-
And Engravings of Roman and other Reliques, Town-Seals, Baths,
Churches, and Gentlemen's Seats.
BY THE
REVEREND JOHN COLLINSON, F. A. S.
Vicar of LoNG-AsHTON, Curate of Filton alias Whitchuech, in the County of Somerfet;
and Vicar of Clanfield, in the County of Oxford.
Exutcz variant Jacitm per feculd gentes. Manilius. ^
IN THREE VOLUMES.
VOL. III.
BATH : PRINTED BY R. CRUTTWELL ;
AND SOLD Br
C. DILLY, POULTRY; G. G. J. and J. ROBINSON, and T. LONGMAN, PATER-NOSTER.RO .V;
and T. PAYNE, MEWS-GATE, LONDON;
J. FLETCHER, OXFORD; and the BOOKSELLERS of BATH, BRISTOL, &c
MDCCJCCI.
H>
THE HISTORY OF
SOMERSETSHIRE.
THE HUNDREDOF
M A R T O C K.
ft
^HE Hundred of Maitbck, lying in the fouthern part of the county, conlilli
^ of a fingle parifli of its name, which is derived from Mart, an abbre-
viation of Market, and T^c, the Saxon word for an oak, which laft
comes from (JEgCke, a term ufed for that fpecies of tree by the Belga, thj
ancient inhabitants of thefe parts. The meaning of this derivation is fuppofed to be^
that in former times, in the town of Martock, on the fpot where the market-hall now
ftands, a mart was held for goods brought from Muchelney and other places, under a
remarkable old oak, which being decayed about two centuries ago, the inhabitants had
it in contemplation to plant another in its ftead, in order to commemorate this ruftick
habitude of traffick.
Nor without reafon:— Our Belgick anceftors held the oak in the utmoft veneration;
not only their publick bufinefs was tranfafted, and their feminaries trained, under its
fhadowsi' but their priefts the Druids were denominated from it," and celebrated
their orgies under its folemn bowers ; their mifleltoe, pofleffing fuch egregious virtues,
was produced from it; and its branches furnifhed fuel for their facrifices.
Vol. III.
Sec the Maxims of the Druids in'OoUut, Rapin, and other writers.
" ©crto'tii)), a Society of Men celebrating the Oak.
B
It
2 ^ M A R T O C K. , mmoch
It merits obfervation, that there i^ithin the limits of this hundred a hamlet of the
name of HurJ}, which itfelf fignifies a wood, or grove; but which was anciently termed
ylchelai, or the place of oaks, a circumflance additionally evincing the quantity of that
kind of wood with which this country pnce abounded. Nor is it to'be doubted, but
that in this fpot, furrounded by venerable oaks, thofe horrid yet folemn rites were-
anciently praftifed, which, though the rudeft reprefentation of divine obfervance, could
draw together the wifeft devotees from the moft diftant regions.
With regard to the more modern hiftory of this diftridl, there is but little memor-
able. It formerly belonged to the crown of England, till pafTed by grant to the lords
of its principal manor, Martock.
M A R T O C K
IS a large pleafant market-town, fituated in the centre of, and about feven or eight
miles diftant from the towns of Somerton, Crewkerne, Yeovil, and Langport. The
market is held twice a week, on Wednefday and Saturday; provifions of all forts are
plentiful, and the town- fupplied with every convenience. At the jun£tion of three
turnpike-roads near the middle of the town is a neat market-houfe eredted by Mr.
Blade, lord of the manor, with an affembly-room over it, and underneath are the
butchers' fhambles. Near this market-houfe ftands a handfome fluted column, with a
^ial, being a model of the famous pillar of Trajan, now in the court at Wilton-houfe,
iJie feat of the Earl of Pembroke.
The parifh of Martock is very extenfive, and is divided into nine tithings, viz.
I. Martock, containing the church, and 102 houfes.
a. Hurst, fituated fouth, 54 houfes.
3. Bower-Henton, fouth, 40 houfes.
4. Milton, eaft, 22 houfes.
5. WiTcoMBE, foutheaft, 13 houfes.
6. Ash, foutheaft, 34 houfes.
7. Coat, northweft, 44 houfes.
8. Stapleton, north, 22 houfes.
9. Load, or Long-Load, north, 46 houfes and a chapel.
There is alfo a fmall place near Buckland St. Mary, confifting of three farms, which
belongs to the hundred of Martock, and to the tithing of Coat, in which thefe eftates
are charged to the land-tax, and the occupiers are liable to be fummoned upon juries
here.
fij^artocfe.] MARTOCK. 3
here. Thefe lands pay tithes to the vicar of Martock, and tithing weight to the lord
of this manor; but pay all parochial rates at Buckland St. Mary. It is likewife
obfervable, that part of the tithings of Hurft and Bower-Henton is called to this day
Ncwtoriy which probably might have been in former times a diftinft tithing, but is now
blended with the others.
The whole number of houfes in this parilh is three hundred and eighty, and of inha-
bitants nearly two thoufand.
The fituation is not fo pleafant as that of many other parifhes, being low, flat, and
woody, except towards the foutli. The foil is heavy, and principally clay. The lands
are about half arable j the crops chiefly wheat, beans, and flax. The wood is chiefly
oak and elm; of the latter great abundance. There are fome curious polypodies and
mofl"es; but few plants that merit attention. The river Parret runs along the fouth-
weft fide of the parilh, dividing it from South-Petherton and Kingfljury; and the Yeo
waflies the north fide of it, and empties itfelf into the Parret a few miles below; whence
they conjointly diredl their waters towards Bridgwater and the Briftol Channel. Both
rivers contain eels, pike, roach, dace, and gudgeons j and in the Parret are fine trout.
A large royalty on both belongs to the lord of the manor of Martock. The county
bridge, called Petherton-Bridge, croflfes the Parret on the Weft, whence there is a turn-
pike-road throughout the parifh to Load-bridge, which crofl"es the river Yeo on the
north; thefe bridges being five miles diftant. There is alio another county bridge over
the Parret, called Galbridge, which divides the hundreds of Martock and Kingfliury.
Being thus inclofed by thefe two rivers, and contiguous to the demefnes of the famous
monaftery of Muchelney, this territory was fometimes called in old records Mertok in
the ijland of Muchelney, and Mertok inter aquas; by which laft it is diftinguiflied in a
charter of John de Fieules, lord of this manor in the time of Edw. II.
Martock was one of thofe large manors which were pofl^eflfed by Edith, die Queen
of Edward the ConfelTor. She was daughter of Goodwin, duke of the Weft-Saxons
and earl of Kent. Her mother was Githa, the fifter of Sweyn the younger. King of
Denmark. She died in 1074, and was buried near her huftsand in Weftminfter- abbey.
Sorrie years before her death, the intrufion of William the Conqueror had ftript her and
her brother Harold of their pofleflions, and this manor remained in King William's
hands when the general furvey was compiled; the following account of this parifti and
its appendages is therein given :
" The King holds Mertoch. There are thirty-eight hides. In the time of King
" Edward it gelded for thirteen hides. The arable is forty carucates. Thereof in
" demefne are eight hides, and there are three carucates, and fix fervants, and fourteen
" coliberts, and fixty-five villanes, and twenty-three cottagers, with twenty-eight
" ploughs. There are two mills of thirty- five ftiillings rent, and fifty acres of meadow.
" Pafture one mile long, and as much broad. Wood one mile long, and two furlongs
" broad, A fiftiery pays five fliillings. It yields feventy pounds by tale, and one
" hundred fhillings more, if Bifhop Walchel would give in his verdid.
" To this manor are added three hides. Thefe were held by three thanes in the
" time of King Edward They pay to Mertoch four pounds and^ ten ftiillings.
B a " From
4 M A R T o c K. [a^attocfe*
« From this manor is taken one hide, and one virgate of land in Contone. Anfger
« [the king's cook] holds it. The arable is two carucates. Four homagers have there
" one plough. It was worth fifty fliillings, now thirty fhillings.
" From the faid manor is taken away a hide and a tialf. Aluric holds it, and it is
" worth forty fhilhngs.""
Shortly after. King William the Conqueror gave this manor, which comprized moft
of the lands in Martock, Coat, Henton, Hurft, and Newton, and part of Stapleton*
Witcomb, and Alh, to Euftace earl of Bulloigne in Picardy, annexing it to the honour
of Bulioigne, to be held by the faid Euftace and his fucceffors in the male line for
ever." Which Euftace married Goda, fifter by the father's fide to Edward the
Confefibr, and by her was father of Godfrey de Bulloigne, a famous champion in the
wars of Paleftine. To him fucceeded William earl of Bulloigne, who gave this
manor in fee to his fon Faramufius de Bulloigne,' whofe fole heirefs Sibilla, fometimes
furnamed de fyngrie, was married to Ingelram de Fieules, whof? pofterity wrote them-
felves Fienes, and were progenitors of the Fienes Barons Dacre, and Barons Say
and Sele.
* This Ingelram de Fieules had iflue William de Fieules his fon and heir, who, in the
8th year of King John, obtained the king's mandate to the ftieriff of this county, to
make livery to him of this manor, to which his mother Sibill had quitted claim in open
court." He died 25 Henry III. and was fucceeded by Ingelram his fon, who the fame
year had livery of his lands.
Which Ingelram de Fieules, the fecond of thit name, was a knight, and bore a great
Ihare in all th"^ troubles and complicated fcenes of confufion which obfcured the reign
of Henry III. to whom he was immutably attached, and at the memorable battle of
Eveftiam diftinguilhed himfelf in the royal caufe. He died about 5 1 Henry III.
To him fucceeded another William de Fieules, who 54 Flenry III. preparing'fof
his iourney to the Holy Land, conftituted William de Amnefe his attorney, to tranlafl:
allbufinefs for him in his abfencci empowering at the fanpe time Reginald de Fieules
his brother, to appoint any other attorney for him during the fpace of five years.
10 Edw. I. he was with the King in Wales in the expedition againft Llewellyn; and
22 of the fame reign, had fummons to equip himfelf with horfe and arms to attend the
King at Portfmouth, preparatively to failing into Gafcoigne. He died 30 Edw. I.
leaving John de Fieules his fon and heir.
The faid John de Fieules, 13 Edw. II. paid ten pounds for his relief of this manor."^
He alfo was engaged in the French wars; and bore on his feal three hons rampant.
He left iflue a fon of his own name, who with his wife Ifabella are found to be poflefied
of this manor 5 Edw. III. then holding it of the King in chief by knight's fervice.^
Shortly after which it was confifcated to the crown, and given by King Edw. III. in
the 14th year of his reign to William de Montacute earl of Sarum," who died feized of
the fame 18 Edw. III.'
• Lib. Domefday. " Cart. Antiq. « Cart. 4; Hen. III. m. 3. per infpex. " Rot. Claus. 8 Joh.
« Rot. Pip. 13 Edw. II. ' Seals from ancient Deeds. « Efc. " Cart. 14 Ed. III. m. 47. ' E^c.
From
Q&artocft.] M A R T O C K. . 5
From which William de Montacute this manor defcended to another William,'' who
gave the royalty of certain lands in Martock to Thomas Hobbes, clerk, and his heirs ;'
and after him to Sir John de Montacute, who being attainted, the manor of Martock
came again to the crown, and was granted to John Beaufort marquis of Dorfet, whofe
defcendants fometime enjoyed the famej and after them it was pofi'efled by Henry
Stafford duke of Buckingham, by whofe attainder in 1483 it again lapfed to the crown,
and was retained there till the reign of King James I. who gave it in fee to Lord
Morly Monteagle, as a reward for his difcovery of the gunpowder plot, in the year
1605. Which faid Lord Morly fold the reverfion in fee of feveral large farms here to
upwards of fixty of his tenants, and in the year 1637 fold the manor to William Strode,
of Burrington, efq; in whofe family it continued till June 20, 1728, when, after a great
number of other eftates being fold off, the remainder was difpofedof to Zachary Bayly,
of Bowlin, efq; who difpofed of other lands to the amount of upwards of five thoufand
pounds to fuch tenants as were inclined to purchafe; and, on the loth of April 1759,
fold the remaining part of the manor to Meffrs. Henry and John Slade of Arti, of
whom Henry the elder brother dying without iffue, it became folely vefted in George
the eldeft fon of John Slade, who is the prefent poffeffor.
The old manfion-houfe of the Fieules and Montacutes was moated round, and the
walls embattled and crenellated. Its fcite occupies the (pace of two acres. Nothing^
remains thereof, faving a double-arched ftone bridge over the moat, which ferved as
the principal entrance. In emptying the moat fome years ago there were found feveral
cannon fhot, the offspring probably of Cromwell, or fome of his coadjiirors.
A family denominated from the place held lands in Martock of its principal lords;
of whom were Roger, Stephen, William, and Peter de Mertok, 7 Edw. II. Peter the
fon of WilUam de Mertok, who was outlawed for felony, held two fhares of a meffuage,
twenty-feven acres of arable land, fixteen acres of meadow, and eight fhillings and
three-pence rent in Martock of John de Fieules j and the faid premifes were in the
King's hand for a year and a day."
We Ihall now defcend to the other ancient property contained within this parifli.
The manor of Milton was held in the Conqueror's days by Walter de Dowai, as
appears from the following record:
" Richard holds of Walter, Middeltone. Elwacre held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for one hide and a half. The arable is two carucates. There
" are three viilanes having one plough. It is and was worth twenty-five fhillings.""
This manor was held of the lords of Martock by the family of Fauconbergh or Fal-
conbridge, by the fervice of the fourth part of a knight's fee, and from them it acquired
the name of Milton-Falconbridge. This family was originally from France, and came
* Externa ibidem fafta menfe Septembris anno regni regis Edwardi tercii poft conqujeftum XLIII". per fa-
cramentum tocius homagii jure coram Ricardo Home extenditore, quorum quilibet feparatim per fe reddkus ct
fervicia fua recognovit, ac poilmodum omnes finiul conjundH et onerati dicebant, quod dominus Willehmw de
Montcacuto, Comes Sarum, tenet manerium iftud de rege in capite, ficut patet in carta ipfius.
' Pat. 18 Ric. y. p, I. m. 1. "■ Efc. • Lib. Domefday.
thence
6 * M A R T O C K. tS@attOC8.
thence into this country foon after the Conqueft. The firft that appears upon record
is Peter de Falkeberge, fon of Agnes de Arches, foundrefs of the houfe of nuns at Nun-
Kelling in Holdernefs." By Beatrice his wife he left ifilie three fons, William, Walter,
and Stephen, of whom Walter married Agnes daughter and coheirefs of Simon Fitz-
Simon, and by her was father of Peter de Fauconbergh, who in the time of King John
took part with the rebellious barons, and thereupon his lands were feizedj but after-
wards reftored, Which Peter was father of Walter de Fauconbergh, who, by Agnes his
wife one of the daughters and coheirs of Peter de Brus, had ilTue feven fons, of whom
Peter was fettled at this place in the time of Edw. II. In the 8th year of the fucceed-
ing reign, Maud de Fauconbergh, (probably widow of this Peter) was lady of the manor
of Milton, and then gave tiie manor of Hardington-Wytenine to William de Durnford
for life.'' Milton was then held of John de Fieules lord of Martock, by the fervice of
the fourth part of one knight's fee. 23 Edw. III. another Peter de Fauconbergh held
the manor of Milton-Fauconbergh of William de Montacute earl of Sarum, as of his
manor of Martock by knight's fervice. He was the laft of the name that poflfefTed
this eitate: for at his death, the year abovementioned, Thomas Lotterel his coufin was
found heir to his poffeffions.'' They bore for their arms three lions paflant.' After this
the manor of Milton reverted to the crown, and was annexed to the dutchy of Cornwall,
to which it now belongs, being parcel of the pofTeflions of the Prince of Wales.
The manor of Ash, Ash-Bulleyn, and Pyke's-Ash, fo termed from the Earls of
BuUoigne its ancient, and the Pykes its more recent pofTeflbrs, has this defcription ia
the N orman record :
' " Anfger holds of the Earl [Morton] in Aisse one hide. Briftuin held it in the
*' time of King Edward. The arable is one carucate, held by two villanes. There
*• is one acre of meadow, and two acres of coppice wood. It was and is worth ten
« fhillings.'"
After the Earls of Bulloigne, the family of Camme were lords of this hamlet. By
an inquifition taken 34 Edw. I. it was found that Herbert de Camme held the manor
of Afh of Baldwin de Champflower, by the fervice of the eighth part of a knight's fee;
and that Margery and Joan de Camme his fillers were his next heirs.' 23 Edw. III.
Peter de Fauconbergh held one meffuage, and one yard-land in Afh, of William de
Montacute earl of Sarum, as of his manor of Martock, by the fervice of finding the
churchwardens of the parifh of Martock three lamps to burn in the parifli church four
times a year. He alfo held one meflliage and twenty acres of land in Lade, or Load,
of the King." 8 Henry VI. Richard Pavely, citizen and grocer of London, releafed
to Hugh Kenne, Agnes his wife, and William their fon, all his right in the manors of
Afh-Boleyne and Witcombe, with all lands and tenements in the hundred of Martock.*
And 9 Henry VI. Hugh Pike releafed to the faid Hugh Kenne, his wife, and fon, all
his right in the lands and tenements in Afli and Witcombe, which were formerly the
faid Richard Pavely's.^ 8 Edw. IV. William Kenne held of the lords of Martock
fifteeen meffuages, two carucates of arable land, forty acres of meadow, and twenty
" Dugd. Bar. ii. 3. ' Inq. ad quod damnum. ' Efc. ' Seals from ancient Deeds.
■ Lib. Domefday. « Efc. " Ibid. » Rot. Claus. 8 Hen. VI. ' Rot. Claus, 9 Hen. Vli
acres
Q^artocft.l M A R T O C * K. 7
acres of pafture, in Afli-Boleyne and Witcombc, and was fiicceeded in that property by '
Anthony Kcnne his fon and heir.* The family of Pyke, or Pike, were the next poffenbrs
of this place. William Pike, of Pike's-Afh, married Alice the daughter of Thomas;
Bowring, efqj of Bowring's-Leigh in the county of Devon," and had ifTue Robert
Pike his fon and heirj who 22 Henry VIII. held two meflliages, tliree hundred acres
of arable, and tei; acres of meadow in Witcombe, within the lordfhip of Pike's-Afh; .
and five mefTuages, one hundred acres of arable, thirty acres of pafture, and fix acres
of wood, with its appertenances in Milton within the faid lordfhip or manor; as alfo fix
mefTuages, two hundred acres of arable, twenty-four acres of pafhire, four acres of
meadow, with appertenances, and pafture for twenty oxen, in Afh ; and eleven acres of
arable, and eight acres of pafture in Pyke-Ham within the faid manor. And likewifc
a piece of -meadow there cdled-^bree Swatbis of the King as of his manor of Martock."
To which Robert Pike fucceeded Thomas his fon and heir, who by Mary, daughter of
John Stawel of Cothelfton, had ifTue Elizabeth married to James Leigh, otherwife
Reynolds, who difTipated the eftate. Sir William Pole" fays, that there was a tide fet
on foot that Thpmas Pike abovementioned, the father of Elizabeth, fliould have alfo a
fon, called Stephen, long time concealed, and never known to his fuppofed father, or
publickly to any other, before all Pike's land was fold. Pike's-Afh now belongs to the
family of Napier of Tintinhull.
A litde to the northweft of Afh is Stapleton, which for a number of fuccefTions
belonged to the family of St. Clare, or de Sanfto Claro. 6 Henry III. Robert de St.
Clare held of the King in chief ten pounds a year of land in Stapleton, by the fervice
of finding an armed fervant with an horfe in the king's army for forty days at his own
cofts.'' He was fucceeded by his fon Robert, who 7 Henry III. paid ten marks for his
relief of the land which he held here of the king by ferjeanty." This Robert died 2
Edw. II. being then certified to hold the manor of Stapleton of the crown in capite by
the fervice of holding a towel before the Queen at the feafts of Eafter, Whitfuntide,
and Chriftmas, and likewife at the King's coronation.' Robert de St. Clare, his
grandfon, fucceeded to the manor of Stapleton, of which he died feized 10 Edw. III.
leaving iiTue another Robert his fon and heir.^ Which laft-mentioned Robert held '
only a moiety of this manor, of which he died feized 22 Edw. III. and was fucceeded
by Richard his fon and heir.** The other moiety, was held, 42 Edw. III. by Ralph
Seyncler (as the name was fometimes written) who died without ifTue, as did alfo the
abovementioned Richard and Margaret his wife ; upon which the manor reverted to
Robert de St. Clare, a coufin of the abovemendoned lords, who died 46 Edw. III. and
Sibill his wife had an afTignment of the third part of this manor for her dower; re-
mainder to Sir William Bonville, knt. and his heirs.' 9 Hen. IV. Sir William Bonville
held a moiety of the manor of Stapleton, and a mefTuage and one carucate of land in
Martock, called Sayes-Place, (from the family of Say) of the Earl of Somerfet.'' At
this time there was a chapel in Stapleton, which feems to have been built by one of the
St. Clares. It was fubfervient to the church of Martock, but has long fince been
deftroyed; and nothing further appears memorable of it or the. place itfelf.
Efc. * Sir William Pole's Survey of Devon. » Efc. ' Survey of Devon. ' Plac. Coron. Somerf.
• Rot. Pip. 7 Hen. Ill, f fife. « Ibid. " Ibid. ' Cart. Antiq. * Efc.
The
« M A R T O C K. C00attOCfe.
The hamlet of Hurst was, as has been before obferved, more anciently written
Achelai, and is thus briefly mentioned in Domefday-Book:
*' Alured himfelf [i. e. Alured De Ifpania] had Achelai. Alwi held it in the
'* time of King Edward. This is added to Mertoch, the King's manor, and is worth
*' fifty fhillings per annum."'
There was an eflate in the pariih of Martock, belonging formerly to the alien priory
of St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall, a cell to the abbey of St. Michael in Periculo
Maris in Normandy; on the fuppreffion of which, it was granted, with the reft of its
polTeffions, to the abbey of Sion in Middlefex. Thefe lands were called Prior's -Lands,
and on this account it has been furmifed by fome, but erroneoudy, that there was a
priory in Martock, and the name indeed occurs in a grant of King Henry VIII. jiiade
in the 34th year of his reign, to Humphry Colles, of lands in Coat lately belonging to
the abbey of Sion, as of tlie priory of Martock. 3 and 4 Philip and Mary, thefe
lands were the property of Mrs. Mary Buckland, whofe defcendants enjoyed the fame,
and were feated at Stanley in the county of Wilts.
The church of Martock was anciently divided into the following portions, viz. '
The portion of the treafurer of Wells, fifty marks.
The portion of the prior ile Periculo Maris in the fame, forty marks.
. The portion of the prior of Merton [in Surrey] in the fame, four marks.
The vicar of the fame, one hundred fhillings.""
The treafurerfliip of Wells was eredted in the year 1135. The Rev. Paul George
Snow, A. M. is the prefent treafurer, and as fuch is the impropriator and patron of
this living, which is a vicarage in the deanery of Ilchefter. The Rev. Nicholas Baker
is the. prefent incumbent.
A. D. 1733, the vicarage of Martock was augmented with lands of 430I. value,
whereof was given 200I. by Queen Anne's bounty; the Rev. Mr. Cooke of Thorn-
combe, lool.; other benefadors, 130I."
6 Henry IV. Sir Peter Courtney, knt. held a moiety of the large tithes of this parifh,
as parcel of the alien priory of Otterington in Devonfhire, which priory was a cell to
Mount St. Michael in Normandy."
A chantry was founded in the church of Martock 18 Edw. II. by John Say, who
then had licence from the King to give one toft, and twenty acres of land in Martock
to a chaplain to celebrate divine fervice in the church of Martock, for the foul of the
faid John every day for ever,'' After the diffolution of chantries. King Edw. VI. in the
4th year of his reign, granted the faid chantry, with its capital meffuage, and the farm
or manor of Bradford-Bryan, and other lands thereto belonging, to the governors of
Sherborne fchool in the county of Dorfet. The chantry-houfe is ftill ftanding.
• Lib. Domefday. ■» Taxat. Spiritual. " From a Tablet in the Church.
* Efe. «■ Pat. 18 Ed. II. m. 2.
The
^artocli.] 9fl^ A il* T O C K. 9
The church is xrcdicated to All-Saints ; and is a fpacious and elegant Gothick ftnic-
tiire, built of Ham-lvU flonc, 150 feet long, and 62 feet wide; oonfifting of a navejj*'
chancel, north and foutk ailes, and porch. At tj^e weft end is a well-built embattled
tower of excellent mafonry, gc^feet high, with a handfome brafs weathercock, a clock,
and five large bells. The nave'roof is 46 feet high, (lipported by fourteen light elegant
pillars; the centres of the arches are ornamented with cherubims difplaying the armorial
fliields of feveral fuppofed benefadlors to this church. Oaer thefe pillars, between the
windows in the upper range, are Gothick niches, in which are paintings of the apdftles.
The roof is boarded between the rafters, which are richly embelliftied with ornamental*
carving and cherubic bufts, &c. This roof being lately repaired, among the Carved
work taken down was a board dated 1 5 1 3, which is ftill prcferved; but from the general
ftile of the building, and other circumftances, it does not appear to be the original date
of the church ; probably only of a new roof erefted at that time. The chancel and
part of each aile are feparated from the reft of the church by a fuperb open-work Gothick
fcreen of fourteen arches, fupporting an enriched cornice of excellent carving and ni
fine prefervation. Over this fcreen is a rood-loft, 30 feet long, and 17 feet wide.
Here are four doors, and thirty-five large windows, all of crown glafs, except five in
*the chancel. Thefe windows were formerly painted with various arms, andoth^orna-
ments; a head of King Edward VI. ftill remains. This church has lately been new
pewed in a very handfome manner, the number of pews being 104. A very handfome
new organ, eredted at the expence of the inhabitants, over the entrance into the belfry, -
adds greatly to the dignity of this church. Under this organ is a gallery for the fingers,
which has a neat wainfcot front, fupported by four fluted pillars of the Tufcan order. ' .
In the centre of the church is a large brafs chandelier with twenty-four fockets.' The
pulpit and reading-defl< are of fine pannelled wainfcot, and very handfome. In the
chancel are feveral ftalls with feats which let down in the fame manner as thole
in cathedrals, this being formerly a choirj and mention is made of Queen Elizabeth
allowing ten pounds a year for the purpofe of inftrufting four boys in writing and
finging.
The vicars choral of Wells cathedral have feveral eftates in this parifh.
But what renders this church a fubjeft of general admiration, is an elegant fuperb
altar-piece in ftucco plaifter, erefted at the fole expence of John Butler, efq; as a tcfti-
mony of his regard and aff^edtion for the church and place of his nativity, ,^'his gen-
tleman refided many years in .the colony of Nova-Scotia in North-America, where he
had the honour to be appointed by, his Majefty's fpecial mandamus one of his privy-
council in that province.
In. the north wall of the chancel is p. handfome pyramidical mural monument of
white and black marble, on which is a very elegant fcftooned alabafter urn, with fine
flowing drapery. On the tablet is the following infcription :
" Near this place lie the remains of Harriot Leighton, widow of Herbert Leightqn,
. efq; a faithful follower in fimplicity and godly fincerity of the meek and lowly Jefus,
who having for many years adorned the doftrine of God her Saviour in all things,
more efpecially in his humble and fervant-like fpirit, entered into the full poffcfllon of
Vol. III. C the
JO M A R T O C K. . .'# [^attOCft*
the glory purchafed for her by the blood of her, crucified Redeemer, the 15th of July
^782, agetl 57 years. The Rev. Francis Leighton ereds this monument to the me-
mory of the beft of mothers."
In the weft end of the fouth aile is a handfome mural monument of white marble,
having an arched cornice, with three urns, fupported by two round columns of the
Tufcan order, and this infcription: " Near this place lie the bodies of John Rue,
of Coate, gent, and nine of Ws children, whom he had by Hannah his wife, daughter of
John Goodden of Bowerhenton, gent, with whom he lived happily many years, and
J who in due regard to their dear memory eredled this monument. He died the 26th
of December 1747, aged 47. Hannah Rue, the worthy widow, died the i8th of
January 1782, aged 77, and lies buried near the remains of her hufband and children."
At the eaft end of the north aile is a neat mural monument of marble, infcribed, —
" Underneath is interred the body of the Rev. Thomas Bowyer, A. M. fifty-five years
vicar of this parifh; a man of diftinguiflied piety and learning, great knowledge in the
Holy Scriptures, and their beft interpreters, the ancient fathers; an able zealous teacher
of the gofpel; in life and doftrine a rare example of primitive Chriftianity; he ftriftly
obferv|d the feafts and fafts of the church; the holy eucharift he celebrated monthly;
by a peculiar addrefs in catechifing children every week, he gave edifying leftbns to all
his hearers; the vigilant paftor, vifiting from houfe to houfe, exhorted^ comforted,
relieved, his numerous flock, at once a leader and a pattern. In mecknefs, felf-denial,
and fubmiffion to God's will, he followed the fteps of his greaj Mafter. Bold in re-
buking vice, he feared God only; he fpokeevilof no one; the tenth part of his income
he devoted to charitable ufcs. For the maintenance of God's houfe, and the offices
thereof, by his intereft and benevolence, he augmented this and two other fmall livings.
Generations to come may call him bleflTed, for that happy propolal to the public which
gave birth to infirmaries in this kingdom. In other learned and pious works of his
pen, being dead, he yet fpeaketh; his whole life was the trueft comment on his laft
words, " Do all the good you can." How dear a blefling he was in the relation of
huft)and, father, friend, is engraved elfewhere. He was a defcendant of Sir John
bowyer, of Knipperfly in the county of Stafibrd. Died June 29th, 1763, in the 79th
year of his age. ErecTted by his affeftionate widow, daughter of the late Reverend,
learned, and pious Mr. Norris. The worthy widow died Feb. 16, 1768, aged 78,
whofe remains lie by thofe of her hufband." Arms, Argent y a lion rampant between
three crofs croflets fitchee gules.
On a brafs plate at the eaft end of the chancel:——" Exiivise Georgii BifTe, gen.
qui probitate & animi candore, de omnibus bene meruit; et Marise conjugis prascha-
rilTimas, et ufq; ad mortem fidelis marito, pije, caftse, amabilis, moribufque fuaviffimis
ornatse, fubtus conduntur.
Ille nat. 24 Oa, 1634, 7 ^ • , t tico r^u- Oo Jan. 1702.
T11 . c . c ( Coniugat. 9 Jan. 1668; Obiit { ^, '
Ilia nat. 24 Sept. 1647, 3 j a 7 j » j ^ 9 Nov. 1685.
Unus erat thalamus vivis, unumque fepulchrum
Jam tenet Jios, vinxit quos iiuper unus araor."
At
^attOCfe.] M A R T O C K. 11
At the fouth corner of the communion rails is a (tone, thus infcfibed,— — " Here
lieth the body of Amos Eford, late vicar of this parifh for the fpace of forty-fix years,
who died the nth day of May 1625, whofe foul, our hope is, liveth with God; for
Chrift is to me life, and death is to me advantage; for I am in a ftrait betwixt two,
having a defire to depart and to be with Chrift, which is far better."
"Mr. John Goodden, of Bowerhenton, who died March 10, 1721, aged 23, by his
will gave eleven acres and a half of land, be it more or lefs, lying in Martock fields,
the profits of which to be diftributed in loaves every Sunday far ever to the poor of
Henton, Hurft, and Martock, at the difcretion of the minifter and churcl»ivardens for
the time being. — * Caft thy bread upon the waters, and thou fhalt find it after many
days.' Ecd. xi. i."
Robert Goodden, ofCompton-Houfe in thecounty of Dorfer,'efq; the reprefentative
of the abovementioned John Goodden of Bowerhenton, efq; poflefles very confiderable
eftates in this parifti. His arms are. Azure, on a bend between two demi-lions ram-
pant erafed, or, three lozenges vaire, gules and argent.
A. D. 1 66 1. William Strode, efq; lord of the manor of Martock, founded a gram-
mar-fchool here, and endowed it with a good houfe and garden; and twelve pounds a
year to be paid out of the manor for ever, which falary Mr. Bayly, a fubfequent lord
of the manor, advanced to fifteen pounds per annum and upwards.
That eminent grammarian and fchool-mafter, Thomas Farnaby, author of notes
upon moft of the ancient Latin poets, &c. fometime kept a fchool with good reputa-
tion in the town of Martock.
In the church-yard is the effigies in fl:one of a female, fuppofed to be one of the
Fieules' family; there were feveral others, but they have long firice been reiTioved.
LONGLOAD TITHING
Confifts of a fl:raggling ftreet, about half a mile in length, and fituated three miles norths
eaft from Martock cinirch, and four miles fouthweft from Somerton, in the turnpike-
road between thofe towns. l"he number of houfes is forty-fix, moft of which are built
•of a kind of ftone like that raifed at Kenton and Kingwefton, and covered with thatcn.
In former times this place was called Lade, and La Lade, from the Saxon Lat)e,
which fignifies a ftream or torrent, it being fituated on the river Yeo, which here
forms a very confiderable channel.
In the time of Henry III. Sabina the widow of Henry de Urtiaco, lord of the
manor of Curry-Rivel, by deed without date, gave all her lands in this place to Robert
Corbyn.^ From which time it was held of the manor of Martock."* A ^^'iiliam de
Lade occurs witnefs to a charter of one of the Fieules.'
The chapel is a fmall ruinous building, fifty-three feet long, and feventeen wide,
with a wooden turret at the weft end containino; a clock and twq bells. Here is a fmall
antique pulpit, a gallery, and ten pews.
.• Cart. Antisi. * Efc. ' Cart. Anti<i.
C a In
/
12
M A R T O C K.
C^attoc&»
In the north wall is the following infcription: " A. D. 1733. This chapel of
Load was augmented with lands of 400I. value, whereof were given Queen Anne's
bounty 200I. Winchefter college ail. Martock parifh 179I.
*' The defign of the parilh in contributing was, that the fucceeding vicars might
take care that there might be two fermons in Martock church, and one in Load
chapel, eveiy Sunday in the year for ever j and they are earnellly defired to anfwer this
good defign."
The baptifms in this parifli from the year 1776 to 1782 inclufive, were 2951 the
burials during the fame period 278.
THE
L
THE HUN D R E D
O F
MILVERTON
lES in the fouthweft part of the county, adjoining Devonfliire, being interme-
diate between that county on the fouth, and the hundred of Kingfbury-Weft
in this county, on the north and eaft.
In the hundred of Milverton were formerly twenty-four hides and a half, wherefrom
the King had for geld fix pounds feven fliillings and fixpence for twenty-one hides and
one virgate of land; and for two hides and a half which Britell held, the King had not
his geld. And Robert de Odberville held three yard-lands freely of the King/
The hundred was afterwards held by the principal lords of Milverton; the Brets,
Briweres, Mortimers, Sec. It contains nine parifhes.
( * Inq. Gheldi Suraerfet.
M
V
R
O N,
A Small, but very ancient market-town, eight miles weft from Taunton, and five
northweft from Wellington. Its fituation is in a woody fertile country, pleafingly
diverfified with hill and valley, well cultivated and very populous. The principal part
of the town lies in three irregular ftreets, the church ftanding in the centre on an mnl-
nence. The market is on Friday. There was formerly here a confiderable manufac-
ture of ferges and druggets, which of late years is much declined. Here is a charity-
fchool for twenty boys and twenty girls. The town was anciently a borough, the manor
whereof is now vefted in the crown, but formerly in other lords, who among a variety
of immunities, procured it to be eretted into a hundred of itfelf, and exempt from the
jurifdiftion of the hundred at large. It is governed by a portreve, and fearchers and
fealers are annually appointed.
At
14 M I L V E R T o N. [09Ut)crton»
At the Conquefl: it was the demefnes of King William, but had before belonged in
oart to the biflioprick of Bath:
" The King holds the manor of Milvertune. Bifhop Gifo held it in the time of
** King Edward, and gelded for one virgate of land."*
" The King holds Milvertone. In the time of King Edward it gelded for half a
*' virgate of land." The arable is fixteen carucates. In demefne is one carucate, and
" three fervants, and three cottagers, and fixteen villanes, and feven bordars, with nine
*' ploughs. There is a mill of feven fhillings and fixpence rent, and fix acres of meadow,
" and one hundred acres of pafture, and one hundred acres of coppice wood. There
*' is a market which pays ten fhillings. The whole renders twenty-five pounds by tale.
*' In the time of Queen Edith [who fometime held it] it yielded twelve pounds.'"
This manor was parcel of the barony of Walter Brito, or Bret, of whom it was pur-
chafed by William the fon of Henry Briwere, lord of Bridgwater in the time of King
John, for the ufeof his fon Richard Briwere and his heirs.'' Which Richard Briwere
13 Joh. upon the colledtion of the fcutage of Wales, anfwered for fifteen knights' fees
of the honour of Moreton, which formerly belonged to the faid Walter Brito.° Shortly
after this he died, and William his younger brother fucceedcd to the eftate. He mar-
ried Joan daughter of William de Vernon earl of Devon, with whom he had lands to
the amount of fifty pounds per annum lying within the manor of Crewkerne in this
county; as alfo the advowfon of that church. He died without ifi"ue 16 Henry III.
and Joan his wife, furviving him, had an affignation of this manor in dower.^ After
her death, the eftates being divided among coheirefl"es, Milverton pafled into other fa-
milies, and in the time of Edw. III. was held by the Earl of Pembroke, Maurice de
Berkley, and Jolin de Eures.^ From them it came to the Mortimers, earls of March.
Roger Mortimer earl of March died feized thereof 34 Edw. III. leaving Edmund his
fon and heir. Which Edmund married Phihppa daughter of Lionel duke of Clarence,
and by her had ifllie Roger Mortimer, who fucceeded his father as Earl of March, and
in 1385, was declared by parhament heir apparent to the crown; he died 21 Ric. II.
and had for his fucceflbr Edmund the laft Earl of March of this family. At his death
without ifllie, Richard duke of York, fon of Anne his fifter by Richard earl of Cam-
bridge, was found to be his next heir.*" The tide of diis Richard to the crown of
England was apparent; but in the purfuit thereof he loft his life at Wakefield in 1460.
Whereupon the manor and borough of Milverton, with his other lands and eftates,
came to the crown, and an annuity of one hundred marks per annum out of the profits
■of the faid manor and borough was granted to Thomas Courtney earl of Devon, in
confideration of his loyalty and faithful fervices to King Henry VI.' But it appears
thatthe manor of Milverton was reftored to the houfe of York, and Cecilia the relidl of
the deceafed Duke held it in dower. She was the daughter of Ralph Neville, the fecond
Earl of Weftmoreland, and was m.other of King Edward IV. George duke of Clarence,
* Lib. Domefday.
* By which it appears how partially and irregularly the lands in England were affefled to the Dane-geld.
' JLib. Domefday. " Rot. Pip. 2 Joh. ' Rot. Pip. 13 Joh. ' Rot. Claus. i/Hen. III. m. 8.
s tib. Feed. » Efc, ' Pat. 38 Hen. VI. p. 1. hi. (>.
. King
^mmon.] MILVERTON. 15
King Richard III. and Edmund earl of Rutland. 17 Henry VI. Richard carl of
Warwick held at his death the fixth part of the manor of Milverton, with the fixth part
of the hundred, the fixth part of the borough, and the fixth part of the hundred of the
faid borough; ail which were held of the King in free burgage by homage only for all
fervices.'' The fame were held 12 Edw. IV. by Margaret the wife of Sir Richard
Veer, knt.' 1 1 Henry VII. tlie manor and borough of Milverton were granted by the
King to Queen Margaret for her dower."" In the time of Henry VIII. the manor of
Milverton was held of the crown by Sir Richard Warre of Heftercombe, who gave it,
together with the manors of Tolland, Chipley, and Lovelinch, to hiseldeft fon by
Joan his fecond wife, daughter of Sir John Hody, chief baron of the exchequer, in
which branch of the Warre family the faid manors continued till Mary, daughter and
heir of Edward Warre of Chipley, brought them by marriage to William Lottifham,
cfq; whofe daughter and heir died without ifllie.
Chipley lies fouth from Milverton, and was for a number of years the pofllelTion of
a family of its name, till at length it came to the Warres of Heftercombe by the mar-
riage of Tliomafine, fole daughter and heir of Thomas Chipleigh, eiq; with Robert
Warre, fecond fon of Richard Warre, of Heftercombe, efq. The heirefs of Lottifham
having no ifllie, Ihe gave this manor of Chipley to Mr. Clarke, fon to her huft)and
by his former wife, in which name it ftill continues j Edward Clarke, efq; being the
prefent poireflbr.
To the eaft of Chipley is Bickley, another ancient vill, though now depopulated,
which alfo gave name to a very refpeftable family, who were lords thereof in former
times, and whofc defcendants ftill continue. In the time of Edw. I. William de Bykeic
was lord of Holwell in this county," and was fucceeded by Henry de Bykele, of whicli
two names there were feveral in fucceflion, who bore for their arms a chevron en-
grailed between three birds." 19 Edw. III. Walter de Meriet held one carucate of
land inBykely of the Earl of Pembroke, Maurice de Berkeley, and John de Bures, as
of their manor of Milverton, by knights' fervice.""
Between thefe places and Milverton is the hamlet of Houndmoor, and more eaft-
wardly Wickmoor, anciently called Milverton-Wkk; and northeaft from Milverton,
are Preston-Bowyer, and Torrells-Preston, which at the time of the Conqueft
were part of the manor of Brumpton, and are ftill part of the hundred of Wilkton-
Freemanors.
" Of this manor, [viz. Brunetone] Earl Moriton holds one hide in Prestetune,
" which was of the demefne farm in the time of King Edward. The arable is four
*' carucates. There are two ploughs. It is and was worth forty fliilHngs.'"'
" Robert holds of the Earl in Prestitone one hide. Earl Harold [formerly] held
" it. The arable is four carucates. In demefne is half a carucate, with one fervant,
" and fix villanes, and two cottagers, with two ploughs. There is a mill of twelve-
" pence rent, and five acres of meadow, and three acres of pafture, and eleven acres
" of wood. It was and is worth thirty Ihillings.
" This land belonged to Burnetone, the King's manor with tl^e^arm.'"
" Efc. 'Ibid. " Rot. Pari, n Hen. VII. " Efc. • Seals from ancient Deeds.
' Efc. « Lib. Domefday. ' Ibid.
i6 -MiLVERTON. [a^iitimom
The family of Bures, a name corrupted of late years into Bo\vy,er, and from which
the place received one of its additional diflinftions, were anciently lords of this manor.'
From them it came to the family of Candos; and in the time of Henry II, Robert
Candos gave it with the manor of Monkfilver to the priory of Goldclive, in which it
remained till the fupprelTion of alien priories, when it was granted to the collegiate
church of Windfor. There was formerly a church here : but no trace of it now remains.
The Torrels alfo poflefled a manor in Prefton, and caufed it to be cajled 'Torrel's-
Prejlon. This was a very ancient family. In the time of Henry II. William Torel,
anceftor of the Torrels of this place, was lord of the whole town of Ifle-Brewers in
this county, and was then fined in the fum of one mark for neglefting to make hue and
cry after the death of Alured de Aneville.' i Henry IV. Roger Torrel gave to" the
rc£tor of the church of Milverton twenty acres of land called Minjier-land, lying in the
parilh of Milverton, to find a chaplain to perform divine fervice thrice a week for ever
in the chapel of Torrel's-Prefton. Which faid twenty acres of land were held of the
King by knight's fervice." The prior of Taunton had an eftate here valued in 1293
at ten fhillings."
In this parilh is alfo a place called Poleshill, which formerly had owners of its
name, who were feated here and in Devon. But in the Conqueror's time it belonged
to Sir William de Mohun:
" Dodeman Jiolds of William, Pouselle. Uluric held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is two carucates. There is one fer-
*' vant, and three acres of meadow, and twenty acres of wood. It is worth ten fhillings.
" To this manor is added one hide, \vhich a thane held freely in the time of King
*' Edward. The arable is one carucate. It was and is worth thirty pence. '^'"^
There was a church at Milverton in the time of William the Conqueror, of which
the following particulars are recorded:
" Stephen the chaplain holds the church of Milvertone, with one virgate and one
" fardel of land. The arable is one carucate.- There are ten acres of wood. It is
" worth forty Ihillings.'"'
10 Henry III. William Briwere, lord of the manor, made a grant of the advowfon of
this church in free-alms to Joceline bifhop of Bath and Wells, and in open court before
the King and his nobles at Weftminfter, by his gloves gave the bilhop feizin of the faid
advowfon." It now conftitutes two prebends in the cathedral of Wells j the firft of
which is annexed to the archdeaconry of Taunton. The vicarage, which is a peculiar
in the deanery of Taunton, and whereof the Rev. Thomas Camplin is the prefent in-
cumbent, was valued in 1 292 at nine marks."'
The church is. dedicated to St. Michael, and is a large edifice, 112 feet in length,
^nd 60 in breadth, confiding of a nave, chancel, fide ailes, and veftry-room, covered
with tile. At the weft end ftands a plain clumfy tower, containing fix bells.
•Cart. Antiq. ' See vol. i. p. 53. " Inq. ad quod damnum, i Hen. IV. =" Taxat. Temporal.
' Lib. Domefday. * Ibid. • Pat. 10 Henry III. m. 5. ^ Taxat. Spiiitual.
On
^ilueccon.] M I L V E R T O N. 17
On the eaft wall in the chancel Is a plain mural monument of white marble, with this
infcription : " Subtus conduntur reliquiae Georgii Atwood, filii natu maximi
Georgii Atwood, A. M. hujus parochias vicarii et Sarae uxoris ejus ; necnon fcholae
Weftmonafterienfis nuper regii alumni. Qui dum rurc juvenis otiabatur, fubito tor-
menti idlu correptus, ab alio juvene fortuito explofi, morti fuccubuit die 5 Septembris,
A. D. 1768, Eetatis ij; amabilis et amatifTimus. Etiam eodem tumulo inhumata
obdormifcit Harriotta foror prsediifli Georgii Atwood, quas ingruente febre emortua
eft die 6 Martii, A. D. 1769, astat. 13. Hoc marmor utriufque memorise facrum
parentum pietas extrui curavit." »■*
Underneath the above is another mural monument of black ftone, witli the follow-
ing infcription: "Mary Beavis, daughter of George Atwood, M.A. vicar of this
parifh, and Sarah his wife, died March 26, 1750, aged 3 weeks. Alfo Betty, another
daughter, died July 10, 1754, aged 6 years."
At the eaft end of the fouth aile is an old mural ftone, with this infcription:
" Subter heic jacet Johannes Lancafter, gent, qui obijt Julii 27, 1687, «taf. fuce 70,
Hodie mihi, eras tibi." He was fometime lord of this manor.
In the chancel floor, on flat ftones:
" Here lyeth the body of John Periam, gent, who dyed Sept. 19, 17 11, aged 54.
" Here lyethe the bodyes of William, Elizabeth, and Rebecca, fon and daughters of
John Periam, gent, and Sarah his wife, who were all borne and buried between the
ift of April 1693, and the 20th of April 1695." Mors omnia vincit.
" Here lyeth the body of Zachariah Periam, efq; who died May 13, 1738, aged 35.
" Heic requiefcit in pace corpus Aldredi Seaman, gent, qui obijt 7 die Februarii,
falutis human^E 1687, stat. fua; 78. Here lieth the body of Charles Seaman, fonne
of Aldred Seaman, the younger, who died May 27, 1690, aged 3 years. Aldred
Seaman, jun. of this parifli, gent, who was buried the jgth of Aug. 1723, aged 85."
Arms, Barry wavy of fix argent and azure; a crefcent or, impaling an enfign on the top
of an embattled wall ma^onne. ^With feveral others to the Seaman family.
In the middle alky:
" Hie jacet corpus Gulielmi Lambe, de Milverton, gcnerofi, qui obijt 1678. Hie
etiam quiefcit in fpe beats refurreftionis corpus Marix fuse uxoris, quas obijt Odobris
vicefimo quarto 1724. *
" Here lyeth the body of John Sprcat, of the parifli of Minehead, gent, who died
July 30, 1733, aged 70. Alfo the body of John Spreat, gent, of this p.-irifli, nephew
to the above Jolin Spreat, died Aug. 1746, aged 29. Alio of Thomas Spreat, gent»
who died Sept. 4, 1755."
In the fouth aile floor:
" Alexander Mallet, efqj deceafed March i, 1638, aged 25-
" Here lye the bodies of Elizabeth Poulet, relifte of Henry PouIet,tfq; and Henry
Poulet, eldeft fonne of the fuid Henry and Elizabeth. The fonne was buried June
1642, aged lO; the mother was buried Oftober 1647, ^S^^ S°*"
Vol. III. D Th4
r8 M I L V E R T O iST. [Q^ilUtlton*
The following account of benefaftions is written on five black tablets in this church:
" Richard Weflcombe, of the parifti of Oak in the county of Somerfet, yeoman,
gave to the poor, aged, and impotent people of Milverton, one pound eight fhillings
and eight-pence, to be paid for ever by four quarterly payments, out of the manor of
Lambrooks-llatch in the borough of Milverton, to the churchwardens and overfeers
for the time being, to be by them diftributed with the advice of four fubftantial in-
habitants of this pariili. This part of the manour was given to Eleanor Weft. He
alfo^aVe out of part of the fame manour the^ ^uiTie of one pound two fhillings and two-
pence, to be diftributed as above for ever. This part of the manour was given to
Jacob Weftcombe and William Ley, alias Farthing. He died in 1580."
" John Dibble, of this parifh, gent, gave to the poor of this parifh, twenty pounds,
the intereft thereof to be diftributed by the churchwardens to twenty poor labouring
, men upon Chriftmas-day for ever. He dyed in 17 19.
" John Aflicombe, of this parifh, yeoman, by his laft will gave one hundred and fixty
pounds to.be laid out in the purchafe of fome freehold lands within two years next after
his deceafe; and the rents and profits thereof to be received by the feoffees, and delivered
by them to the churchwardens of this parifh for the time being; and to be by them
diftributed quarterly among the poor labouring people of this parifh, giving an account
thereof to the minifterand parifliioners for the time being. He dyed 1673.
*' Mrs. Mary Lambe, late of Court-Place in this parifh, relifl of William Lambe,
' gent, and daughter of Edmund Parker, of Burringdon in Devon, efq; by her will dated
Sept. 5, 172 1, gave to truftees therein named the fum of three hundred pounds, to be
laid out in purchafing lands of inheritance, and the rents thereof, and the intereft of
the faid three hundred pounds, until fuch purchafe could be made, to be for ever em-
ployed in educating in the principles of the Chriftian religion, as eftablifhed in the
Church of England, forty poor children, viz. twenty boys, and twenty girls of this pa-
rifli. And alfo gave her leafehold eftate unto her faid truftees to promote the faid
charity, which faid eftate being fold by the diredlion of a decree of the court of chan-
cery, and the profits thereof in the mean time accounted for, the whole charity money
amounts to 675I. 9s. fd. the intereft whereof (until the fame can be laid out in the
purchafe of lands of inheritance) is to be applied for the benefit of the faid charity,
purfuant to the decree, a copy wiiereof is depofited in the parifh coffer.
" John Weekes, by will dated 18 Nov. 1622, gave four pounds by the year for
ever, to the poor of the pariflies next adjoining to the vill of Little-Cbipky, and
chaj-ged his tenement, then John Perry's, in the vill aforcfaid, with the paym.ent
thereof. Forty fhillings, part of the faid annual fum of four pounds, was by a decree,
dated 11 Odt. 1682, made in purfuance of a commilfion of charitable ufes, ordered to
be for ever yearly paid to fuch poor of this parifli as ftiould have moft need, in the
prefence of two or more of the overfeers for the time being, on Chriftmas-Eve and
Good-Friday, as appears by a copy of the decree depofited in the parifh coffer."
This place gave name to John de Milverton, a noted Carmelite friar of Briftol, and
ti great opponent of Wicklift". He died A. D. 1480.
LANGFORD-
^iimm,} t 19 1
LANGFORD-BUDVILLE,
AParifh fouthward from Milverton, is called Langford, from its having formerly
a long ford over the river Tone; and additionally Budville, from the family of
Budville, or Botteville, who for many fucceffions poffeflcd the principal eftate here.
Here are feveral fine fpripgs which join the Toncj and turn a grift and fulling-mill in
this parifh. This river contains trout, dace, and eels. Over it there is a county ftone
bridge of two arches, called Harford- Bridge. A mile weftward from the church is the
hamlet of Wellisford, where is a handfome edifice, of late years the feat of Colonel
Webber. The whole number of houfes in this parifli is eighty-five, and of inhabitants
upwards of five hundred. There are many confiderable farms, and the lands are
moftly in tillage.
The manor of Langford belonged before the Conqueft to Godwin earl of Kent, and
afterwards to King William the Conqueror:
" The King holds Langeford. Goduin held it in the time of King Edward, and
" gelded for five hides. The arable is ten carucates. Thereof in demefne is one hide
" and a half, and there is one carucate, and four fervants, and twenty-one villanes, and
" four cottagers, with eight ploughs. There is a mill of feven fhillings and fix-penre
" rent, and eight acres of meadow, and one hundred acres of pafture, and thirty acres
" of wood. It yields four pounds and twelve fliillings.'"
The manor of Wellisford was the property of Robert de Odburuile or Auberville,
as we read in the fame furvey :
" The fame Robert holds Wilesforde. Two thanes held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for one hide. The arable is two carucates. In demefne is one
" carucate, and two fervants, and eight cottagers, ha,ving one plough. There are four
'* acres of meadow, and ten acres of pafture, and three acres of coppice-wood. It
" was formerly worth ten fhillings, now fifteen fhillings.
" Of this hide Earl Moriton holds one virgate, and Bretel of him.""*
After the death of this Robert de Auberville, King Richard I. gave all the land
which he pofTefled, confifting of one knight's fee, to William de Wrotham,' forefter of
the King's forefts in this county and Dorfet. From which family it came to the
Vernays, and was held of them for feveral fucceffions by the Warres of Heftercombe.
The village of Langford gave name to a family, of whom Sir Thomas de Langford,
Itnt. was lord of the manor in the time of Edw. III.; and 46 of that reign, gave it with
the manor of Fivehead to Francis de Scoland.**
1 Henry V. William Boteville held half a knight's fee in Langford, and lands and
tenements in Wellesford.' At the fame time die archdeacon of Taunton held a
' Lib. Domefday. "Ibid. ' Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 102. " Rot. Claus. 46 Ed. III. • Lib. Feod.
D 2 knight's
t9 LANGFO^D-BUDVILLE. [^iltiectom
knight's fee in Langford and Hamme/ The manor of Langford, with that of Harp^
ford in this parifh, now belongs to Edward Clarke, efq.
The living is a peculiar in the deanery of Taunton, and is annexed to Milverton.
The church is dedicated to St. James, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and aile on
the Ibuth fide, all covered with tile. There is a large tower at the weft end, containing
five bells. ■-••'-
At the eaft end of the fouth aile is a fmall antique mural monument of ftone, em-
bellifhed with painting, gilding, cherubs, and arms; infcribed, " Heare under
lyeth the body of William Bacon, gent, who dyed the I2th day of June 1663, ^g^d
66. Heare alfoe lyeth the body of Joane, wife of William Bacon abovenamed, who
dyed the 3d of March 1669, aged 53." , Arms, Argent, a fefs between three round
buckles, gules.
On the fame wall is a handfome mural monument of ftone, infcribed, ** In me-
mory of Captain George Bacon, of Harpford in this parifti, gent, his dear relift Mrs.
Mary Bacon hath caufed this to be erefted. He departed this life Oft. 15, 1690,
aged 52; who ably and faithfully ferved his King and country in divers publick capa-
cities, and was alwayes ready to aflift his neighbours in any private good offices. They
therefore both loved and honoured him while living; and when dead his memory was
dear unto them. In memory of Mrs. Mary Bacon, widow of the abovefaid Capt.
George Bacon, who died Jan. 15, 1708."
On the north wall of the nave is a mural monument of black and white marble, with
this infcripcion : " Near this ftone lie the remains of William Webber, efq; of
Wellisford, who died Oft. 2, 1777, aged 50. He married Mary daughter of Matthew
Hayiland, gent, of this parifti, who died Oft. 15, 1766, aged 51 ; and Elizabeth
daughter of Edward Brickley, gent, of Rendy in the parifti of Oak in this county, who
erefted this monument to his memory, with an earneft requeft that when it ftiould
pleafe God to take her from this world, ftie might be buried with him, and that this
common marble might convey their refpeftive names to pofterity." Arms, Argent, in
chief three towers triple-towered^;^/?, in bafe a chevron engrailed between three mart-
lets y^^/^; impaling, barry raguly of eleven parts, or; over all on a bend or two lions
current regarding.
In the middle paflage, " Here lieth the body of John Haviland, fen. gent, who
died April 29, 1736, aged 75. Here lyeth the body of Matthew Haviland, of this
parifti, gent, who died Feb. 13, 17 14, aged 53."
On another flat ftone: " Here lieth the body of Matthew Haviland, of this parifti,
gent, who was buried Dec. 23, 1673, aged z^. Alfo of his wife Elizabeth, buried
Nov. 3, 1721, aged <^z-'
On another ftone: " In memory of Matthew Haviland, of Wellisford, efq; who
died November 11, 1753, aged 34. Alfo of Mary, wife of William Webber, efq; and
fifterto Matthew Haviland, efq; who died Oftober 15, 1766, aged 50."
'Lib. Feod.
A little
Q^iltietton.] LANGFORD-BUDVILLE. 21
A little northward from the church, on an eminence commanding a fine profpeft
over a lich country to the fouth and eaft, is the manfion-houfe and feat of John
Haviland, efq.
On a ten years' average, the chriftenings in this parilh are found to be annually ifj
the burials 10,
1
ASHBRITTLE.
THIS Is a fmall parifh, fituated four miles fouthwefl from Milverton, on the very
borders of Devonfliire. It was originally written ^ijfe; but when it came to be
pofTeflbd by a lord called Bretel, it received his name as a diftinftion from Afh-Priors,
and other Allies in this neighbourhood, and was thenceforward termed JJh-Bretel, and
Ajh-Britul; now corrupted into Afhbrittle. This Bretel was a Saxon thane of fome
degree of dignity; holding at the Conqueft a number of manors in this and the ad-
joining counties. The lord under whom he held this manor was Robert earl of
Morton. The Norman record gives us the following particulars :
" Bretel holds of the Earl, Aisse. Wado held it in the time of King Edward, and
*' gelded for four hides. Thereto is added one hide, which two thanes held. The
" arable is ten carucates in all. In demefne are two carucates, and eight fervants, and
" fixteen villanes, and twenty-two cottagers, with four ploughs. There are two mills of
" fifteen fliillings rent, and four acres of meadow, and forty acres of pafture, and thirty-
" eight acres of wood. It was and is worth one hundred fliillings."*
In procefs of time the manor of Aflibrittle came to the ancient family of Sydenham.
8 Edw. IV. John Sydenham died feized of it, leaving Walter his fon and heir."* In
the fucceeding reign the family of Chaldicote or Chalcot pofleflTed it, and bore for their
arms Azure, three arrows ered or. They were of Quarrelfton and Eaft-Whiteway in
Dorfetfhire." By an inquifition taken at Brewton, 24 Sept. 20 Henry VIII. it was
found that Charles Holcomb, of Hole in Branfcomb, died 16 Jan. 19 Henry VIII.
feized of the manor and advowfon of the church of Aflibrittle, as alfo of feven mef-
fuages, two hundred acres of arable, one hundred acres of pafl:ure, thirty of meadow,
and fixteen of wood, in the parifli of Aflibrittle, all which were held of Queen Catherine,
as of her manor of Milverton, and that Elias was the fon and heir of the faid Charles
Holcomb, of the age of twelve years."* From the family of Holcomb the manor and
advowfon of Aflibrittle came to that of Blewet, of whom John Blewet had it in the
time of Queen Elizabeth, and then conveyed the fame to Sir Arthur Baflet, and Sir
John Chichefter, knts. for the ufe of the faid John Blewet." The Rev, Mr. Nutconibe
is the prefent lord of this manor.
' Lib. Domefday. " Efc, ' Hutchins's Hift. of Dorfetfliire, i. 119.
' inq. capt, poll: mort, Carol. Holcomb. \MS. CVew,
The
22 A S H B R I T T L E. imVotxm,
The benefice, which is reftorial and in the deanery of Taunton, was valued in 1293
■at ten marks/ The patronage has ufually been appendant to the manor. The Rev.
Nutcombe Quicke Is the prefent incumbent.
The church is a fmall ftrufture of one aile, dedicated to St. John Baptift, and con-
tains nothing remarkable.
That eloquent preacher HunAphrey Sydenham was fometime reftor of this parifli.^
f Taxat. Spiritual. * See Wood's Athen. Oxon, ii. 134.
L
BADIALTON
lES on the fouthweft fide of the parifh of Milverton. It was one of thofe manors
' which King William the Conqueror gave to Sir William de Mohun, after his
fuccefsful expedition into England.
« Nigel holds of William, Badeheltone. Two thanes held it. in the time of
« King Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is five carucates. In demefne
*' is one carucate, and three fervants, and twelve villanes, and one bordar, and five
*' cottagers, with four ploughs. There is a mill of feven fhillings and fix-pence rent,
« and fix acres of meadow, and forty acres of pafture, and twelve acres of wood. It
" was formerly worth twenty fhillings, now fifty fliiUings.'"
The fuccefiive barons of Dunflier-Caftle, of the name of Mohun, continued lords
paramount of this manor; and of them it was held by feveral perfons by knight's
fervice, till the whole centred in a family refident here, and to whom the place gave
appellation. 1 2 Henry II. Alexander de Badialton held three knights' fees of W illiam
de Mohun." 14 Edw. I. John de Poulefliull, Hillarius de Badhelton, and Peter de
la Wodehed, held one knight's fee in Badialton of the fees of John de Mohun."^ The
fame fee was held 4 Edw. III. of John de Mohun by William de Poulefliull, fon of
John de Poulefliull, and Hillarius de Badialton;* and foon after this the laft-mentioned
Hillarius became pofleflbd of the whole manor'and parifli. His fon John, who alfo
lived in the time of Edw. III. omitted the latter difl:inaion of the family name, and
adopting the prsnomen of his father, wrote himfelf John Hillary. At his death he left
iflTue one only daughter and heir MarfiUa, who was married to Simon de Sydenham,
fecond fon of William de Sydenham, by Joan daughter of William de Gothayte.
Which Simon de Sydenham was founder of the Badialton branch of that family,
whereof more mention will be made in another part of this volume. The manor now
belongs to Mrs. Webber.
The church is a reftory and peculiar in the deanery of Taunton. The prefentation
is in the manor; and the Rev. Edward Webber is the prefent incumbent.
• Lib. Domefdsy. » Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 91. « Lib. Feod. 'Ibid. ^^^
ei9iltierton.j badialton. 23
The church is dedicated to St. Bartholomew, and is a fmall ftriifture; but very
neatly ornamented, having a moft elegant altar-piece, confifting of a rich cornice and
capital, fupported by four round fluted Corinthian pillars ; the edges and tops of the
foliage in the capitals gilt. Between thefe are three arched pannels. In the centre
one a moft elegant oval glory, wrought in gold and filver tlfliic; the fide pannels con-
tain texts of Scripture. The communion-table and railing are mahogany.
On the north wall of the chancel is a handfome mural monument of black and white
marble, with this infcription :- "In a vault near this place, reft the remains of
Alexander Webber, A. B. reftor and chief proprietor of this parifti. He died on the
2d day of Sept. 1782, in the 6ift year of his age. In the year 1750 he married Sarah,
fecond daughter of Robert Lucas, of Bampton in the county of Devon, efq; by whom
he had nine fons and fix daughters. He was exemplary for his piety towards God,
juftice, probity, and kindnefs to men, meeknefs and humility in himielf. As the affec-
tionate hufband, the tender and provident parent were eminently united in him. His
widow has caufed this monument to be erefted as a fmall tribute of her gratitude.
Alfo John, fon of the above Alexander and Sarah Webber, of Pembroke-college,
Oxford, died the 9th of Feb. 1783, aged 22 years."
On the floor in the middle paflage: " Here lieth the body of Alex. Haviland,
M. A. reftor of this church, and redor of the church of Runnington, who died the
24th of Nov. 1737, aged 47."
On another ftone: " M. S. Hie fitus eft Edvardus Clarke, de Hurftone, ge-
netofus, qui mortem obijt 14 May 1734. Hie fitus eft Thomas Clarke, de Hurftone,
generofus, prjedifti Edoardi pater, qui mortem obijt 16 May 1739. Hie jacet Anna,
uxorprtedifti ThomEe Clark, qu£e mortem obijt 5"° die Jan. 1758." Arms, Argent.
on a bend gules between three pellets, as many fwans of the firft.
On the fouth wall is a brafs plate, with the following infcription: " Here lyetfi
the body of Edward Sharp, who died the 6th day of November, A. D. 1673; who by
his laft will gave forty fliillings per annum to the poor of this parifti for ever, out of his
land called Millhams, to be diftributed every Candlemas-day at the diicretion of his
heirs. And likewife Margaret his wife, and three of their children. Alfo here lyeth
the body of Joane, the wife of James Clarke, of Lovington in this county, gent, and
daughter of the abovefaid Edward Sharp, and Margaret, who departed tliis life Sept.
24, 1720, aged 52."
Emanuel Sharp, reftor of this place, was a fufFerer in the time of Charles I. and
was driven from his benefice; which at the Reftoration he recovered, and likewife ob-
tained the vicarage of St. Mary Magdalen in Taunton.
About a mile weftward from the church, is an ancient encampment, nearly of a cir-
cular form; the area contains about ten acres. The fofs is ncai-ly entii-e. Some
Roman coins of the lower empire have been found within its circuit.
^»
KITTISFORD
[ 24 ] C^ittjetton*
KITTISFORD
LIES on the river Tone, fouthward from Badialtonj and was in the Conqueror's
days the manor of Roger Arundel:
" Wilham holds of Roger, Chedesford. Ofmund Stramun held it in the time of
" King Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is feven carucates. In de-
" mefne are two carucates, and three fervants, and five villanes, and fix cottagers, with
" three ploughs and a half. There is a mill of feven fhillings rent, and three acres of
*' meadow, and ten acres of pafture, and twelve acres of wood. It was worth forty
" flfillings, now fixty Ihillings.'"
The defendants of this tenant William, by reafon of their refiding in the place,
aflumed the name of de Kittisford, and held this manor till the time of Henry III.
when it came, by the marriage of the daughter and heirefs of John de Kittisford, to John
de Sydenham, lord of Sydenham near Bridgwater." From which family of Sydenham,
it pafled to that of Blewet by the marriage of Nicholas Blewet, of Lottifham, with
Agnes, daughter and heir of John Sydenham, lord of this manor. 21 Edw. IV".
Walter Blewet, a defcendant of the faid Nicholas, held at his death the manor of
Kittisford, and the advowfon of the church of St. Nicholas thereto' belonging j as alfo
a'mefluage and one hundred acres of land called Soutbcotehey in the parifii of Kittis-
ford, of Eleanor countefs of Northumberland, by the fervice of one pair of fpurs to be
paid yearly, leaving Nicholas his fon and heir of the age of thirty years.' The prefent
poffelTor of this manor is Thomas Langdon, efq.
CoTTHAY in this parifh was the feat of the family of Every, who bore for their arms
Or four chevronels gules. John Every of this place, by Anne hi$ wife, daughter and
heir of George WiUiams, younger fon of Sir John Williams, of Herringfton in the
county of Dorfet, knt. had a fon named John, who, dying without ifllie, left his eftates
to the eldeft fons of his two fifters, Anne, wife of John Leigh, of Norton-Court in the
Ifle of Wight, efq; and Barbara, wife of Sir Robert Henley, knt. The Everys of
Chard were a branch of this family.
The living of Kittisford is a reftory in the deanery of Taunton; the prelentation
thereto has long been in the family of Efcott; the Rev. Bickham Efcott is the prefent
incumbent. In 1292 it was valued at fix marks.*
The church is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and fide
ailes, with a tower containing three bells.
In the chancel floor there is aflione with this infcription: " Sarah wife of the
Rev. Bickham Efcott, reftor of this parifh, and James their fon, were buried June 4,
1733. Bickham Efcott, A.M. reftor of this parifh, was buried February 3, 1754,
aged 51."
fLib.Domefday. J' Ex Stem, fam, Sydenham. * Efc. * Taxat. Spiritual.
RUNNINGTON,
fl0iltiecton.J [ 15 ]
RUNNINGTON,
Sometimes called Rowincton, and Runton,
IS a fmall parifh on the river Tone, which divides it from Wellington in the hundred
of Kingfbury-Weft, and has over it a county bridge of two arches. The fituation
is in a woody country, well watered and interfperfed with fmall eminences and valiies.
The lands arc moftly arable, and very fertile. The poor are chiefly employed in
hufbandry, and fpinning for the manufadure at Wellington.
The manor at the Conqueft was William de Mohun's, of whom it was held by one
of die name of Dodcman:
" Dodeman holds of William, Runetone. Two thanes held it in the time of
" King Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is two carucates. In demefne
" is one carucate, and four fervants, and one villane, and eight cottagers, with one
" plough. There is a mill of five fhillings rent, and eight acres of meadow, and ten
" acres of wood. It was formerly worth twenty Ihillings, now fifty Ihillings.""
This eftate was fometime the property of the Sydenham and Arundel families, and
came into that of Speke by the marriage of Alice, the daughter of Sir John Arundel of
Lanhern in Cornwall, with Sir John Speke, knt. In his defcendants (of whom fee ii>
White-Lackington, vol. i. pp. 67, 68,) this manor continued till of late years purchafed '
of Mr. Speke of Curry-Rivel by Mr. Thomas Were, brother of Mr. Nicholas Were
of Wellington, the prefent poffeffor.
The living was appropriated to the priory of St. Peter and Paul at Taunton; it is a
reftory in that deanery; the Rev. Hugh Bennet is the prefent incumbent.
The church is a fmall ftrudure of one pace, with a tower at the weft end in which
are two bells; it contains nothing worthy of notice.
• Lib. Domefday.
SAM FORD-ARUNDEL
IS fituated three miles weft from Wellington, in the turnpike-road to Tiverton and
Exeter. The village is compofed of about twenty houfes, which form a fmall
ftreetnear the church; eighteen are in Samford-Moor, fix adjoin the parifh of Trull,
and fix others are in the hamlet of Whitehall, a mile diftant weftward in the great
road. The whole number of houfes is about fifty, and of inhabitants nearly tliree
hundred. The lands are three-fourths arable; and fome flax is cultivated here. A
Vol. III. E l""^l
26" S A M F O R D - A R U N D E L. [0©ilmrtom
fmall rivulet, the fource of which is under Culmftocke-hill on Blackdown, turns a grift-
mill in this parifh, and after croffing the turnpike-road under a county bridge, called
Bean-Bridge, joins the nv&c Tone at Wellington. This parifh, and the adjoining one
of Thorn St. Margaret, are one tithing:
The manor was given by King William the Conqueror to Roger Arundel, and in
Domcfday-book is thus furveyed :
" Ralph holds of Roger, Sanford. Ailward held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for one hide, and half a virgate of land, and one ferling. The arable is
" three carucates. In demefne is one carucate, and three fervants, and two villanes,
" and four cottagers, with one plough, and twelve acres of meadow. It was and i$
. " worth thirty fhillings.'"
This Roger Arundel was, with other chief men of Normandy, of counfel with Duke
William, in order to his invafion of this kingdom, and attending him therein led the
centre of his army in the memorable battle of Haftings. Sir John Arundel, a de-
Icendant of this Roger, was living at Samford in the time of Henry III. and had
iffiie one only daughter and heir named Arondella, married to Richard Crifpin, who
in her right became poflefled of this manor. The faid Richard had iffue William
Crifpin, who by Joan his wife was father of one fon Roger, who died without ifllie
7 Edw. II. and a daughter Joan, married to Bradfton; who fucceeded her brother in
the eftates, and left iflue Elizabeth, the wife of Sir John Streche, knt. who died feized
of the manor of Samford-Arundel, 29 Edw. III. leaving John Streche his fon and heir
of the age of fourteen years.*" Which John was alfo a knight, and married Mary the
daughter of Sir John Molten, of Pinhoe in the county of Devon,"' by whom he had
ilTue another Sir John Streche, who died 13 Ric. II. leaving iffue by Catlierine his wife
two daughters his coheireffes, viz. Cecily the wife of Sir Thomas Bonvilie,v'' and Eliza-
beth the wife of Sir Thomas Beauchamp, of White-Lackington. The manor of Sam-
ford was allotted to Elizabeth for her portions and Sir Thomas Beauchamp poffefiing
it in her right, left it to Alice his coufin and heirefs, the wife of Sir John Speke, knt,
in whofe pofterity through a number of defcents it continued till the beginning of the
prefent century, when it was fold to the Baker family, who now poffefs it.
The abbefs and nuns of Canon-Leigh in the county of Devon had the reftory of
Samford-Arundel appropriated to them by Bifhop Button, with the confent of Sir
John Arundel."
The benefice was taxed in 1292 at feven marks.^ It is a vicarage in the deanery of
Taunton ; the patronage is vefted in Mr. Jeremiah Woodbury, and the Rev. Henry
Churly Manby is th'e prefent incumbent.
In the church, which is a fmall ftrufture of one pace, with a tov/er and four bells,
there is a handfome marble monument with this infcription: — " Sacred to the memory
• Lib, Domefday. ■• Efc. ■• Sir William Pole's Survey of Devofl.
" So the Inquifitions ; but Sir William Pole makes one of the coheireffes the wife of Sir William Cheyney ,
« Archer. ^ ' Taxat. Spiritual.
of
^iltjetton.] SAMFORD-ARUNDEL. 27
of Chriftopher Baker, who was high-fherifF of the county of Somerfet 17J4. He was
the eldefl- fon and heir of Jannes Baker, efq; of Culmftocke in the county of Devon, and
of Buckland-Soronitn in this county, deceafed, by Sarah his wife; — a very worthy de-
fcent! for his father was a gentleman of great candour and generofity, and of an
inviolable integrity of life; and his mother (ftill living) is defervedly eftecmed for her
piety, conftancy, and virtue. Deceflit 15° die Aug. 1729, astat. fuas 44. H. M. M.
pie pofuit Johannes Baker, frater amantilTimus." Arms, Argent, a ialiitr /akle; on a
chief of the fecond five efcallop fliells ermine.
The church is dedicated to the Holy Crofs.
THORN-ST. -MARGARET
ADJOINS to Samford- Arundel on the north, and confifts of fixteen houfes (land-
ing moftly near the church. The face of the country here is finely varied with
hills and vales, woods, and large inclofures. In the high banks are various afpleniums,
mofles, and ferns. The ftones are moftly filiceous, of the coarfe, yellow, and reddifh
agate, liver-coloured grit, and black jalper kinds, with quartz pebbles, beautifully
veined with red and ruft colour, and in fome there is a mixture of green. Many of
all thefe kinds are evidently rounded by water. Here is alfo a little foft bkiifh flate,
but very brittle. The lands are moftly under tillage, and very fruitful; a litde flax is
raifed here.
It abounds not with antiquities. The manor belonged at the Conqucft to the Earl
of Morton, and is thus furveyed in Domefday-book:
" Drogo holds of the Earl, Torne. Cheneve held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for one hide and one virgate. The arable is two carucates. In demefne
** is one carucate, and three fervants, and three cottagers, and ten acres of meadow. It
" was worth ten (hillings, now twenty (hiUings."
"Ralph [the Prieft] holds of the Earl, Torne. Two thanes held it in the time of
** King Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is three carucates. In demclhe
" is one carucate, and five villanes, and two cottagers, with one plough, and fourteen
** acres of meadow. It was worth forty (hillings, now thirty-two fliillings.""
There was a family of th« name of Thorn, who gave lands here to the priory of
Taunton."" The manor now belongs to Edward Clarke, of Chipley, efq.
The living is a curacyand a peculiar in the deanery of Taunton, and in the gift of
the archdeacon thereof. The church, dedicated to St. Margaret, is afmall building
of one pace, with a tower containing three bells.
f Lib. Domsfday. * Ibid. ' * Cart. Antjq.
E 2 STAWLEY.
r 25 J [^iltietton
S T A W L E Y. ,
THIS parifli is fituated on the borders of Devon, and on the north edge of tht
Tone, in a low valley encumbered with wood. The country is finely varied
•with fwelling hills, between which are fome very romantick winding dingles, overhung
with wood, which clothes the fteep acclivities of the hills. Their tops have but little
wood, but large inclofures and quick hedges. There are two hamlets:
1. Trace-Bridge, half a mile north, containing five houfes.
2. Uplev, or Apley, a mile foutheaft, containing eight houfes.
Stawley was a large manor in the Conqueror's time, and divided into two parts; th*
one held by Alured de Ifpania in demefne; the other of him by Ofward and Ailward. •
" Alured himfclf holds Stalwei. Earl Harold held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for three hides. The arable is five carucates. In demefne is one caru-
" cate, and five fervants, and eight viUanes, and four cottagers, with two ploughs.
" There is a mill of four-pence rent, and feven acres of meadow, and one hundred acres
" of pafture. One mile and a half of wood in length and breadth.'"
" Ofward and Ailward hold of Alured, StAtWEi. They held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is four carucates. In demefne is
" one carucate and a half^ with one fervant, and four villanes, and three cottagers,
" with one plough. There are three acres of meadow. It was always worth twenty
" killings. This land is added to the lands of Aluric, which Alured holds.""
The manor of Stawley is now the property of Earl Poulett, in whofe family it has
been for many generations.
Apley was alfo a manor in the Conqueror's time, and belonged partly to the Earl
of Morton, and partly to Baldwin de Execeftre:
" Bretel holds of the Earl, Appelie. Brifmar held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for one hide. The arable is two carucates. There are two villanes, with
*' one plough, and two acres of meadow, and three acres of pafture, and three acres of
** wood. It is worth ten fhillings."=
" Drogo holds of Baldwin, Apelie. Norman held it in the time of King Edward,
** and gelded for three virgates of land. The arable is two carucates. There are four
-" villanes, and three cottagers, and five acres of meadow, and ten acres of pafture. It
•*^ is worth fifteen Ihillings.'"'
The manor of Grindham, or Greenham, was alfo held by the Earl of Morton:
" Bretel holds of the Earl, Grindeh am. Alric held it in the time of King Edward,
** and gelded for one hide. The arable is two carucates. In demefne is one carucate,
" and two fervants, and three villanes, and two cottagers, with half a plough. There
f Lib. Domefday.. * Ibid, f Ibid. "Ibid.
is
a^titjctton,] ? T A W L E Y. £9
*' is a mill of five ITiillings rent, and three acres of meadow, and three acres of pafturc,
" and ten acres of wood. It is worth fifteen fliillings."*
In the beginning of the reign of Edward I. Grindham was the property of Simon de
Grindham, a perfon of note, and one who was a juror at Shaftfbury 3 Edw. I. concerning
the liberties of the abbey of Glaftonbury. By Julian his wife, daughter of Jordan de
Rogus, he left iflue one daughter, Chriftian, who was married to Sir Walter Bluet, by
which means the manor came into that family, and continued therein till the laft
century. They were chiefly feated at Holcombe-Rogus in the county of Devon, and
ha(i for their arms. Or a chevron between three eaglets veri.
The living of Stawley, which is a reftory in the deanery of Taunton, does not
appear to be mentioned in Pope Nicholas's taxation. The patronage is in Earl
Poulett, and the Rev. Mr. Graunt the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Michael ; a fmall Gothick edifice, confifting of a
nave, chancel, and tower with three bells.
John How, by his will, dated March 26, 1529, ordered his body to be buried
within the tower and church of Stawley; and left eighteen-pence a year for ever to the
churchwardens, to maintain a wax taper, to burn during all manner of divine fervice,
before our Lady in the north part of the faid church. He likewife bequeathed fix
ihillings and eight-pence to every parifh church where he had lands, except two, viz.
to the churches of Afhbrittle, Kittisford, Runnington, Buckland, Burlefcomb, Wel-
lington, Badialton, Clayhanger, Thorn, Huifli-Champflower, Luxborough, Hillfarence,
Reddington, and Tiverton. To the churches of Samford-Peverel and Samford-
Arundel, the fum of three fhillings and four-pence each.' This John How was an-
ceftor of the Lords Chedworth. •
• lib, DomeHaj. * Collins's Peerage, vii. 320, ex Regift. Thower, in Cur. praerog. Cantuar.
THE
THE HUNDRED
O F
NORTON. FERRERS,
(Vulgo N O R T a N - F E R R I S.)
THIS Hundred, which borders on the county of Wilts and the northeaft part of
that of Dorfet, had its nanie from a hamlet in the parlfh of Kilmington,
called Norton-Ferrers, on account of its having been long poflefled by the
family of Ferrers of Chartley, who were lords alfo of this hundred, and kept their court
for it at die faid hamlet of Norton, where they had their manfion.
This hundred contains one market-town, and eight pariflies.
WINCAUNTON, anciently WINCALETONE.
THE river Cale, rifing near Charlton-Mufgrove, vifits and communicates its name
to Wincaunton, Fin, fignifying pleafant, Eale, the river, and ton, the town;*
which indeed is moft pleafingly fituated on the weftern flope of a hill, well wooded and
cultivated, and the furface delightfully varied. The town confifts of four ftreets, viz.
High-ftreet, which is forty feet wide, and contains many handfome houfes, inns, and
fliops; South-ftreet, Church-ftreet, and Mill-ftreet. A fire, which happened here in
1747, opened a way towards the improvement of the buildings of the place. The
' Skinner derives the name from Vin, •wine, which ho thinks might formerly have been made here, and
Canute, the Danjih chief, who was fignaUy defeated in this oeighbourhood. Others iavc fought for the
Qangi here,
turnpike-
32 wiNCAUNTON. [mxtms^mmf
turnpike -road from Taunton to Salifbury runs through it. It has a market on Wed-
nefdays, which is very confiderable for cheefe, butter, pigs, and flax-yarn for the linen
manufafture. The market-place is fmall, having on its weft fide the town-hall, a
reipeclable brick ftrudlure of fifty-fix feet in front, with a ruftick ftone bafement.
There is alfo a fmall old market-houfe with a few fhambles. Two fairs are held here
annually, the one on the 29th of September, the other on Eafter-Tuefday. The ma-
nufafture is of dowlas and tick, and employs moft of the poor inhabitants. There are
Jikewife a work-houfe and a poor-houfe. At the weft end of the town, in the road to
Caftlc-Cary, is a very good ftone bridge of two arches over the Cale, built and fup-
ported at the expence of the county. There is another over the fame ftream adjoining
to the town in the road to Brewton, at a place called Shatwell, of one arch only.
At Horwood common rifes a mineral fpring, |he water whereof is ufed by many as
an alterative for purifying the blood of fcorbutick taints.
In this town was Ihed the firft blood in the revolution of 1688, when the Prince of
Orange, paffing through it in his way from Torbay, attacked a party of the King's
"dragoons, and put feveral to the fword.
There is no doubt but that this place is of great antiquity, the fpot being near the
fcene of fo many actions between the Britons, Danes, and Saxons. Even in the Roman
times the place was noticed, as we may infer from an urn which was difcovered here
■about fifty years ago filled with coins of that peoplej and a little above Sutton, half a
peck of the fame fort of coin, with pateras and other antiquities, were found. "" The
Saxon thanes were long in poffeffion of the placej one Elfi held it in the time of
Edward the Confeflbr; but when William came to the crown, he gave it to his itine-
rant fubjeft Walter de Dowai. The following account is given of it in the general
furvey of that time:
" Reneware holds of Walter, Wincaletone. Elfi held it in the time of King
** Edward, and gelded for three hides and a half. The arable is feven carucates. In
*' demefne is one carucate, and two fervants, and fixteen villanes, and fix bordars, and
** five cottagers, with feven ploughs. There are fifty acres of meadow, and' as many of
" wood. It was and is worth feventy ftiillings.
" To this manor is added half a hide, which Brifmar held for a manor in the time of
" King Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is five carucates. Reneware
*' has there one carucate, and two fervants, and feven villanes, and nine bordars, and
" two cottagers, with three ploughs. There is a mill of thirty-pence rent, and fixty
" acres of meadow, and thirty acres of pafture, and one hundred acres of wood. It was
*' and is worth forty ftiillings.""
The manor and borough of Wincaunton (for thus was it anciently privileged) fell
after the Conqueft into the hands of the Lovels, lords of Caftle-Cary,'' with which
manor it regularly pafled through that family, the St. Maurs, and the Zouches, till by
the attainder of John lord Zouch and St. Maur, i Henry VII. it lapfed to the crown,
' Stukeley'sltin. Curjof. 5. 150. « Lib, DomeHay. ? See vol. ii. p. 53.
and
j]3ortott'jrcrrcrisi.] WINCAUNTON. 33
and vd < rrranted to Giles lord Daiibeny. The manor however remains ftill in the name
of Seymour; Edward Seymour, efq; being its prefcnt pofleflbr.
Marsh-Court, the ancient feat of the Seymours and Zouches, (lands three miles
fouthward from the town. It now forms a hamlet, containing feven houfes.
The other hamlets and outlkirts of this parilh are as follow, viz.
I. The Tithing, a quarter of a mile fouthweft, in which are about thirty houfes.
a. WiNCAUXTON-CoMMON, fifteen.
3. Sutton, one mile weft, five.
4. Barrow-Common, three miles north, about thirty houfes.
Lands in the laft-mentioned hamlet (part of which lies within the parifli of Charlton-
Mulgrove) to the amount of 9I. lis. 2d. per annum, belonged to the priory of
Taunton; after the diflblution of which, thefe lands, with the manor of Roundbill, and
the reftoiy of Wincaunton, were fold to William lord Stourton, whofe fon Charles lord
Stourton, being attainted, the faid lands came again to the crown, and were fold in
1557 at thirty years purchafe to John Dier." Roundhill near Barrow is now the feat
of Nathaniel Webb, efq.
Within this parifh, and at the diftance of about three miles northeafl fi-om the town,
ftand the remains of the priory of Stavordale, founded in the reign of Henry III.
by Richard Lovel lord of the manor of Wincaunton, for canons of the order of St.
Auguftin, and regulation of St. Vidtor. This priory was dedicated to St. James, and
- endowed with lands in Wincaunton, Preftley, Rakynton, Eftrepe, Cuttlefham, Thorn-
Coffin, and other places in this county, and in Buckham-Wefton in the county of
Dorfet. 24 Edw. III. it was found not to the King's damage to grant licence to Sir
Richard Lovel, knt. to grant to the prior and convent of Stavordale, a mefluage, mill,
two carucates of arable land, twelve acres of meadow, twelve acres of pafture, ten acres
of wood, and the rent of one pound of pepper, with appertenances in Prejfeleye, to find
a chaplain to fay divine fervice every day in the priory church of Stavordale for the
good eftate of the faid Richard while living, and for his foul after his deceafe; and for
the fouls of his father and mother, and all his anceftors, and all the faithful deceafcd.*
The priors of this houle were,
Robert, 1263.
Robert de Charlton, died in February 1309.
Walter de Etone, refigned Aug. 13, 1322.
William de Nimesfeld was confirmed Aug. 29, 1322. He died in 1333; and after
his death Richard Lovel lord of Caftle-Cary, and patron of the priory, gave licence to
the canons'thereof to ele£t themfelves a prior.^ They accordingly defied
Henry de Nimesfeld, July 21, 1333.
' Harl. MS. 606. James Dyer, a. native of Wincaunton, (of this family probably) was a perfon eminent in
the law, and publiflied a volume of reports in 1601. He died^ at Stowton in Huntingdonfhire, March 24, 1581,
Athen. Oxon. i, zir.
' Inq. ad quod Damn. z4 Edw. III. » Ex. RegiHro Rad. de Salop. Ep. B. & Wdlcn.
Vol. III. F John
g4 w I N c A u N T o N. [Cotton* jTerteriS,
John Pcnfe, 0&. 29, 1418. He died in Oftober 1440.
Williann Pointington, Nov. $, 1440.
Andrew Grey, Sept. 22, 1502.
John Legge, Sept. 1 5, 1 508. He refigned in 1 5 1 3.
Richard Crue, canon of Brewton, Aug. 11, 1513- He was prior in J533, when
this convent was united to the priory of Taunton." After the diflblution of that mo-
naftery, it was granted as parcel thereof, widi all the lands belonging to it, by King
Henry VIII. in the 36th year of his reign, to John earl of Oxford.
The old church, which fometime ferved for the conventual one, was efteemed to be
the mother church to Wincaunfon. This falling into ruins, a new one was built by
Sir John Stourton, knt. and confeerated June 4, A. D. 1443.' In this church were
buried Sir Richard St. Maur, and Ela his wife; Nicholas and John St. Maur, and
many of the family of the Zouches, one of whom founded a chantry here, the laft in-
cumbent of which, Robert Gulne, received in 1553 apenfion of five pounds."
This priory is now converted into a farm-houfe and barn, together one hundred feet
in length. Near the call end, at the fpring of fome arches, are armorial Ihields, bearing
as follows: i. Ten bezants, a canton ermine, Zouch; impaling quarterly, firft and
fourth, two chevrons gules, St. Maur; fecond and third, a lion rampant, Lovel.
2. Zouch, fingly. 3. Zouch, impaling a crofs moline. The crofs beams of the ciel-
ings of the chambers are roughly carved at the interfefbions with foliage and other
ornaments. In the barn, which was the chapel of the priory, are two good Gothick
prches, one twenty, the other thirty-five feet high; the timber work of the roof and
-crofs beams carved. In the wall of the portal is a bafon for holy water; and on the
top a fmall turret with one bell. This farm at prefent belongs to Dr. Burford, of
Banbury in the county of Oxford. In a field belonging to the farm, a little to the
fouthweft of the houfe, are the remains of an oftagonal ftone crofs, having a fquare
plinth. This field is called Fair- Clofe, from a fair ufually held there the 5th of Auguft.
Stavordale gave title of baron, 20 Geo. II. to Stephen Fox lord Ilchefter.
The reftory of Wincaunton, valued in 1292 at twelve marks,' was appropriated to
the priory of Stavordale above-mentioned; and in the year 1374, Bilhop Harewell ap-
propriated the vicarage to it." It is an impropriate curacy in the deanery of Gary; the
Rev. George Farewell is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and is a pretty large edifice, plain
without, but very handfome within; the chancel having been rebuilt, and the church
new roofed and windowed in the year 1748. It is ninety-two feet in length, and fifty-
two feet in breadth, confifting of a nave, chancel, north and fouth ailes, all excepf the
chancel covered with lead. At the weft end is a plain fquare tower, containing a clock
and five bells.
«" Pat. 24 Hen. VIII. p. 2. ' Ex Regiftro Jo. Stafford, Ep. B. & Well.
»Hift.ofAbbie5,ii. 203. • Taxat. Spiritual. » Archer, ex Regift. Wellen.
^ On
J!3otton*jrettetfi[.] WINCAUNTON. 35
On one fide of the arch which feparates the chancel from the nave, is a handfomc.
mural monument of black and white marble» crcfted to the memory of John Tripp,
efq; but without any infcription. Arms, Gules, a fcaling ladder between fix crols
crofslets argent.
On a fmall mural monument of white marble: " Hoc marmor flatruit Nathaniel
Webb, e grata reverentia memoriae Jacobi Laurentij Churchey, armigeri de Round-
Hill, cujus cineres juxta funt repofiti, et qui rrlTjrtalitatem exuit fecundo die Odobris,
A. D. 17 16, annoque gratis fuse 48." Aims, ylrgent, on a fefle engrailed between
three greyhounds' heads erakd/al^k, collared or, as many trefoils flipped of the laft.
On a ftone monument at the weft end of the fouth aile: " In memoriam Phi,
Bennett, arm. qui officium clerici pacis com. Somerfet per multos annos diligenter &
ftudiofe peregit; obijt 7 Aprilis A. D. 1725, astat. fuae 87. In memoriam Annae
uxoris Philippi Bennett, arm. qua? obijt duodecimo die Decembris, A. D. 1735, setatis
fuas 78." Arms, G«fe, a bezant between three demi-lions nm'pani ardent ; impaling
ermine, on a anion fable, a crefcent argent.
Near the fouth wall is a ftone thus infcribed: " In a vault under the caft part of.
this aile, built by Abraham Gapper, ferjeant at law, was interred his body, the 23d of
May 1753. Alfo in the fame vault was interred the body of Mary, wife of the above-
mentioned Abraham Gapper, efq; the 9th of May 1764, aged 76. Alfo Henry
Gapper, efq; barrifter, and fon of the above, who died the 15th of May 1767, aged 52.
Alfo Catharine, daughter of Abraham and Mary Gapper, and relidt of the Rev. Aaron
Baker, vicar of Akernon, and prebendaiy of Exon, died Dec. 13, 1777, aged 57."
Arms, a faltier, on a chief three lions rampant; on an cfcutcheon of pretence^a chevron
between three fwans.
On a black ftone in the chancel floor: " Here lyeth the body of Thomas
Churchey, of Wincanton, efq; who dyed Feb. 27, 1721, in the 39th year of his age.
And Sarah his firft wife, daughter of Robert Wadman, of Imber in the county of Wilts,
efq; who died the 16th of November 1714, aged 28 years, without ifllie. And here-
alfo lies Dorothy, the daughter and only iflue of Thomas Churchey, by his fccond wife
Dorothy, the daughter of John Mogg, of Farringdon in the county of Somerfet, efq;
who dyed the 28th of April 1722, aged 2 years." >•"
Benefactions. " Charles Brook, efq; the vicker of Caverly, Welch Davie, and
John Stacy, gave thirty-two pounds; John Green, thirty pounds; one moyetie of the
profit thereof to bee diftributed on St. Thomas's-day, and the other moyetie on Good-
Fryday, to the poor of this parifh for ever. 1693. ^
" Mr. John Thick, fometime a citizen of Briftol, gave fifty pounds, the profit thereof
to be diftributed to the poore of this parifti on St. Thomas's-day for ever. 1670."
In the church-yard is a pedeftal, on which is the effigies of a man in ftone, on the
north fide of which is this infcription: " In memory of Nathaniel Irefon, mafter-
builder, who eredted this monument for himfelf and family, moft of them lying near
this place. He died the i8th of April 1769, aged 83."
F a The
5 W I N C A U N T O N. [aortomjfettctjf*
The length of this parilh from north to fouth is nearly feven miles; the breadth
from eaft to weft, three miles. The number of the houfes in the town is 2865 in the
hamlets 87; and detached ones 10.
The chriftenings are on an annual average 50; the burials 60.
BRATTON-SEVMOUR,
(Anciently called BroctunEj and Brokton)
ADTOINS to Wincaunton on the weft, and confifts of thirteen dwellings, fituated
at the bottom of a hill, from which an extenfive and pleafing profpeft opens to-
wards the north and eaft, bounded by the ridge of Mendip This parifl. was held in
the Conqueror's time by the fame lord as Wincaunton, and was thus furveyed:
« Gerard holds of Walter, Broctune. Elft held it in the time of King Edward,
" and -elded for four hides, The arable is eight carucates. In demefne are two caru-
« cates! and fix fervants, and feven villanes, with four ploughs. There are four acres
« of meadow, and fix furlongs of wood in length and breadth. It was worth feven
" pounds when he received it; now four pounds.""
In fucceeding times the manor of Bratton was held of the crown in chief by knight's
fei-vice by the Loveh and St. Maurs, lords of Wincaunton and Caftle-Cary, and from
the laft of thofe families, the place derived the appellation of Bratm-Seymcur. Froni
them it paired with their other numerous eftates to the family of Zouche. 2 and 3 i-hil.
and Mary, Richard Zouche, a defcendant of the Lords Zouche, fold a moiety of this
manor, with the advowfon of the church, to John Dyer, whofe fon and heir Laurence
Dver held the fame in the 5th year of the fame reign ; as alfo a meflliage and tenement
in Bratton, with fixteen acres of land and wood lately belonging to the monaftery of
Brewton^ 12 Eliz. Charles Zouche gave the other moiety of the manor to Jerom
Dibben." It is ftiU divided, one woiety thereof belonging to Mr. Warner; the other
to Mr. Chillwell. '
The living, valued in 1292 at loos.' is a redory in the deanery of Cary, and m the
gift of the lords of the manor. The Rev. John Mefliter is the prcfent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It is a fmall building of a fingle pace,
with a tower and three bells, and contains nothing worthy of obfervation.
.J.ib.Domefday. ' Lib. Feod. ' MS. Carew, - Ter. Sydenham. « Taxat, Spiritual.
CHARLTON-
ji^octomjremcg.] [ 37 3
CHARLTON-MUSGROVE "
lES northeaft from Wincaunton, and was at the Conqueft parcel of the cftatcs of
/ the Earl of Morton, as we find it in the following cxtrad:
« Rainald holds of the Earl, Cerletone. Three thanes with a clerk hcW it in
« the time of King Edward, and gelded for five hides. The arable ts fix carucatcs.
« In demefne are three carucates, and fix fervants, and five villanes, and fix cottagers,
<' with one plough and a half. There are fifty acres of meadow, and forty acres of
*' pafture, and twenty acres of coppice-wood.'"
Charlton came foon after to the family of Muccgros, a branch of the family of that
name who came over with the Conqueror into England, and were afterwards feated at
Overton in the county of Weftmoreland. In the time of King John, Richard de
Mucegros was polTelTed of lands in Charlton, Norton, and otlier parts of this county,
and was alfo farmer of the county of Gloucefter." 38 Henry III. Robert de Mucegros,
lord of the neighbouring manor of Brewham, is certified to hold in Charlton one
knight's fee of John de Burgh by royal fervice, and of William de I fie one hide of
land J and three acres of land of Richard Lovel, and one yard-land of William de
Brywham, and of Lady Sabina D'Orty ten acres of land, by the fervice of a pair of
gloves, price one penny, per annum.' He alfo held the manor of Norton (afterwards
called Norton-Ferrers) of Edward Bloynes.* To tliis .Robert fucceeded John de
Mucegros, who feated himfelf at Charlton, and died feized thereof 3 Edw. I. leaving
Robert his fon and heir.* Which Robert is ftiled of Charlton, and was the laft heir
male of the family that pofifefied this manor; for in 8 Edw. I. he died without male
ifiue, leaving one only daughter, Hawife, the wife of John de Ferrers, heir to this and
his other eftates, which defcended in her right to the family of Ferrers, of whom we
fhall fpeak more particularly hereafter,^
But although the manor of Charlton pafTed away from this naltie to that of Ferrers,
there were divers of the defendants of the Mufgroves, who ftiU retained this as the
place of their habitation, and flourifhed here for feveial centuries. John Mufgrave of
tliis place was fherifl^of Wiltfliire, in which county he had large eftates, 2 Ric. III. and
was progenitor of the Mufgraves of Devonfiiire, and of Nettlecombe m this county.
Dr William Mufgrave, that eminent antiquary and phyfician, was alfo born here m
1657. He received the earlier part of his claffical erudition at Wickham's fchooi in
Winchefter; from which he was removed to New-college in Oxford. In J684 he was
appointed fecretary to the Royal Society, to whofe philofophical refearches he was a
moft ufeful affiftapt. In 1685 and 1689, he took his degrees m phyfick, and was
afterwards admitted fellow of the college of phyficians in London. In 1691 he went
and fettled in the city of Exeter, where for many years he exercifed his pro.eflion with
great reputation and fuccets. During his refidence tiiere, befides enriching the medical
fLib.Domefday. » Mag. Rot. 9 Joh. ' Lib. Feod. "Ibid. • Efc.
' See Norton-Ferrers in Kilmingtcn. world
V
3S CHARLTON-MUSGRAVE. [ll3otton=jrctrettf»
world with a variety of very ufeful difTertations, he applied himfelf to the antiquities of
this part of England, and anaong other things publifhed a curious and learned com-
ment on the epitaph of Julius Vitalis, now remaining at the end of the abbey-church
in Bath; as alfo obfervations on the equeftrian ftatue of Geta found near that cityj
and an elaborate account of that part of South-Britain which was formerly inhabited by
the Belga, comprifing the three counties of Wilts, Hants, and Somerfet. He died
Dec. 23, 1721. From him defcended Samuel Mufgrave, M. D. lately deceafed, the
learned author of the Criticifms on Euripides.
The manor of Charlton-Mufgrove is now difmembered.
The benefice is reftorial, and in the deanery of Gary. In 1292, it was rated at fix
marks, three fhillings.* The Rev. Thomas Leir is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated, to St. Stephen the proto-martyr, and confifts of a nave,
chancel, and tower at the weft end.
In the chancel, againft the north wall, is a handfome marble monument, infcribed,
" Here lies interred Thomas Penny, efq; who departed this life April 18, 1730, aged
57 years. He was a man of found judgment, clear underftanding, and moft excellent
moralsj a kind and loving hulbandj a careful and tender father; a perfedl good neigh-
bour; and an unbiafled friend. A merry and cheerful companion; of a free and ealy
deportment, not tainted with pride or affedlation; of a ferene mind, and fteady refolu-
tion; and even among the inceffant tortures of the ftone, always calm and refigned.
Even thus his compofed fmiling foul would triumph over mifery itfelf. But, ah!
Omnibus mors decreta eft."
Againft the fouth wall, on a white marble: " Near this place are interred the
remains of Sufannah, wife of Nathaniel Farewell, of Holbrook in the county of So-
merfet, efq; and daughter of Robert Coker, of Mapouder in the county of Dorfet, efq.
Her memory is embalmed with the poflefTion of every Chriftian virtue; having lived
in the conftant praftice of every relative duty, fhe refigned this life with great firmnefs
July 3, i745> aged 55."
" The yeere of our Lord 1693, Mr. Thomas Edwards, of the citty of BriftoU, mer-
chant, gave tenn pounds, the profitt thereof to be given to two poore houskeepers, not
receiving weekly almes of this parifli, upon St. John's-day yearely for ever."
« Taxat. Spiritual.
KILMINGTON,
mmri'Mtm^.] [ 39 1
KILMINGTON.
THIS parifh, the name of which has been varioufly fpelt, as Cilcmetone, Chelmc-
tone, Culmington, Kihnanton, and Kilmington, is the moft eafterly parifh in the
county, being clofely bounded on one fide by Maiden-Bradley, and on the other by
Stourton and Stourhead, in the county of Wilts. Its fituation is elevated, and very
pleafant, having extenfive profpefts to the north, eaft, and fouth, the country well
wooded, and in a good ftate uf cultivation. A fpring of fine water, called Blatcbwe/l,
rifing near the church, forms a rivulet, which runs half a mile above ground, then finks,
and rifes again at the diftance of three miles in the parifli of Kingfton-Deverell in tlie
county of Wilts. It runs fo near the furface of the ground, that its murmurs may be
heard in feveral parts of its fubterraneous paflTage. About two miles fouthweft from
ibe church is a fmall encampment, called Jack' s-CaJlk, of an oval form ; but its works
are nearly erafed. It is fuppofed to be Danifli, from the circumftance of that people
having fo many engagements in this neighbourhood, particularly when King Alfred
near this fpot gave them fo decifive an overthrow. The memory of that prince is
preferved by a ftately tower, ereded at the fouthweft extremity of the parifh, by the
late Henry Hoare, efq,- on an eminence commanding the moft beautiful inland prof-
pe€b in the kingdom, and to which defcription would fall very Ihort in doing proper
juftice.* It is built of brick, of a triangular form, having a turret at each angle,
and round one of them a railed gallery. Its height is one hundred and fifty-five ket,
and the afcent to its top is by one hundred and twenty-one fteps. On a tablet over the
entrance is the following infcription;
" Alfred the Great, A. D. 879, on this fummit erefted his ftandard againft Danifli^
" invaders : to hiiTi we owe the origin of juries, and the creation of a naval force.
" Alfred, the light of a benighted age, was a philofopher, and a Chriftian; the
" father of* his people, and the founder of the Englifh monarchy and liberties."
This tower is now the property of Sir Richard Colt Hoare, bart. grandfon of the
founder, whofe elegant feat at Stourhead adjoins this parifli on the Wiltfliire fide.
At the time of the Norman Conqueft the manor of Kilmington wa? thus held:
^ " The church of St. Edward [of Shaftefbury] holds of Serlo, Chelmetone, for his
** daughter, who is there. Alfi held it in the time of King Edward. There are fiv«
" hides; but it only gelded for one hide. The arable is five carucates. In demcfne
" is one carucate, and four villanes, and three cottagers, with four ploughs. There is
" a wood one mile in length, and three furlongs in breadth. It was worth- tlnrty ftiil-
" lings; now forty (hillings."^
" From the fame manor [i. e. Brewton] is taken away half a hide in Cilemetone.
" Serlo de Burci holds it, and it is worth ten fliillings. It was of the demcfne farncv"*
• See the engraving annexed to Glaftonbury Torr, vol. ii. p. 264, * Lib, Dom«fdajr. ' ILid.
Fiona
\
40 K I L M I N G T O N. [Jl2otton*jrertct0»
From Serlo de Burci the manor came to the crowrij and was granted to the family of
Le Port, of whom Sybilla Le Port held it in the time of King Edw. I. and then gave
lands here to the monaftery of Brewton.
By, an inquifition taken at Crevikerne, it was found that George, the fii-fl Earl of
Huntingdon, died March 21, 1544, then feized of this and divers other manors in this
neighbourhood J and that Francis earl of Huntingdon was his fon and heir/ But foon
after this by fome means or other it came to the poflefTion of the Hurtgills, a family of
confiderable reputation and property in thefe parts; two of whom, viz. William, and
John his fon, in the reign of Queen Mary, fell unhappy viflims to the cruelty of Lord
Stourton.' The property heretofore poirefTed by this family is now, by various pur-
chafes, chiefly in the hands of Lord Ilchefter and Sir Richard Colt Hoare, bart. but fhe
Jatter has the manor.
About a mile northeafl from Kilmington is Norton-Ferrers, which gave name to
this hundred. It was fometimes called Nerton-Bowode^ and Bonewood, and was pof-
fefled by the Mufgraves, whofe heirefs brought it by marriage to the family of Ferrers.
John de Ferrers, who married Mufgrave's heirefs, was the firft lord Ferrers of
Chartley, and as fuch had fummons to parliament among the barons from 27 Edw. \.
to 5 Edw. II. He died 18 Edw, II. leaving by Hawife his faid wife, Robert de
Ferrers his fon and heir, then fifteen years of age.
This Robert was in the wars of Scotland and Flande.'-s, and 23 Edw. III. attended
the King in that memorable expedition into France, when the Englifh forces obtained
the fignal viftory at Crefl}'. Fle died the year following, leaving ifllie two fons, John,
who fucceeded him as third Lord Ferrers, and Robert, of Wem and Overfley.
John, his eldeft fon, 23 Edw. III. was in the expedition into Gafcony, and had
fummons to parliament among the barons. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Ralph
earl of Stafford, by whom, dying abroad 41 Edw. III. he left iflTue Robert, who fuc-
ceeded to his title and eftates.
2 Ric. II. this Robert was in the wars of France, but died i Henry V. leaving ilTue
by Margaret his wife, daughter of Edward lord le Defpencer, Edmund his fon and heir.
Which Edmund de Ferrers was the fifth Lord Ferrers of Chartley, and having been
engaged in feveral foreign expeditions, died feized of this manor 14 Henry VI. and
was fucceeded therein by WiUiam de Ferrers his fon and heir, at that time twenty-three
years of age.
This William de Ferrers was the laft of the family in the male line that enjoyed this
manor; for dying 28 Henry VI. he left iflue one only daughter Anne, heir to all his
pofTefllons, which fhe conveyed to her hufband Walter Devereux, of Weobly in the.
county of Hereford, who i Edw. IV. in her right had fummons to parUament by the
title of Lord Ferrers of Chartley, and foon after was elefted knight of the garter; but
at length had the misfortune to be flain at the battle of Bofworth in 1485.
* Coles's Efc, * Sec Strype's Memorials, Englifh Hiftories, &c.
John
il3orton=jrerrcts.] K i l m I N G T o N. 4,
John lord Ferrers, of Chartley, fucceeded his father in this manor, and left iflue
Walter Devereux lord Ferrers, his fon and heir, who 22 Henry VIII. fold the manor
of Norton-Ferrers to Lord Stourton, whofe fon being attainted, the faid manor, with its
appertenances and other lands and hereditaments in Norton, as alfo the capital mef-
fuage or farm of the manor of Norton, commonly called Norton-Farm, fituate within
the parilh of Kilmington, was granted by Queen Elizabeth, in the 41ft year of her
reign, to Hartgill and Willoughby, who fold the fame 44 Eliz. to Smyth and Combe j
after which it came by divers purchafes to the family of Madox, who fold it to Mr,
Barnes, and he to Henry Hobhoufe, efq; the prefent pofleflbr.
Between Kilmington and Maiden-Bradley in Wilts, flrands YaRnfield, which in
the Conqueror's time belonged to Walter Gifard, or GifFard :
" Walter Gifard holds of the King, Gernefelle, and William of him. Ernebold
** held it in the time of King Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is three
** carucates. In demefne are two carucates, with one fervant, and five cottagers, with
*' one plough. There are twenty acres of pafture, and fixty acres of wood. It was
" worth forty fliillings, now thirty fhillings."'^
This Walter Giffard was fon of Ofborne de Bolebec, and Avelina his wife, fifter tO
Gunnora, duchefs of Normandy, and great-grandmother to the Conqueror. He was
the firft Earl of the county of Buckingham after the Conqueft;* and one of the prin-
cipal perfons who compiled the great furvey called Domelday-Book. His fon and
heir was another Walter Giffard, fecond Earl of Buckingham, of whom, in the time of
Henry II. this manor, confifling of one knight's fee, was held by Manfer Biflet,'' who
gave it with all its appertenances to the holpital which he founded for poor leprous
women at Maiden-Bradley.'
The living of Kilmington, the advowfon whereof belonged formerly to the abbey of
Shaftfbury in Dorfetfhire, and which was in 1292 valued at twenty marks,"" is reftorial
in the deanery of Cary. The patronage is in the Earl of Ilchefter, and the Rev.
Charles Digby is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary. It is a fubftantial and very neat edifice, con-
fiding of a nave, chancel, nordi and fouth aile leaded, and a handfome tower at the
weft end containing two bells. In this tower poor old Hartgill and his wife, and fe-
veral of their fervants, took refuge from the aflault of Lord Stourton, who, on the
morning of aWhitfunday, came to this church with a number of men, armed with
bows and arrows, and guns, with an intent to force away the faid Hartgill and his fon
to his lordlhip's houfe at Stourton. What could not be effedcd by force, was after-
wards accomplilhed by treachery; and an apparently amicable invitation to Stourton
■was an unhappy prelude to the dreadfiil affaflination of both father and fon, and the
confequently ignominious exit of the perpetrator.
The Hartgills were interred in the church j but moft of the infcrlptions over their
jgraves are effaced by time.
' Lib. Domcfday. « Dugd. Bar. i. 59. * Lib. Nig. Seac. i. 189.
- ' Mod, Angl. ii. 400. * Ta.^lt, Spiritual.
Vol. Ill- G i«
42 K I L M I N G T O N. [JBOtton^JFCttCtfif*
In the north aile there is a fmall ftone infcrlbed, " Here lyeth the body of John
Hartgill, efq; who dyed April 5, 1605." Arms, [Jrgent} thret bucks' heads ca-
bolTed l/aMe.]
On the north fide of the nave is an elegant mural monument of white marble, with
this infcription: " Sacred to the memory of John Madox, of Norton-Ferris in this
parilh, efq; who died Odl. 1772, aged 72. He was an able, upright, and aftive raagi-
fti-ate, an honeft man, and fincere friend, Jane Madox, his wife, who died Aug. 1774,
aged 62. Humanity, piety, charity, and benevolence, with every good and amiable
quality, were united in the charafber of this excellent woman;
Whofe form each beauty of her mind exprefs'd,
Whofe mind was virtue by the graces drefs'd.
Cecilia Madox, their daughter, who died March 1764, aged 27. Richard Madox,
their fon, who died January 1777, aged 52."
In the church-yard, which is large and neat, are two tombs to Ferdinando Hartgill,
efq; who died 1736, aged 79; and John Hartgill, efq; who died 1748, aged 67."
The chriftenings in this parifh are on an average 18 j the burials 11.
Brewham-Lodge, weftward from Kilmington, was parcel of the cftate of the
Mufgroves and Ferrers, lords of Norton.
PEN, PENZELWOOD, or PEN-SELWOOD.
THIS parifh is fituated on the eaftern verge of the county, near the junftion of the
confines of Wilts and Dorfet. The fituation is high, bleak, and expofed, and
commands a very extenfive profpeft. The river Stour wafhes it on the eaftern fide.
The ancient names of this place were Penna, Peonna, Peonhoy and Peonhum, all
which fignify, in the ancient Britilh, a head or eminence, and are metaphorically applied
to the fummits of mountains, or the tops of any conlpicuoufly elevated places. Selwood
was afterwards adjoined, becaufe this diftrift was included within the foreft of that
name; and that thereby it might be diftinguifhed from another Pen in this county.
This traft and its environs have been the theatre of many notable rencounters in
times of old, when an extent of foreign dominion, to be purchafed by tumult and by
blood-fhed, was more eagerly coveted than a fmall domeftick territory, to be enjoyed in
peace and quiet. The Britons, long harrafled by the perfidious Saxons, and driven
to and fro throughout the weftern parts of England, refolved in this place to colleft all
their ftrength, and make a ftand againft the enemy. Kenewalch, fon of Kingils, king
of the Weft-Saxons, was then hovering in their purfuit, and coming up with them
on
iQorton'jrmewo pen. 43
on the brow fouthweftward from tlie village, a tremendous naughrer enfucd in either
army, but at length vifbory determined for the Saxons; and the poor Britons feem never
after to have gathered ftrength fufficient to repel the arms of the enemy; but retiring
to the Cambrian iiills, left England in difdain, to be poflcflTed by foreigners. This
event happened A. D. 658," at a period when mofl parts of Britain fuffered in fome
meafure from the impetuofity of war; but it fhould feem that the place we are fpeaking
of wasdeftined to experience a double portion of hoftility; for although it is not re-
corded that Alfred in his march through the foreft againft the Danes A. D. 879,
touched upon this village, or that any adlion here enfued; yet certain it is that the fame
people in the year looi," having recruited their forces, after their return into England,
their devaftation of Cornwall, their taking of Exeter, and their poflefling themfelves of .
Hampfhire, Dorfet, and the Ifle of Wight, are found in this fpot, engaging with a party
of King Ethelred's officers, who being few in number, and unable to cope with fo great
a multitude, fell back, and the Danes purfuing them, put the greater part to the fword,
and burnt the village of Pen entirely to the ground. Nor was it long after that they
themfelves, under the conduft of King Canute, experienced in this felf-fame place a fate
equally fevere; when A. D. 10 16, the vifborious Edmund, determining to annihilate the
Danilh name and power, oppofed all his army againft them, and fo totally overthrew
them, that of all their mighty number few efcaped the fury of his fword by flight.'
The fcene of this laft-mentioned aftion is fuppofed to be a wafte piece of land near the
church, where to this day remain an immenfe number of pits or hollows, noticed in our
maps by the name of Pen-Pits. The ground in which thefe pits are, contains about
two hundred acres; the foil a gravelly clay. Their form is that of an inverted cone 5
their fizes various, being from ten to fifty feet in diameter at top, and from five to ten
at the bottom. They are in depth flantwife from five to ten feet, and fituated but at a
fmall diftance from each other. Their number is confiderably upwards of twenty
thoufand; but their arrangement is not regular, as fome have aflerted; but contrariwife
promifcuous and confufed.
Various are the opinions concerning thefe and fuch-like excavations, which are to
be found in odier parts of Britain.'' Some have fuppofed them to have been cities;
others refuges from cold and wintry ftoims, when houfes were infrequent; others, gra-
naries and receptacles for provifions;" and others, (as in this inftance) encampments
for foldiery; difcovering their pofitions as to offence and defence; and defigning fome
nations for the main-body, and others for the advanced guards.' And laftly, others
have conjeftured* that the pits in queftion were excavated by the Danilh foldiers a
little before the attack made upon them, and the decifive victory obtained over
them near this fpot by King Alfred's forces. All thefe conjedures are ingenious;
albeit the pits in queftion very much refemble the obfolete grooves of the mines of
lapis-calaminaris on the Mendip hills.
• Sax. Chron. p. 39. ^ Ibid. p. 132. • Ibid. p. 148. Flor. Worceft. Matt. Weftmon. Brompton, 4c.
* See Archacologia, vol. vii. * Tacitus, de raoribus Germanorum. ' Hutchins's Hift. of Dorfet, ii. 2J3,
' Letter from Mr. Crocker in the Gentleman's Magazine for June 1786.
44 PEN. CJi5otton«jrcrtctsf»
We have no further account of Pen till the time of Edward the Confeffor, when the
whole place was occupied by Britnod, a Saxon thane, who being difpoflefled of it at
the Conqueft, it was given by King William to Roger Arundel, who held it when the
following account was written:
" William holds of Roger, Penne. Britnod held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for three hides. The arable is three carucates. In demefne is one caru-
" cate, and four villanes, and eight bordars, and four cottagers, with one plough and a
" half. There is a mill of forty pence rent, and twelve acres of meadow, and twenty
" acres of pafture. Wood twelve furlongs long, and four furlongs and twelve perches
" broad. It was worth when he received it feven pounds, now three pounds."''
In the time of Richard I. Matthew de Clyvedon was lord of this manor,' and from
his defcendants it came to a family who received their name from the town of Frome
where they feem to have had large poffeffions; the name occurring in teftimony to fe-
veral charters and deeds of the family of Braunche, lords of Frome manor." 25 Edw. I.
Richard de Frome had a moiety of this manor,' and was fucceeded by another of his
name. To which Richard fucceeded WiUiam, and to him Reginald de Frome who
had lands in Compton-Pauncefor^ 5 Edw.j" III. and 7 Edw. III. the fame Reginald
and Margaret his wife, are certified to hold the third part of the manor of South-
Cadbury." By an inquifition taken at Brewton 17 June, 17 Henry VIII. it was found
that John Butler of Badminton died feized of the manor of Pen, 15 Henry VIII •
It is now the property of the Earl of Ilchefter, the Earl of Egremont, Mr Bieeiii
and others. ^^ '
The living is a reftory in the deanery of Gary. In 1 292 it was valued at fix marks '
The lords of the manor are its patrons, and the Rev. Richard Ring is the prefent
incumbent. -o r v
The church, which is dedicated to the honour of St. Michael the Archangel is a
fmall old building, fixty-five feet in length, and feventeen in breadth, having a nave
chancel, and porch, all covered with tile, and a fquare embattled tower at the weft end
fifty feet high, and containing three bells. In the porch is a very fine Saxon arch. '
On a ten yeais average, the chriftenings in this pariih are found to be annually in
number fivej the burials three.
»Lib.Doniefday. ' Rot. Pip. 10 Ric. I. »Cart.Antiq. ' Peramb. Foreft.
-Efc. ribid. 'Inq. i7Hen.III. ' Taxat. Spiritual.
SHEPTON-
Bottow'Smm.} [ 45 3
SHEPTON-MONTACUTE.
THIS parifli, containing the hamlets of Upper and Lower-Shepton, Knoll and
Stoney-Stoke, lies north from Wincaunton; and in the Conqueror's time was
poffefled by the Earl of Morton, and of him held by Drogo, or Drew de Montacute.
" Drogo holds of the Earl, Sceptone. Toli held it in the time of King Edward
".and gelded for five hides. The arable is five carucates. In demefne arc two caru'
« cates, and eight fei-vants, and eight villanes, and five cottagers, with three ploughs
« There are two mills j one not rated, the other pays fcven fhillings and fix-pence'
" There are thirty acres of meadow, wood ten furlongs long, and four furlongs broad'
" It was worth fcven pounds, now one hundred fhillings.
" To this manor is added Stoche, [i. e. Stoney-Stoke.] Drogo holds it of the
« Earl. Robert [fon of] Wimarc held it in the time of King Edward, and .rdded for
" three hides. The arable is four carucates. In demefne is one carucatc," and two
« fervants, and five villanes, and eight cottagers, with two ploughs. There are five
" acres of meadow, and two acres of wood. It is worth three pounds.'"
^^1^'^ ^'""So de Montacute was one of thofc chieftains who came into Enc^land with
WiUiam duke of Normandy, in the retinue of Robert earl of Morton, under whom he
enjoyed this territory, which in procefs of time became tlie feat of a barony, and was
from Its pofleflbrs denominated Shepton-Montacute. He held alfo of the faid Earl one
hide of land in Montagud or Montacute in this county, which place is generally fuppofcd
to have given title to the familyj but their original cognomination was derived from
Montagu a townfliip in Normandy, where they had pofleffions, and were feated Ion.,
before the place in England had its name. And it is altogether probable that the Earl
of Morton (if he had any other reafon than that of a Latin definition) impofcd on his
demefnes at Bilhopfton" the appellation of Montagud or Montacute, in compliment to
this Drogo, his favourite and confidential friend. But waving this matter, we find the
faid Drogo de Montacute inpoffeflion of thefc eftates till his deatli, which took place
about the latter end of the reign of King Henry I. when he was fucceeded by William
de Montacute his fon and heir.
To which WiUiam fucceeded Richard de Montacute, who 2 Henry II. paid twenty
pounds into the King's exchequer for the ancient pleas ;' and 7 Henry II. upon the
collefbion of the fcutage then levied, he paid twenty marks for the knights fees wliich lie
at that time held." Soon after which he died, leaving iffue Drogo or Drew de Mon-
tacute his fon and heir, who was commonly called Drogo Juvenis, or young Dru.
This Dru, upon the affeffinent of the aid for marrying the King's daughter, 12
Henry II. certified his knights' fees to be in number nine, a half and a third part of the
old feoffment, and one of the new. Thefc fces were thus held:
? Lib. Domefday. » See Montacute in TintinhuU Hundred.
5 Rot. Pip. 2 Hen. II. ? Rot. Pip. 7 Hen. II.
William
^ SHEPTON-MONTACUTE. [JSottOtl* JFemtSl*
William Malherbe, three fees.
Robert Fitz-John, one fee.
Jordan Guihaine, one fee.
Robert Fitz-William, in Winburneford, half a fee.
Hamo, half a fee.
Helias de Arden, half a fee.
Thomas de Tolre, half a fee.
Richard Fitz-Eernard, the third part of a fee.
And of the new feoffment, William de Montacute, one fee.
Befides one knight's fee in Dichenefcove, [Diflicove] whereof he was unwarrantably
difpoflefied by Henry Lovel.' For all which fees 14 Henry II. he paid ten marks.
He married Aliva, the daughter of Alan Baffet, baron ofWiccomb in the county of
Bucks, and by her had ifllie,
William de Montacute, who fucceeded to the barony, and 6 Ric. I. paid 61. is. 8d.
for his eftates in this county, as fcutage for the King's ranfom.^ 7, 8, and 9 J oh. he
executed the office of fheriff for this county and Dorfet, having under him for the firft
of thofe years Olbert the clerk his deputy." 17 Joh. this WilUam being found in
arms with the rebellious barons, all his lands in this county and Dorfet were feized by
the King, and given to Ralph de Ralegh, but they were afterwards reftored. He died
18 Joh. and was fucceeded by another William de Montacute, his fon and heir.
Which William, 17 Henry III. had alfo all his lands diftrained by virtue of the King's
precept for omitting to repair to court at the feaft of Whitfuntide, there to receive the
dignity of knighthood, as he was required to do.' But the next year, on doing his
homage, he was by the fherifFof Somerfet and Dorfet reinftatcd in his pofTeflions.
He died 31 Henry III. leaving ilTue
William his fon and heir, who 38 Henry III. had fummons to attend the King Into
Gafcony, againft Alphonfo X. King of Caftile, who had ufurped that province.
41 Henry III. he was fummoned to be with the King at Chefter, on the feaft-day of
St Peter ad vincula, well furnifhed with horfe and arms, thence to march againft
Llewellyn-ap-Griffith, prince of Wales. 42 Hen. III. he had alfo a fimilar citation."
By Berta his wife, he left iffue
Simon de Montacute, who alfo was in feveral expeditions into Wales, and particu-
larly in that of 10 Edw. I. when Llewellyn loft his territory and life. 18 Edw. I. he
obtained of that King a confirmation of this manor of Shepton-Montacute, with all
the woods, &c. thereto belonging, fituated within the foreft of Selwood; and alfo of
the manors of Yarlington, Chedzoy, Goathill, Knolle, and Laymore, all in this county j
with other lands and rents in the counties of Dorfet, Bucks, and Oxon.' 22 Edw. I.
be received command to attend the King at Portfmouth, weU furniftied with horfe and
'Lib.Nig.Saic.i.94. 'Rot. Pip. 14 Hen. 11. 1 « Rot. Pip. 6 Ric. I. » MS. Dodfworth.
' Rot. Fin. 17 Hen. III. m. s- '" Rot- Cla«- f"t> '^^^^ '>^^' ' ^^' '^ ^^- ^- "" 73-
arms.
ji3ortoivjrertcr0.] siiepton-montacute. 47
arms, to fail thence into Gafcony, where he perfornned many great and flgnal ferviccs/*
26 Edw. I . he was in the Scottifli wars j and the year following was appointed governor
of Corfe-Caftle in Dorfetlhire. In 1301 he was one of thofe barons who figned a
memorable letter to the Pope, in anfwcr to his pretences of fupremacy in Scotland:
his feal affixed thereto was a griffin rampant, with tliis circumfcription: Simon Dns de
MoNTEAcuTO. 35 Edw. I. he was again in the Scottifli wars j 2 Edw. II. was conftituted
governor of Beaumaris caftle in Anglefeyj and 7 Edw. II. was Admiral of the King's
fleet. He married Aufricia daughter and heir of Fergufius king of the Iflc of Man»
and by her had two fons William and Simon.
"William de Montacute, the cldeft fon and heir, was alfo in the wars of Scotland for
feveral years of K^ing Edw. II. with whom he was eminently in favour for his fidelity^
circumfpeftion, and prudence, in many weighty matters wherewith he was entrufted j
and by whom he was appointed fenefchal of Gafcony, and governor of the ifland of
Oleron in France. He had fummons to parliament among the barons 1 1 and i z
Edw. II. and the year following died in Gafcony," feized of this manor, Yarlington,.
Knolle, (for which he had charter of free- warren) Goathill, and Thurlbeer, leaving by
his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Peter de Montfort, feveral fons and daughters.
William, the fecond fon of this laft-mentioned William, (John the eldeft having
died in his life-time) fucceeded to the barony of Shepton-Montacute, and 19 Edw. II>
was made a knight of the Bath. 2 Edw. III. he was chofen as one of the barons to
attend the King to Amiens, where Edward did homage to Philip de Valois king of
France, for his dutchy of Aquitain. His conduft both at home and abroad was fo
highly approved by his fovereign, and his fervices fo confpicuoufly beneficial to his
country, that he retained him for the term of his whole life to ferve him as well in time
of peace as war; in confideration of which he granted him the manor of Wark upon
Tweed J the manors of Kingfbury and Camel j and the manor, town, and hundred
of Somerton in this county." He was alfo by the fame King, for his extraordinary
merit, advanced to the title and dignity of Earl of Salifbury 16 March 1336-7, with
a grant of the yearly rent of twenty pounds out of the profits of the county o W^ilts,
to him and his heirs for ever. He had alfo one thoufand pounds penfion, and the
grant of an eagle added to his arms, with the office of Earl Marlhal for life. He died
17 Edw. III. feized of this manor, and the hamlet of Blackmore, parcel thereof; as
alfo of the manor of Stoke-Trifter, with its members of Cucldington and Bayford;.
leaving by Catharine his wife, daughter of William lord Grandifon, two fons, William,
who fucceeded him, and John, whofe fon John became Earl of Salifbury, and four
daughters, who were all married to perfons of high rank and diftindlion.''
William de Montacute, or Montagu, fecond earl of Salifbury, upon founding the
illuftrious order of the garter in 1349, was the fevcnth knight elefted, being then
twenty-one years old. In 1346 he affifted in the famous batrie of Creffy, and in 1356,
commanded the rear of the Englilh army in the battle of Poidiers. He ferved in tlie
French wars all the time of Edw. III. and being lord fteward to King Richard II. lie
fRot.Vafc.zzEd.I. m.8. f Efc. " Pat. 4 Ed. III. p. i,m. si. ' Efc.
had
4« SHEPTON-MONTACUTE. [3l3otton«jrmer0;
had the honour of conducing the Princefs Anne of Bohemia, daughter of the Emperor
Charles IV. from Calais to the King her fpoufe at London. He married Elizabeth,
eldeft daughter and coheir of John lord Mohun of Dunfter, and by her had an only
fon William, who was unfortunately flain 6 Ric. II. by his father in a tilting at
Windfor. And the Earl dying in 1397, was fucceeded by his nephew John, the fon of
his brother Sir John de Montacute, lent, deceafed, and of Margaret daughter and heir
of Sir Thomas Monthermer lord Monthermer, by Joan of Acres his wife, fecond
daughter of Edw. I. in whofe right he was fummoned to parliament among the barons
of the realm from ji Edw. III. to Feb. 25, 1389-90, when he died, and was buried in
Salifbury cathedral. He had alfo other fons, of whom Simon Montagu, who died
before him, was anceflor to the Dukes of Montagu, Manchefter, &c.
His eldeft fon and heir. Sir John de Montacute, lent, third earl of Salifbury, was
thirty-nine years old at his father's deceafe, foon after which he had livery of his lands ;
as alfo 21 Ric. II. of thofe lands which defcended to him from his uncle WiUiam de
•Montacute earl of Salifbury aforefaid.' 22 Ric. II. he was conftituted Marfhal of
England; but foon after the depofal of that King he entered into a confederacy with
John Holland earl of Huntingdon, Thomas Holland duke of Surry, and Thomas
Difpenfer earl of Glouceiler, to dethrone King Henry, and reftore King Richard. With
this defign they came to Windfor-caftle, under the difguife of Chriftmas players, but
being detected, they fled in the night-time to Cirencefter in Glouceftcrfhire ; where the
townfmen, being alarmed at the unexpefted arrival of fuch a number of fbrangers, and
at fo unfeafonablc a time, flopped up all the avenues to the town to hem them in, and
prevent their efcape. Hereupon a grievous battle enfued, which lafted from midnight
till three the next morning, when they yielded up themfelves, defiring they might not
fuffer death till they could fpeak with the King; which was granted. But a certain
prieft of their party, having fet fire to a part of the town, with a view of giving them
an opportunity to efcape, the Cirenceftrians were thereby fb exafperated, diat they
dragged them out of the abbey, where they were confined, and beheaded them pub-
licity in the market-place at break of day.' The body of the Earl was buried in the
abbey-church of Cirencefter, where it remained till 8 Henry V. and was then removed,*
upon the petition of Maud his widow, to the abbey of Buftlefham, or Bifham, in the
county of Berks, which his anceftors had fourided.' By Maud his faid wife, who was
the daughter of Sir Adam Francis, knt. he had ilTue two fons, viz. Thomas; and
Richard, who died without ifTuej and three daughters, viz. Anne, Margaret, and
Elizabeth.
Thomas Montagu, the eldeft fon, was thegreateft hero of his time; being lieutenant
in Normandy for Henry V. and VI.; fometime general in France under John duke of
Bedford, and often general in chief. He reduced many places in Normandy, and in
1418 defeated the French at Frefnoy. In 1423 he overcame the French army, tlien
befieging Crevant; killed feven Earls and Lords, one thoufand eight hundred knights
and gentlemen, with feven thoufand common men and prifoners. In 1424, he was
. chief commander under the Duke of Bedford in the great viftory over the French at
* Rot. Fin. 21 Ric. II. m. 11. ' Tho. Wals. p. 401. • Pat. 8 Hen. V. m. 4. * Mon. Angl. ii. 355.
Verneuil,
3l3orton^jrcrm«.] shepton-MONTACUTE. 4^
Verneuil, where among the flain were fifteen earls and noblemen of France, three
Scots lords, Archibald earl of Douglas the general, the earls of Buchan and Wigton,
with nine thoufand feven hundred common men, French and Scots. He died in 1428,
of a wound which he received at the fiege of Orleans, leaving by Helen, daughter
of Thomas Holland duke of Surry, an only daughter, Alice, wife of Richard Neville,
fon of Ralph the firft earl of Weftmorelandj who in 1428 was by King Heniy VI.
created Earl of Salifbury.
But neither did this Thomas de Montacute, or any of his pofterlty, inherit the
manor we are fpeaking of, (which, after the attainder of John Montagu earl of Saliftjury
and father of the faid Thomas, was given away to Sir Richard de St. Maur, and was
afterwards poflefied by the families of Pole, Dinham, and Berkeley, and is now finally
enjoyed by Edward Phelips, of Montacute, efq;) for the only manor that was afTigned
him by the King in companion of his youth, and the low eftate into which he had been
brought by the attainder of his father, was the manor of Knollcj the other eftates being
difleminated according to the politicks of the times.
The arms borne by this family were various," as, i. A griffin fegreant. 2. Two taU
bots paflant. 3. Argent, three fufils in feffe gules, within a bordure /able; which laft
are ufed by the prefent Duke of Manchefter.
The church of Shepton-Montacute was in 1292 valued at eight marks,' and was
appropriated to the priory of Brewton. It is a curacy in the deanery of Cary, and in
the patronage of Lord Ilchefter; the Rev. Mr. Goldertirough is the prefent incumbent.
The building (dedicated to St. Peter) confifts of a nave and chancel, with a tower on
the fouth fide, containing three bells. On the north wall there is a white marble to the
memory of William Mogg, and Rebecca his wife. She died Jan. 8, 17 17, aged 551
he Sept. 18, 172 1, aged 75. As alfo to the memory of Mr. Thomas Wolmington and
Mary his wife. She died June 6, 1751, aged 6y, he May i8, 1766, aged 82. Arms,
Ermine, three crefcents gules.
In the church-yard are the remains of an old crofs.
" Seals from ancient Deeds. ■ Taxat. Spiritual.
STOKE -TRI8TER
IS a parifli on the eaftern fide of Wincaunton, comprifing a large hamlet called
Bayford, fituated one mile weftward in the turnpike-road from the town of Win-
caunton to Mere in Wiltfliire. This manor, with its members of Bayford and Cuck-
lington, was poflefied by Robert earl of Morton at the time of the Norman Conqueft.
« Bretel holds of the Earl, Stoche. Two thanes held it in the time of King
«* Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable is five cirucates. In demcfne is
Vol. III. H " one
50 STOKE-TRISTER. CJl3orton*jrertetsf.
•< one carucate, and feven fervants, and three villanes, and eight bordars, and five cot-
" tagers, with two ploughs. There is a mill of ten-pence rent, and fifteen acres of
" meadow. Wood one mile long, and one flirlong broad. It was and is worth fixty
« Ihillings.'"
About the time of Henry I. this manor became the property of Richard Del Eftre,
a baron of great account, who held divers fees in this county of the honour of Morton,
and the barony of Montacuce.'' It does not appear how long that family were in pof-
feffion of this manorj but in the time of King John we find it the property of Richard
Rivel, lord of Curry-Rivd and other manors in this county; whofe heirefs Sabina, in
the time of Henry III. brought it by marriage to Henry de Ortiaco, or L'Orti, another
great baron and landholder in the weftern parts of England. This Henry was father
of another Henry, who, i4Edw. I. having been in the expedition into Wales, obtained
the King's precept for fcutage from all his tenants by military fervice. 12 Edw. I. he
had fummons to attend the King at Portfmouth well furnifhed with horfe and arms to
fail into France.' 25 Edw. I. he was fummoned to parliament among the baronsj and
32 Edw. I. obtained a charter of free-warren in all his demefne lands at Stoke-Triftrej
as alfo a licence for a market every week upon the Tuefday at Cucklington; with a
fair yearly on the eve, day, and morrow after the feaft of All-Saints, and feven days
enfuing.*" In the fame reign alfo the faid Henry L'Orti granted to the abbey of Bindon
in the county of Dorfet, all fuit of court, with the homage, &c. in this his manor of
Stoke-Triftre." This Henry L'Orti died 14 Edw. II. leaving iflue Henry his fon and
heir, the third of that name. Which Henry, by his deed dated 1 9 Edw. II. granted to
Thomas Att-Ayfhe Baker, a mefluage, two yard-lands, tv/o acres of meadow, and two
acres of wood, in Curry-Rivel, Langport, and Weftover, parcel of the demefne lands
of Curry-Rivel : there remained to the faid Henry, befides this feoffment, the ma-
nors of Curry-Rivel, Pitney, and Stoke-Triftre, all held of the King in chief by
knight's fervice.' He died 15 Edw. III. feized of the manors of Stoke-Triftre, Bay-
ford, and Cucklington, with the advowfon of the church of Cucklington, and the chapel
of Stoke, leaving John de L'Orti his fon and heir.* Which John de L'Orti, many
years before his death, granted to one Elizabeth Child, of Stanford, the manors of Stoke-
Triftre, Cucklington, and Bayford, to hold to her, her heirs and aflighs for ever.*"
Shortly after this enfeoffment he married the faid Elizabeth Child, and ftie furviving
him, releafed all her right in the faid manors to Sir John de Molyns, knt. and his heirs,'
who had likewife before a fimilar releafe thereof from Ralph de Middelney, William de
Marifchal, and Richard de L'Orti, brother of Sir John de L'Orti, knt. aforefaid."
17 Edw. III. William de Montacute earl of Sarum died feized in his demefne, as of
fee, of the manor of Stoke-Trifter, with the members of Cucklington and Bayford,
and all other appertenances, parcel of the barony de Urtiaco.' After which the faid
manors paffed to the Fitz- Alans earls of Arundel j and are now vefted in Edward
Phelips, of Montacute, efq.
• Lib. Domefday. " Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 98. <^ Rot. Vafcon. 22 Ed. I. m. 7.
* Cart. 32 Ed. I. m. 3. • Hift. of Dorfet, i. 130. ' Inq. ad quod damnum, 19 Ed. II.
' 'Efc. »Cart.Andq. « Rot. Claus. 21 Ed. III. Mbid. ' Efc.
The
ji^octotfiTmetsio stoke-trister. 51
The living of Stoke-Trifter is a reftory in the deanery of Caiy, and in the patronage
of the lord of the manor. The Rev. William Phelips is the prefent incumbent.
The church is a fmall building of one pace, having a tower with four bells.
Under the communion-table is an infcription to the memory of the , Rev. Charles
Michell, reftor of this church, who died Feb. i8, 17 15.
CUCKLINGTON.
TO the foutheaft of Stoke-Trifter lies Cucklington, fituated on high ground, oa
the top of a north flope of a fteep and lofty ridge, called Clay-Hill, which in thi»
part is the boundary of the counties of Somerfet and Dorfet. From the top of this
hill, and from the parifh church-yard, to the fouth and weft, the profpedl is very
extenfive, rich, and beautifiil. The whole number of houfes in this parifh is forty-
feven, and of inhabitants two hundred and fifty. Forty-two of thefe houfes form an
irregular ftraggling ftreet near the churchj the reft ftand fingly. There are feveral fine
Iprings on the flxeet fidci the lands are moftly arable j the foil under the hill a wee
cold clay.
The manor is called in Domefday-Book Coc'mtone:
" Bretel holds of the Earl [Morton] Cocintone. Leuin and Suain held it in thft
** time of King Edward, and gelded for feven hides. The arable is fix carucates. In
" demefhe is one carucate, with one fervant, and twelve villanes, and eight cottagers,
** with two ploughs. There are twenty-two acres of meadow. Wood eighteen fur-
*' longs long, and four furlongs broad. It was worth feven pounds, now one hundred
" fhillings.*
This manor was always an appendage to Stoke-Trifter; and its lords the L'Orti's
(as has been mentioned in the account of that parifti) procured a weekly market, and
an annual fair, to be held in this place. Nothing now remains of eitherj its lord is
Edward Phelips, of Montacute, efq; who is alfo patron of the living, which in 1292
was valued at ten marks." It is redorial, in the deanery of Caryj the Rev. William
Phelips is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Lawrence. It is a Gothick ftruflure, fixty feet long,
and thirty-two feet wide, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and two fide ailes. On the
fouth fide is an embattled tower, forty-two feet high, with five bells, and a pinnacle
terminated by a gilt ball, eight feet above the tower.
On one fide of the eaft window is a neat mural monument of black and white marble,
infcribed,— — " Hie jacet quod reliquum eft Nicolai Watts, armigeri, qui obijt die
r Lib. Domefday. «■ T»xat. Spuitual,
52 C U C K L I N G T O N. imttotl^^mm,
Nov. 14, A. D. 1 729, aetatis fuas 51. Filia ejus unica, fuperftes et hseres, Elizabetha,
Rutha uxore genita, hoc debiti honoris et obfervantias teftimonium chari patris fui me-
morias facrum masrens pofuit." Arms, /fzure, three broad arrows or; on a chief of
the fecond, as many moors' heads, fide- faced, couped proper: impaling ermine, on a
bend/aMe, three boars' heads cr.
•i
On a fimilar monument againft the north wall of the chancel ; . . " Memoriae fa-
crum Ruthas, charas fuas uxoris, Nicolas Watts de Shanks, in hac parochia, marmor
hoc ftatujt. Obijt vicefimo die Julij, Anno Domini 17 16, aetatis 35."
THE
THE HUNDRED
O F
NORTH-PETHERTON
Is a confiderable traft of land, lying in the weftem part of this county, and derii*
ving its nanie as froni the hundred town, fo particularly from the river Parret,
which runs through it longitudinally, and at length difcharges itlelf into the
Briftol Channel, at a fmall diftance from its very northern extremity.
"Within this diftridt were formerly contained thirty-eight hides, three yard-lands, and
half a furlong i of which thirty-one hides, three yard-lands, and half a furlong, belonged
to the crown. Five other hides and a half, and half a yard-land, were held in demefne
by the King's barons; viz. by Walfcin de Douai, two hides j John, the ulher, a yard-
land and a half; Anfger, the cook, five yard-lands; Robert de Auberville, a hide and
a half; and the church of Petherton, half a hide.*
The Kings of England had here a foreft and a park; but the royalty of the hundred-
was in private hands; being in the time of Henry III. the property of Henry de
Erleigh, whofe defcendants held it with the manor of North-Petherton, in fee-farm of
the crown at the rent of five pounds five Ihillings per annum.*" Befides the hundred
town it contains the borough, market, and fca-port town of Bridgwater, and eight
other parifhes.
•Inq. Glield; * Efc.
NORTH-
[ 54- ] [Bottfj'lpetlittton*
N O R T H - P E T H E R T O N.
A Very large parilh fituated in a woody flat between the towns of Bridgwater and
Taunton, and waflied by the river Parret, from which it derives its name, being
anciently written PeD^tOnC, or the town upon the Parretj and not infrequently
Noj\r-Pej\er, from its more northerly fituation on the fame river, which nearer its rife
(kins another hundred, in contradiftinftion denominated SuS-Peper, South-Petberton.
There are within this extenfive parifh the following places, tithings, and hamlets:
North-Petherton,
Petherton-Park,
North-Newton,
West-Newton,
Wolmersdon,^
huntworth,
Moorland,
Bankland,
Sheerston,
Tuckerton,
Mansel,
Clavelshay,
Boomer,
Melcomp-Paulet,
Road,
Faringdon,
and
Edgeborough.
The town of North-Petherton confifts chiefly of one ftreet, which is built along the
tnrnpike-road from Bridgwater to Taunton, and contains many good houfes. It had
formerly a large market on Saturdays for corn, the remains of which are ftill in being;
and there is a. fair on the firft and fecond days in May, procured of the crown by the
ancient lords of the manor and the hundred.
The town was formerly the poffefllon of the Saxon kings, and it was of fuch confe-
quence, that it never was afleffed to the Danegeld, nor rated to any other fubfidy.
King William the Conqueror kept it in his own hands, and his commiffioners gave the'
following report of it:
" The King holds Nort-Peret. King Edward held it. It never gelded, nor is
*' it known how many hides there are. The arable is tliirty carucates. In demefne
*' are three carucates, and twenty villanes, and nineteen cottagers, and fix fervants,
** and twenty fwineherds, with twenty-three ploughs. There is a mill of fifteen-pence
** rent, and one hundred acres of meadow, and two miles of pafture: it yields twenty
*' Ihillings per annum.
*' This manor brings in a revenue of forty-two pounds eight Ihillings and four-
** pence, of twenty in an. ore.'"
The manor of North-Petherton had after the Conqueft for its pofleflbrs the ancient
family of de Erlega, or Erleigh, fo denominated from the lordlhip of Erleigh near
Reading in the county of Berks. In the time of Henry II. William de Erleia (for fo
was his name then written) certified to the King that by virtue of his tenure he had a
right to be the King's chamberlain, and that he had one knight in fee, fcil.' Thomas de
Bercham, of the old feoffment, and none of the new."" This WiUiam was fon of John
de Erleigh, of whom, and his defcendants, particular notice has been already taken in
• Lib. Doiaefday. * Lib. Nig. Scac. i. loi.
the
©ortWctbertonO NORTH-PET herton. 55
the pariih of Beckington in the hundred of Frome. It therefore here remains only to
obferve, that this manor, after having been poflefled by the Erleighs for many fucccirive
generations, paflfed at length from them to the family of Beaupine, and by the marriage
of Agnes the daughter and heir of Thomas Beaupine, with John Bluet of Grindham/
it became vefted in that family, of whom were John, Walter, and Nicholas Bluet, and
others, who lineally inherited this manor and hundred. After them it was difperfed by
coheirefles into different hands. By fome means or other, however, it came to the
crown, where it lodged for fome length of time, and was granted to Edward earl of
Hertford, afterwards Duke of Somerfet; \Vho being attainted. King Edw. VI. in the
7 th year of his reign granted the manor and other hereditaments, late parcel of the
lands and pofleffions of the faid Duke, to John duke of Northumberland, who the
fame year exchanged the faid premifes with Sir Thomas Wroth, knt. Both the manor
and iiundred of North-Petherton are now poflefled by John Slade, efq.
A little to the eaftward of the town, though in the hundred of Williton Freemanors^
is Petherton-Park, the cuftody of which was in ancient times a ferjeanty, belonging
to the manor of Newton-Foreftcr, now Newton; and in that right was held in the
time of Henry II. and Ric. I. by Oftjert and William Dacus, or Dennis. 5 Joh. that
King granted to William de Wrotham the whole lands of William Dacus belonging to
the cuftody of the park of Petherton, with the houfes and edifices thereon, together
with the brulhwood, deadwood, pannage, and other perquifites belonging to the office
of park-keeper, the fame being declared to belong to Newton,, and other the lands of
William de Wrotham in this county.* At the time of this grant, the faid William de
Wrotham was forefter of all the King's foreft:s in this county and Dorfet, being there-
unto elefted, and on the payment of a fine of one hundred pounds was admitted by the
King.' It muft be underftood that the forefters fo chofen were called Fcreftarii Barcmon
et Militum, and were of the nature of truftees for the woods, commons, and pannage,,
which the barons, knights, and other freeholders, held in their own right within the
King's forefts. Thefe officers were very different from the King's forefters, which
were only appointed for the prefervation of the King's rights. Of thefe fome were
arbitrarily appointed, and others had the office annexed to certain lands; which laft were
called Forefters in Fee. Upon the grant of Newton to WiUiam de Wrotham, the
fervice was enlarged, and as William Dacus held the fame by the ferjeanty of being the
King's forefter within the park of Petherton, it was declared that he held it by the
fervice of being the King's forefter in the counties of Somerfet, Dorfet, Devon, and
Cornwall. It, does not however appear that his heirs ever executed the office out of
this county.
This William was fucceeded by his two fons fucceffively, viz. William, archdeacon
of Taunton, and Richard; the firft being a clergyman, Richard his brother was fubfti-
tuted in his room. Which Richard left a fon of his own name, who 35 Henry III.
died without iffue; on which William de Placetis, fon of Muriel his eldeft fifter;
Conftance, wife of John le Blund; Emma, wife of Geffrey de Scoland; and Chriftian,
wife of Thomas Picot; became his heirs.'
' Efc. * Pat. 5 Joh. • Rot. c. Joli. ' Efc.
William
56 NORTH-PETHERTON. [Jisortfe.jpetljettom
William dc Placetis, as fon of the eldeft fifter, had the office of forefter, as alfo the
manor of Newton; and 35 Henry III. was admitted, paying a rent of four heifers and
a little bull for the bailiwick of Exmore, and giving a fatisfadion to the reft of the
coheirs. This William died 2 Edw. I. and was fucceeded by Richard his fon, who
dying without iffue 17 Edw. I. his lands were divided between three fifters, Sabina,
wife of Nicholas Peche; Avclina, wife of Thomas Durant; and Emma, wife of John
Hairun or Heron. Every one of thefe fifters had a fhare of the manor of Newton,
which defcended to their children, as will hereafter be Ihewn; but foon after the death
of Sir Richard de Placetis, it was found that the office of being keeper of Petherton-
Park, as alfo forefter 6f Exmore, Neroche, Selwood, and Mendip, likewife the cuftody
of the warren of Somerton, appertained to a certain meffuage within the manor, and
a meadow called M'^indenreid-Mede; which meffiiage and meadow were included in the
portion of Sabina Peche; by which means ftie was 24 Edw. I. forefter in fee of thofe
forefts, and appointed Peter de Hamme to be her deputy.
In the time of this Sabina Peche, viz. 26 Edw. I. a perambulation was made of all
the forefts in this county,^ in order to reduce them to their ancient and lawful bounds,
in
« I. " Perambulatio forelbe de 4&rieii)oBe in comitatu Somerfet, per vifura Malcolini de Harleigh & Johannis
de Wrotefleghe, ad vifura didbe perambulationis faciendum per Dominum Regem affignatorum, Galfredi de
Wrokefhall & Hugonis de Popham militum, de comitatu prjedifto, per prasfatos Malcolinum & Johannem clec-
torum & eifdem affociatorum, convocatis & prxfentibus Petro de Hamme, tenente locum Sabina: Pecche, foref-
tarix de feodo Henrici de Carevile, Waltero Alayn, Willelmo Portbref & Nicholao de la Mare, viridarii*
ejnfdem forefts, fafta ibidem XIII. die Martii, anno regni regis Edwardi XXVI, per facramentum fupradic-
torum juratorum, qui dicunt, quod bunda: foreibe de Seleiuode incipiunt ad pontem de Sutbbruham, qua: eft
ultima aqua de Bryixj, & abinde per viam ufque la Bar'ive : & abinde per viam quandam ufque domum
Bruke : & abinde dimittendo diftam domum a dextris ufque ad portam aula: domini regis, quum parcus de
Wjcham claufus fuit : & abinde per hayham ufque aquam de Frame : & abinde per di£lam aquam, dimittendo
ipfam a dextris, ufque pontem de Waledich : & abinde per era bofci de Seleixiode ufque Burtynghburgh defupef
domum le Noble : & abinde, dimittendo illam domum a dextris, uf4ue la Wytecofte : Sc abinde ufque RadenejCt
in confmio comkiXaam Sonier/et Sc Ifyiees : et abinde per quendam duftum ufque hofcatn de fferemenej^re : Sc
i difto bofco per Trencham-mouth per viam, qua: dicitur Hunterfiueye, ufque la Gahere : & abinde per bofcum
de Kilmetoa, dimittendo ipfum a dextris, ufque locum, qui dicitur Kyngejfecke : Sc abinde per viam ufque Penburi,
dimittendo totum bofcum de Norton a dextris, qui bofcus eft in comitatu Somerfet: & abinde ufque la Penne:
& abinde per viam regiam ufque & abinde per viam regiam ufque per medium Biteivode, ficut
ducellus, qui vocatur Stanebrok, vadit, qui venit de molendino de 5/ax'fr</(»/^ ; & abinde, dimittendo diftum
molendinum a dextris, per quandam viam extra parcum de Forjhefe verfus orientem : & abinde per altam viam
ufque ecdefiam de Bruham, dimittendo ipfam a ftniftris : & abinde ufque ad pontem de Suthbruham- ubi prius
bundse inceperunt. Et dicunt, quod a dextris infra didas bundas eft forefta. Et dicunt, quod omne^ . ..iae et bofci
fubfcripti a fmiftris extra bundas praediftas fuerunt afForeftati poft coronationem domini Henrici, quondam regis
Angliae, filii Matildis imperatricis, et dcbent deaiForeftari, juxta tenorem cartae praediftae, videlicet, villa de
KoUmeton, quam Sibella le port tenet : pars villa: de Penne, quam Ricardus de Frome tenet : quajdjim pars villas
de Bruton ex parte orieniali partis quam prior de Bruton tenet; major pars v^llae de Northbruham, cum gravis,
bofcis & moris adjacentibus, quam prior de Bruton tenet. Quaedam pars villarum de Cloford Sc Pofibury, cum
bofcis & pertinentiis, quas Johannes Flory tenet. Medietas villaede Wo^efire, cum bofcis Sc pertinentiis, quam'
Johannes de Afton & Elizabetha de Clyvedon tenent. Villa de Truttokejbull, cum bofco Sc pertinentiis fuis,
quam Nicholaus de la Mare & Galfridus de Muntfort tenent. Villa de Merjion, cum gravis, quam Rjcardus de
Bigode tenet. Villa de Smethivek, quam abbas de Ciceftre tenet. Villa de Cayver, quam Willelmus Polayn
tenet. Villa de JVyletham, quam Gilbertus Michell tenet. Villa de Litteford, cum bofcis & pertinentiis fuis,
fluara Willelmus Portbref tenet. Villa de Radene, quam epifcopus Wygorn. tenet. Villa de Gernrfeld, cum
gravis, qaam prior de Bradlygh tenet. Villa de A^or^on, cum gravis, quam Johannes de Ferers tenet. Villa de
JLjIrepe, quam prior de Staverdall tenet. Villa de Northftoke, cum bofcis, quam Alionora Lovel tenet. Villa de
Hengro've, cum bofco, quam Johannes Hurfchull tenet. Villa de Hengrtve, quam Elizabetha de Clyvedon tenet.
Villa de Kyn^iMere, cum bofco, quam Johannes de Carvile tenet.
l3ort|)'Pctl>crton.] north- petherton.
57
in piirfiiance of the charter of forefts made 9 Henry III. and that year ratified under
the great feal of England. The boundaries to be afccitained, were fuch as exiftcd in
the time of King Henry I. The conimifTioners for the King were, Malcoline de
Harkigh, and John de Wrotefleighi to whom were joined two others, chofen by the
county,
II.
" Perambulatio foreftae de flmttW, in comitatu Somerfet, per vifum Malcolini de Harleigh & Johannij
de Wrotedeghe, ad vifmn diftx perambulationis faciendum, per dominum regem affignatorum, & Galfridi de
Wroxhalc & Hugonis de Popham militum, de eodem comitatu, per eofdem Malcolinum & Johannem cIe.f>orum
& eifdem aflbciatorum, convocatis & praefentibus Sabina Pecchc, fprellaria diftae forellje de feodo, Reginaldode
Wytele & Galfrido de Afslond, viridariis didlx foreftae, fadla ibidem decimo none die Martii, anno regni regis
Edwardi XXVI" , per facramentum Willelmi Tryvctt, Walter! de Loveny, Willelmi de Stanton militum,
Laurentii de Alyngton, Willelmi de Poulet, Johannis de By kcfand, "Willelmi Fichete de Sydenham, Johannis
de Rayng, & Mattha-'i de EflTe, qui dicunt, quod omnes villae, terrze & bofci fubfcripti, infra metas forefta; praedida;,
fuerunt aftbreflati poll coronationem domini Henrici, quondam regis Angliae, fijii Matildis imperatricis, per
dominum Johannem, quondam rcgem Angliar, ad dampnum tenentium, & debent deaffbreftari, juxta tenorem
cartx domini Henrici, quondam regis Anglia;, patris domini regis Edwardi, qui nunc eft, de forefta, videlicet,
quidam mons, qui vocatur caftrum de Uacftic^. Villa de CapelanJ, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, quam Robertus
de Val tenet. Quidam bofcus, perdnens ad manerium de Bykenbull, quern Willelmus de Welle tenet in cufto-
diam & dotem. Medietas vi!l;E de Sti'veleghe, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, quam Edmundus Everard & Thomas
Money tenent. Quidam bofcus, qui appellatur ©trrlcljaiui, pertinens ad manerium Yle-Abbatis, quem abbas de
Mucheloeye tenet. Bofcus, qui dicitur Sot-vjode, pertinens ad manerium de Drayton, quem idem abbas tenet.
Qnidam bofcus, qui vocatur Vnhtt, pertinens ad manerium de Ilemjnfler, quem idem abbas tenet. Quidam bof-
cus, qui vocatur Haukefiere, pertinens ad manerium de Cammd-Abbatis , quem idem abbas tenet. Villa de
Ojfchull, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, quam Jacobus de Moleton tenet. Quidam bofcus, qui vocatur Clayhull,
pertinens ad manerium de South-Petherton, quem Elyas de Daubeny tenet. Villa de Brade-way, cum bofcis &
pertinentiis, quam Henricus de Urtiaco tenet. Hamleta de Stoforde, pertinens ad manerium de TUton, quam
abbas de Athelnyc tenet. Quoddam ermitagium, cum bofco & pertinentiis, quod "I'homas de Monte Sorelli &
Johannes de Aflelonde tenent. Medietas villa; de Horton, cum pertinentiis, qu.im abbas de Mochelneye &
Thomas de Mere tenent. Medietas villje de Dunyote, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, quam Simon de Monte-acuto
tenet. Hamleta de Stokkpath & Hockey, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, pertinentia ad manerium de Cumba, quae
Philippus de Welles tenet. Quoddam tenementum, quod vocatur Wodeboufe, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, qui
Rogerus de Poltemor tenet. Quaedam terras & bofci apud la Grange, quas Laurentius de la Grange tenet.
Manerium de Deniite, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, quod magifter Rogerus Piftor tenet. Quoddam tenementum*
cum bofco & pertinentiis, quod vocatur Leghe, quod Cecilia de Belle campo tenet. Hamleta de Tfelbare^
cum bofcis & pertinentiis, quam Willelmus de Stanton minor & Willelmus Crukete tenent. QnMam bofcus,
qui vocatur Stopelewodc, Sc qua;dam pars terr« qua: vocatur Corylond, pertinentes ad manerium de Stapele, cum
bofcis & pertinentiis, quos Robertus Burnel tenet. In cujus rei teilimonjum figilla prsediflorum juratorum huic
perambulation! funt appenfa.
III.
" Perambulatio foreftae de tfrmcrc, in comitatu Somerfet, per vifum Malcolini de Harleigh & Joharttiis-
de Wrotefleghe, ad difium vifum faciendum per dominum regem affign.ntorum, & per vifum BaJdrici de
Nonyton & Hugonis de Popham militum de comitatu pnedifto, per eofdem Malcolinum & Johannem clei5lorum»
& eifdem aflbciatorum, ad diftum vifum teftificandum, convocatis & prxfentibus Petro de Hamme, tenente
locum Sabinx Pecche, cuftodis dittx foreftx, & Gilberto de la Putte admeans, viridariis ejufdem forertas, fafla
ibidem vicefimo fecundo die Martii, anno regni regis Edwardi viccfmio fexto, per facramentum Willelmi de
Staunton, Willelmi Trivete & Waltrri de Loveny militum, Johannis deReyny, Johannis de PoulcfhuU, Philippi
de Woleford, Henrici de Gernvile, Johannis de Radyngton, Ricardi de Avele, Rogeri de MatidohuUe, Roberti
de Mandenhulle, Roberti de Efcote, ThomaeTerel, & Roberti de Chubbworthe, qui dicunt, quoJ bundae foreft.-e
praedifls, juxta tenorem cartas domini Henrici, quondam regis Angliae, patris domini Edwardi regis nunc, de
forefta, incipiunt ad quendam locum, qui vocatur Cjniejyde, & abinde procedendo per quandam viam , inter domi-
nicUm domini regis & feodum Wilklmi de Kytenore, ufquc iilas petras, quae vocautur fijioncs : Sc abinde de-
fcendenio per quendam dudlum, qui vocatur Lillefcumbe, u(que aquam, quae vocatur Ore : Sc abinde defcendendo-
ultra brueram ufque ilium montem, qui vcc^tar BJaidergh : & abinde procedendo ufque brceram atque ilium
raontem Ofinundebergh : Si abinde procedendo ulua brueram uf^ue ilium locum, qui vocatur Spracombejbc-ved :
Vol. III. J et abinde
m m
58 NORTH-PETHERTON. [jSottfj^lPctFjclton.
county, for the vifitation of each foreftj which for Petherton were. Sir Hugh dc
Popliam, and Sir Gefferey de Wrockfhale, knts. Thele commiflloners, on a verdift
found by a jury of the principal gentlemen of the county, made the following report,
viz. That the bounds of the foreft of Nortli-Petherton begin at a bridge called
- Ebbynge-
ct abinde defcendendo per quendam dufluiii ufque aquam, quae vocatur Exe : & abinds afcendendo per quoddatn
vetus foffiitum ufque illam petram, qux vocatur Radfton : & abinde procedendo inter feodum Johannis Moun &
feodum abbatis de Neth ufque illud vadum, quod vocatur Reddefird : Sc abinde afce.idendo ultra brueram,
direfle ufque ilium locum Schepectimbehe-ved, ufque illam petram, qux vocatur Derefmarke : & abinde proce-
dendo ultra brueram, inter dominicum domini regis & feodum abbatis de Neth, ufque locum qui vocatur
Stonchijie: & abinde defcendendo ufque locum ilium, in aqua de Berghel, ufque aquam de Schurebiirn, defcendit
in aqua de Berghel, qui locus vocatur Schurebui-neffite : & abinde defcendendo ultra brueram diredle ufque illam
petram, qux vocatur Hockhflon : & abinde defcendendo ufque quoddam vadum, quod vocatur Wylhneford, in
aqua quae vocatur Dunmokejhroke, in conlinio diilorum comitatuum, ufque Cornej'yete, ad locum ubi prius didlDE
bund* inceperunt. Et dicunt, quod totuni ^ dextris intra bundas pra;diftas in toto circuitu eft forefta domini
regis. ,Et quod omnes terrx & bofci fubfcripti a fmiftris extra bundas prxdidlas fuerunt afForeftati, ad dampnum
tenentium, poil coronationem domini Henrici, quondam regis Anglix, filii Matildis imperatricis, iz debent
deafForeftari juxta tenorem cartx prxdiftx, videlicet, omnes terrs & tenementa et bofci, cum brueris, inter prx-
diflas bundas & mar qux Johannes Kelly tenet. Villa de Kytenore, cum bofcis, brueris & aliis
pertinentiis I'uis, quara Willelmus de Kytenore tenet. \'il!a de Ternar, cum bofcis, brueris & aliis pertinentiis,
quam Jehannes de Meier tenet. Villa de Porloke, cum bofcis, brueris & aliis pertinentiis fuis, quam Simon
Reges de Porloke tenet. Villa de Bofynton, cum bofcis, brueris & aliis pcitinentiis, quam Henricus de Glaften
tenet. Villa de U^eJlloSlun, cum bofcis, brueris & aliis pertinentiis: Villa At H'yverefmerejbam, cum bofcis,
brueris & aliis pertinentiis, quas Galfridusde I^oftun tenet. Villx D'Overey Sc de EJilcclun, cum bofcis, brueri*
& pertinentiis, quas Baldricus de Nonyngton tenet. Villa de Brcggekfnole & Levecote, cum bofcis, brueris &
aliis pertinentiis fuis, quas prior de Taunton tenet, Bofcus, qui vocatur M'orthe, cum bruera & aliis pertinentiis
fois, quas Johannes de Kellynton tenet. Villa de Stoke, cum bofco et aliis pertinentiis, quam Gilbertus Piro tenet.
Villa de Chittsjliam, cum bofcis, brueris & aliis pertinentiis, quam Ricardus de Chittciliam tenet. Villx de
Honecetebohie Sc Broford, cum bofcis, brueris & aliis pertinentiis, quas Willelmus de Holne tenet. Hamelets ds
Forde Sc Style, cum bofco de Haucombe Sc bruera de Dunr.crny, quas Alionora Courteney tenet. Terrx de
Ellcivorthe, cum bofcis & brueris, quas Jacobus de Torthe tenet. Villx de HaukeivelL' Sc la Walks, cum bofcis,
brueris & aliis pertinentiis, quas prior de Bath et prior de Cowyke tenent. Manerium de Codecumbe, cum bofcis,
brueris et ahis pertinentiis, quod Johannes de Moun, Symon de Raleigh tenent. Villa de i^armunces , cum
bofcis, brueris & aliis pertinentiis, |quas Willelmus de Monceaus tenet. Villa de Almonefivorth, cum bofcis,
brueris & aliis pertinentiis, quam Robertus, filius P.-igani, tenet. Villa de Exefordemony , cum bofcis, brueris &
aliis pertinentiis, quam abbas de Neth tenent. Villa de Begger-^armc, cum bofcis, quam Willelmus de Kyte-
nore tenet. Villa de Wyneford, cum bofcis, brueris Sc aliis pertinentiis, quam Ricardus Ripariis 5: Stephanus
Beumunde tenent. Hameleta de Wydecumbe, cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis, quam Idonca de Kael tenet.
Hameleta de Hao, cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis, quam Johannes de Hoo tenet. Hameleta de Ttttebrcke,
cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis, quam Thomas de Bokehegh tenet. Villa de Exton, Sc Villa Haukebrug^e, &
villa de Langacre, cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis, quas Johannes Herun, Ricardus Durante, Adam Kuile-
legh, Sc heredes Galfridi de Scolonde & Eoidede Feynes tenent. Villa de Wydepole, cum bofcis, brueris & per-
tinentiis, quam abbatiffa de Wylton & Ricardus le Kynge tenent. Hameleta de Brutenefworthcy, cum bofcia,
brueris & pertinantiis, quam de Tyntent tenet. Hameleta de Wejiafixny, cum bofcis, brueris &
pertinentiis, quam Johannes de Sparkeford tenet. H<imeleta de Z.o/f«?^!^^, cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis,
quam Robertus de Boloyne tenet. Hameleta i.tEfiaj\vay, cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis, quam Rogerus
Beupel tenet. Hamletx de Telchcte Sc de la Merfe, cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis, quas prior de Taunton
tenet. Villa de Dilverton, cum bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis, quam Hawys de Pyne & Thomas de Saleye tenent.
Hameleta de Haivkewell, cum bofcis & pertinentiis, quam Rogerus deHawkewell tenet. Prioratus de Barlich,
cura bofcis, brueris & pertinentiis fuis, quern prior de Barlich tenet. In cujus rei teftiuionium figilla juratorum
Imic perambulaxioni func appenik.
. IV.
" Perambulatio foreftx de £59enctifi), in comitatu Somerfet, coram Malcolino de Harleigh & Johanne de
Wrotetleghe, ad vifum diftx perambulationis faciendum per dominum Regem affignatia, & Galfrido de Wrokef.
hall & Hugone de Popham railitibus, de comitatu prxdidto, perprsefatos Malcolinum & Johannem eleftis &
cifdem
jBottlj'lPetbCCtonJ NORTH-PETHERTON. 59
Ebbynge-brugge, and from thence run along by a certain ditch, by the fkirts of a wood,
to a certain lake called lluntyngeye; and thence by the faid lake to a place called
Chestercrofte; and thence by the faid lake of Huntyngeye, to a place called Jone-weye-,
and thence going along by a certain du6t between the King's dcmefne, and the fee of
Sabina
Philippo de Ireys, & Roberto de Marifco, viridaiiis ejufdem foreftx, fa£la ibidem decimo die Maii, anno regni
reps Edvvardi vicefimo fexto, per facramentum Thoma: de Tornay, Laurentii de Hameldcn, Roberti d anes,
eifdcm alTociatis, convocatis Sc pra;fcntibus Petrode Hamme, tcnentc locum Mabina: Pecchc, foreftaria; de feodo,
Thomjc de Baufe, Bartholomxi de Peytcvyn militum, Hcnrici de Luttleton, Willelmi de Sanfto Laudo, Johannia
de Butelcr, Johannis de Wyttutcfme, Rogcii de Schokerwyke, Hugonis de Malherbe & Edmundi Hufee, quj
dicutit, quod bundx forella:; pra;diifla; incipiunt apud Stoburghe, &.abinde procedendo per mediam brueram ufque
le Thurkfton: & abinde per mediam brueram ufque la Schpiyndtclyffe : & abinde per mediam brueram ufque
furcas libertatis de ChciUre, dimittendo diilas furcas a dextris in forefta ufque DutineJIon : Sc abinde per quan-
dam femitam ufque ad pctram, qua: appellatur Dunnejion: Sc abinde defcendendo ulque aotluc^c ufque petram,
quxdkkm Sliperjlon : & abinde ufque fpinam, qux dicitur Men borne : & abinde ufque marifcum Johannis de
Afton: k abinde dimittendo didtum marifcum in forefta a dextris, ufque petram, quam Srtiia *>a'niicl poni fecit,
inter feodum mancrii de Cheddic, et feodum manerii abbatis Glaften : Sc abinde ufque la Nctepole verfus Cljivare,
dimittendo a finiftrls feodum abbatis Glaften : per feodum Pliilippi de Wyky : & abinde ufque Leremcre per anti-
quum curfum aqu.x : & abinde ufque A^'Wcwcr* a dextris in forefta : Scibmie.\iit\^e Schernham : & abinde ufque
la Rede, quK eft de dominico domini regis, dimittendo Schernbam et la Rede a dextris in forefta : et abinde ufque
Mbrehigbes de Axebruggc : Sc abinde ufque le Portlakcs: Sc abinde ufque Gorexveyfmullc : Sc abinde ufque fonttm,
qui dicitur HolleivelU: Sc abinde per medium domus Roberti warde, qux eft intra foreftara in villa de
Axebrugge ufque Honicjlane : et abinde afcendendo ufque montem, qui dicitur C«/«xi,v ; Sc abinde ufque /a
Rudyngge : Sc abinde per la Rudyngge ulque Lynleghejpoule : & abinde afcendendo per quandam vallem Sc defcen-
dendo ufque Ifaterfcumbe : Sc abinde dimittendo Waterfeumbe a dextris ufque la Hoh'u.-eye : et abinde ufque
Meiueye: et abinde ufque C/Wrt'f/orrt'.- & abinde ufque quoddam foflfatum ufque Hyndeivcll : et abinde proce-
dendo inter feodum Templariorum et feodum de Chartrufe ufque la Horeclive : Sc abinde direile per medianv
brueram ufque Stenebergb : et abinde direfte procedendo ufque Stenebergh, et ad locum Stenbergh, ubi prius
bunds inceperunt. Et dicunt, quod a dextris intra prsdiftas bundas eft forefta: Et dicunt, omnes vIII.tl: &:
•bofci fubfcripti extra bundas prajdidlas a fmiftris fuerunt aiForeftati poft coronationem Domini Heorici, quondam
regis Anglix-, filii Maiildis Imperatricis, & debent deaffbreftari, fecundum .tenorcm carts Domini tlenrici,
quondam regis Anglias, patris Domini regis nunc, de forefta, videlicet, Villa de Che'wton, cum bruera, & aliis
pertineutiis fuis, quam Johanna de Vivonia tenet. Villa de Pridie, cum bruera & pertinentiis fuis quam epifcopus
Bathon. tenet. Villa de Stoke-Giffard, cum bofco, mora & pertinentiis fuis, quam Johannes Baftet & Ricardus
de Rodeney tenent. Villa de Cumpton, cum bofco Sc pertinentiis fuis, quam epifcopus Bathon. tenet. Villa de
Loxton, cum bofco, quam Willelmus Weyland tenet. Upbulle, cum bofcis & pertinentiis fuis, quam Philippus de
Lunget tenet. Villa de IVorle, quam prior de Worfpryng tenet. Villa de Cbrichejlen, quam Willelmus Donvile
tenet, & Johannes Howel. Villa de Hution, cum bofcis & marifcis & pertinentiis fuis, quam Johannes de Waleys
tenet. Villa de Baneiuel, cum bofcis, moris & pertinentiis fuis, quam epifcopus Bathon. tenet. Villa de Church-
ford Sc I.angeford, cum bofcis & pertinentiis fuis, quas Rogcrus, filius Pagani, tenet. Villa de U'ateUgh, cum
bofco Sc pertinentiis fuis, quam Johannes de Moreton tenet. Villa de Wynefcumbe, cum bofcis Sc pertinentiis fuis,
quam ecdefia de Wells tenet. Villa de Schepbam, cum bofco & pertinentiis fuis, quam Willelmus de Malherbe
tenet. Villa de Robergb, cum bofcis & pertinentiis fuis, quam abbas S'' Auguftini Briftoll. tenet. Villa de Bur-
ryngton, cum bofcis & pertinentiis fuis, quam abbas Glaften. tenet. Villa de Blakedcn, cum bofcis & pertinentiis
fuis, quam Willelmus Martyn tenet. Villa de Obbeleigh, cum bofcis & pertinentiis fuis, quam Rodolphus Wake
tenet. Villa de IVeftharpetre, cum bofcis & pertinentiis fuis, quam Johannes Tylly & Thomas Gornay tenent,
Villa de Eajlharpetre, cum bofcis & aliis pertinentiis fuis, quam Johannes de Bodeham tenet.
V.
" Perambulatio foreftx de J^ortTj.Bftljcrti-n, in comitatu Somerfet, per vifum praidiiSorunrMalcolini & Johan-
nis, Galfredi & Hugonis, convocatis & prxfentibus Petrode Hamme, tenente locum S.ibinx prxdiftx, foreft.iria; de
feodo faila ibidem XXV die Maii, anno rcgni regis Edwardi XXVI. per facramentum Willelmi Trivet, Waltc'ri
deLoveney, Baldricide Nonyton, Willelmi de Stanton militum, Willelmi de Fichet, Johannis de Rayny, Mat-
thxi de Eife, Willelmi de Cruket, Thomx da Mere, Walteri de Lantoke, qui dicunt, quod bundx forefts; de
North-Petherton, juxta tenorem cartx dcmini Henrici, quondam regis Angli.x, patris domini Edwardi, regis nunc,
<5e forefta, incipiunt adponteni, ^v^ivciZLi\ii Ebbynge-Brugge : & abinde procedendo per quoddam foffatum, per
1 2 o'-i
6d NORTH-PETHERTON. rBortI)#Ct!)ettOm
Sabina Peche and John Heron, leaving on the right a moor, called Leghe, up to
Ebbynge- Brugge y the place where the bounds firft began. And the faid jurors fay, that
all the places on the right hand contained within the circuit of the bounds abovemen-
tioned is the King's foreft; but that all the villages, lands, and woods on the left,
without the aforefaid bounds, were affbrefted after the coronation of King Henry, fon
of Maud the Emprefs, to the difparagement of the tenants, and ought to be difaffo-
refted according to the tenor of the charter, viz. All the manor of North-P ether totiy
with its moors, marlhes, heaths, and appertenances j the village of Huntworth, vj'ilh
woods, heaths, and appertenances; the hamlets o? Dutmeer and Moorland, with moors,
and appertenances; the village of Staeih, with woods, moors, and with a moor called
Saltmoor -, the village of Knap, with the hamlet of Huntham, with woods, moors, marlhes,
and appertenances ; the manor of Creech, with woods, moors, heaths, and apper-
tenances; the hamlet of Charlton, with moors and appertenances; the hamlet of
©rabofci, ufque quendam lacum, qui vocatur Huntyngeye : A abinde procedendo perdiflum lacum, ufque bcum,
qui dicitur Cheftercrofte : & abinde procedendo per diftum lacum de Hunlengeye, ufque locum, qui dicitur Jone-
^eye: Sc abinde procedendo per quendam duftum, inter dominicum domini regis ac feodum Sabinse Pecche et
Johannis Heron, dimittendo a dextris quandam moram, quae vocatur Lighe, ufque pontem, qui vocatur Ebbynge-
Brugge, locum, ubi prius bundas inceperunt. Et dicunt, quod a dextris intra bundas prsdiftas in toto circuitu
eft forefta domini regis. Et dicunt, quod omnes villx, terrx & bofci a finiftris extra bundas prsdiftas fuerunt
affbreftati poll coronationem domini Henrici, quondam regis Angliae, filii Matildis imperatricis, ad dampnum
tenentium, & debentdeafforeftari, juxta tenorem cartse prxdidae, videlicet, Totum manerium de Nmth-Pethertoti,
com moris, marifcis & brueris & pertinentiis, qua: Johannes de Erleigh tene<. Villa de Huntyug'WDrth , cum
bcfcis & brueris & pertinentiis, quam Hugo de Popham tenet. Hamletae de Dunivere et Morland, cum moris
et pertinentiis, quas Johannes de Erleigh tenet. Villa de Staihe, cum bofcis, moris, et cum mora, quae vocatur
Saltmore, quas Johannes de Afton, Elizabetha de Clyvedon, Robertus de Berkeleigh, Nicholaus de Braunche &
domina Ydoneyade Infula, tenent. Villa de Cnappe, cum hamleta de Huntham, cum bofcis moris, marifcis &
pertinentii«, quam Walterus de Chaara tenet. Manerium de Crich, cum bofcis, moris, brueris & pertinentiis,
quod prior de Monte-acuto tenet. Hameleta de Chcrleton, cum moris &' pertinentiis, quam idem prior tenet.
Hamleta de ©atcnclurfftc, cum moris et pertinentiis, quam idem prior tenet. Manerium de Weftlenge Sc Ejiknge,
cum bofcis, moris, marifcis & pertinentiis, quod abbas de Athelyngnye tenet. Hameleta de ©oselloiir, Pricratut
de Bokeland, hameleta de llalilcfiotK, & Heggynge, cum bofcis, moris, marifcis & pertinentiis, qua; prior da
hofpitali de Jerufalem in Anglia tenet. Hameleta de "Biooiif, cum moris, marifcis & pertinentiis, quam idem
prior tenet. Manerium de Durjfon, com hameleta de MyghUfchurch, cum bofcis, moris, marifcis & pertinentiis,
quod Galfridus de Wrokelhall & Reylia, uxor ejufdem, tenent in dote ipfius Rofiae, de hereditate Johannis dc
Erleigh. Villa de Haivyfe-Nyivton, cum bofcis, moris, marifcis et pertinentiis, quam Ricardas de Nywton tenet.
Hamleta de Sirdepn, cum moris, brueris & pertinentiis, quam Johanna de Reyny tenet. Villa de Ny-vjtoif
Forefter, cum bofcis, moris, brueris & pertinentiis, quam Sabina Hayrun & Athelina Durante tenent. Hameletae
de Chademede & Holebroke, cum moris, brueris & pertinentiis, quas Henricus de Somerfet tenet. In cujus rei
telUmonium figilla prsediftorum juratorum huic perambulationi funt appenfa."
Salaries of the Forefters in each Foreft.
*' Fet a remembrer de la fuftenaunce des forifters en la comte de Somerfet. q' eftufte qe dejugerent apres
la puralee fet flit. Ceo eft a faver en la forefte de Selenvode un forefter a chival lay foftenaunce amontera fis
livres et cere denieres. Ceo eft a favoir a prendre a la jornee quatre denieres. Et deaus forefters a pye quatre
Hvres et unzs fouzs. Ceo eft a iavoir p' un forefter a prendre la journee un denier et maille. Sfit ceo eft !a
fomme de ceo dis livres duze fouzs et quatre deners. Sfit en la foreft de Menedep deaus forefters a pye quatre
livres & unze fous. SS en la forefte de Pederton deaus forefters a pye quatre livre et unz fouz. SS en la
forefte de Exmore un forefter a chival fis livres et ccze deniers et deaus a pye quatre livres et unze fouz. Ceo eft
la fomme fis livres, duze louzs et quatre denieres. SS. en la foreft de Nerachich un forefter a chival fis livres et
ceze denieres, et deaus a pye quatre livres et unze fouzs. Ceo eft a la fomme dis livres, dis fouzs et quatre
deiiieres. SS. Sy eft lafonuue totale quarante livres dife nef fous." £x Regut. Wellen.
jQortf) lPetf)erton.] NORTH-PETHERTON. 6 1
®atCnCbCr0l[)C, with moors and appertenances; the manor of PFeJi-Ltng, and Eajl^
Ling, with woods, moors, marfhes, and appertenances; the hamlet of (©O00ftOlie;
the priory of Buckland; the hamlets of CablCflOnC and Hedging, with woods, moors,
marflies, and appertenances; the hamlet of 15tD0nC, with moors, marfhes, and ap-
pertenances; the manor of Durjion, with the hamlet of Michael-Church, with woods,
moors, marfhes, and appertenances; the village of Newtcn-Hawt/e, with woods,
moors, marfhes, and appertenances; the hamlet of Sheerjlon, with moors, heaths, and
appertenances; the village of Newton-Forejler, with woods, moors, heaths, and
appertenances; the hamlets of Chedmede and Holbrook, with moors, heaths, and ap-
pertenances.
By this reduifbion were disforefted, as may be obferved by the parcels above recited,
lands of more than a hundred times the value of the legal foreft of North-Petherton;
but thefe encroachments were inconfiderable when compared with what had been done
by other forefts in the kingdom, and particularly that of Windfor; which, befides
a great part of Berklhire and Hampfhire, took in almoft the whole county of Surrey.
All thefe ufurpations had been without colour of law made by Ric. I. and Henry II.
upon their fubjefts; who, befides the grievance of having their lands thrown open to
the King's deer, were fubjedted in their perfons to punifhment for fmall offences, and
to very arbitrary trials, unknown to Englifh laws; feverer punifhments being inflifted
on foreft trefpafles, than on the higheft breaches of the publick peace; infoinuch that
it was cotnplained of by a writer of thofe times, that it was by the foreft-laws fafer to
be a beaft than a Chriftian-man.
But as the charter of forefts reduced the bounds, fb it greatly moderated the feverity
of the laws in queftion, as may be ittn in reading the faid charter; but even as they
are at this day, though the charter has been by feveral afts of parliament much im-
proved, there is no one that lives in the neighbourhood of a foreft, but has ftill fome
reafon to complain of their rigour.
In procefs of time many of the Royal forefts became neglefted; their courts infre-
quently kept, and fometimes altogether dilufed ; which happily fell out in this county;
for thereby the ftatute of 17 Car. I. which enacts that no foreft where the courts had
not been held for fixty years laft paft, fhould thereafter be deemed forefb, took place,
and thus we have for ever got rid of our forefts.
To return to Sabina Peche: fhe died 13 Edw. II.' and on her death Nicholas Peche
her Ion paid his relief for her lands in Newton. Matthew, the fon of this Nicholas
Peche, fold all his right in a mefTuage called the Park-boufe, and in certain parcels of
land in Newton and Exton, as alfo to the bailiwick of the forefts of Petherton,
Exmore, Neroche, Mendip, Selwood, and the cuftody of the warren of Somerton, to
Sir Richard D'Amori, knt. This fale was made 10 Edw. III. All which lands and
office were 31 Edw. III. (probably after another fale from the family of D'Amori)
found to have been part of the pofTeffions of Roger Mortimer earl of March, in whofc
defendants, and the Dukes of York, it continued till the time of Edw. IV. when ic
came to the crown.
* Efc.
Thefe
»2 NORTH-PETHERTON. [lI3ott!)#CtbCttom
Thefe forefters of the family of Mortimer, as alfo the Dukes of York, appointed
fubftitutionary forefters, to whom, (as it appears by the park rolls) their whole power
was delegated, as far as relates to this park of North-Petherton.''
lo Ric. II. Richard Brittle, 7 by the appointment of tbe-
14, Richard Brittle and GefFerey Chaucer, efqrs. j Earl of March.
21 Gefterey Chaucer, by Alianor countefs of March.
4 Hen. V. Thomas Chaucer, by Edward earl of March.
8 Hen. VI. William Wrothe, and Thomas Attemore.
12 William Wrothe.
29 Sir Wilijam Bonville, and Richard Luttrell, by the Duke of York.
33 Richard Stafford, and Richard Luttrell.
38 James Boteler earl of Ormond.
2 Edw. IV. Philip de St. Iv^aur.
5 John St. Albin, of Afliway.
14 Sir Giles D'Aubeny, for life.
23 Hen. VII. Robert Wrothe, for thirty years.
Soon after the expiration of which term, Sir Thomas Wrothe, fon and heir of the
faid Robert, purchafed, 3 Edw. VI. of that King, the fee of the park and manor of
Newton-Regis. His defcendants in the time of Queen Elizabeth pulled down the
park-houfe, and carried the materials to a lodge called the Broad-Lodge, which the
late Sir Thomas Wroth improved to a handfome dwelling. The whole park' is now
converted into farms, and belongs to Sir Thomas Acland, bart. in right of his grand-
mother, eldeft daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Wroth.
It might here be obferved, that 6 Edw. VI. Sir Thomas Wroth petitioned the King
to be admitted forefter in fee of the King's forefts of Exmore, Neroche, Mendip, and
Selwood, as being one of the defcendants and reprefentatives of William de Wrotham,
lord of the manor of Newton-Forefter in the time of King Richard I. and being the
inheritor and polTeiTor of the greateft part of the manor. What was done therein
does not appear; but 167 8 'an allegation of this petition and right, by the guardians
of Sir Thomas Wroth, prevented a perfon of great eminence from being appointed
warden of Exmore foreft.
To the fouth and fouthweft of Petherton-Park lies the manor of Newton-
FoRESTER, Newton-Placey, Or Newton-Wrothe, which in King William the
Conqueror's time belonged to Euftace earl of Bulloigne, and was furveyed as follows:
*' Earl Euftace held of the King, Newentone. Lewin held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for one hide and one yard-land. The arable is four carucates.
" Thereof are in demefne two virgates and a half of land, and there is one carucate,
'' and two fcrvants, and feven viUanes, and fix cottagers, with three ploughs. There is
" Park Rolls.
' In this park was found the curious amulet of King Alfred, mentioned in vol. i. p. 87.
" a mill
jRoitWCtbCtton.] NORTH-PET HERTON. 63
*< a mill of fifteen-pence rent, and feven acres of meadow, and thirty-three acres of
** pafture, and feventeen acres of wood. It was and is worth four pounds. Alured
" [de Merleberge] holdjs it of the Earl.""
It has been already faid, that the greateft part of this manor in the time of Ric. I.
belonged to Ofbert Dacus, or Dennis, and after him to William his fon. This Ofbert,
14 Henry II. held two knights' fees of Gilbert de Perci. William his fon, after he
had parted with the manor of Newton, had Edgeborough, and other lands in Noi th-
Petherton and Durfton, and was father of another Ofbert Dennis. Upon this pur-
chafe of part of Newton, William de Wrotham gave the King one hundred marks,
and two palfries; bcfides which he had in Newton certain lands, which formerly be-
longed to Ralph dc Aubcrville, given him by Ric. I." and alfo other eftates heretofore
the poflcfTion of Roger Eftables, all which were comprehended in the denomination of
the manor of Newton, then called Newenton-Forefter, and held by the fervice afore-
faid, being accounted equal to a whole knight's fee.
As to the parentage of William de Wrotham, he was fon of Gefferey de Wrotham,
of Radenville near Wrotham in the county of Kent, a domeftick fervant of feveral of
the archbifhops of Canterbury, of whom Hubert Walter gave him certain lands at
Wrotham, where he lived, and from which his pofterity received their name. William
his fon abovementioned, whom he had by his wife Muriel de Lyd, is alfo faid to have
fervcd the faid Hubert, and to have been by him recommended to King Ric. I. in
the ninth year "of whofe reign he had the care of the ftannaries in Devonfhire and
Cornwall, in which commiflion he made fuch rules and ordinances as have been the
foundation of the ftannary laws ever fince. By the report of this commiflion, which
is ftill extant," it appears that he was therein fubftituted, by Archbifliop Hubert, guar-
dian of the realm in the King's abfence; that writs were directed to the fheriffs of
Devon and Cornwall, to deliver over to him the ftannaries of the faid counties, re-
quiring them to be afliftant to him, and xo call together fuch juries, as thereby the
King's property might be afcertained, and the weight, meafure, and coinage of the
tin, as alfo the illegal exportation thereof might be prevented. In the commiflion
ieveral gentlemen of the beft rank in both counties are joined with him, and ordered
to attend as his counfellors. In purfuance of which t^^'o juries were called at Exeter
and Launcefton, and many ordinances were made, which were reported at large
under the feals of the commiflioners to the barons of the exchequer. In this report
are certified the refpeftive days on which this William de W^rotham received the
charge of the ftannaries of the two counties; and at the end of the report it is fet
forth, that by the care of the commiflioners, and the providence of William de
Wrotham, fuch laws had been made as would anfwer the intent of the commiflion,
and would at all events prevent injury to the King and the fubjeft. 10 Ric. I. the
Jaid William de Wrotham had a grant from the Kihg of the manor of Cathanger in
the parifti of Fivehead, the firft lands of which he was pofleflTed in this county; the fame
year he had alfo the bailiwick of North-Petherton. 1 Joh. he was fherjff of Devon-
ihire, and again warden of the ftannaries j the fame year he was alfo chofcn forefter of
" Lib. Domcfday. ' Lib. Nig. Scat. i. ici. " Jbid, 360.
Dorfctfiiire
64 NORTH-PETHERTON. [H^OttWctfjettOm
Dorfetfhlre and Somerfetfhire; the freeholders of thofe counties paying the King the
fum of one hundred pounds for his admiffion. 4 Joh. he had the grant of Newton,
and feveral lands in Ham, Creech, Monkton, Sutton, Hawkridge, and Exton, to be
held in fee by the ferjeanty of being the King's furefter in Dorfet, Devon, Somerfef,
and Cornwall. 6 Joh. he had a confirmation under the great feal of all the lands he
had purchafed of Gefferey Fitzacre and Roger Eftables. 7 Joh. he gave one hundred
marks for the privilege of being impleaded in the King's courts only, and before the
King, or his chief juftice. 9 Joh. he was IherifF of Kent, and the fame year warden
of the Cinque-Ports, and conftable of Dover caftle. Soon after which he died, leaving,
by Maud de Cornhall his wife, two fons, William and Richard.
William, the eldefl fon, was archdeacon of Taunton 6 Joh. and in that year, toge-
ther with Reginald de Cornhall, he was receiver of the cuftoms of all the merchants in
the kingdom, accounting for nearly the fum of fix thouiiind pounds. 7 Joh. he ob-
tained a market to be kept every Tuefday at the manor of North-Curry, for the benefit
of the church of Wells, to which that manor appertained. 8 Joh. he was a truflee to
Gefferey Fitzpiers carl of EfTex, upon the founding the hofpital of Sutton in Yorkfhire.
On the death of his father he fucceeded him as heir to his lands, and to the office of
forefter, which was in his life-time executed by his brother. He died 3 Henry III. and
was fucceeded by Richard de Wrotham, his nephew and next heir.
Which Richard de Wrotham, 9 Henry III. paid fifty marks to have feifin of the
bailiwick of the forefls in this county, and the cuftody of the park of Newton, as
his anceftors held the fame ; he being then in minority, and John le Marefcall and
John de Erleigh being his fecurity during that time for the performance of his office.
26 Henry III. this Richard was a knight, and one of the juftices of the court of
common-pleas. He died without ifTue 35 Henry III. and his fillers, who married into
the families of Placey, Scoland, Picot, and Bland, became his heirs. The lands of
which he died feized were, this manor of Newton, the manors of Ham and Cat-
hanger, and feveral parcels of land in Exton, Hawkridge, Monkton, Creech, and
North-Petherton, (all which were held by the fervice of a knight's fee) alfo of the
manor of Chigwell in ElTex, AMenham, and lands in Wrotham, Radenville, and other
places in Kent.
Hugh de Placetis, who married his eldeft fifler, -^vas fon of Hugh de Placetis, brother
of John de Placetis, earl of Warwick, and to William, from whom the French gene-
alogifts derive the Cardinal de Richlieu. This Hugh refided at Enfield in the county
of Middlefex, where he died, leaving by Muriel de Wrotham, his wife, three fons,
William, Richard, and John.
William, the eldeft fon, died 4 Edw. I. and was fucceeded by Richard his fon, called
Richard da Barba-Fluta, from the town of Barbeflure, now Barfleur, in Normandy,
where he lived in his father's life-time. After his deceafe he was called Richard de
Placetis, and refided at Newton. He died beyond fea, and ordered his body to be
buried in fome foreign church, near the bpdy of Madelina de Clerby his firfl: wif^^ witfi
•whom he lived before he came into England, and gave feveral parcels of land in Nor-
mandy and Poidu to religious vifes fpr the health of his iqnl. His fecond wife was
named
J!5ottD=lPCtt)Cl'ton.] NORTH-PET II ERTON. 65
named Margaret, who furvived him, and had dower in Newton lo Edw. I.' Two
years before his death this Richard laid the foundation of a perpetual chantry at
Newtoni' for the health of his own foul, the fouls of his father and mother, and all his
progenitors and fucceflbrs, and granted to William de Hilprinton, the intended chanter
and his fucceflbrs, chaplains of the chapel of St. Peter at Newton, a houfe in which
"William de Grey a former chaplain once lived, and icveral acres of land in Ivymore,
Highmore, and Ellerhaye, together with the tithes of Newton and Petherton-Park,
and right of common for fix oxen and fix heifers in all places where he had common.
The witnefl"es to this charter were, the preceptor of Buckland, Sir GefFerey de Wrock-
Ihall, Sir John de Placetis, Peter de Hamme, and John de Marifco. At the death of
the faid Richard, his four fifters became his heirs. The defcendant of the eldeft mar-
ried into the family of Pecche; and Avelina, the fecond fifter, wife of Thomas Durant,
had the third part of Newton, as alfo the third part of her father's lands at Enfield,
on which Thomas Durant their fon and heir built a houfe called Durants, which has
be.en the chief place of refidencc of his defcendants to this prefent age. This Thomas
died 22 Edward III. leaving the third part of the manor of Newton, and lands in
Monkton, Hawkridge, and Exton, all parcel of the poflTeflions of Richard de Wrotham,
as alfo a houfe and feveral lands at Durants, Enfield, and Edelmetone, (or Edmonton)
in the county of Middlefex, to Maud his daughter and heir, twelve years old at the
rime of his death. This Maud married firft Sir Baldwin de Radington, knt. by whom
(he had no children; and afterwards Sir Thomas Wrothe, of Enfield, knt. great-
grandfon and heir of Richard, third fon of Hugh de Placetis and Muriel de Wrotham.
It has been already faid that this Hugh had three fons, William, John, and Richard.
John the fecond fon was a knight, and from him the Placcys, of Winborne-St. Giles
in the county of Dorfet, are defcended. Richard, the third fon, was of Enfield and
Edmonton in the county of Middlefex, where he had a houfe and lands by the grant of
his father. He had alfo Aldenham, and lands in Wrotham and Ford in the county of
Kent, and Gobrigge in the county of Surry, by the grant of Richard de Wrotliam his
isncle; being the greateft part of the poflefiions of that family in thofe counties.
Befides which he had a mefluage and carucate of land in Sutton, as alfo certain rents
and fervices arifing in Lintmore, Newton-Forefter, and Weft-Newton, all which were
the poflTelTions of Richard de Wrotham; and were entailed on this Richard and the
heirs of his body, remainder in tail-general to William and John, his brothers. In this
deed lie is called Richard, fon of Hugh de Placetis; but foon after he ftiled himfelf
Richard de Wrotham; and by that name, 10 Edw. I. had a releafe, from Emma de
Mallinges, of lands at Rodenhall in Kent, and made feveral purchafes in Creech-St.-
Michael, Ling, North-Petherton, Moorland, and elfewhere. 17 Edw. I. he had a-
grant of three^hundred marks, which Berenger le Romeyn his father-in-law owed to
tlie exchequer, being then called Sir Richard de Wrotham, knt. His will bears date^
A. D. 1292, in which he orders his body to be buried in the parifli church of Edel-
metone, in a chapel which had been built by Berenger le Romeyn, his wife's father,
and that it fliould be laid as near the body of Gladyna his wife as could conveniently be
done without injuring the fabrlckj and appoints his two fons, Richard de Wrotham of
f Cart. Antiq, ' Excerpt, c Regift. Wellen.
Vol. III. K Shepcrton,
66 NORTH-PETHERTON. [aott6#Ctfjmon*
Sheperton, and William, to liave the care of his funeral, whom he alfo makes his exe-
cutors : and whereas he had for feveral years paid ten marks of filver towards the
building a church for the friars-preachers in London, he direfts that his fons do
continue the fame after his deceafe, till the whole fum of one hundred and fifty marks
be completed; and that afterwards they buy lands of one hundred fhillings rent for the
maintenance of a chaplain, who Ihould perform divine fervice in the chapel of Edel-
metone, for his foul, and the fouls of Gladye his wife; Berenger le Romeyn, and Margaret
his wife; Ilbert de Coftcntine, and Triphasna liis wife; Peter Tybauld, and others.
John, the eldeft fon of Richard de Wrotham, was bred up in the court of Edw. I,
but according to the cuftom of thofe times, when many perfons of the greateil quality
entered into religious orders, became a friar-preacher, and was foon after prior of the
friars-preachers, having before been confeflbr to King Edw. I. From 30 Edw. I, to the
end of the reign of Edw. II. he feems to have been the perfon principally employed
between the courts of England and Rome, being efpecially recommended to the Pope*
Benedift XI. and Clement V. by King Edw. I. and II. as a perfon of great learning,
probity, and courtefy, and who had by thofe qualities acquired their efteem, and the
regard of all the great men of the court. 32 Edw. I. he was recommended under the
fame charafter to Charles king of Sicily. He died at Bolonia in the year 1323, and
was there buried.
On the death of Richard de Wrotham, William his grandfon, viz. Ion of Richard
Wrothe of Sheperton, fucceeded to his lands; who, dying without iflue, was fucceeded
by his brother John Wrothe, of Enfield in the county of Middlefex, and of Nortb-
Petherton in the county of Somerfet, at which laft place he moft frequently refided. He
poflefled very confiderable eftates at Newton, North-Petherton, Creech, and Monkton
in this county, and lands at Yeldam in Kent, part of the pofleffions of Sir Richard de
W^rotham. He was knight of the fhire for Middlefex 6 Edw. III. and died the 12th
year of the fame reign. He bore on his feal a bend charged with three leopards' faces.
John Wrothe, fon of this John, lived alfo at Enfield, at a houfe called Wrothe-Place,
24 Edw. III. he purchafed of Sir Richaid D'Amori a rent-charge, which had been
paid out of his lands in Petherton and Sheerjlon ; and the following year agreed that
Margaret his*mother fhould have for her life the entire pofleflion of his manors of
Sheperton and Overbridge in Middlefex, in lieu of dower on his other eftates.
33 Edw. HI. he was coUeftor of the King's duties within the port of London, and, in
eonfideration of his faithful difcharge of that office, obtained a releafe of a debt he
owed to the exchequer for the wardfhip of John, fon and heir of John de Enfield. He
died 43 Edw. III. being then a knight.
John, his eldeft fon, was a knight in his father's life-time, and by the name of Sir
John Wrothe the younger, was chofen knight of the ftiire for Middlefex ^9, 43, and 46
Edw. III. as alfo 6 and 7 Ric. II. about which time he died, having married two wives,
viz. Alice, by whom he had Sir John, who fucceeded him, and Agnes, wife of Sir Pain
Tibetot, knt. His fecond wife was Maud, fole daughter and heir of Thomas Durant,
and widow of Sir Baldwin dc Radington,.knt.
His
jfijart&'lpetbertonj NORTH^PETHERTON. 67
His eldeft fon John married in his father's life-thnc Margaret, daughter and at laft
heir of Sir John Willinton, knt. and was in five parliaments during the reigns of
Ric. II. and Henry IV. He was knight of the fhire for Middlefcx,- and alfo a com-
miffioner to receive the loans from that county and Hertford. But as all the Somer-
fetfliire cftate was by his father made over to the children by the fecond marriage, and
this Sir John having no lands at Newton, notice can only be taken here, that he left
one only daughter Elizabeth, married to Sir John Paulton, of Paulton in this county,
knt, and that, on her dying without iffue, the great inheritance of this family, lying in
the counties of Middlefcx, Surry, Eflex, Kent, Hants, and Gloucefter, fell to Sir John
Tiptot, father to the lord of tliat name, and grandfather to the Earl of Worcefter.
William, fon of Sir John Wrothe by the heirefs of Durant, had his father's lands in
Newton, North-Petherton, Monkton, and Michael-Creech, by virtue of a feoffment
made 5 Ric. II. to Thomas Popham and others in truft for the children of Sir John
Wrothe by his fecond wife j befides which he inherited from his mother the third part
of the manor of Newton ; all which pofleffions became from that time united under the
name of the manor of Newton-Wrotbe. The fcal of Sir John Wrothe, father of this
WilHam, was a lion's head crafcd, crowned; but his fon took the prefent arms, viz.
Argent, on a bend fable, three lions* heads crafed of the field, crowned or. He always
refided at Durants in Middlefex, his mother's eftate, and was knight of the fliire for
that County 5 Hen. IV. in the tenth year of which reign he died, leaving William his
fon and heir.
Which William, the fecond of the name who poflcfled Newton, is returned 11 Hen.
VL among fuch of the principal gentlemen of Middlefex as then took the oaths for the
maintenance of the laws; but his refidence was moftly at Newton, where he is faid to
have rebqilt the old court-houfe. In two courts held 8 and la Henry VI. he appears
to have been keeper of Petherton-Park, and then prefent. This William died in
Somerfetfhire 28 Henry VI. and was buried on the north fide of the chancel of the
parifli church of Bridgwater, where was a ftone, with an infcription in brafs, fetting
forth the time of his death, and that he married a daughter of John Mortimer, efq;
whofe arms were fix fleurs-de-lis. This monument was in being in 163 1, but is now
entirely defaced.
John, fon of William, married Elizabeth daughter of Sir Roger Lewknor, knt. and
was father of another John, who, by Margaret daughter of Richard Newdigate, efq;
was father of Edward and Robert, and alfo of a daughter married to Richard Goodear,
efq. Of which fons, Robert became his heir. This Robert, in the time of Hen. VII.
was attorney of the dutchy of Lancafter; and 22 Henry VIII. one of the commif-
fioners to enquire into the cftate of Cardinal Wolfey. He died 27 Henry VIII.
having married Jane daughter of Sir Thomas Hart, of Kent, knt. by whom he had
Thomas, Oliver, John, and William Wrothe, of Young in Hertfordihire; alfo two
dau^iters, Dorothy wife of Sir Edward Lewknor, knt. and Sufan wife of Richard
Raymond.
Sir Thomas, eldeft fon of Robert, was 2^ Henry VIII. by the procurement of the
archbilhop of Canterbury, made gentleman of the chamber to Edward Prince of
K 2 Wales,
68 NORTH- PETHERTON. [jQortfj^lPet&ertOtl,
Wales, and two years after had a grant of 20I. per annunn out of the court of aug-
mentations for his wages, and 40I. for the time he had ferved. On Edward's coming
to the crown, he was fworn of the privy council, and was one of the committee of
council who were always to attend the King ; in which fituation his duty was to infpeft
the penal laws, and the condition of the branches of the publick revenue, particularly
thofe of the firft-fruits and augmentations. Edw. VI. is faid to have died in his arms.
During the time, of his favour he obtained many beneficial grants, and might have had
a much greater fhare of the church lands, had he not willingly declined it, either from
a knowledge of the King's great neceffities, and the importunities of thofe about him j
or from an opinion, always avowed, that what had been once given to the publick
Ihould never be feparated from it. As a proof that this was fincerely his opinion, he
furrendered a grant of the monaftery of Sion, and lands thereunto belonging, on an aflli-
rance that the King had intended thofe lands for the endowment of fome publick charity.
Although he was a zealous proteftant, he never, either in the life-time of King Edw. VI.
or after his death, would be brought to do any a6l towards the diiherifon of Henry
VIII th's children J by which means in the fucceeding reign he was favourably deale
with, and continued unmolefted in eftate and perfon. 4 and 5 Phil, and Mary, he
went abroad with the King and Queen's licence, and continued the remainder of that
reign at Frankfort, where he applied a great part of his revenue to the maintenance of
fuch proteftant minifters as had been moft remarkable for piety and learning in the
foregoing reigns. Soon after the acceffion of Queen Elizabeth, he was one of thofe
who were appointed to confider the Adt of Uniformity, and other afts relating to the
government of the church of England. This feems to have been his laft publick em-
ployment} the remaining twenty years of his life being Ipent in a holpitable but pious
retirement, fometimes at Durants, and others at Petherton; at which laft place he in-
tended to have built a manfion-houfej but was prevented by death. Oft. 4, 1 586. By
Mary daughter of the firft Lord Rich, lord chancellor of England, he had iflue Sir
Robert Wrothe of Durants, Thomas, and many other fons and daughters.
Sir Robert, his fon and heir, fucceeded him in the greateft part of his eftates, and
married Ida, daughter of Henry Stoner, of Loughton in the county of Effex, efq; by
whom he had another Sir Robert, John Wrothe of Loughton, and Henry.
Which laft Sir Robert was chofen knight of the Ihire for Middlefex in the laft par-
liament of Queen Elizabeth, and the firft parliament of King James, and was appointed
one of the commiflioners to treat of an union between the two kingdoms. It appears
by the journals, that he was one of the moft aftive and eminent parliament-men of
thofe times; and it alfo appears, from the works of Ben Johnfon, that he was equally
eminent in the knowledge and pradtice of court entertainments, in which laft qualifi-
cation he was affifted and furpaffed by his lady, Mary Sidney, daughter of Robert earl
of Leicefter. By thefe means indeed they acquired the commendation of the moft
eminent wits of the times, but fquartdered away a vaft patrimony, which his more care-
ful but lefs polite anceftors had till their time continually increafed. towards the
latter end of his life he retired to Durants, where he died, leaving iflue Robert his fon
and heir, who died unmarried. On his death, and the death of his fon, the eftate of
Loughton
Bom-^tmrnn.'] NORTH-PET HERTON. 69
Loughton came to John Wrothe, his brother; from whom the family of that place
(who had alfo Durants) are defcended. This manor of Newton, being with the greateft
part of his eftate fold for the payment of debts, was purchafed by Sir Thomas Wrothe,
fon of Thomas, brother of the firft Sir Robert.
"Which Thomas, father of Sir Thomas, was a lawyer, and autumnal reader of the
Middle-Temple ^3 Eliz. and having by his profcfTion raifed a confiderablc fortune,
fettled himfelf at Blenden-hall in the county of Kent, where he died in 16 10. He
married Johanna, daughter and heir of Thomas Buhner, efq; and left ifllie, i. Sir
Thomas Wrothe abovementioned, the purchafer of Newton and Petherton-Park, who
died there in 1666 without iflue. a. SirPeter Wrothe, a gentleman of great learning,
from whofe colleftions a great part of the account of this family is taken. He mar-
ried Margaret, daughter of Anthony Bering, of Surrenden in the county of Kent, knt.
and was father of Sir John Wrothe of Blenden-hall, Anthony, and Thomas, and three
daughters.
Sir John Wrothe, of Blenden-hall, attended the King in the battle of Cropedy-
bridge, and fecond battle of Newbury, where he was wounded. After the reftoration
he had a grant from the exchequer of two thoufand pounds, and was made a baronet.
He died at Newton in 1664, leaving by Anne, daughter of Lord Vifcount Charlemont
of the kingdom of Ireland, widow of Sir Paul Harris, and afterwards of Sir William
Gore, barts. Sir John Wrothe, of Petherton-Park, bart. and Sophia, wife of
Mattocks, efq.
Sir John married Elizabeth daughter of Peregrine Palmer, of Fairfield, efq; and
had ifllie Sir Thomas Wrothe, and Elizabeth, married to William Longe, of Ncwhoufc
in the county of Devon, efq. He died in 1674.
Sir Thomas, only fon of Sir John Wrothe, having worthily lerved his country in the
two laft parliaments of King William, and in all the parliaments of Queen Anne, being
chofen for the borough of Bridgwater, county of Somerfet, and city of Wdls; died
in the year 172 1 at Kellerton in Devonfhirej and was the laft pofleflfor of Newton of
this very ancient and worthy family. He married Mary, fole daughter and heir of
Francis Oftialdefton, of Aldenftsrook in the county of Eflex, efq; and was father of
feveral children, who died in his life-timci alfo of Cecily, married to Sir Hugh Acland,
of Columb-John in the county of Devon, bart. who in her right became poflTefled of
Newton and Petherton-Park, which are now inherited by Sir Thomas Acland, bare,
and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Palmer, of Fairfield, elq.
Having given an account of the defcendants and reprelentatives of two of the fifters
and coheirs of Sir Richard de Placetis, it remains to fpeak of the third, Emma, the
wife of John Heron. This Emma had a third part of the manor of Newton, and
was fucceeded by a Ion and grandfon of the nam.e of John. The laft was father of
Hugh, who died without ifllie. Margaret his fifter, becoming his heir, fold her Ihare
of the manor and advowfon of the chantry to Hugh Garton, revcrfional after her own
life, aj;d the life of Agnes her brother's widow. In this name and family it tontinucd
three
7d NORTH-PETHERTON. [jeort{)'IPet|)ettom
dirfce gcneratiohs, each poflefibr bearing the name of John. 6 Henry V. the laft John
Garton fold his right to William Gafcoign, efq; whofe brother's grandaughter and
heir Chriftian, wife of John Reynell, 6 Edw. IV. fold her right to John Pym, efq.
At the time of the diflblution of the chantry, the right of advowfon was in the crown.
Sir Thomas Wrothe, and Alexander Pym, efq. Mr. Pym's (hare of Newton has
fince been fold to different perfons.
The endowment of the chantry, on the diflblution, being taken away, the chapel fell
to ruin, and towards the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, fome one begged of that
Queen the materials thereof for the vicars-choral of Wells, who apj)lied the fame partly
to the building an alehoufe, and ftables, for the more commodious reception of them-
felves and fervants when they fliould keep tlneir courts, and partly to the making of
ftocks, a ducking-ftool, and pillory, for the ufe of the hamlet of Newton. In the time
of King Charles I. Sir Thomas Wrothe, having purchafed the chantry lands of that
king, at his own charge built a new chapel, and gave a ftipend to a minifter, which
is yet continued. Sir Thomas Wrothe, Sir John, Sir Thomas and his lady, wil^i fome
of their children, were buried in the chapel of Newton. '
The manor here belonging to the vicars-choral of Wells is called Newton-Placey,
and has been their pofleflion from the i6th of Edw. III. being part of their original
endowment from bifhop Ralph de Shrewibu:y. It has been already faid that Matthew
Peche fold to Sir Richard D'Amori the park-houfe and fome tenements, together witli
the bailiwicks of the forefts. It is probable chat the remaining part of the manor
(which certainly was the beft of the three) was fold to the bifhop; and that the vicars
have the portion of Sabina Peche. Courts-leet arc alternately held in the name of the
refpedtive lords; but each has a feparate court-baron: there were alfo fome tenements
here called by the name of the manor of Newton-Regis.
There are feveral members or branches of the ancient manor of Newton, lying dif-
perfed at confiderable diltances from Petherton; as Cathanger, in the parilh of Five-
head; Nether-Ham, in die parilh of High-Ham; and Corewall and Newhall in the
parifh of Holford. The firft of thefe hamlets has already been mentioned,'' the two
others will be fpoken of in their refpedlive parifhes.
Southwell from North-Newton is West-Newtok, or Newton-Comitis, or
Newton-Hawise, or Hvwis, which belonged to the family of Hywis or Huifh, and
afterwards to that of de Ny weton, or Newton, who held it under the abbey of Athelney.
Richard the fon of Reginald de Newton, by deed without date, gave to that abbey a
melfuage and lands in Ling to hold to the monks and their fucceiTors by the fervice of
conveying him and his heirs and four men of Newton by water to the juftices itinerant
at Ivelchcfter, once a year at his own coft, in lieu of all other fervices.' This hamlet
was afterwards held of the fame abbey for feveral generations by the family of
Coplellon, by the fervice of one knight's fee.'
There were formerly chapels both at Newton-Recis and at Newton-Comitis,
wbjeji were given to the monaftery of Buckland by its founder William de Erleigh.
f Vol. i. p. 40. « Regift. Abbat. de Athelney. ' Lib. Feod.
The
ji3ottl)-H?ctl)etton.] north-petherton. 71
The manor of Wolmersdov, fituated about a mile from Petherton northward,
■was long before the Conqueft a member of the manor of North-Petherton j but in
the time of Edward the Confeflbr, the King's bailiff mortgaged part of it to Alwi a
Saxon thane, and afterwards William the Conqueror gave the whole to Alured de
Ifjpaniaj we have tiic following account of this property in the Norman record:
** Alured de Ifpania holds of th(SKing Ulmerestone, and Walter of him. Alwi
« held it in the time of King Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is three
** carucates. In demefne is one carucate, with one Servant, and four viJlanes, and
** thirteen cottagers, with one plough. There are ten acre^ of meadow, and twenty
*' acres of wood. It was and is worth thirty Ihillings.
" To this manor is added a virgate and a half of land. This land was [parcel] of
** Peret the King's manor. The bailiff made it over to Alwi in the time of King
*' Edward. It was and is worth ten fhillings.'"
Wolmerfdon was in after-times poflefTed by a family of its own name, who were
J-efident here, and held the manor for many defcents, till in the time of Ric II. it pafTed
to the family of Vernai, by the marriage of Amice, grandaughter and coheirefs of
Rofamund de Wolmerlton, with John de Vernai lord pf Fairfield; from which family
it has lineally dcfcended through that of Palmer to John Acland, efq; the prefent
owner. The arms of Wolmerflon, as they were depicted in the windows of Fairfield,
were Vtrt, a chevron between three lions rampant or. The fainily of Pokefwell, of
Dorfetfhire, had alfo a concern in Wolmerfdon.
Northeaft from Petherton is Huntworth, another ancient lordlhip, the property
in the Conqueror's time of the fame Alured de Ifpania who pofTefTed Wolmerfdonj
h is thus furveyed:
" Richard holds of Alured, Hunteworde. Alwi held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for one hide. The arable is two carucates, and with it are two
" fervants, and feven cottagers. There aie four acres of meadow, and ten acres of
*• moorj when he received it, it was worth five fhillings, now twenty fhillings.'"
In the time of Henry II. and Ric. I. it was tke pofTefTion of Jordan RufFus, whofe
daughter and heir Julyan brought it by marriage to Walter de Kentifbury, of Ken-
tifbury in Devonfliire; to which Walter fucceeded another of his name," who was.
a knight, and by Sibilla his wife had ifTue Sir Stephen de Kentifbury, whofe fole-
daughter and heir Joan (firft married to Sir John Trivet) brought it to her feconc^
hufband Hugh de Popham, a younger fbn of the family of Popham, of Popham ia
the county of Hants. This Hugh was a knight, and one of the commifTioners ap-
pointed by King Edw. I. to take account of the boundaries of the King's forefls in
this county." He then refided at Huntworth. By Chriflian his wife, he was father of
another Hugh de Popham, who was alfo of Huntworth, and a knight; from whom,
after many generations, defcended Alexander Popham, of this place, efq; who by Joaa
daughter of Sir Edward Stradhng, of St. Donat's caftle in Glamorganfhire, knr. was
fether of Edward Popham, of Huntworth, efq; and of Sir John Popham, lord chief
; Lib. Domefday. * Ibid. « Sir William Pok. ' See the Perambulation.
jufiictf'
72 NORTH-PETHERTON. [Ji3ort|)*P0t{)et;tOrt,
jullice of the King's-Bench in the time of Queen Elizabeth, progenitor to the family of
Lictlecot in Wiltlhire. The defcendants of the elder fon are ftill feated in this county.
One of them in the time of Charles I. fold this manor to the family of Portman, in
wJiich it yet continues, being the property of Henry WiUiam Portman, of Brianfton near
Bkndford in the county of Dorfet, ejq. The chapel here was alfo given to Buckland.
Further on fouthward, on the Parret, is Mooriand, the ancient eftate of the family
of Tilly; from whom it defcended by heirs female to the families of Cave, Bythemore,
and Perceval, anceftor to the Earl of Egmont.'
And ftill farther is a large tithing called Bankland, which being formerly a manor
was poflefTed by the preceptory of Buckland. But in the beginning of this century it
was the property of Sir Coplefton Bampfylde, who, being then an infant, was enabled by
pai-liament to fell it. In the year 17 16, it was purchafed by Sir Thomas Wrothe, from
which family it came to that of Acland.
Sheerston lies fouthward from Petherton, and belonged formerly to the Huifhes,
after them to the Reignys, from whom it came by the marriage of an heirefs to the
Poulets. The chapel alfo of this place belonged to Buckland.
Near this is an eftate called Farington.
TucKERTON, fouthweft, was formerly parcel of the poflefllons of the hofpital of St.
John at Bridgwater,'' and is now die property of Sir John Durbin, of the city of
Briftol, knt.
There are alfo within this parifh divers places, of which little note is now taken; but
which have at different periods been the habitations of very great and eminent families.
Mansel, now the feat of John Slade, efq; newly built, was the hereditary pofleffion
of a family of the fame name for twenty generations. In the time of Henry II.
William de Erleigh granted it to Philip Arbaiiftarius, in free marriage with Mabil his
daughter, to be held by the payment of two young pigs every Whitfuntide at his court
of Durfton;" which grant Ancilia, widow of the faid William de Erleigh, confirmed to
Philip de Maunfel, fon of the abovementioned Philip, who married a daughter of Sir
Hugh de Auberville, and was the firft of this family that aflumed the name of Maunfel,
er Manfel. In this family the manor and ancient manfion continued till the time
of Charles I. when it was purchafed of their heirs by the family of Bacon, who refided
here in the commencement of the prefent century. 10 Henry IV. Robert de Manfel
bore on his feal a hand clenched,'' but William, fon of the faid Robert, took the prefent
arms, viz. Sable^ three jambs argent.
Of equal oblivion with the former is Clavelshay, or Claveljleigh, now called ClaJJey,
Clawfey, and Clajway farm; which in ancient times derived its appellation from the
family of Claville, or Clavil, who were refident at and had confiderable poffeflions in
t^iis place. Thomas de Claville, by his deed without date, gave five acres of land in
this his manor to Jordan le King, fon of Roger le King of Wefton,' 18 Ric. II. it
was found by an inquifition that Robert de Hache, late abbot of Atheluey, purchafed
• 'Houfeofyyery. » Lib. Feod.
* Cart. Andq. * Seals from ancient deeds. « Regift. Abbat. de Athelney.
ji9ott!)#et!)ctt0n.l north-petherton. . 73
of Walter Clopton and Henry Hjichc, a tenement in Weji-Qavellejlegb, called Pecchys-
flace, and a tenerrtent in EJl-ClavelkJlegby which belonged to Margaret ClaveH, together
with two hundred acres of land in the {kid hamlets, without the King's licence.'
After the diflblution of the abbey of Athelney, King Henry VIII. in the 36th year of
his reign, granted the manor of Clavclfliay to William Portman, efq; whofc defcendants
have held the fame ever fince ; Heniy William Portman, efq; being the prefent pof-
leffort Under this family the manor was held for feveral generations by the Gatchclls,
whofe feat was at Weft-Monkton. Of which family Henry Gatchell, of Clavelfhay,
efq; who was fheriff of the county, dying without iflue male, left his eftate in fee-
fimple to Henry fon of his brother Thomas, who was a clerk of the court of chancery,
and his heirs male; and for want of fuch iflue, to his faidbrother Thomas; and for want
of iflije male from him, fettled it on the families of Popham of Wellington, and Jeanes
of Weft-Monkton, into which his two fiflers were married. The two Gatchells died
without ifilie, and the eftates defcended to Thomas Popham, of Bagborough, and
Richard Jeanes, of Weft-Monkton, efqrs. But the leafe of Clavelftiay, with feveral
others belonging to the faid Henry Gatchell, and a confiderable eftate in fee belonging
to their fadier, defcended to the three daughters of Thomas Gatchell. The eldeft of
whom, Mary, was married to the Rev. Alexander Popham, reftor of Weft-Monkton,
younger brother of the above Thomas Popham, by whom flie had iflue one fon,
Alexander. Elizabeth, the fecond daughter, married the Rev. Afliford Sanford, redor
of Weft-Monkton, and third fon of John Sanford, of Ninehead, efq; and died without
iffue. Dorothy, the third daughter, was married to the Rev. Henry Fytch, of High-
Hall in the county of Dorfet, and redtor of Lydiard St. Lawrence in this county.
Mrs. Sanford, the fecond daughter, dying childlefs, and her hufljand likewife dying
before his two brothers-in-law; flie by will difpofed of her fliare of this leale and the
other eftates to her two fifters; fo that the families of Popham and Fytch became
leflfees of the manor of Clavelfliay, as well as proprietors of the other eftates in fee.*
As the hamkt of Clavelfliay originally derived its name from the family of Clavil,
in like manner did it in afcertimes communicate its whole appellation to the family of
Clavelftiey, of whom were Cutbert, Richard, and John, which laft was of Curry-Rivel
in ifyj."" Their arms were. Sable, a c evron per pale, argent and or, between three
bulls' heads caboflTed argent, armed or.
Boomer, otherwife West-Melcomb, lying weft from North-Pctherton, is the pro-
perty of Lady Tynte. It was formerly in the family of Whiting, and by them held
of the Blewets.
Melcombe-Paulet feems to be that Alelecome which is furveyed in Domefday-
Book, as the property of Robert De Odberville, or Auberville :
" The fame Robert holds Melecome. Saric held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for a virgate and a half of land. The arable is one carucate and a half,
' Inq. ad quod Damn. The lands of the Abbot of Athelney in ClaveKliay, and Hoggeflialle, [O.xhole, an
adjoining hamlet] were in 1293 rated at feven fliiUings. Taxat. Tempor.!!.
'MS. Carcw. * Brokc's Vifitation of Somerfct,
Vol. III. L " and
74 NORTH-PETHERTON. Cll3ortf)#0tf)mon.
" and there are with it ten cottagers. There is a naill of twelve -pence rent, and ten
" acres of coppice wood. It was and is now worth fifteen fliillings.
" From this manor is taken half a hide, which in the time of King Edward belonged
" thereto. This is held by Walfcin de Dowai, with his manor of Bur [Bower.']"
In the time of Edw. III. this manor was pofTefied by, the family of Reyney, and
thence came by an heirefs to that of Poulet, who gave it the diftinftion of its name,
and afterwards made it one of the places of their refidence. Their other feats were at
Road, a neighbouring vill, Goathurft, Poulet, and other places..
" Richard holds in Rode one hide, which he himfelf held of Reinbold [the prieftj
" with the King's licence, as he fays. But Reinbold held it in the time of King
" Edward. The arable is half a carucate. There is one cottager. It was and is now
" worth ten Ihillings."" This manor now belongs to John Jeane, of Binfords, efq.
The hamlet of Edgeberry, or Edgeborouch, fituated fouthweft from North-
Petherton, and near the hamlet of Weft -Newton, was anciently the eftate of Ofbert
Dacus or Dennis, and after him of William his fon, of whom fee in the account of
the manor of North-Petherton.
The prior of Taunton had an eftate in North Petherton, which in 1293 was valued
at tAyenty ftiillings.'
As to the ecclefiaftical matters of this parifti, the reftory thereof^ together widi
divers chapels, was given by William de Erleigh to his priory of Minchin-Bucklandj
and in Bifhop Ralph de Salopia's return to the King's writ, direfling him to give an
account of the pofleflions of the prior and brethren of the hofpital of St. John of
Jerufalem in this diocefe, it was certified to be worth fixty marks per annum." In
1292 the vicarage was valued at eleven marks and a half;" the prior and convent of
Buckland received out of it a penfion of four marks per annum," which are ftill paid
to the crown. The living is in the deanery of Bridgwater; the Rev. Jofeph Aldridgc
is the prefent patron and incumbent.
There was a chantry here dedicated to St. Mary, of which the laft incumbent, Richard
Verfer, had in 1553, a penfion of 5I.''
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a large and handlbme ftrucSbure,
confifting of a nave, chancel, and fide ailes, covered with lead. At the weft end is a
very elegant embattled tower, of excellent mafonry, richly embelliftied with carving,
and curious Gothick ornaments.
This church, though it can now boaft of few curious or ancient memorials, has been
the burial place of the Erleighs, Blewets, Gatchells, Pophams, and Fulfords.
1723. Mrs. Mary Moggridge gave twenty pounds, the profits thereof to be diflxi-
buted in bread to poor houfekeepers of this parifti on St, Stephen's day yearly for ever,
at the difcretion of the churchwardens and overfeers.'
' Lib. Domefday. * Ibid. ' Taxat. Temporal. " Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen.
" Taxat. Spiritual, ' Archer. ' Hift, of Abbies, ii. 203. ■> On one of the pillars in the church.
BRIDGWATER,
jSortWPctberton.] . [ 7S ]
bridgv/ater,
[Anciently Brugia, Bruoie, Brucgb, Brucce-Walter, and Burch-Walter]
IS a large, populous, borough, market, and fea-port town, fituated on the banks of
the river Parret, which hence in a bold ftream winds its way betwixt the hundreds
of Cannington and Huntfpill, towards the aeftuary of the Briftol Channel,* In its
courfe thither a fmall ifland is formed called Dunbal IJlf, which, in the beginning of the
prefent century, was (as it is faid) fo made by fome unknown perfons making a cut
of forty yards acrofs the then ifthmus ; this was done in one night, and the operatprs
were never difcovered.
The town of Briu'gwater is commodioufly fituated in a woody flat country, having
rich moors to the north and eaft, in the great weftern road leading from the cities of
Bath and Briftol, to Taunton, Exeter, and the county of Cornwall, being diftant forty
miles fouthweft from Batli, thirty-four from Briftol, and eleven nearly north from
Taunton. The place has been very large and populous; but frequently diminiftied by
conflagrations and other caufcs; particularly in the year 1645, when it was befieged by
the parliament forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax, all that quarter of the town called
Eajiover, a few houfes excepted, was entirely burnt to the ground. Leland, who vifited
it about the year 1538, informs us, that in the memory of people then living there had
feUcn to ruin and fore decay upwards of two hundred houfes.*" The town at that
time was not walled, and he thinks never was; yet, fays he, " There be four gates,
namid as they be fette, by eft, weft, north, and fouth. The faireft ftreate and principalc
ihowe of the toune ys from the weft-gate to the eafte-gate.'" At this day the town
confifts of feveral good ftreets, moft of which ftand on the weft (ide of the river, but
communicate with the other part, which was heretofore very confiderable, by a lofty
find ancient bridge of three arches, begun in the time of King John, by William Briwere
lord of the town, and finiflied by Sir Thomas Trivet, whofe arms being a trivet, in
nllufion to his name, were affixed to the coping of the ftrufture.'' To tlie north of
this bridge is the quay, which is large and commodious. Thirty-two veflTels belong to
the port, from twenty to one hundred and twenty tons burden. The trade is chiefly
in timber and coals. The duty for the laft feven years on coals coaftwife amounts to
between fixteen and feventeen thoufand pounds. Other imports in that time about
fix hundred pounds. The town Has three markets, viz. on Tuefday, Thurfday, and
Saturday; and a fpacious and moft convenient market -houfe of brick has lately been
ereded at the top of the High-ftreet near the church. There are alfo four fairs held
here annually, viz. at Chriftmas, Lent, Midfummer, and St. Matthew's-day, old ftile.
The intereft of Lord William Briwere with King John got the town erefted into a free
• Sec vol. i. p. 249. ' Itin. ii. 97. * Il«d. 96,
■* " Pontis longitudo Brygewater ell 70 Steppys." Itin. Jf^iU. de Worcfflre, 92. Perhaps the idea of the
town receiving its name frpci tlie bridge will never totally be relinquifhed.
L 2 borougli
76 BRIDGWATER. [BOttlJ^ IPctbetton.
borough by charter dated atChinon in France, 26 June 1200.* It was then governed
by a prsepofitus or reeve, in whofe room King Edw. IV. fubftituted a mayor and two
bailiffs/ The charters made heretofore were confirmed by Edw. I. II. III.^ and IV.
Ric. II. and Henry VI.N by Queen Elizabeth, July 4, in the 19th year of her reign,
aijd alfo by King James, Feb. 16, in the nth year of his reign. The corporation
confifts of twenty-four common-council men, and the town is governed by a mayor,
recorder, and two aldermen. The arms of the corporation are, GuleSy a caftle furmounted
by two others placed pyramidically and embattled, ftanding on a Gothick bridge with
water underneath; on each fide the firft caftle a domed tower, furmounted with a ball,
and the gate in the centre portcullifed. The feal is very ancient. The arms of the
town, as expreflfed in a town-piece, dated 1666, are fomewhat different, viz. a caftle
with three towers ftanding on a bridge over a river, &c. From 23 Edw. I. this town
has fent reprefentatives to parliament.
The caftle, to which thefe arms bear allufion, ftands on the weft fide of the quay,
and was anciently a very large and noble ftrufture, the government whereof was always
vefted in perfons of the higheft eminence and diftinftion. It was built about the year
1202, and after having experienced a feries of vicifTitudes, fuch as generally befal im-
portant holds, was at length, in the year 1 645, nearly levelled to the ground in the par-
liamentary confufions. It had then forty guns mounted on the walls, which were in
moft parts fifteen feet thick, and all the fortifications were regular and ftrong. The
moat was thirty feet wide, of great depth, and every tide filled with water. Colonel
Edmund Wyndham was then the governor of the caftle, which he bravely defended for a
confiderable time againft the efforts of die parliament army, till at length the eaftera
part of the town, and feveral houfes in the weftern part, being fired by grenades and hot
balls fhot from the garrifon, and much blood being fhed among the inhabitants, and their
property deftroyed/ it furrendeeed to the rebels July 12, 1645. The town was by the
' Cart. 2 Joh. p. 2. m. 27. ' Cart. 8 Ed. IV. n. 10.
« 21 Ed. III. the burgeffes paid twenty. fix pounds to the quinzieme, which affeflment, made by the abbot of
Ford and Sir John Inge, they thought unreafonable, and therefore petitioned parliament for a mitigation thereof,
alledging, that they were fo impoveriftied, that great part of the inhabitants had not the means to live, and that
the town was on the point of being ruined. Pet. in ParL
* Cart. 4 Ric. II. p. 2. m. 23. Cart. 2 Hen. VI. p. 1. m. 32.
' Individuals fufiered much from this fiege,. as appears (among other inftances) from the following memorial,
in the pofleffion of Dr. Harvey :— —
Mr. Harvye'j- Loffes Jujleyned by the Kin^s Governor.
" 20 dwelling-howfes and 30 gardens pulled downe and layed waft; Mr. Harvye's inheritance. 1 fayre
pigeon-howfe, built all with ftone, pulled downe and layed waft. 1 barne, and 2 ftables, burnt to the ground by
him uppon ftorming of the towne ;. land of inheritance. 150 bufhells of come burnt by him. Mr. Harvye's
dwdiing-howfe battered by hira uppon the ftorminge of the towne, that two hundred pounds will hardly repayer
yt as y t was before. The goods and howfeholde fluff of the caftle which he ought to have reilored, all loft, being
worth I hundred marks at the leaft ; the profits of £.xl. a yeare of his lands taken by vyolence from him by the
governor for 2 yeares. 50 commanders and other foldyers quartered uppon him contrary to a noate under his
owne hande. 80!. rent due for the caftle for 2 yeares. 15I. lent liim owte of purfe. 3 thoufand hoglheads of
the caftle lyme foldc and ymployed by him. 1 fatt oxe w""_he agreede to paye 9I. for. 5 other fatt oxen ap-
prayzed
Jl30ttf)=lPctl)Crt0n.] BRIDGWATER.
17
articles of capitulation to be delivered up on Wednefday morning, July 23, at eight
o'clock, and accordingly was lb. About one thoufand officers and foldiers, befides
gentlemen and clergy, were made priibners. In the town were taken by the rebels
forty-four barrels of powder, one thoufand five hundred arms, forty-four pieces of ord-
nance, four hundred weight of match, and jewels, plate, and goods of immenfe value^
which had been fent hither from all the adjacent parts of the country for fecurity; the
governor having declared that the caftle was impregnable againft all the force that
could be brought againll it. The greater part of the valuables were conveyed to
London, and there fold, and money raifed by the fale fufficient to bellow five fhillings
on each man, as a reward to the fpldiers who ftormed the place.
This aflault put nearly afinifliing period to the caftle, of which now only a few parts
remain; as the water-port, and fome ruins of the lodge. The Ballium is at prefenc
ufed for a deal-yard. Henry Harvey, proprietor of it in 1638, converted the old gate-
houfe into a manfion of the form of a Roman B.
In tiie Cajlle-field, forty years after this adventure, James Scot, duke of Monmouth,
the firft natural fon of King Charles II. after having been proclaimed King at Taunton,
and at the High-Crofs in this town, by Alexander Popham, efq; then mayor, and the
corporation drefied in their formalities; encamped his raw and undifeiplined troops, tO'
the amount of near fix thoufand men. The Earl of Feverfham was difpatched with a
confiderable force to oppofe him, and took his poft in Sedgmoor, waiting for the
motion of the Duke's army. The Duke, finding his military too young and inexpe-
rienced to hazard a general engagement without previous fpeculation, took a view
with a glafs of the Earl's encampments from the tower of the parifh church; and find-
ing that on every hand it would be equally dangerous to retain his fituation, he came
to the refolution of drawing out his troops. This he did about eleven in the^ night
with the moft profound filence, and marched his army to Sedgmoor, intending at firft
to have pafled the Earl's troops undifcerned under the cover of the night. But in this-
he was miftaken; for the King's troops being prepared to receive him, he was fet upon,
by the whole army ; and by the error of the dark, he charged upon his own party
inftead of the King's, infomuch that he was totally routed; three hundred were killed
in the engagement, and a thoufand more in the purfuit. The Duke himfelf efcaped,.
and fled with a faithful fervant, the attendant on all his fortunes, towards Dorfetfhirc,.
whither they were purfued, and at length found concealed in a dirty ditch» covered with
prayzed at 50I. xx"' marks debt loft to Mr. Harvye by fetting at liberty one Thomas Hill, being arretted uppon
a lawful procefs. One Thomas Paeon arretted for taking anddryviugeawaye of iSfheepeofMr. Har\7e's, fetc
at liberty by the governor, and all loft."
Mr. Harvye'j Loffes by the Parliament Army uppon the florminge of the Tozvne.
" One inne in Bridgwater of Mr. Harvye's owne inheritance, w'" yeelded him 18I. per ann. bumr.. j or 4:
other howfes burnt uppon the ftorm. ro horfes plundered. 8 oxen plundered. 8 cows plundered;. More at
Chelton the fame day, (fci.) 5 horfes, (fci.) i yerlinge and 4 loades of haye. Alio' howfehcldeftuftc, wear- ,
inge apparell, books, and mony ; infoemuche that Mr. Harvye hathe not a bedd left him to lye on ; all loft
uppon the ftorme, worth fifteen hundred pounds att the leaft. His eftate fequeftered alraoft 2 yearcs ; not a.
penny allowance to his wife and children. AH this will appeaxe by teftimony to amountc to the value pf fower
thou&nd pounds att the leatt."
ftiibble,,
73 BRIDGWATER. [Jl5ont)=pct()erton,
Hubble, and with a few peas in their pockets which they had taken by way of fufte-
nance: the Dulce being thence conveyed to London, was beheaded July 15, 1685.''
Bridgwater was neither a place of defence, nor note, before the Roman invafion.
There are thofe who have conceived it fprung from the ruins of a Roman colony
planted at the weft end of Poulden-Hill, where coins and foundations of old build-
ings have been found.' In the time of Edward the Confeflbr it was the private
cftate of Merlefuain, a Saxon thane, who loft it at the Conqueft, and King Wilham
gave it to his follower Walfcin or Walter de Dowai, from whom the place derived the
diftinguifhing part of its appellation j the Norman furvey thus records it:
" Walfcin holds Brugie. Merlefuain held it in the time of King Edward, and
*' gelded for five hides. The arable is ten carucates. In demefne are three carucates,
** and five fervants, and thirteen villanes, and nine bordars, and five cottagers, with
" eight ploughs. There is a mill of five ftiillings rent, and ten acres of meadow, and
*' one hundred acres of coppice-wood, and thirty acres of pafture. When he received
*' it, it was worth one hundred fhillings, now feven pounds.'""
To Walter de Dowai fucceeded a fan of his own name, whofe daughter Julian
brought this and divers other great eftates to William Paganel her huftjand, as already
has been obferved in the account of Huntlpill, which was another of the manors of
Walter de Dowai." Which William Paganel had ifiue Fulke Paganel, or Paynel, who
16 Efenry II. in order by his intereft to regain the King's favour, pafied over this
manor to William de Briwere, to be held of him the faid Fulke Paganel and his heirs,
by the fervice of half a knight's fee. This grant was confirmed by William, fon of
the faid Fulke Paganel, whofe charter is attefted by Reginald de Mohun, Richard
Briwere, and others."
This William Briwere, being a perfon in whom much truft was repofed, particularly
in matters which concerned the crown, built the caftle of Bridgwater, having obtained
licence there-to a Johnj as alfo to inclofe all his woods here; and in the fame year
obtained for the inhabitants their firft charter; erefting them for the future into a free
borough ; to have a free market once a week, a fair yearly, the benefit of tolls and
paflages, and feveral other privileges."" He began the foundation of the noble bridge
over the Parret, and made the haven; both which were completed in the time of Edw. I.
by Sir Thomas. Trivet, one of the juftices to that King. He was alfo attentive to
matters of religion, and in the beginning of the reign of Henry III. founded and en-
dowed, to the honour of St. John the Baptift in the town of Bridgwater, for the health of
the fouls ofHemy II. Ric. I, and King John, an hofpital of the order of St, Auguftin,
for a prior, matter, and brethren, who were to fuperintend and maintain thirteen poor
and infirm perfons, befides religious and pilgrims. This inftitution was confirmed by
Joceline, bifhop of Bath, A. D. 1219, who ordained the faid hofpital to be free, pure,
iind perpetual, for indigent perfons only; That it ftiould enjoy the fame liberties and free
tuftoms with otlier houfes of the fame clafs, and be exempt from epifcopal charges.
'' Some of the arms of Monmouth's men are preferved in theburgefs hall.
^ Aubrey's Monumenta Britannica MS. " Lib. Domefday. " See vol. ji. p. 390.
• Men. Angl. ii. 912. ' Cart. 2 Joh. y. 2, m. 27.
That
ii3ott&*ipetf)etton.j Bridgwater. f^
That the brethren fliould have power to eled a mafter or warden out of their own
fociety, who, with the brethren's concurrence, fhoiild difpofe of all offices whatfoever
belonging to the houfe. That they fhoiild wear clerical apparel, fuch as was common
to holpitallers, but with the diftindhion of a black crofs ftamped on their mantles and
outer garments. That they ihould fee the parifli church of Bridgwater feiyed by Ibme
one or odier of their fociety, and by anotiier proper fecular chaplain, as curate or
afliftant. That one of the brethren, or, in his ftead, fome fecular chaplain, fhould
perform mafs every day in the chapel of the caftle, and alfo when the lord of the caftle
Ihould be there and require it to be performed, at canonical hours. That the mafter
and brethren fliould have all profits and oblations coming from the caftle j and the lord
thereof for the time being find books, veftments, utenfils, lights, and all other necef-
iaries for the faid chapel. That fome one of the brethren ftiould have the care of the
poor and fickly in the infirmary, under the direftion of the mafter of the hofpital,
and provide for them competently according to the cuftom of the houfe, and their
own abilities. That two or three women of good fame and conveifation fliould be
admitted by the mafter and brethren to wait upon the poor and infirm, and have their
lodging in a cell or chamber in the infirmary near them, and be fupported and main-
tained at the expence of the mafter and brethren ; the faid women to be always ready
night and day to afTift the fickly in every other office befides prayers.'
To this hofpital, befides confiderable poftelTions in Bridgwater,' Chilton, North-
Petherton, Chedder, and other places, were appropriated the churches of Bridgwater,
Wembdon, Northover, and Ifle-Brewers, in this county, and the churches of Langteglos
juxta Fowey, and Morwinfton, in Cornwall.' The mafter and brethren had alfo the
advowfon of the reftory of Chilton and Idftoke, and their yearly revenues were valued
in 1534, at 120I. 19s. 2d. The lords of the manc«" were patrons of the hofpital, and.
the mafters were,
Geffrey de Mark, 1298.
Henry de Stanford, eledled in March 131 2.
John de Walchyn, confirmed May 11, 1334.
Thomas de Badicote, 1340.
John Pathull, died 1422.
Thomas Pulton, eledted Feb. 16, 1422.
Roger Cory, Oft. 30, 1449.
John Holford, March 28, 1457.
Thomas Spenfer, 1498.
Robert Walflie, Jan. 3, 1524. He was the laft mafter j and with Henry Pety,
prefident, Thomas Cogyn, Richard Remberyg, John Goolle, and four other deacons j
John Comb, John Wood, and John More, novices i fubfcribedto the fupremacy 17
Sept..
' Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen.
' Z3 Edw. III. it was found not to the King's damage, to licence Thomas Fitz-James, Hensy Redmor, Adam
Caundel, and Thomas the fon of Ralph Caundel, to grant fixteen mefluages, one fhop, one cellar, one flail, one
garden, and twenty -three acres and a half of land, in Bridgwater and Noith-Petherton, to the Mafter and Bre-
jhxenof the hofpital of St. John of Bridgwater, to hold to them and their fucceflbrs forever. /»; . ad quod Damn.
' Mon. Angl. ii. 433.
S6 BRIDGWATER. [Jl5ott!)#Ctf)ettOin
Sept. 1534; and FcbK 3, 1539, the faid mafter, with feven brothers, furrendered this
hofpital to the King, he having a yearly penfion given him of 33I. 6$. 8d. and a gra-
tuity of 16I. 13s. 4d. ♦ ^
In 1553, here remained in charge 3I. in fees, 7I. lis. in annuities, and the following
penfions, viz. To Richard Crybbe, alias Kymrydge, 4I.; Robert Fyfher 4I. John
Wylle 4I. John Mors 2I. Thomas Wood 2I.' ^34 Henry VlII. the King granted the
icite of this ^ofpital, which ftood near the eaft-gate, and of which a few ruins remain,
with lands near it called Smallcroft, to Humphrey Colics.
To return to William Briwere, the founder of this hofpital; he, after many benefac-
tions to the town of Bridgwater, and raifing it from a fmall to a very flourifhing place,
died II Henry III. and was fucceeded by William his fon and heir; who, following
the example of his father,, founded ip the weftern part of the town a priory of mino-
rites or grey-friars, which he dedicated to St. Francis, and endowed with lands."
One of the lords Botreaux and his wife were great benefaftors to this houfe, and
his heart and her body were buried in the chapel." This William married Joan,
daughter to William de Vernon earl of Devon, but died without ilTue, 16 Henry III.
whereupon his cftate became divided among his fifters, viz. Graecia, Margaret, Ifabel,
Alice, and Joan. Upon the divifion of the eftates, the caftle, manor, and borough of
Bridgwater, with the manors of Haygrove and Odcombe, fell to the eldeft filler Graecia,
-who was married to William de Braofe, lord of the manors of Brecknock, Radnor, and
Abergavenny, and a great baron of his time. William, the fon of this William de
Braofe, was maflacred by Llewellyn prince of Wales, and left ifllie four daughters
his coheirefTes, viz. Maud, wife of Roger de Mortimer; Eve, wife of William de
Cantilupe; Eleanor, wife of Humphry de Bohun; and Ifabel, firfc wife of David, fon
of Llewellyn prince of Wales, and afterwards of Peter Fitzherbert. The eldeft
daughter Maud, wife of Roger Mortimer, had the caftle and third part of the manor
of Bridgwater for her ftiare, and gave the fame to William Mortimer her third fon,
who married Hawife, daughter and heir of Robert de Mufcegros, and "died without
iflue, leaving Edmund lord Mortimer, his elder brother, heir to this eftate. To which
Edmund fucceeded Roger, Sir Edmund, Roger, Edmund, Roger, and Edmund, earls
of March, and pofieflbrs of the caftle and third part of the manor of Bridgwater, which
paffed by an heir female of the laft Earl of March to Richard duke of York, and thus
to the crown.
But the borough of Bridgwater, and the out-manor of Haygrove, in the divifion of
the Braofe eftates, fell to the ftiare of Eve, wife of William de Cantilupe. Which
William, by his faid wife, left iflue one fon, George, and two daughters, Millicent, firit
wife of John de Montealt, and afterwards of Eudo lord Zouch; and Joan the wife of
Henry lord de Haftings. George died without iflue, and thereupon John the fon of
Henry de Haftings, by Joan his younger fifter, and Millicent his elder fifter, the wife
' Willis's Hiftory of Abbies, ii. 196.
" T)ie fcite of this priory was granted 35 Hen. VIII. to Emanuel Lukar. There was alfo in Bridgwater in
the fame part of ihe town, an hofpital of lepers, dedicated to St. Giles, but endowed with little or no land.
Lei. Itin.'u, 97. « Ibid,
ef
Jf3ortf)#CtbCCton.] BRIDGWATER. 8i
of Eiido lord Zouch, were found to be his next heirs. A legal partition of the cftates
being made, the manor of Bridgwater was allotted to Millicent, and in her right came
to the lords Zouch of Harringworth. By an inquifition taken 1 9 Ric. II. it was found
that William lord Zouch held at his death, in fee tail to himfclf and Agnes his wife
and their heirs lawfully begotten, the manor of Bridgwater, with its members and
appertenances in Haygrove and Odcomb, of the King in free burgage." 7 Henry V.
William lord Zouch held two parts of the manor of Haygrove, and of the demefncs
of the borough of Bridgwater, with two parts of the hundred court, the fair, market,
and other franchifes and liberties belonging to the faid lordfliip and borough.* By
the attainder of John lord Zouch of Harringworth, i Henry VII. the premifes above-
mentioned came to the crown; and that King granted a fee-farm rent of 16I. per
annum out of the town of Bridgwater, the manor of Haygi'ove, and alfo the manors
of Wincanton, North and South-Barrow, and Marfh, late parcel of the pofleflions of
John lord Zouch and Seymour, attainted to Giles lord D'Aubney for life, reverfion to
the heirs of the faid lord Zouch.* This Lord D'Aubney was fo created by Henry VII.
with whom, while Earl of Richmond, he came from Britanny in France. He was-
governor of Calais; and in 1490 routed the French at Dixmude. He was alfo con-
ftable of the caftles of Bridgwater and Briftol, and commanded the fecond divifion at
the battle of Blackheath in 1497. He died in 1507, leaving by Elizabeth his wife,
daughter of Sir John Arundel, of Wardour, an only fon Henry, who, fucceeding him,
was by King Henry VIII. in 1539 created Earl of Bridgwater. He dying without
ifllie male, the title became extindt; but was revived by King James I. May 27, 1617,
in the perfon of John Egerton, baron of Ellefmere and vifcount Brackley. He died
1649, and was fucceeded in the title by his fon John, who died in 1686; from whom
it defcended to a fon of his own name, the third Earl of Bridgwater, whofe fon Scroop,,
in confideration of his great merits, was by Geo. I. advanced on June 18, 1720, to the
honours of Marquis of Brackley, and Duke of Bridgwater. John Marquis of Brack-
ley, born April 29, 1727, fucceeded his father as fecond Duke of Bridgwater, and died
Feb. 26, 1747, unmarried, whereupon the title devolved on his brother Francis, the
third and prefent Duke of Bridgwater.
The caftlc and borough were fometime held by the Queens of England, and in thls-
right they had a fhare of the patronage of the hofpital of St. John in Bridgwater,,
which in 1524 was divided into three parts, one of which belonged to Catherine Queea
of England, and the other two to Henry lord D'Aubney above-mentioned.
King Charles I. by letters patent bearing date July 1 1, the fecond year of his reign,
granted to Sir William Whitmore, knt. and George Whitmore, efq; and their heirs
and affigns, the manor and caftle of Bridgwater, with the appertenances, the manor of
Haygrove, and divers meflliages, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, in Bridgwater,
Haygrove, Durleigh, Chilton, and North-Petherton, together with all toll, courts- leet,
view of frankpledge, law-days, and afllze of bread, wine and beer, and all other viduals,
goods and chattels of felons and fugitives, felons of themfelves attainted, convifted, and
condemned, and put in exigent, fines, amerciaments, waifs, eftrays, dcodands, free-
st Efc. ^ Ibid. ! Rot. Pari.
Vol. III. M warren.
82 BRIDGWATER. fBottb^petftetton.
v.'arren, &c. in as large and ample a manner as heretofore ufed and accuftomed within
the faid caftle, manor, &c. and in as large and ample a manner and form as Jane queen
of England, Katherine countefs of Devon, Roger Mortimer earl of March, or
Richard duke of York, ever lieretofore had by reafon or means of any charter or grant
whatfoever. And among many other things the faid King grants all that rent of four
iron horfe-flioes, and thirty-eight iron nails, a free-rent of John Buckland for his houfe
called the Swan, with the appertenances in Bridgwater, by the particular mentioned to
be of the yearly rent or value of four-pence ; — to hold of the King as of the manor
of Eaft-Greenwich in the county of Kent in free and common foccage, and not in ca-
pita, or by knight's fervice.'' The Whitmores foon after" fold the manor of Bridg-
water Cajlrum, cum Hay groves the caftle of Bridgwater, the lord/hip or manor oi-
Bridgwater, and divers mefluages, lands, and tenements, in Haygrove, Durleigh, Chil-
ton, North-Petherton, &c. to Henry Harvey, fon of William Harvey, of Bridgwater,
efq. Which Henry had iflue two fons, Henry and John. Henry the eldeft inherited
the eftate; but wanting ifTue, gave it by will, dated A. D. 1669, ^'■^ '^is uncle John,
who, having no ifTue, gave it to Francis, who, likewife wanting iflue, cut off the entail,
and gave it to John Hirvey his nephew, the fon of John and Agnes Harvey. The
prefent heir of this family is Robert Harvey, M. D. fometime fellow of Sidney college
in Cambridge.
The caftle of Bridgwater was leafed out by Henry Harvey to Edmund Wyndham
the King's governor, in 1643, two years before the fiege thereof by the parliament
forces under Fairfax.
TJie corporation of the town have their peculiar manor in Bridgwater ; but the
principal one belongs to Sir Philip Hales, bart. the repreferitative of the families of
Trivet and Pym, in this county. This manor remained in the Trivet family many
defcents, till 10 Henry VI. itpafTed to the family of Pym*" by the marriage of Roger
Pym, of Brymore, with Joan daughter and heir of John Trivet. On the death of Roger
Pym, it defcended to Philip Pym, 12 Edw. IV. and from him to the fucceeding heir*
of the Pym family. On the death of Sir Charles Pym, the lall of that family, it be-
came the property of Sir Thomas Hales, bart. in right of his wife Mary, fifter and heir
of the faid Sir Charles, and is now pofTefTcd by their defcendant Sir Philip Hales, of
Brymore, bart.
In 1599, the town of Bridgwater gave birth to that valiant and fuccefsful Ad-
miral, Robert Blake, who was educated at the grammar-fchool here, whence he
removed to Oxford, and was fuccefTively of Alban-hall and Wadham-coUege in that
univerfity. He very early difcovered republican and puritanical principles, on which
account he was in 1640 eledled member for the borough of Bridgwater. In 1643, he
governed a fmallfort at Briftol under the command of Colonel Fiennes. He ferved
afterwards in this county, and, in conjundion with Sir Robert Pye, furprized Taunton
for the Parliament. In 1648, he was appointed to command the fleet with Colonels
Deane and Popham; and in 165 1, he burnt and deftroyed the whole fleet of Prince
Rupert, two Ihips only excepted. The fame year he reduced the Scilly Iflands, which
* Ex. Autog. 1630. ? OfthisfamJly, fef volj. p. 233.
were
Bom-'&mttm.] bridgwater. 83
were held for the King. In 1652, on the expeftation of a Dutch war, he was ap-
pointed fole admiral for nine months, and in that capacity foon after forced Van
Trump the Dutcli admiral to retreat precipitately from the Downs, In 1653, he
gained a complete victory over the Dutch fleet, confifl:ing of a hundred and twenty
men of war, and commanded by the fame admiral. In the fame year he reprefcnted
his native town of Bridgwater in the Proteftor's new parliament. In 1654 heexadcd,
ample fatisfaftion from the Algerines for injuries done to the Englifh merchants; and
failing to Tunis, reduced the caftle of Porto-Ferino, and burnt all the Ihips belonging,
to the pirates in the harbour. In 1657, he failed with a fleet of twenty-five men of
war to Sandta-Cruz, in the ifland of Teneriffe, and in a fhort fpace of time and with
little lofs he forced that flirong place, and burnt the Spanifli fleet lying therein. For
this lafl: adlion he received the thanks of the parliament, and a diamond ring valued
at five hundred pounds. Upon his return to the Mediterranean he cruiled fome time
before Cadiz, but finding his health declining faft, he refolved to return to England,
and died as the fleet was entering Plymouth, Aug. 17, 1657, aged 58, " His body
was conveyed to Wefl:minfter- Abbey, and interred with great pomp in Henry VIIth'3
chapel; but it was removed from thence in 166 1, and reinterred in St. Margaret's
church-yard."
The environs of Bridgwater are not unnoted in our early annals. To the fouth of the
town lies Ham, in which village, A. D. 794, ten caflTates of land were given by Brithris
king of tlie Weft-Saxons, to his prefedl Wigfruth and to his heirs after him, for the
health of his own foul and the expiation of his fins, and in confideration of the faid
"Wigfruth's faithful and indefatigable fervices at Ham. This territory was known by
the following defcription: " It has Hem on the eaft, and goes fouthwards to a watery
place called Sivanmore, thence northwards to a muddy river called Hciebrouk. Weft-
wards the bounds touch upon a certain tumulus or hillock, called from a ftone infixed
on the fummit thereof Stanbrow. Thence to the fouthweft ripe of a water called
Bradanflot; thence to a certain marfhy rivulet, and fo nortJiwards to a ditch called
Candeldichy and dience by a furrow to three ftones; and fo to a certain fmall path ver-
ging towards the weft ; and thence northeaft wards to a ftone; and from that ftone by tlie
northern extremity of the boundaries to fome confpicuous chalk-pits ; and from thoie
pits by a high place to a remaikable Pear-tree, (in arbor em frunuofatn, id eji, Jp^CtlC,)
and then to the weflrwards along the publick road to Liguumy which they call Barkte's
Trow. Then from the fouth it verges by a rivulet into the morafs of the river Patride ."
Afterwards, viz. A. D. 958, King Edwi gave a manfe in the fame village to Ceolward
his fervant and to his heirs ;^ and in 1009, King Athelred granted the whole territory
of Ham to the abbey of Athelney.*" In the Norman record it is thus furveyed :
" The church [of Atheley] itfelf holds Hame. In the time of King Edward it
" gelded for one hide. The arable is four carucatcs. In demefne is one carucate, and
" four fervants, and one villane, and feven cottagers, with one plough. There arc
" fifteen acres of meadow, and three acres of coppice-wood. It is worth thirty
« Ihillings."'
5 Biog. Djft. ii. 230, <■ Regift. Abbat. de Athelney, MS. • Ibid.
!• Ibid. ' Lib. Domefday.
Ma A.D. 1225,
84 BRIDGWATER. [Ji3ortf)#et!)crton.
A. D. 1225, Abbot Benedift and his convent gave a certain place in the manor of
Ham for the fupport of lights in the chapel of St. Mary.'' In 1293, the lands be-
longing to that monaftery here were valued at 61. los.' There was a compofition
between the abbot of Athehiey and the mafter of the hofpital of St. John in Bridg-
water, concerning the tithes of Ham, whereby it was agreed that the faid hofpital fhould
receive the tithes of all their demefnes in Ham, and pay yearly to the monaftery of
Athelney twenty fhiUings. That the abbot and convent fliould be allowed to perform
divine fervice in the oratory of Ham when they fhould be there, without prejudice to
the mother church. But that the mafter and brethren of the hofpital ftiould perform
fervice in the faid oratory on St. Leonard's-day, and receive all oblations.™ The manor
of Ham belongs to Lady Tynte.
Partly within this parifti, and partly in that of Durleigh, is West-Bower, and wholly
in the former is East-Bower ; which hamlets are thus furveyed in Domefday-Book:
" Rademer holds of Walter [de Dowai] Bure. Saric held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is three carucates. In demefne is
*' one carucate, with one fervant, and three villanes, and two cottagers, having two
" ploughs. It was and is worth forty fhiUings.
" This land belonged in the time of King Edward to Melecome, which Robert de
" Odborvile now holds.""
" Alured [de Ifpania] himfelf holds Bur. Alwi held it in the time of King Ed-
*' ward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is five carucates. There are eight
" villanes, and fix cottagers, and three fervants. It was always worth one hundred
" fhillings.
" To this manor is added one virgate of land, which was of the King's farm in Peret.
" The arable is one carucate. It is worth ten fhillings."°
The family of Godwyn were long lords of Bower, and gave it the name of Godwyn's-
Bower. In the time of Edw. II. Hugh Godwyn, burgefs of Bridgwater, pofTefTed lands
in Bridgwater, Bower, and Dunwere, and by Margery his wife left ifTue John Godwyn,
who died 20 Edw. III. leaving by Joan his wife, daughter of Robert de Bradford,
(who furvived him) John his fon and heir. Which John was living 21 Edw. III. and
bore on his feal a chevron between three leopards' heads. He was fucceeded in his
eftates by William Godwyn his fon and heir, and he by another William Godwyn, who
died 21 Henry VI. feized of the manor of Godwyne's-Boure, and certain lands and
tenements in North-Boure, parcel of the fame manor, held under Alexander Hody, as
«f his manor of Otterhampton.' William Godwyn, fon of the laft-mentioned WiUiam,
was living i Edw. IV, and had ifTue William Godwyn, called in his father's life-time
William Godwyn the younger, who was father of Chriftopher Godwyn, and grand-
father of Thomas Godwyn, who fold this manor, and that of Bagborough, to John
Brent, of Coflington, efq; who died feized of the fame, and the manors of Dunwere,
* Regift. Abbat. de Athelney. ' Taxat, Temporal. ■» Regift. Abbal. de Athelney.
! f Lib. I>omefday. "Ibid. " Efc.
Slap,
j^ortij^petbmon.] Bridgwater. 85
Slap, Eaft-Bower, and others, i6 Henry VIII.'' all which defcended to W illiam his
fon and heir. Thefe manors were afterwards fold away from the Brents, and difperfcd
into other families.
44 Edw. III. John Horfey was lord of the manors of Eaft and Weft-Bower/
7 Henry VI. Thomas Mychell, William Befylis, and John Walyngford, held the
fourth part of a knight's fee in Bower, which the heirs of Robert Chilton formerly
held.' The family of Cokcr were likewife poflefled of lands in Bower.
DuNWEER in this vicinity was in the time of Ric. I. the eftate of Geffrey Cociis,' or
Cook, as the family was afterwards called, and from them it defcended to a family, who
had their name from the neighbouring village of Bradney. 17 Edw. II. Joachim de
Bradney held twenty-five acres of arable land, and three acres of meadow in la Slape,
and Donwere, of the King in chief, by the fervice of the thirty-fecond part of a knigiit's
fee." Simon de Bradney was his fucceflbr in this manor, which afterwards came to
the Chichefters, and continued for many defcents in their poffefTion. According to the
furvey taken previous to the divifion and allotment of King's Sedgmoor, this manor
confifted of fix hundred acres, and then belonged to the heirs of Sir Robert Chichefter.'
There was a family of the name de Donwere, who held lands here in the time of
Henry II. and Ric. I."
Northward from Bridgwater is Horsev, which in the time of King William the
Conqueror belonged to the lord of Bridgwater, and was held of him by Rademer
a Saxon.
" Rademer holds of Walter, HuRsr. Elward held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for two hides. The arable is feven carucates. In demefne are two caru-
" cates, and two fervants, and eight villanes, and fix bordars, and three cottagers, widi
** five ploughs, and twenty-four acres of pafture. It is worth four pounds."*
In the time of Henry II. the manor of Horfey was the pofleflion of a family of its
name, who bore for their arms three horfes' heads couped,' it being ufual for ancient
families to adopt fome emblematical bearing fignificative of, or allufive to their titles.
In the reign above mentioned, Philip, Walter, William, and Thomas de Horfey were
fucceflive lords of this manor."" They were a family of great opulence and reputation,
and generally refided at Horfey, though fometlmes at Clifton in Dorfetlhire, which
came to tiiem by an heir-general of the Maubanks.'' " The auncient name and maner
place of the Horejeys was at the end of the greatc hylle that goidie from Gleffcnbyry
almofte to Bridgewatar. It is about a myle from Bridgewatar, and Ser John Horfey
polFeffithe yet the lande.'"* In this name it continued till the latter end of the laft cen-
tury, when Sir George Horfey, knt. having by extravagance diflipatcd the large eftate
which had defcended to him from a long train of ancellry, fold this manor and the
adjoining one of Pignes, for a trifling fum to Sir John Stawel. It appears from an old
■• Inq. pod mort. Joh. Brent. ' Efc. • Lib. Feod. • Rot. Pip. 7 Ric. I. " Efc.
* Dugdale's Hift. of the Fens. >■ Cart. Antiq. .= Lib. Domefday. * Seals from ancient Deeds.
■' Sit William Pole. ' Hutchins'sITift. of Doriet, U. 459. . ■' Lcl. Itin. vii. 109.
evidence.
86 BRIDGWATER. CJl50ttf)=lPetf)ett0tt.
evidence,' that the manor was worth by the year 43I. and holden of the King as of his
dutchy of Lancafter by knights' fervice. There was a chapel in the village of Horfey,
which has long fince been ruinated.
The manor of Pignes or Pegens, called from the Horfeys HorJey-PigneSyh thus
furveyed in the old record;
" John the Porter holds of the King, Pegens. Bridric held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for one hide and one yard-land. The arable is two carucates.
" In demefne is one carucate, and two villanes, with one cottager. There is a prieft,
" with one carucate, and two cottagers. There are five acres of meadow. It was for-
" merly worth forty fliillings, now it is worth thirty fliillings."'^
There is a tradition that here was the mother-church to Chilton, which feems to be
confirmed by the foregoing extradt. The manor ^ways paffed with Horfey in the
times fucceeding the Norman Conqueft.
The laft place that remains to be noticed within this ciraiit, is the ancient vill and
manfion of Sydenham, which afforded name to the feveral branches of that worthy
family, which have flourifhed in this county for upwards of five hundred years, bearing
for their arms. Argent^ three rams paflanty^z^/^. This place was formerly called Sideham,
in regard of its fituation on the fide of the river Parret, being pofleffed in Edward
the Confeflbr's days by one Cheping a Saxon, and in the time of WiUiam I. by Roger
Arundel. The amount of the arable land on this eftate was one carucate, and there
were fifteen acres of pafture; all valued at fifteen-pence.^ As it was cuftomary for
families to affum.e names from the territories wherein they more efpecially refided, fo
fome lord of this manor, which after the Conqueft grew very confiderable, called,
himfelf ^1? Sydenham^ a name ufed by all his defendants to this day. In the time of
King John, Robert de Sydenham was lord of the manor of Sydenham, and at his
death left iflue a fbn whofe name was John, living in the time of Henry III. To
which John fucceeded Walter de Sydeham (being thus written in the evidences of
Dunfter-caftle) who 14 Edw. I. held under Richard de Greynville a knight's fee in
Sydeham of John de Mohun as of the honour of Dunfter.*" He was fucceeded by John
de Sydenham, who married the heirefs of John de Kittisford, of Kittisford in this
county, and by her had iflue two fons, William, and Richard, of whom William inhe-
rited this manor, and was living here in the time of Edw. III. Which William, by
Joan the daughter and coheir of William de Cothay, of Cothay in the parifh of Kittis-
ford, left three fons, Roger, Simon, and Williamj whereof Simon, marrying Marfilla,
daughter and heir of John Hillary of Badialton, was founder of that branch of the
Sydenhams who fcated themfelves in that parifh. Roger, the eldeft fon of William
de Sydenham was lord of Sydenham and Kittisford 15 Edw. III.' and left iflue tsvo
fons, the youngeftof whom, Richard, was a judge, and lord of Combe-Sydenham in
this county, and the eldeft, whofe name was John, fucceeded to this manor. He
married Mary, daughter and heir of de Pixton, lord of Pixton near Dulverton in
this county, aj?d by her had two fons, John and Hugh, and a daughter, married to John
' Ex. MS" Codice Tho. Rawlinfon. ' Lib. Domefday. « Ibid. » Lib. Feod. ' Efc.
Carru.
j^ortfj-i^etftcrtoiL] Bridgwater. 87
Carru. Hugh de Sydenham, the fecond fon of John, marrying Joan the daughter and
heir of William PolefwcU, was anceftor to the baronets of this family, and to all the
branches of the houfe now fubfilUng in the male line. But John, the cldeft fon, mar-
ried Alice the daughter and heir of John Redmere, and dying in his father's life-tirne,
left ifiue one fon John, and a daughter named Joan; which John dying without ifluc,
Joan his fitter became heirefs to the eftate.
This Joan was twice married; her firft hufband was Richard Cuffe, alias Cave, (fon
of Thomas Cave, by Ifolda, daughter and heir of Hugh de Marifco, or Mareis, and
grandfon of Thomas Cave of the county of Northampton) who in her right be-
came lord of Sydenham; her fecond hufband was Robert Bozun. To which Richard
Cave fucceeded his fon Philip, who by marriage with Catharine, daughter and at
length heir of Walter Tilly, (a defcendant of Thomas de Tilly, living in the time of
Edward I.) pofleflcd the manors of Moorland and Willy, and dying in 147 1,
feized of Sydenham, and large eftates in Wembdon, Bridgwater, Bawdrip, North-
Petherton, Moorland, Dunweer, North-Bower, Woolmerfdon, and Nctherham, left
ifiue William Cave, who fucceeded to the manor, and by Anne his wife was father of
one fon, John, who died without iflue in the time of Henry VIII. and a daughter,
Alice, married to Thomas Perceval, of Tickenham and Roulfton, fon to Ralph, bro-
ther to Sir Ralph Peixeval, lord of Wefton in Gordano. Which Thomas Perceval
rebuilt the manor-houfe of Sydenham, where he refided, and in which eftate he was
fucceeded by David Perceval his ion and heir. This David married Alice, the daugh-
ter of Thomas Bytliemore, of Nailfea in this county, efq; and dying 25 Henry VIH.
left iflue by her three fons, of whom George became lord of Sydenham, Moorland,
Willy, and other lands in this county, and had his refidence chiefly at Nailfea, but
after the fale of that eftate he removed to Sydenham, and there lived in a frugal and
retired manner. There goes a ftory of him whilft he lived here, that one night he
was tranfported out of his bed-chamber through the barred windows of the old houfe,
and, by the marvellous power of fome invifible fpir'it, was carried through the air,
and placed in the upper branches of a great oak, whofe venerable head (fays my
author) ftill rears itfelf, not yet remarkably decayed, at fome diftance from the feat.''
To this George fucceeded Richard Perceval his fon and heir, fecretary of the court of
wards in England, and regiftrar of the fame court in Ireland, who, A. D. 1613, fold
diis manor to Mr. Bull, from whom it defcended to George Bubb Doddington, efq; one
of the Lords of the Treafury.
The church of Bridgwater is next to be confidered. On the foundation of St.
John^s hofpital by William Briwere, the tithes of this parifli were appropriated to that
inftitution, and tke mafter and brethren thereof had the advowfon of the vicarage,
which in 1292 was valued at eight marks.' The church had before been given by
Fulke Paganel to the foreign abbey of St. Martin Marmonftier,"' the poflTefllons of which
in England were feized into the King's hands during the war with France. The gifc
of the living is in the crown, and the Rev. William Woolen is die prefent incumbent,
* Anderfon's Genealogical Hiftory of the houfe of Y\'ery, ii. ii8. ' Taxat. Spiritual.
? Mon.Ang. ii. 912.
The
88 , BRIDGWATER. [Bortb^etbetton,
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a large handfome ftrufture, confift-
ing of a nave, chancel, and two fide ailes, with a tower at the weft end, furmounted by
a very lofty fpire, being with the tower one hundred and feventy-four feet in height.
There is a very beautiful altar-piece given by the late Hon. Anne Poulett, many years
member for the town. This painting reprefents our Saviour reclining his head on the
lap of his beloved difciple John, who is finely reprcfented in the anguifh of filcnt grief,
covering his face with both his hands. On the left hand the Virgin Mary lies fwoon-
ing with her head in the lap of the wife of Cephas, who hangs over her with the mingled
expreffion of grief, difmay, and tender affection. In the back ground is Mary Mag-
dalen ftanding with her right hand thrown back, her left raifed equal with her head,
her eyes exalted; and the whole attitude finely expreffive of her breathing a devout
prayer to heaven. The artift of this valuable piece is uncertain.
Divers of the Wrothe, Horfey, and other ancient families, were buried in this
church; but there are now no monuments of confequence.
There were feveral chantries here, as, i. St. George's chantrj'; the laft incumbent
of which was John Saunders, penfioned in 1553 with 5I. 2. The Virgin Mary's
chantry. John Toller, the laft incumbent, had a fimilar penfion." To this chantry
belonged ten mefluages, eight acres of land, and forty ftiillings rent in Bridgwater."
3. Trinity chantry. John Inger the laft incumbent of this had alfo a penfion of fl.""
" The chapelle of .S". Salviour at the fouth fide withoute the town was buildid in
hominum memoria, by a merchaunt of Bridgewater, cawllid William Poel or Pole,"*
" Willis'sHift. of Abbies, ii. 201. » Pat. 16 Ric. II. p. 2. m. 30.
p Willis, ut fupra. ' Lei. Itin. ii. 97.
CHILTON
LIES a mile weftward from Bridgwater, on the edge of a common, which runs
down almoft to the river Parret. This parifti, which in old records is called
Chiltcn-'Trinitatis, on account of the dedication of its church, was anciently a hundred
of itfelf, and divided into feveral manors, as East-Chilton, West-Chilton, or
Chilton-Trivet, Idstoke-Inverne, and Hunstile. The two firft vills are thus
defcribed in Domefday-Book:
*' Anfchitil hol4s of Roger [de Curcellc] Cildetone. Levegar held it in the time
" of King Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is two carucates. In de-
" mefne is one carucate, with one fervant, and two villanes, and five cottagers, widi
" two ploughs. There are fix acres of meadow, and eight acres of pafture, and fix-
" teen acres of wood. It was worth twenty fhiUings, now forty Ihillings.
"Anfchitil
jSonlj^lPctijccton.] c ii i L t on. sg
" Anfchitil holds of Roger, Cildetone. Morcfwct held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is two cariicatcs. Thcfe are occu-
" pied by four villanes and fix cottagers; and in demefne is half a cariicate, and half
" a mill rendering twenty fhiHings. There are fix acres of meadow, and eight acres of
" paftiire, and fixtecn acres of wood. It was and is worth forty flaillings."''
Its immediate poflcflbrs after the Conqueft affumed the name of Chilton, and con-
tinued in thefe parts for many ages, having confiderable eftates, as appears by the inqui-
fitions and other ancient evidences. Of them were feveral Sir John de Chiltons, Sir
Thomas de Chilton, and Sir Robert de Chilton, Icnts. 7 Henry VI, Thomas Mychell,
William Befyls, and John Walyngford, held the fourth part of a knight's fee in Chilton,
which the heirs of Sir Robert de Chilton formerly held there.'' The fame family were
alfo poflcflred of lands in South-Petherton and Pitney. In the time of Edw. III. the
manor of Chilton was the property of the family of de Wigbere or Wigborough, fo
denominated from their manor of Wigborough near South-Petherton. In the firft year
of that reign Richard de Wigbere held the manors of Chilton, Hunftile, and Wigbere, '
of the King in chief by the fervice of being door-keeper to the King's chamber, and by '
the rent of forty fliillings per annum.' 33 Edw. III. Maud the widow of Richard de
Wigbere held at her death the manor of Wigborough, and a meflliage and one caru-
cate of arable land, fix acres of meadow, fix acres of wood, and ten fliillings rent, in
Hunftile j and alfo a meflliage and three hundred and fixty-nine acres of land in Chilton;
reverfionary to John the fon and heir of Ralph de Horfey, then under age and in ward
to the King.** The family of Horfey were the fubfequent owners of this eftate; but the
manor of Hunftile defcended from the Wigberes to the Cogans lords of Huntlpill.
This manor was formerly thus furveyed :
" John [the Porter] himfelf holds Hustile. Alward held it in the tiriie of King
" Edward, and gelded for one virgate of land. The arable is two carucates, with
" which are three villanes, and four cottagers. There are ten acres of pafture. It
" was formerly worth ten fliillings, now twenty fliillings.
" Of this land half a virgate and one furlong in the time of King Edward belonged
" to Sumertone. It is worth five fliillings.'"
From the Cogans this manor defcended to the Bourchiers lords Fitzwarrcn, as ^<'iU
be feen hereafter in the account of Wigborough.
West-Chilton, or Chilton-Trivet, belonged to the Trivets of Durborough,
in which name it continued till 25 Henry VI. when it pafled by the marriage of an only
daughter to John de Compton. 12 Henry VI. Elizabeth the wife of Thomas Tryvet
held among other lands the manor of Chilton of Sir Robert Poynings, knt. as of his
manor of Wyke; and a toft, and one carucate of land in Clzyhvll Juxia Cbilton-l'rivet,
of John Bluetj as of his manor of North-Petherton.
The village of Clayhill is thus defcribed in Domefday-Book:
* Lib. Domefday.
" Lib. Feod.
' Efc. Sec Wigborough in South-Petherton.
Vol. III.
• Efc.
* Lib. Domcfday.
N " Anfchitil
90 c H I L T o N. [iI5o«f)#ct!5erton.
" Anfchidl holds of Roger [de Curcelle] Claihelle. Ordgar held it in the time
" of King Edward, and gelded for one hide. The arable is three carucates. Inde-
" mefne is one carucate, and two villanes, and feven cottagers, with two ploughs.
" There are three acres of meadow, and eight acres of pafture, and twelve acres of
" wood. It was and is worth twenty fhillings."'.
7 Henry VI. Thomas Mychell, WilHam Stapleton, and Ifabel Hove, held half a
knight's fee in CleyhuU, which the heirs of Robert Teftard, and Richard le Hare, for-
merly there held.^
The ancient family of Wigbere abovementioned were lords alfo of the manor of
Idstock, or Idstoke, fituated near Cannington-Park. Of this place the following
notice is taken in the furvey :
" John holds of Roger [de Curcelle] Ichetochb. Ulf held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for one virgate of land. The arable is half a carucate, which
** is there in demefne, with feven cottagers, and twenty acres of meadow, and feven
*' acres of coppice-wood. It is worth twelve fliillings."''
This manor, with that of Bere, belonged to the Bonvilles, and, after the death of
Lord "William Bonville, to the Duke of Suffolk; after whofe attainder it was fold by
the crown in 155.7 to John Bower, for the fum of 405I. 6s. 8d'.'
In this hamlet Sir William Paulet of Bere, 3 Henry V. founded in a new chapel
there erefted on the north fide of an old one, to the honour of the blefled Virgin Mary,
a chantry for one prieft to celebrate mafs for the health of his own foul, and the fouls
of his anceftors and fucceflbrs, and endowed the fame with three mefluages, one hun-
dred acres of arable land, fixteen acres of meadow, three acres of pafture, five acres of
wood, and one fhilling rent, inEdefton, Stoke-Gourcy, Pederhamjuxta Combewiche,
Sedernmede, Icheftoke, and Cannington, for the maintenance and fupport of the faid
fervice.'' i Edw. IV. David Harneys was chaplain of this chantry.'
The chapels of Idftoke and Hunfl^ile were annexed to the church of Chilton,""
which reftory was appropriated to the hofpital of St. John in Bridgwater, and with
Idftoke was valued in 1292 at eight marks." The hving is now confolidated with
"Bridgwater, and -in the gift of the crown. The Rev. William Woolen is the prcfenc
incumbent.
The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, and is of one pace, having a tower at
the weft, end wiriif four bells.
' Lib. Domefday. « Lib. Feod. » Lib. Domefday. '• Harl. MS. 607.
* Inq. a^ quod Damn. ' Caxt. Antiq. ." Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen. » Taxat. Spiritual.
BAWDRIP.
j[5ortf)#ct|)ecton.] \ 9^ ]
B A W D R I P.
EASTWARD from Bridgwater, under the fouth ridge ofPouldon-hill, and on the
edge of the moors, is Bawdrip, which was anciently called Bagetrepe, and was
held in the Conqueror's days by Walter dc Dowai: ^
" Renewald holds of Waker, Bacetrepe. Merlefuain held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is eight carucates. In dcmelhc is
" one carucate, and fix fervants, and eleven villanes, and fcven bordars, and three cotta-
" gers, with five ploughs. There is a mill of four (hillings rent, and one hundred acres
" of meadow, and forty acres of pafture. Lt was worth fifty Ihillings, now fixty Ihillings."*
In the time of Edw. I. Richard de Conteville held a knight's fee in the village of
Bagdripe of Hugh lord Lovel of Caftle-Cary;"" which fee was fometime held by a
family who aflumed their name from this place, and are fuppofed to have been progeni-
tors of the family of Broadrep, of South -Mapcrton in the county of Dorfet,' and other
families of that name, fcated indifferent parts of this kingdom. 12 Henry II. Robert
de Baketerpe held lands here of Henry Lovell.^ Adam de Baudrip had land^ in this
parifli and North-Petherton 28 Edw. I. 32 Edw. III. John de Baudrip lord of this
manor granted to Sir John Coumbe, knt. and his heirs, a yearly rent of 20I. to be
paid out of all his lands and tenements in Bawdrip and Wafhford." This J6hn de
Baudrip bore on his feal a crofs between four fheldrakes.' Thefaid Sir John Coumbe
died 36 Edw. III. then feized of two parts of the manor of Bawdrip, with the reverfion
of the third part, which Orcngia Brodrip held in dower of Richard fon and heir of
Nicholas Seymour, as of his manor of Caftle-Cary. He alfo held four tenements in
IFalpulky and divers lands in Wafliford, of the abbot of Cleeve, leaving John his fon
and heir, married to Ernmalina daughter of Robert Partiche.^ After this the maoQr
of Bawdrip was in the families of Beaupine and Worfton,'' or Wrofton, afterwards
corniptcd into irroughton. 37 Henry VI. William Baudrip, efq; the fon of Thomas
Baudrip, releafed to John Wroughton, of Broad-Hinton in the county of Wilts, efq;
and to his heirs, all his right in the manor of Bawdrip, and in his lands at Waihford,
Walpole, Stretchill, Chedzoy, and Chilton.' In which family of Wroughton this
manor continued feveral defcents, and is now the property of JefFerys Allen, efq.
There were divers ancient villages and manors in this parifh, of which Ford was
poflcfled by a family of that name, from whom it came by the marriage of Claricia,
daughter and heir of Sir Adam de la Ford, to Robert Brent of Cofllngton.'' This Sir
Adam de la Ford, who had for his arms three lions paflant,' founded 23 Edw. I. a
chantry in a chapel then newly built at Ford to the honour of the blefled Virgin Mary;
and endowed the fame with a mefl'uagc, fifty acres of arable land, and four acres of
meadow in Stawel, for a chaplain to celebrate divine fervice dierein."
* Lib. Domefday. ' Lib. Feod. ig Ed. I. ' Hutchins'sHift. of Dorfet, i. s8i. * Lib. Nig. Scac. i. lOi.
• Rot. Claus. 33 Ed. II. ' Seals from ancient Deeds. « Efc. ' Ibid. ' Rot. Claus.
* From the Pedigree of Brent. I' Ar.cient Seals. •■•' Inq. ad quod Damn. Excerpt, e Rcgill. Wellen.
N 2 The
92 B A w D R I p. [jaovtl)#et&evton.
The manor of Crandon within the parifli of Bawdrip was lately the pofTeffion of the
Duke of Chandos. Its priftine name was Grenedone.
" Eldred holds Grenedone. He alfo held it in the time of King Edward, and
** gelded for half a hide. The arable is half a carucate. There are four cottagers,
" with one fervant, and a mill rendering thirty pence, and three acres of meadow, and
• two acres of coppice-wood. It is worth five (hillings.""
8 Edv/. I. Sir Thomas Trivet held at his death ten pounds worth of land in this
village, for which he paid into the King's exchequer 6s. 8d. per annum in lieu of all
fervices." To which Thomas fucceeded William Trivet his fon and heir, who 9 Edw. I.
paid nine {hillings and five-pence for livery of the lands 01 his ir.heritance.'' This
William was a knight, and -,vas a perfon of fome account in the cou t of Edw. II. in
the eighth year of whofe reign he died,*" leaving ilTue Thomas his fon and heir, who
13 Edw. II. paid half a mark for his relief of thofe lands and tenements in Crandon
which his father held.' The lands of Trivet, after many dcfcents, came by females to
be divided between the families of Vernay and Dodington.
The manor of Bradney was alfo the pofTeffion of Walter de Dowai :
" Renewald holds of Walter, Bredenie. Alnod held it in the time of King Ed-
" ward, and gelded for one hide. The arable is one carucate and a half. There is
*' one villane, and five bordars, and one cottager, and one fervant, with a plough and a
" half. There are twenty-five acres of meadow. It is worth twenty ftiillings.'"
This manor was likewife held of the lords of Caftle-Cary. Joachim de Bradney was
lord of it in the time of Edv/. II. and left iflue Simon his fon and heir.' Which Simon
bore on his feal 5 Edw. III. a bend cotifed." He had very confiderable pofleffions in
this neighbourhood, particularly in Bridgwater, Currypool, Sandford, and Bawdrip,
which pafled by Beatrix de Bradney, an heirefs, to other families. This Beatrix, 46
Edw. III. bore the following arms, viz. i. Bendy within a bordure. 2. Three
roundels; impaling, within a bordure, a lion rampant." 5 Henry VI. Sir William
Sturmy had this manor, and 32 Henry VI. William Beaumont held the fame, together
with the manors of Pilleigh, Willet, and Plaifh. At the time of the divifion and allot-
ment of King's- Sedgmoor, this manor was the property of Thomas Muttlebury, efq.
Weftward from Bawdrip is a hamlet called Knolle.
A. D. 1291, Robert de Baggedrippe gave to the church of St. Athelvvin of Athelney
the church of Baggtdrip, belonging to \v\\njure patronatus, and William de Baggedrippe
his fon ratified the grant.'' In 1292 it was valued at twelve marks.^ It is a redtory
in the deanery of Pawlet. The Rev. John Stradling is patron and incumbent.
The church is dedicated to the honour of St. Michael the Archangel, and is a fmall
ftrufture of the form of a crofs, with a plain tower in the centre, containing four bells.
• • Lib. Domefday. " Efc. " Rot. Pip. 9 Edw. I. ' Efc. ' Rot. Pip. 13 Ed. II.
• Lib. DBraefday. ' Efc. ° Seals from ancient Deeds. "Ibid.
'' Regift, Abbat. de Athelney. ' Taxat. Spiritual.
At
jf3ort[)4Petf)crton.] B A -w D R I P. 93
At the end of the north aile or chapel, under a large Gothick arch, lies the effigy in
armour of Sir Simon dc Bradney, knt. who A. D. 1330 founded, at the altar of the
bliiied Virgin Mary here, a chantry for one prieft to celebrate mafs for his own foul,
and the foul of Joachim his father, five days fucceffivcly in every week, endowing the
fame with a huufe for the prieft to live in, and eighteen acres of land in the parifhes
of Bridgwater and Bawdrip.*
On the floor of this chapel is the following infcription : " Here lie the bodies
of Richard Allen, deceafed the 16 dale of Jan, 161 1, and of Marie his wife."
Againft the north wall of the chancel is a ftone monument, infcribed, — " Edvardus
Loveli uxorem duxit Eleanoram Bradford, ex qua duas habuit filias, Eleanoram et
Mari .m. Uterque parens, Batcomb, com. hoc Somerfet. ex honefta familia oriundus^
haud miiiorcm ftirpi retulit quam accepit gratiam. Eleanora, pientilTima mater, fimul
ac coniux fideliffima, hanc vitam pro coelefti mutavit, April. 14°, A. D. 1666. Illam
fecuta eft Maria, filia obfequentiflima, et eximis fpei virgo, Maij n°, A. D. 1675.
Edvardus, pater, A. M. Coll. jef. apud Cantab. Soc. necnon hujus ecclefia; reftor
per quatuordecim annos dignifTimus, ftudiorum coronam accepit Sept. 1°, A. D. 1675.
Eleanora dcnique fiha, gentihcia; virtutis et fortunse hasres, obijt Jun. 14°, A.D. 168 1.
Hanc fubito et immaturo (ipfos pene inter Hymenasos) fato correptam mceftiflimus
luxit maritus; et in gratam piamque parentum, foioris, et diledtiffinise conjugis memo-
riam, monumentum hoc erigi voluit." Arms, Urgent, on a hend/ai/le, three fleurs-
de-lis of the field, in chief a file of three pointSi impaling barry nebulee of fix cr
and guks.
In this parifh was born A. D. 1598, John Atherton, advanced in 1636 to the
bifhoprick of Waterford and Lifmore, and hanged at Dublin in 1640.
• Excerpt, e Regtft. Wellen. Inq. ad quod Damn, necnon ap. Cart. Antiq.
C H E D Z O Y.
THIS parifli lies in the moors eaftward from Bridgwater, and fouthward from
Bawdrip. The lands here are very richj the foil a fandy loami the whole
amount of the parifh is one thoufand four hundred and fix acres.
The manor of Chedzoy, which is now the property of Robert Mackreth, efq; is not
fet down in the Conqueror's furvey. It was anciently vefted in the crown, and given
by Edw. I. in the i8th year of his reign to Simon de Montacute," in whofe defcendants
of the name of Montacute, or Montague, earls of Salifbury, it continued till the time
of Henry VI. when Alice, the only daughter and heir of Thomas Montague earl of
Salifbury, brought it by marriage to Richard Neville, who was created in her right
• Cart. 18 Ed. I. n. 73. ^ .
94 c H E D z o y. [ji3ottb==lg)etl)crton.
£arl of Salisbury. After his death it was pofleffed by William de la Pole marquis of
SufFolk, and after him by Edward, fon of George duke of Clarence, upon whofe at-
tainder it came to the crown, and Henry V;ll. held it till his death. Soon after which,
it was by patent dated 4 Oft. 5 Henry VIII. granted to Margaret his filler, who was
attainted in 1539; and thus the manor, again lapfing to the crawn, was kept thet'e
till 7 Edw. VI. when that King granted it to the Earl of Pembroke. The prior of
Brewton had eftates here valued in 1293 at ten Ihillings.*-
In this village Roman coins have oftenbeen difcoveredj and in 1701, feveral earthen
urns and a fibula were found near the church.
The living is a reftory in the deanery of Bridgwater, and in the gift of the Coney
family. The Rev. Francis Annefley is the prefent incumbent. In 1292 the living
■was valued at thirty marks.*
"The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a large Gothick ftrudture, confifting
of a nave, chancel, tranfept, north and fouth ailes, and a large tower at the wefl: end
containing five bells. The ends of feveral of the old oak backed benches are curioufly
carved with different devices; among others are, a lamb bearing the crofs and tram-
pling on a lion J a flying dragon with its tail twifted round a circular girdle buckled.;
the letter M furmounted with a coronet, a rofe on one fide, and a thift:le on the other,
■all within a circular belt buckled, on which is the date 1559 ; a large W in a wre^
"with a ferpent twining through it.
Over the communion table in the cieling is a painted canopy, at the bottom of which,
on one fide, are thefe arms. Gules, a fefle lozengy argent j on the other the fame, im-
paling, argent, three battle-axes in ^i\e. fable.
In the chancel floor there is the portraiture in brafs of a man in armour; and feveral
memorials of the Coney family ; and on the north wall are two elegant mural monu-
ments of various marbles, embellifhed with fefl:oons, foliage, &c.
On the one is this infcription : " M. S. Thomas Coney, S. T. P. hujus et
ccclefis Bathonienfis reftoris eruditi. Cui labor plus, ingenium limatum, animi mag-
nitudo, incorrupta fides, nuda Veritas, veritatis fermonem refte dividens, illuftres, opu-
lentos, juxta ac pauperes compte redarguebat ; astatis perditse mores nervofo depingens
ftilo. Annos perplures munere paftorali fundlus fideliter, operibus mira pietate con-
fcriptis, adhuc vivit mortuus ; mortuus loquitur. Condones plufquam elegantes, trac-
tatus maxime pios, ad mentes infirmorum confolandas, paupenim inftituendas, divitum
excitandas, perquam idoneos, hie pafl:or eximius benigne reliquit pofl:eris. Doftrinis,
precibus, monitis, ubique verba exsquantur. In verbis ineft vis; in periodis nitida
verborum concinnitas ; Heu, venufta pietas ! heu, prifca fides ! Multis ille quidem
flebilis occidit, nullis flebilior quam ecclefise Chrifti Anglicanas amicis ; qui concionatis
ab ore penderent laai. Obijt 6° Aprilis 1752, anno astat. 78."
On the other monument: " In eodem lepulchro quo Thomas Coney, S. T. P.
pater, fubtus jacet, Johannes Coney, A. M. fihus; in hac atq; ecclefia de Over-Stowey,
quin et prebenda de Buckland-Dynham in sede cathedralii apud Wellenfe, fucceflTor
! Taxat. Temporal. * Taxat. Spiritual.
onn
Jl3ottl)#etl)erton.] c h E D Z o Y. 95
non indignus. Qui fi clarifllmum patrem non licuit paffibus asquis fequi fama, in
lacrofanfti tamen minifterii officiis rite fungendis ad illius exemplum fe componere
non inftrenuc ncc infeliciter laboravit. Obijc 8° die Februarii 1763, aetatis 58."
Anns, SablCy a fefs cotifed or between three conies fejant, argent.
In the fouth end of the tranfept, on the eaft wall, is a mural monument of black
flrone, with this infcription : " Near this place lie interred the remains of William,
John Jeanes, and Edward, fons of Richard and Jane Stradling. John Jeancs Scradling
died Jan. 26, <758, aged 3 years j Edward, Jan. 16, 1759, *g^"^ ^ yitM; Willianv,
April 30, 1767, aged 17 years."
Severn! minillers of notoriety have pollefled this benefice. Richard Nikke, LL. D.
was redor thereof A.D. 1489. In 1492 he was conftituted vicar-general to Richard
Fox biHiop of this diocefe ; in 1494 he was archdeacon of Wells, and in 1496 he was
made canon of Windfor, and rcgiftrar of the order of the garter. In 1501, he was
defted to the biflioprick of Norwich, in which dignity he died in 1 536, and was buried
in his own cathedral.'
In 1620, Walter Raleigh, S. T.P. afterwards dean of Wells, was prefented to this-
living by William earl of Pembroke. He was murdered by the rebels in 1646.
Anthony Pafchal, reftor of this parilh in the latter end of the laft century, under-
took the exordium of a hiftory of this county; but publiflied only a few fugitive pieces,
among which is a letter to Dr. Hooke concerning a flight fhock of an earthquake felc
in the village of Ghedzoy, and in all the neighbourhood of Bridgwater, Jan, 4, 1682,
♦ Athen. Oxon.i. 671.
A
D U R S T O N,
Small parifh, fituated in the very fouthern extremity of this hundred, in a low
and woody but fertile fpot, and containing about thirty houfes.
This manor belonged at the Conqueft to Roger Arundel> and was then called
Destone.
" Richard holds ofT^ogcr, Destone. Alwi held in the time of King Edward, and
** gelded for two hides and three virgates of land. The arable is four carucates. In
*' demefne is one carucate, and four fervants, and four villanes, and five bordars, and
"^ four cottagers, with three ploughs. There are fifteen acres of meadow, and twenty
" acres of pafture, and twenty acres of wood. It was and is worth forty fliillings.""
The Erleighs were very foon after the Conqueft poflefled of this manor, and held it
till the time ofi Henry VI. when it was transferred by art hei^ female tO the houfe of
• Lib. Donufdiy,
St.
96 D • u .R s T o N. [jeort!)#etl)mon.
St. Maiir ; and fv6m them pafled by a colieirefs to Kobert Stawell, efq; of the tniftees of
■whofe defcendant Ralph lord Stawell it was purchafed in the beginning of tliis century
by Mr. Portman, and it is now the property of Henry Seymour, efq.
To the eaft of Durfton is the priory of Buckland-Sororum, founded about the year
of our Lord 1167 by William de Erieigh, lord of the manor of Durfton, for the health
of his own and his wife's foul, and for the fouls of Henry II. and Eleanor his queen,
for canons of the order of St. Auguftin. Thefe canons having foon after their inftitu-
tion behaved themfclves in a veiy riotous and dilbrderly manner, particularly in killing
their fteward, who was a relation of William de Erieigh the founder; the King, by the
confent of the bifhop of Bath and Wells and the archbifhop of Canterbury, in the life-
time of this William, rem.oved them to the priories of Taunton, Barlinch, Smithfield,
and other monafteries, and gave their houfe and lands to Garner de Neapoli, then prior
of St. John's in England, for the endowment of a priory of fifters hofpitallers for the
benefit of the order of St. John, under a ftipulation that fifters of that order fhould
never be received into any other of their houfes within the kingdom.'' After wliich the
faid Garner called together the fifters from the fevcral hofpitals in England, and ap-
pointed nine to be the firft fifters at Buckland.
It is to be obferved, that all donations to the order of St. John were donations to
the order in general, and that the feveral priors and preceptors throughout Chriftendom
were no more than deputed brethren, who were to refide in their refpeftive priories or
preceptories, and to account to the order in general for the overplus of the profits of
the refpedive eftates. In procefs of time this method of accounts ceafed; and inftead
thereof each preceptory or commandery ftood at a certain rent, which was in like
manner (under the name of a refponfion) paid to the general ufe of the order, that is,
for the maintenance of hofpitals for fick and needy pilgrims to the holy fepulchre, and
(after the inftitution became military) for carrying on a perpetual war againft the infidels.
The maintenance of thefe fifters was one of the expences allowed the preceptor of Buck-
land in his accounts, and fometime after was regulated by the prior of St. John' at
thirty-eight marks eleven fliillings and fix-pence per annum. In all refpedls the fifters
were looked on only as fervants, and as not capable of receiving or holding any thing but
from the fupreme powers of the order, even in donations expreflively made in their own
behalf. In the latter end of the reign of King John, Loretta countefs of Leicefter
gave to St. Mary, and to St. John the Baptift, and to the poor of the houfe of the
hofpital of Jerufalem, for the fupport of the fifters of Buckland, and for tJie mainte-
nance of a prieft in their houfe, to fay mafs every day at the altar of the bleflfed Virgirt
Mary in the fitter's church at Buckland, for the health of her own foul, and Lord Robert
her huftjand, formerly Earl of Leicefter, and for the health of the fouls of her father
and mother, and all her predecefiTors and fucceflTors, all her land of J!3Ot0ftOn and
j^neffbrD, and fixty-four acres of her demefnes upon iRutOetlOnC ; and all her land of
iRutefCOke, i^ele, Cl)OtleCOtC, CuneCOte, and IBOtebUtnCJ a hundred acres of
her demefnes in 1B?emmCfmore, and her wood called anClttUODe, and one furlong
at JR0iCfjCgC, with all appertenances in the manor of COUftofeC/ The profits of thefe
' Mon. Angl. ii. 550. ' Ibid. 438.
lands
JI90tt6=l{9ctIjttton.] DURSTON. ^
lands Robert dc Alneto, prior of St. John's, took to the general ufe, and, witli the con-
fent of his chapter, appointed a ftipcnd to be paid to fiich a prieft, and ordered ; that
neither the faid prieft, nor his fiicccfTors, flioiild be deputed to any other fervice. In
like manner King Henry IV. granted exprefTively to die priorefs and fifters of Buck-
land three load of coppice-wood every week, to be taken out of his woods of Pedier-
ton,' and ordered his bailiffs there to deliver the fame at the houfe at Buckland ; but
the faid priorefs and fifters being incapable of taking fuch a grant, on account of their
obedientiary terms widi the prior of the hofpital of St. Jolin of Jerufalem, the patent
was altered, and made to the prior of St. John's of Jerufalem; and the wood was ac-
cordingly received by the preceptor of Buckland, and delivered to the ufe of the fifters.
Notice has already been taken, that the original inftitution of the holpitallers was to
take care of fick and needy pilgrims to the holy fepulchre; this inftitution was before
the holy war. Several devout perlbns of both fexes coming as pilgrims to Jerufalem,
refolved to continue there on this charitable account, and fubfifted on fuch fupplies to
themfelves and tlie pilgrims they took care of, as the bounty of well-difpofed Chriftians
thought fit to fend them. As their care was not confined to any particular fedl of
Chriftians, nor even to Chriftians themfelves, they were protefted while Jerufalem was
in the hands of the Saracens. After the Chriftians were mafters of Jerufalem, they be-
came more known for the great helps they afforded to the fick and wounded foldiers, .
and had grants and donations both in money and lands, all over Chriftendom ; by which ■
means they were encouraged to form themfelves into a regular corporation, and loon
after to eredt that corporation into a military order, and to hire foldiers to fight under
their banner, for the defence of the holy fepulchre, and Chriftianity. For it was never
known that they took part in quarrels between Chriftians, till the time of the Albigenfes.
The office of the fifters at Jerufalem was to be nurfes to the fick pilgrims; befides
whom, there were other charitable women, who, in fev'eral parts of Chriftendom, made it
their bufinefs to affift and take care of fick and indigent people. The fimilitude of
their vocation was probably the inducement of their afTuming the habit of the fifters of
Jerufalem, and probably made them choofe to refide in or near the preceptories of the
holpitallers. Of fuch of thefe the firft nine fifters eftabliflied at Buckland were chofen.
The provifion for thefe fifters was at firft thirty-eight marks, to be allowed to the
preceptor of Buckland in his yearly account of relponfions; afterwards the fifters be-
came more independent, and upon fome difpute arifing between the priorefs and the
preceptor, Roger de Vere prior of St. John's, being prefent at Buckland, ordained that
for the future the priorefs and convent fliould have a fteward of their own, who ftiould
eat at the table of tlie {)receptor, and a man-fervant to be maintained with the precep-
tor's fervants. That the faid fteward, at the three courts of Kinner/done, la Hele, and Hock-
day^ Ihould have five loaves of white bread, and his bottles' full of ale delivered him by
the preceptor's cellarer ; but that all his other expences fhould be borne by the priorefs
and convent. That if the fteward mifbehaved himfelf, the priorefs might forbid him
fiom intermeddling in the affairs of the convent, but was not to remove him without
" Pat, 6 Hen. IV. p. z. m. 28, • Cofirtlks fimt fUnos cervi^a.
Vol. III. O the
..Lv.
98 D u R s T o N. moith'-mthmon,
the confcnt of the prior. They were alfo to have a fecular prieft to fay mafs for the foul
of one of their deceafed priorefles, and for the fouls of all their founders and benefaftors;
which prieft was to eat with the preceptor and his brethren; but an allowance to be
made them of five marks for his diet and the diet, of the prieft inftituted by the Coun-
tefs of Leicefter, as aforefaid, and three fhillings for the clerk of tlie chapel/
The endowments of this priory, befides thofe mentioned of the Countefs of Leicefter,
and King Heniy IV. were the following, viz.
William de Erleigh gave the church of Petherton, with all its members, chapels, and
appertenances, viz. the church of Chedzoy member thereof, with all the right the bre-
thren of the hofpital have or ought to have thereby in the church of Pawlet; the chapel
of Huntworih; the chapel of Newton-Cotnitis; the chapel of 'Thurloxton ; the chapel of
Sheerfton ; the chapel of Newton-Regis -, the church of Beckington, with all its apperte-
nances; the church oi Kilmerfdort; and the church oi Shirfton.
Ralph, fon of William de Briwere, gave the church of Tolland.
Alan Ruffel gave the church of Donnington, in the diocefe of Lincoln.
Warren de Aula gave Bud/comhe.
Afcuil Mufard gave Chilcomb, Wichanger, and Bochelcot.
Robert Arundel gave Halje.^
Muriel de Bohun gave forty folidatse of land in Sherborne and Primejky in Dorfetfliire.'"
They had alfo the entire tithes of Broomfield and Durfton, and four marks per
annum from the vicar of North-Petherton, which are ftill paid to the crown.'
AH thefe poflefTions, valued in 1534 at 223I. 7s. 6d. were comprehended in the aft of
of parliament which diffolved the priory of St. John's in England, 32 Henry VIIL
Catherine Bowfer the laft priorefs, furrendered her houfe to the King Feb. 10, 1539,
and had a penfion of 50I. per annum, with a gratuity of 25I. In 1553, there remained
in charge 5I. in fees, 12I. 13s. 4d. in annuities; and the following penfions, viz. To Joan
Hylbere 4I.; Thomafine Fluntyngdon 4I.; Katherine Popham 4I,; Anne Mawndefeld
4I.; Joan Babyngton 4I.; Elizabeth Grene 4I.; Agnes Mathewe 4I.; and William
Mawndefley, clerk, 4I.''
■Rachel Newton was priorefs of this houfe in 1537, and Elizabeth Carey and Cathe-
.rine;Nevil, fitters thereof, were living 1565, and married, the firft to Thomas Speed,
and the fecond to the vicar of Ling.' The fifters were generally people of diftinftion.
1320, John de Werewell was preceptor of Buckland, and was appointed by the prior
of St. John of Jcrufalem to be procurator and adminiftrator of the eftatcs belonging to
that hofpital in this diocefe."* 1536, Richard Mareis was preceptor, and probably the
Jaft. The habitation of the preceptor and his brethren was on the nortli fide of the
' Mon. An£l. ii. 55 1 . ' Ibid. » Hutchins's Hift. of Dorfet, ii. 394. ' Archer.
"^Hift. of Abbies, ii. 196. ' MS. Palmer. " Archer.
great
jSortD^etfjcnon.] d u R s T o N. 99
great church, as appears by an account taken of the buildings at Buckland in 1571, in
which it is called the houl'e of the lord prior's fteward." 36 Henry VIII. this priory
and manor, with lands belonging to it, were granted by the King to William Halley,
efq; whofe defcendant Lord Hawley fold the manor to John Baker, efq; receiver-
general of the land-tax in this county, whofe fon Chriftopher fold it to George Parker,
of Boringdon in the county of Devon, efqj whofe defcendant John Parker, created
Baron Boringdon, of Boringdon in the county of Devon, by letters patent bearing date
May 18, 1784, is the prefent owner.
The living of Durfton is a curacy in the deanery of Bridgwater. The Rev. Thomas
Exon is the prefent incumbent. The church is a fmall building, with nothing re-
markable. 9 Edw. III. the reftory of Durfton was rated at eight marks."
- JWS. Palmer. » Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen.
St. MICHAEL'S, or MICH AELCHU RCH.
THIS little village, containing very few houfes, lies to the north of Durfton, and
is entirely infulated by the parifh of North-Petherton.
Micbaeliscerce was in the Conqueror's time pofleflcd by one Anfger, a menial attcnd-
anton the King's houftiold.
" The fame Anfger holds Michaeliscerce. Alwi held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is one carucate. It was formerly
*' and is now worth five fhillinss.
9>a
Inprocefs of time this land became incorporated with the other pofleflions of the
Erleighs, lords of Petherton and Durfton abovementioned, and from them it defcended
to the St. Maurs, Bampfyldes, and Stawells, and now belongs to Edward Seymour and
John Slade, efqrs.
Henry de Erleigh, by his deed without date, granted to the abbot and convent of
Athelney, all his right in the patronage of tlie chapel of St. Michael's-church, with all his
lands lying at Ridene, and other appertenances, to hold to the faid abbot and convent,
and their fucceflbrs in the faid monaftery of Athelney, for ever.'' After its diflblution,
the reftory and the advowfon of this church, with divers lands and tenements in the
village, were granted to William earl of Eflex and his heirs.' The church is not va-
lued in the Lincoln taxation.
The living is a vicarage in the deanery of Bridgwater. The Rev. Simon Paget is
the prefent incumbent.
• Lib. Domefday. " Regift. Abbat. Athelney. Pat. 36 HWi VIII. p. 1.
O 2 The
loo s T. M I c H A E L ' s. [Ji5ottb#etl)etton.
The cliurch is a fmall ancient Gothick edifice, about fifty feet long, having on the
north fide a low clumfy tower, with a tiled roof of a pyramidical form, and containing
one bell. Some of the family ofBacou, of Manfel-houfe, were interred here.
P A W L E T
IS a confiderable parilh five miles northeaft from Bridgwater, bounded on the north
by Huntfpill, and on the fouth by Bridgwater, and the river Parret, over which there
is a paflage to Combwich, two miles diftant from the church. The fituation is in a fine
grazing country, bounded on the northeaft and weft by rich luxuriant marflies.
In the time of William the Conqueror it was poffefTed by Walter de Dovvai lord of
Bridgwater, Huntfpill, and other manors in this neighbourhood j and in the general
furvey then taken it is thus fet down :
" Rademer holds of Walter, Pavelet. Semar held it in the time of King Edward,
*' and gelded for one virgate of land. The arable is one carucate, which is in demefne,
*' with one fervant, and two bordars, and three cottagers, and five acres of meadow. It
" was and is worth ten fhillings.""
From Walter de Dowai this land defcended to the Paganels, Fitzhardings, Gaunts,
and Gournays. Robert de Gournay, by deed bearing date i6 Henry III. gave for the
Health of the foul of Maurice de Gaunt his uncle, and for the health of his own foul,
and the fouls of all his anceftors and fucceffors, this manor of Pawlet, with all its ap-
pertenances in demefnes, villenages, homages of freemen, fervices, mills, liberties, and
free^cuftonis, to the hofpital of Gaunts or Billefwyke in Briftol, founded by the faid
Maurice de Gaunt, for the maintenance and fupport of one hundred poor people every
day."" From the circumftance of which donation thefe lands aflumed the appellation
of the manor of Pawlet-Gaunts, and they continued in the poffeflion of the ho^ital till
its fuppreflion by Henry VIII. when coming to the crown, they were granted' to Richard
Cowper, of Rockbourne in the county of Southampton, efq; anceftor of the Earl of
Shafteft)ury, the prefent lord of the manor of Pawlet.
The faid Richard Cowper, or Cooper, had a few years before this grant purchafed
the other part of Pawlet, of Sir Amias Pawlet, knt.^ to whofe progenitors this place
had given name (this being their moft ancient habitation in this county") and from
whom iffued fo many flourifhing branches. Of this family we have already Ipoken in
the account of Hinton-St.-George, in the hundred of Crewkerne, the manor and refi-
dence of the prefent Earl of this name.' Their eftate here was held of the manor of
Horfey by the fervice,of die fourth part of a knight's fee.^
* Lib. Domefday. i" Mon. Angl. ii. 455. « Pat. 32 Hen. VIII. p. z.
" Collins's Peerage, iii. 394. ' Lei. Itin. vi. 11. f Vol. ii, 165. « Lib. Feod.
Northward
jaott!)#etf)ctton.l P a w L E T. loi
Northward from Pawlct is the hamlet of Stretchill, which was another manor of
"Waifcin or Walter de Dowai, and divided into two 'portions, as appears by the ge-
neral furvey:
*' Waifcin holds Stracelle, and Renewald of him. Leuegar held it in die time
*' of King Edwaid, and gelded for half a hide. Tlie arable is two caiaicates. In de-
** mefne is one carucate, with one fervant, and three cottagers, and ten acres of meadow.
" It was and is worth fifty fhillings.
*' Renewald holds of Walter, Stracelle. Edwold held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for half a hide. The arable is one carucate. In demefne arc
** two carucates, and two fervants, and one villane, and two cottagSrs, with one plough
*' and a half. There are ten acres of meadow. It is worth fifty Ihillings."*
49 Henry III. Anaftafia, the widow of Walter Croc, (who fometime held this manor
from the crown) gave to Sir Thomas Trivet, of Durborough, all her lands and tene-
ments in EJlrecholle, which fhe had by the grant of WiUiam Fitz-Ermilph her fatherj
likewife all her lands at Wyre^ and two new houfes in Pawlet, one occupied by William
de Paulet, and given to her by Ralph de Horfi; and the other held of her for the term
of fix years by Maud de Lupel, together with thirty acres of meadow in le Erode
Merfchcy and common pafture in la Rughe Merjchcy and her woods at Sillewode and
Martinfeye, and all her lands in Poulet, purchafed by William Fitz-Ernulph her father
of Sir Ralph de Horfi, and two mefluages with appertenances in Honejpulle, purchaled of
Simon de Bradenei ; and her land in JVyre, and four meflTuages, fifty-fix acres of mea-
dow, and twenty fliillings rent in the fame parifh, held by her of the grant of Robert
de Wyrei as alfo a meflliage in Ham, and certain lands there granted her by Geffcrey
•de Paulet and Emma his wife ; and part of her land in Langelond, lying on the fouth
fide of the land of William de Paulet. Moreover fhe grants to the faid Sir Thomas
Trivet, the fervices of Robert de Brent, Adam de Pureton, Hugh de la Mare, William
de Poulet, Adam Ic Gouyze, William le Medour, John Bufchell, Hugh deSchapwich,
William de Bray, Emma de Wanton, Simon de Wanton, Maud de Lupell, John Croc,
Ralph le Rule, Robert le Vifche; and all other fei-vices which the faid Anaftafia had,
or ought to have in Poulet, Eftrecholte, HonifpuUe, Wyre, Horfi, and Periton. The
witneflfes to tliis grant were Sir Ralph de Columbers, Sir William Trivet, Sir Ralph de
Bray, knts. Adam de Periton, William de Vernai, WiUiam de Poulet, Gefferey his fon,
Ralph RulTel, Robert de Coker, William Ruflel of Bernardfworth, Peter Trivet,
William de Storke, Adam the chaplain, and divers others.'
On the fouth fide of Pawlet is Walpole, which by the name of Wallepille is furveycd
next after Stragelle, as another parcel of the pofleffions of Walter de Dowai.
" Rademer holds of Walter, Wallepille. Edward held it in the time of King
** Edward, and gelded for three virgates of land. The arable is one carucate, which is
" in demefne, and one villane, and three cottagers, with half a plough. It was and is
" worth twenty fliillings."''
" Lib. Domefdar. ' Cart. Amiq. * Lib. Doroefday.
The
102 P A w L E T. [5Dott!)#etlietton»
The church of Pawlet, valued in 1292 at fifteen marks,' was appropriated to St.
Auguftin's-abbey in Briftol, and the abbot and convent prefented to the vicarage, which
by an ordination of the bilhop, confifted in all oblations, and fmall tithes, and tithe of
mills, and tithe of the abbot and convent demefnes, viz. of corn and hay of the de-
mefne which they had in the year 1239, and in tithes of hay purchafcd or to be pur-
chafedj and in the tithe of fix acres given them by Hugh Trivet; and in four acres
and a half of meadow in the Old Moor., and in one acre of meadow near Horfeacre, and
befides, in two acres of meadow which the officiating prieft had heretofore, and in one
acre of arable land on which the vicarage-houfe was built. Otit of which the vicar was
to pay yearly in behalf of the faid monaftery one mark, of filver to the fillers of Buck-
land; and to be anfwerable to the archdeacon of Wells for his procurations, and a
donation of twelve pence, and to pay to the church of Pereton an offering at Eaflier of
fifteen pence; and to fuftain all other proportionable charges of the faid church as well
ordinary as extraordinary."
The gift of the living, which denominates a deaneiy, is in the crown. The Rev.
William Cornifh is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptift, and is compofed of anave, chancel,
and crofs ailej at the weft end ftands a tower, containing a clock and five bells.
' Taxat. Spiritual. " Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen.
THURLOXTON
LIES fix miles to the fouthweft of Bridgwater, in a woody and well-cultivated
.country; the parifli contains twenty-five houfes, moft of which are fmall farms
near the church; the lands very good, and moftly in tillage. There are two gentlemen's
ftats, one the refidence of John Crofs, efq; adjoining the church-yard, a fmall ftone
houfe with neat gardens; the other is Leverfdown, a large ftone building, the property
of William Harrifon, efq.
This place is not mentioned in the Conqueror's furvey, and is only diftingiiifhed in
antiquity for having given name to a family who refided here, and held their lands of
the honour of Dunfter-Caftle. Philip de Thorlakefton was living here 18 Edw. I.
and held lands in Thorlakefton of Sir John de Mohun, who held the fame of the King.''
One of this family gave either the manor, or confiderable territory in this village, to the
monks of Taunton, who are certified by the inquifitions and books of knights' fees to
hold the manor and the advowfon of the church of Thurloxton, with divers lands and
tenements in this parifh, of the caftle of Dunfter, by the feryice of one knight's fee.''
Their eftate here was in 1193 valued at feventy fhillings and eight-pence.' After the
diflblution of the priory, this manor, continuing fometime in the crown^ was granted,
• Lib. Feod. ' Ibid, et Irq. * Taxat. Temporal.
together
jf3ottf)=lPetl)erton.] THURLOXTON.
103
together with the advowfon of the church, and lands and appertenances, to William
Babington and his heirs,"* who 6 Eliz. fold the fame to Henry Portman, in whofc de-
fcendant Henry William Portman, efq; it is now veiled.
JBefides the church, which was appropriated to the priory of Taunton, there was a
chapel in Thurloxton, which was given by William de Erleigh to the canons of
Buckland.'
The living is a reftory in the deanery of Bridgwater; the patronage is appendant to
the manor; and the Rev. Charles Ruflel is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Giles; it is a fmall building of one pace, covered with
blue tile, with a tower containing four bells.
The chriftenings in this parifli are eight, the burials five, on an average annually.
* Pat. J & 4 Ph. & Mary, p. 10.
• Mon. Aogl. U. 551.
w
M B D O N.
THIS village, lying to the northweft of Bridgwater, was in the Conqueror's time
parcel of the revenues of the church of Bath, and was recorded as follows:
*• Walter [probably Walter de Dowai] holds of the church, Wimedone. A thane
" held it of the church in the time of King Edward, and gelded for three hides. The
*' arable is four carucates. In demefne are two carucates, and two fervants, and feven
*' cottagers, with one plough. There is a mill of five Ihillings rent, and ten acres of
*' meadow, and ten acres of pafture. It was and is worth fixty fhillings.'"
The manor was afterwards alienated from the church, and held by the families of
Teftard, Hody, and Mychell or Mitchell; and in the time of Henry VII. Thomas
Mychell pofleffed half a knight's fee here, formerly held by the heirs of Robert Teftard.",
There are two other manors in this parifli, called from their refpeftive owners,
PuRY or PeRry-Furneaux, and Pury-Fitchet, of both which families mention has
already been made in oth«r places. The former of thcfe manors is now the property
of Sir William Oglander, bart,; the latter of John Cridland, efq. As there are four
Peris in the Norman record, thefe places may not fo eafily be diftinguifhcd therein, or
the paflTages fo readily applied.
A. D. 1284, the church of St. George at Wembdon was appropriated by Robert
Burnel bifliop of Bath and Wells to the hofpital of St. John the Baptift at Bridgwater j'
and in 1304 a vicarage was ordained by Bifliop Walter Hafelfhawj by which ordina-
tion it was fct forth that Richard de Bridport, the then vicar, and his fucceflbrs, Ihould
• Lib. Dom»fd»y. » Lib. Feod. ' Mon. Angl. ii. 43^-
have
104 W E M B D O N. [Jl3ort|j#Ct!)CrtOrt.
have a houfe, with garden, curtillage, and all other appertenanccs, and three acres and
a half of arable land, and four acres of meadow, of old time allotted to the vicarage of
the church of Wembdon j as alfo all oblations, vifitations of the fick, all legacies,
trentals, mafs-pence, with anniverfary bequefts, and confeffional pence, and alfo all the
wax accruing to the church of Wembdon. Alfo the tithes of lambs and wool, and all
other fmall tithes whatfoever. The vicar and his fucceflbrs were to receive from the
mailer and brethren of the hofpital two quarters of wheat of good quality, two quarters
of barley, two quarters of oats, and half a quarter of beans, and to give holy water to
the officiating clerks. The mafter and brethren of the hofpital, as redors of the church,
to have all the meadow and arable land of the demefne belonging thereto, excepting
three acres and a half of arable, and four acres of meadow afligned to the vicar as afore-
faid, as alfo the tithe of ftieaf and hay of the whole parilh of Wembdon as ufual, and
to fuftain all ordinary burdens, and of extraordinary charges two parts, and the vicar one
third."* This ordination was confirmed by Bilhop John Drokensford.'
Of this vicarage the Rev. Lancelot St. Albyn is the prefent incumbent.
The church ftands in the deanery of Bridgwater, and, as appears by the foregoing
extrad, is dedicated to St. George. A. D. 1464, it having been reprefented to the
bifhop that there was, within the bounds and limits of the parilh church of Wembdon, a
certain well, commonly called St. John's well, to which an immenfe concourfe of people
had within a few days paft, and not before reforted, and had there made oblations to
the honour of God, the bleffed Virgin Mary, and St. John the Baptiftj and that many
who had for years laboured under various bodily difeafes, and had found no benefit
from phyfick and phyficians, were by the ufe of thefe waters (after paying their due
offerings) reftored to their priftine health j the faid bifhop ifTued a mandate to Mafter
Robert Hurft, canon of Wells, his commilTary-gencral, and Thomas Overay, LL.B.
to make inquiry into the particulars of this miraculous fpring, and to report the
Chriftian and furnames of the perfons who had been cured by thefe waters, the places
of their habitation, thefymptoms of their quondam complaints, how long they had la-
boured under them, and in what manner they found themfelves relieved.' What the
effefl of this mandate was, does not appear. Fountains were certainly in the earlieft
ages fuperftitioufly frequented, and loaded with unufual honours by our good fore-
fathers; but the monkifh traders in religion, were perhaps the firft clafs of people that
ever diverted their ftreams into a pecuniary current.
A chantry was founded in this church by Matthias the fon of Robert de Cocre,
i9Edw. 11.^
* Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen. • Ibid. * Wilkinfii Concil. torn. iii. p. 596.
« Excerpt, e Regift. WeUen.
THE
[ '05 ]
■«4|4»-t^>-(^>-t^>-(^»4J4 M J» <j l> <g t > ( J4H4»»-»4**-Hi*»-«4t»-«4»- «J 4> <<«H^4>4 < «»
THE HUNDRED
- O F
SOUTH-PETHERTON.
Is fo denominated in regard of its foutherly fituation on the river Parret, and is
divided into three parts ; the firft of which, lying on the fouthweft fide of the
hundred of Martock, contains the town of South-Petherton, and five other pa-
rifhesj the fccond part, which is fevered from the former by a narrow tradt
of the hundred of TintinhuU, comprifes feven parifhes; and the laft, which borders
upon Devonfhire, has in it only one.
This hundred was always a parcel of the manor of its name, and was firft held by
the crown, afterwards by the Lords Daubeny, and is now vefted in Lord Arundel.
SOUTH-PETHERTON,
ANCIENTLY called Pebpeban, from the river Pedred or Parret, is the firft con-
fiderable parifh which that ftream formerly traverfed in its way from Sourh-
Parret in Dorfetftiire (where it rifes) to the fea.' It pafles here under a ftone bridge
of three arches a mile fouthward from the church, in the turnpike-road from Ilminfter
to Yeovil, and at the interfeftion of the Roman fofle road coming from Ilchefter. This
bridge was formerly of wood, which being become ruinous, and two children having
been drowned in the river near it, the parents of thofe children rebuilt it of ftone, and
• A. D. 68x, Baldred king ofKent gave the filhery of the Pctride to Hemgilfus abbot of Glaflonbury. GuiU
Malmejhur. 50.
Vol. III. P caufcd
ic6
S O U T H - P E T HE R T O N. [^OUtfj^etfjettOtt.
caufed their little infant effigies to be placed thereon by way of commemorating the
circumftancc.'' In a field near this bridge a large pot full of Roman coins, to the quantity
of fix pecks, was dug up about the year 1720." And near Jailer' s-Milly in the fame
neighbourliood, in the tithing of Southarp, a little below the furface of the ground, are
•the remains ef Roman buildings j which the common people, from the name, fuppofe
to be the foundations of an old prifon. In this fpot alfo coins, fragments of urns, pa-
tera:, and pieces of terras, have been difcovered.
This parirti is divided into the following tithings, viz.
1. The Town-Tithing, confiding principally of three irregular ftreets about the
church. A market is held here on the Thurfday, and there is a fair for cattle and
pedlary 0x1 the fifth day of July. There was formerly a large market-hall and crofs
here, bodi which, with feveral houfes, were deftroyed in the laft century ; and inftead
of a large manufafture of cloth, there ftill remains a confiderable one of dowlas.
2. SouTHARp-TiTHXNG, which lics foutheaftward from the church, and in fome
ancient records is called SouthingtoHi alias Southapbrigg.
3. Over-Stratton, lying fouthward, and deriving its name from the old Roman
flreet the Foffe, on which it is fituated.
4. CoMPTON-DuRviLLE, northweft.
It need not be argued that South-Petherton and its vicinity were known to the Roman
people, as it lies fo near to one of their principal roads, and as their reliques have here
been fo frequently difcovered. The names of the places where thefe have principally
emerged to view, are, Jailer's-Brid-ge, before- mentioned j Watergore, a hamlet
^ This event gave birth to the following Elegy :
Seeft thou yo'\ limpid current glide
Beneath yon bridge, my haplefs theme.
Where brambles fringe its verdant fide.
And willows tremble o'er the ftream ?
From Petherton it takes its name.
From whence two fmiling infants ftray'd.
Led by the ftream they hither came.
And on the flow'ry margin play'd.
Sweet viiftims ! muft your Ihort-liv'd day
So foon extinguifh in the wave ;
And point the fetting fun his way,
That glimmer'd o'er your wat'ry grave !
As each, by childifli fancy led,
Cropt the broad daifies as they fprung ;
Lay ftretch'd along the verdant bed.
And fweedy ply'd the lifping tongue ;
Lo ! from the fpray-deferted fteep
Where eithe; way the twigs divide ;
Tlie one roU'd headlong to the deep,
-Andplung'd beneath the clofmg tide.
The other faw, and from the land —
(While nature imag'd ftrange diftrefs)
Stretch'd o'er the brink his little hand.
The fruitlefs fignal of redrefs.
The ofFer'd pledge, without delay.
The ftruggling viftim rofe and caught ;
But ah ! — in vain — their fatal way
They both defcended, fwift as thought.
Short was the wave-oppreffive fpace,
ConvuU'd with pains too (harp to bear :
Their lives diffolv'd in one embrace.
Their mingled fouls flew up in air.
Lo 1 there, yon time-worn fculpture ftiews
The fad, the melancholy truth ;
What pangs the tortur'd parent knows.
What £iares await defencelefs youth !
Here, not to fympathy unknown.
Full oft the fad Mufe, wand'ring near.
Bends filent o'er the mo/Ty ftone.
And wets it with a willing tear.
* Stnkely's Itin. Coriof. i. 156.
ibuthward
®outWetbetten.] south-petherton. 107
foiithward of the town, where a Roman pavement was difcovere'd in 1673; ^"d Wio-
BOROUGH, which is fuppofed to have been a Roman town, not only from its name, but
from the extenfive foundations of buildings which have been traced by curious ob-
fervers. We have no Roman name for either. When that people relinquilhcd this
country, South-Pctherton became the poflelTion and the feat of the Saxon Kings. Ina
had a palace here. The inhabitants fhew an old houfe near the church, with ancient
windows and armorial Ihields, which ftill bears that prince's name, but which in reality
was the ereflion of more modern times, and the old palace muft long ago have been
level with the ground. King Athelftan is reported to have kept his fcaft at Pedredan,
and the pofleflion of this place was thought an objcd of importance by all his fucceflbrs
till after the Norman Conqueft. The extent and value of this lordlhip in thofc days,,
will appear from the following record:
** The King holds Sudperet.. King Edward held it. It never gelded, nor are the
*' number of hides known. The arable is twenty-eight carucates. In demefne are two
" carucates, and five fervants, and twenty-two coliberts, and fixty-three villanes, and
" fifteen cottagers, with twenty-fix ploughs. There is a mill rendering twenty fhil-
" lings, and fifty acres of nreadow. Wood eleven furlongs long, and ten furlongs broad.
" It yields forty-two pounds and one hundred pence of twenty to the ore.
" Of this manor Merlefuain held two hides in Str atone [Over-Stratton] in the
" time of King Edward, and it was thane-land. It now pays fijcty fhillings to the
" King's farm.
" From the fame manor is taken away half a hide. Norman holds it of Roger de
" Curcelle, and it is worth fixteen (hillings.
" To this manor was paid in the time of King Edward from Cruchc [Crewkerne]
" an annual cuftomary rent, that is, fix fheep with as many lambs, and from every free
" man a blome of iron. Turftin holds it of Earl Morton, but the cuftom was difufcd
" after the Earl became feized of the land.'"*
This large and valuable manor was not immediately parted from the crown, but, ex-
clufive of a few portions of land feparated therefrom, was held by the Kings of England
for aconfiderable fuccefllon, till at length it became the property of the family of De
Albaniaco, Albini, D'Albini, or Daubeney.
The firftofthis great family was Robert de Todenci, a noble Norman, who came
into this country in the retinue of King William the Conqueror, and had Belvoir-caftle
in Leicefterfliire for the chief feat of his barony; in which and his other poflefllons he
was fucceeded by William his fon and heir. Whiclii William, for fome unknown
reafon, adopted a different furname from that of his father, being called in all ancient
evidences William de Albani, with the addition of Brito. Under this name he ferved
as a principal commander in the army of Henry I, and in the time of King Stephen he
was ajuftice itinerant in conjunftion with Richard Baffet.
Ralph de Albini, a younger fon of this William, was progenitor of the family of this
place, who bore the name of De Albini for fome time, and afterwards that of Daubini..
■' Lib. Domcfday.
P 2 12 Henry.
loS SOUTH-PET HERTON. [^outWetijectom
12 Henry II. tliis Ralph held fifteen knights-' fees of his b'rother William de Albini,"
and 28 Henry II. gave two hundred marks for licence to many the mother of Everard
de Rofs/ He died in the Holy Land 3 Ric. I. and was fucceeded by Philip De Albini.
Which Philip, in the time of King John, was governor of the caftles ofLudlovv and
Bridgnorth, and 3 Henry III. was appointed governor of Devizes-caftle, and keeper of
the forefts of Melkfham and Chippenham in the county of Wilts. Upon the collec-
tion of the fcutage of Montgomery 8 Henry III. he anfwered for feven knights' fees
and a half in this county.^ He died in Paleftine 20 Henry III. leaving Ralph de Albini
his nephew heir to hiseftates. This Ralph died 20 Edw. I. feized of the manors of
SoTJth-Petherton, Barrington, and Chillington, all within this hundred, and held of the
King by knight's fervice,*" leaving ifllie two fons, Philip and Elias de Albani, of whom
the elder, Philip, dying two years after without iffue male, -the eftate became the inheri-
tance of Elias de Albani the younger fon.'
Which Elias was fummoned to parliament among the barons 23, 24, 25, 28, 30,
32, and 23 Edw. I. in which laft year he died, feized of this manor of South-Petherton,
in which were then found to be the following free tenants among others: William de
Wiggebere held one meffuage and one yard-land in Eaft-Stratton. Richard de Abindon
and Maud his wife held one meffuage and one carucate of land in IJttle-Lopen j and
one mefluage and one yard-land at Drayton ; and one mefluage and three furlongs of
land in South-Petherton. William Weylond and Elizabeth his wife held in Hajfekmore
one mefluage and two yard-lands. Free tenants for life, among others, were, Hugh
Hudde and Ahce his wife, who held two parts of a mefluage and one yard-land at
Little-Stratton, and two parts of a meflfuage and one yard-land at More ; and two parts
of a meflfuage, and half a yard-land at South-Petherton; and two parts and one furlong
of land at La IVorthe. The record here certifies that Barrington, Chillington, and
Bruges, (or Bridge) were hamlets of the faid manor of South-Petherton.''
To this Elias fucceeded Ralph his fon and heir, whofe name in mofl publick docu-
ments is written D'Aubeney. Which Ralph 20 Edw. II. was one of the knights of
the Bath, and 16 Edw. III. had fummons to parliament. He married to his firfl: wife
Catherine the fifl:er of Thomas de Thwenge; by whom he had ifliie one only daughter,
married to Sir William Botreaux, knt. His fecond wife was Alice daughter of Lord
Montacute, by whom he had iflTue Sir Giles D'Aubeney, knt. his fon and heir,'
Which Sir Giles D'Aubeney held at his death 4 Henry IV. the manor of South-
Petherton, with the hamlets of Barrington, Donyat, Chillington, and Southarp, with
the members and parcels belonging to the faid manor, together with the hundred of
South-Petherton, parcel of the fame, of the King in capite by the ferviceof one knight's
fee, and left ifllie John his fon and heir.*"
To which John, who did not long furvive his father, dying 1 1 Henry IV. fucceeded
another Sir Giles Daubeney, his fon and heir, who 10 Henry VI. was flieriff of the
" Lib. R>ab. Scac. ' Rot. Pip. 28 Hen. II. « Rot. Pip. 8 Hen. III. " Efc. ' Ibid.
.»Jbid. "Ibid. «'Ibid.
counties
^outb^lpctberton.] south -PET HERTON. 109
counties of Bedford and Bucks; and by his will, bearing date March j, 1444, bequeathed
his body to be buried in the chapel of our Lady within the church of St. Peter and Paul
at South-Petherton, before die altar there j and appointed that a prieftfliould fing for
the Ipace of three years in the faid cliapel for his own foul, and the fouls of Joan his
wife, and of William Daubeney, whofe bones were there depofited." Soon after which
he died, and William his fon and heir, doing his homage, had livery of his lands.'
This William feems to have been altogether refident at South-Petherton, where
moft of his deeds are dated, and for which place he obtained of King Henry VI. a fair
to be held yearly on the eve, day, and morrow after the nativity of St, John the Baptill,
and the three days next cnfuing.'' He was fucceeded by
Giles Lord Daubeney, his fon and heir, one of the moft eminent perfons of his days,
being one of the efquires for the body to King Edw. IV. from whom, in confideration
of his fervices, he had a grant for life of the cuftody of the King's park at North-
Petherton. After the battle of Bofworth-Field he was made one of Henry Vllth's
chief counfellors, conftable of Briftol caftle, matter of the mint, and the fame year was
advanced to the dignity of a baron of the realm. 3 Henry VIII. he was conftituted
one of the chamberlains of the King's exchequer; and the next year was governor of
Calais. 7 Henry VII. he was employed as embafiador for making a treaty with the
French. 9 Henry VII. he was made juftice itinerant of all the King's forefts on the
fouth of Trent, and. the following year was appointed lord-chamberlain of the King's
houfliold. 13 Henry VII. he commanded the army againft the forces near Taunton,
which had been landed in Cornwall on the behalf of Perkin Warbeck, where they
were totally defeated. 19 Henry VII. he was made conftable of Bridgwater-caftlc.
By his teftament bearing date May 19, 1507, he bequeathed his body to be buried in
St. Peter's-abbey at Weftminfter, and appointed that his feoffees ftiould ftand feized of
the manors of Winterflow in Wilts, and Crichel-Gouis in Dorfet, of the yearly value
of 26I. 1 3s. 4d. to the intent that with the ilTues of the fame three pricfts Ihould per-
petually be maintained to fing for his foul, and the fouls of his father and mother, viz.
two in the church where he was to be buried, and the third in the parifti church of
South-Petherton, where divers of his anceftors lay interred, each of them to have for
his falary ten marks fterling. He died May 28th following, leaving by Elizabeth liis
wife, daughter of Sir John Arundel of Lanherne in the county of Cornwall, knt. one
fon Henry, and a daughter Cecily, married to John Bourchier lord Fitzwarren, after-
wards Earl of Bath.
Which Henry lord Daubeney 6 Henry VIII. had ^ fpecial livery of all his father's
lands, and 19 July 30 Henry VIII. was created by that King Earl of Bridgwater.
Which Henry earl of Bridgwater conveyed the manor and hundred of South-
Petherton to Sir Thomas Arundel, knt. from whom is defcended Henry lord Arundel,
of Wardour-^caftle in the county of Wilts, the prefent polTeflbr,
The manor of SouTHARP is the property of Mrs. Child, relift of Robert Child, cfq;
late an eminent banker in London.
" Dugd, Bar. i. 117. ' Rot. Jin. 24 Hen. VI. m. 13. ' Cart. 25 Hen, VI. n, 5.
Hele-
iio SOUTH-PETHERTON. [^out!)#etf)erton*
Mele-House manor in the town-tithing belongs to Henry Stephens, of Salifbury, eJ'q.
CoMPTON-DuRviLLE was anciently a manor held of the lords of Petherton by the
family of Durville, who gave it its name. 3 Edw, III. Euftace de Durville being
attainted, this manor was granted by the King to Henry Wytheley, efq."" In the time
of Ric. II. Nicholas lord Biirnel was owner of Compton-Durville, and afterwards
^ the Hodys.'
WiGBOROUGH lies within the tithing of Southarp, and was anciently written Winche-
herie, being at the Conqiieft the eftate of one John, the King's porter or door-keeper j
the Norman record defcribes this land as follows:
" John himftlf holds Wincheberie. Alward held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for two hides. The arable is one carucate and a half, and there are with
\ " it two villanes, and three cottagers. There are eight acres of meadow. It was
" formerly worth twenty fhillings, now thirty (hillings.'
The defendants of this John feated themfelves at this place, and aflumed the name
of De Wiggebere; and as in che time of William the Conqueror this manor had been held
by the King's porterj fo the fame office or ferjeanty of keeping the door of the King's
hall or chamber was preferved in the perfons of its fliture poffeflbrs. In the time of
Henry III. Richard de Wiggebere was owner of the manor of Wigborough, and lands.
• in Pegenes wliich Elena his mother fometime held in dower by the fervice abovemen-
tioned, and the rent of forty fhiUings per annum payable to the King yearly by the
hands of the fheriffat the feaft of St. Michael.' He died 55 Henry III. leaving iflue
William de Wiggebere his fon and heir, who had livery of his lands that fame year."
This William, who as well as his father was a knight, died about 18 Edw. II. and was
fucceeded in the pofleflion of this and his other eftates by Sir Richard de Wiggebere
his brother and heir, the fecond of that name. Which Sir Richard 18 Edw. II. had
livery of the manor of Wigborough, and the hamlets of Pegens and Hunftile, all which
he held of the King by the fervice of keeping the door of the King's haU or chamber."
He died i Edw, III. leaving iflue an only daughter and heir, Mary, married to Sir
Richard Cogan, of Huntfpill, knt. who thus became poffefled of this manor, which de-
fcended from him to Sir William Cogan, knt. and paffed by his coheirefs to Sir Fulke
Fitzwarren.*" From him it came to the family of Bourchier lords Fitzwarren. Fulke
Bourchier lord Fitzwarren, by his deed bearing date May 10, 15 Edw. IV, enfeoffed
John lord Dinham and others in his manor of Wigborough and in other lands and
eftates, in truft for the ufe of his two daughters Jane and Elizabeth, appointing each of
them to have one thoufand marks out of the profits of the faid manor and lands to-
wards their preferment in marriage."' After which the manor came to Sir Richard
Hankford, knt. and after his death, 9 Henry VI. was divided betwixt his daughters, of
whom Elizabeth held a moiety thereof 12 Henry VI. and left it to her filler Thomafia."
But in the fucceeding reign of Edw. IV. the manor of Wigborough reverted to the
Bourchiers, and by the inquifition taken after the deceafe of Ful]<;e Bourchier lord
1 Cart. Antiq. ' Efc. ' Lib. Domefday. ' Efc. " Rot. Pip. 55 Hen. III.
'Rot. Pip. 18 Ed. II. J-Seevol. ii. p. 391. ^ Rot, Claus. 15 Ed. IV. 'Efc.
Fitzwarren
^OUtf>lpet!)ecton.l SOUTH- PETHFRTON. Ill
Fitzwarren 19 Edw. IV. it appears that he held this manor of Wigborot-igh, and alfo
the manors of Huntfpill, Novington, Hiinft<ile, and Norton-Fitzwarren, widi lands in
Pitney and Taunton, in all which he was fuccecded by John Jiis fon and heir."
26 Henry VIII. John Bourrhier earl of Bath fold this manor witli its appcrtcnanccs
to John Selwood, who the year following conveyed the fame in like manner to John
Broome and his heirs.' Which John Broome 23 Eliz. is certified to hold the manor
of Wigborough, with its appertenances and lands in South-Petherton, of the King in
chief by the fervice of keeping the door of the King's ciiamber.'' Infomuch that wc
fee the fame ferjeanty of being the King's porter continued down from the time of
William the Conqueror to that of Queen Elizabeth, in the feveral occupiers of this
manor, which became afterwards the property of the family of Hele, and now belongs
to Robert Hillard, efq. The manor-houfe, now ftanding, was built in the year 1585.
In the fame tithing of Southarp is Bridge-Farm, anciently called Bruges, which
was lately the feat of William Oftler, efq; now of John Eafton, efq.
*' Alviet the prieft holds of the King one hide in Sudperetone. The arable is one
" carucate, and there is on it one cottager and one fervant. There are eight acres of
" meadow. It is worth twenty Ihillings.'"
In 129a the reftory of South-Pctherton was valued at 53I. 6s. 8d. the vicarage at
ten marks.' It was appropriated to the priory of Brewton,* and after the fupprelTion
of that houfe was given by King Henry VIII. to the cathedral of Briftol. The dean
and chapter are the patrons, and the Rev. Dr. Robins is the prefent incumbent.
Of the feveral chantries or fervices founded in the church of South-Petherton, die
principal one, and which was moft richly endowed, was the chantry of St. John the.
Baptift, of the advowfon of which the lords of the manor were always patrons."" After
its diflblution, Edward Napier of Halywell, fomctime fellow of All-Souls College in
the univerfity of Oxford, gave by iiis will, bearing date Aug. 8, 1558, all his lands in
this parifh, lately belonging to this chantry, to the faid college of All-Souls to keep his
obit.' In 1553, William Dyer, incumbent of a fervice here, had a penfion of 51.^
The church ftands on a little eminence nearly in the centre of the town, and is dedi-
cated to St. Peter and St. Paul. It is a large ftrufture, built in the form of a crofs,
having two fide ailes, and a north and fouth tranfept, with an ofbangular tower at their
interfeftion, crowned with a fpire covered with lead, and containing a clock, chimes,
and fix mufical bells. Behind the altar is a veftry-room, which was formerly a con-
feflional, having two doors to enter into it.
Upon a flat ftone in the fouth tranfept there was formerly a brafs-plate, containing
the portraiture of a female, and this infcription :
' Efc. • Licence to alienate. * Efc. • Lib. Domefday. ' Taxat. Spiritual.
'^ William Gilbert prior of Brewton, and fuiFragan biihop to Cardinal Woiky, was fometime incumbent of this
vicarage, to which he was inftituted Dec. 16, 1525.
" Efc. ' Wood's Hift. of Oxford, 264. ' Willis's Hift. of Abbies, 203.
'* IDic
112 SOUTH-PETHERTON. [^outf)#et!)e«om
" ^ic jacetiDiia s^aria D'Subeneg uror CgiDi) D'aubeneg miUtis, quon^
nam filia ^imonis ILceftc, armigcri, com. Botingfjamiae, quae oftiit 17°
mcnfig jTctiruarii, 3nno Domini 1442,
In the fame tranfept is a fine tomb of Sienna marble, having thereon the effigies in
brafs of a man and woman, with,this infcription at their feet:
*' ^is ttHis f te qn non meet W lapis ifte.
Corpus ut ornetur, fct fpiritus ut memoretur.
€Xui0quisi ttid qui tranfieris, fla, peclcge, plota : '
^um Qti ecis, fucramq' qD es, pro mc prccor ora."
This tomb is afcribed to the Earl of Bridgwater.
Againft the eaft wall is an old ftone monument, with feveral figures kneeling, to the
memory of Henry Compton and his wife. Arms, Sable, three clofe helmets, argent.
Another ftone tomb, covered with black marble, commemorates Thomas Hele, of
fleet in the county of Devon, efq; who died Nov. 13, 1665.
Among feveral handfome memorials to the families of Ayfhe and Sandys, in the
north tranfept, which now belongs to Henry Stephens, efq; is the following;
" Memorije asternae, Jacobi Ayfhe, generofi, qui cum ad 28 pie vixiffet annum, in
Domino placide obdormivit Maij 5, 1626.
" Dormit in hoc tumulo corpus; fed fpiritus alte
Scandit, et ad coelum gratia pandit iter.
Non dedit in noftris vicinia noftra diebus
Do6lrina fimilem, vel pietate, virum.
Integra vita fiiit; pia mors; mens dedita Chrifto;
Eft pia, grata Deo, mors, quia vita fuit.
" Elizaberiia Ayfhe, uxor ejus amantifTima, conjugalis amoris ergo monumentum
mcerens pofuit." Arms of Ayfhe, Argent, two chevrons fable. Of Sandys, Or, a
fefTe dauncettee between three crofs-croflets fitchee, gules.
In the fouth aile, which belongs to the manor of Wigborough, are feveral memorials
to the family of Gundry.
Many of the monuments in this church, with the organ, (built about eight years
before) were fpoiled in the civil wars of the laft century.
Benefaftors to the poor of South-Petherton.
1670.
Mr. John Sandys, ofLon-7 £.
don, merchant, gave \ 100
1706.
Mr. Hugh Langley gave - ;^.io
1710.
Mr. Edward Anftice - £.20
I68I.
Mrs. Ann Sandys - - )
1732.
Mr. Samuel Gundry - £.^0
The Rev. Mr. Marks - K l-S
Mr. John Smart - - jC.20
Mr. Stephen Weftcot - C each.
Mr. Robert Vile -J
1738. James
@outf)'ipetf)erton.] south-petherton. ,13
1738. James Harcourt, D. D. vicar of this place, being defirous that the children of
South-Petherton might be inftruftcd in the Church Cateclufm, and have the fame ex-
pounded to them in the time of morning-prayer in this parifli church once at Icaft in
every week, by the vicar or his curate, and that the Common-Prayer might be read
every Wednefday and Friday, and every Saint's-day for ever; in order to encourage
fuch his defire, did purchafe for the fum of 35I. i is. and give to the vicars for ever,
one acre and one yard of ground, being part of the ground leading to the vicarage-
houfe ; but in caie the faid vicars do negled to catechifc and read prayers, without
fhewing caufe to be approved of by the archdeacon of Taunton, that then the faid piece
of ground fliall revert to the heirs of the faid James Harcourt, during the incumbency
of all and every vicar fo negleding.
BARRINGTON,
Otherwife called Barrington-Stembridge.
THIS parifh lies to the northweft of Petherton, in a low and woody fituatlon; th<T
lands fertile, and moftly arable; great quantities of hemp and flax are cultivateil
in this neighbourhood. The village confifts of a pretty irregular ftreet, about half a
mile in length.
In the Conqueror's time it was rated only at half a hide, being parcel of the manoc
of South-Petherton, held by Roger de Curcelle, and under iiim by Norman; it was
then valued at fixteen fhillings." In future times it was held with Petherton by the
Daubeneys. 20 Edw. I. Ralph Daubeney is certified to hold his lands here and in
Chillington, by the fervice of finding Peter de Ardern a man on foot to ferve at his
caftle at Aldeford in the time of war.'' 15 Ric. II. Sir William Botreaux, knt. held a
a fair in the village of Barrington, together with the advowfon of the church, of the
grant of Ralph Daubeney. 6 Edw. VI. the manor and park of Barrington were held
by Henry duke of Suffolk, who fold the fame to William Clifton and his heirs."
35 Eliz. the manor with its appertenances, and two hundred acres of pafture, twelve
hundred of wood, and three hundred of moor, with appertenances in the foreft of
Neroch, belonging to this manor, and the capital meflliage and park of Barrington,,
and three water-mills, two dove-houfes, and all mefluages, buildings, lands, and tene-
ments, within the faid park, as alfo a meffuage and curtilage called the Hinde-Hozv/e in
Barrington, adjoining to the park, were held by Sir John Clifton, knt. of the King in
chief The manor came afterwards into the family of Phillips, who built here the
capital manfion-houfe which is ftill Handing. By an inquifuion taken at Ilminfter
• • Lib. Doraefdsy. » Efc. ' Licence to alienate. * Efc.
Vol. III. Q^ 2.9 Sept..
114 BARRiNGTON. [^outi).'^etf)erton.
-29 Sept. 16 Jac. Sir Thomas Phillips, knt. is found to have died feized of this manor
26 June 1618, leaving Thomas Phillips, efq; his fon and heir of the age of twerity-
eight years."
The living is a curacy in the deanery of Crewkerne, and in the gift of Earl Poulett.
The Rev. Thomas Allen is the prefcnt incumbent.
The church is in the form of a crofs, having in the centre an oftangular tower, con-
taining a clock and five bells. In this church were buried feveral of the Strode family
who refided in the parilh.
' Inq. poft Mort. Tho. Phillip, mil.
CHILLINGTON,
WHICH was another branch of the manor of South-Petherton, lies at a confi-
derable diftance fouthweft from that town, between the hundred of Crewkerne
and that of Abdick and Bullion. The fituation is in a rich vale, under the north brow
of high land called Chillington-Down, from which it derives its name; Eealb, bleak,
and ron, a town. Tliefoil is fandy, abounding with grey and yellowilh flints j but is
in feveral parts fertile for fummer corn.
King "William the Conqueror gave this fmall village to Roger de Curcelle, of whom
it was held by Anfchicil :
" Anfchitil holds of Roger, Cilletone. Godric held it In the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for one virgate of land. The arable is one carucate. There is one
" cottager. It was and is worth twenty IhiUIngs,'"
It does not appear when it became united with South-Petherton, but the Daubeneys
held it with the foregoing parifh of Harrington for many generations. 13 Eliz. this
manor was the property of Thomas Lord Wentworth.'' Two tenements and forty
acres of land in ChiUington, valued at 40s. were given for the maintenance of three
priefts in the parifh church of Ilminfter, which, after the diflblution of chantries, were
fold to Henry Simfon." The Rev. Mr. Notley is now lord of this manor.
The living is a curacy in the deanery of Crewkerne. The Rev. Thomas Allen is
the prefent incumbent.
The church, dedicated to St. James, is a fmall ancient flrufture of one pace, having
a turret at the weft end, twenty-five feet high, with two bells.
In the church-yard is a large ancient yew-tree.
» Lib. Domefday. t Ter. Sydenham. = Harl. MS. 606.
CHAFFCOMBE.
©outD-Petljerton,] [ 115 ]
CHAFFCOMBE.
THIS is a fmall parifh, fituated in a pleafant valley near the borders of Chard
common. The lands being cold and wer, are unfavourable to agriculture. In
a narrow fequeftered lane leading from this place to the parifh of Cricket-Malherbe,
a botanift would find much entertainment, there being a great variety of ferns, afple-
niums, and curious mofles. The purple digitalis flourifhes here in high pcrfedion.
This parifh contains about thirty houfes, including a hamlet called Libnash, fituated
a mile fouthward from the church.
The ancient name of this parifh is Caffecome, which is compounded of the Saxor»
Cap, Iharp, and Homb, valley. In the Conqueror's time it belonged to die Bifhop
of Coutances:
" The fame Bifhop holds Caffecome, and Ralph of him. Two thanes held it in
** the time of King Edward, and gelded for three hides and a half. The arable is three
*' carucates. In demefne is one [carucate] and two villanes, and fix cottagers, having.
" one plough. There is a wood eight furlongs long, and as many broad. It is worth
*' forty fliillings.
" To this manor are added one hide, and three virgates of land. Two thanes held
" it in the time of King Edward for two manors. The arable is two carucates. Thefe
** are held by three villanes. It is worth twenty (hillings.'"
But in procefs of time this manor became a part of the honour of Gloucefter, which
extended itfelf throughout this county. 7 Edw. II. Hugh de Beauchamp held one-
moiety, and Ralph de Stocjclinch the other moiety of this village, each by the fervice
of the third part of a knight's fee, of Gilbert de Clare earl of Gloucefler.'' This Ralph
de Stocklinch was feated at the neighbouring village of Stocklinch-Otterfey, which
gave his family their name, and was held by them for many generations. In the
account of that place in ^ the firlt volume of this work, it was conjedkured that it
obtained its name from the family of Oterfchawe, who were refident at a place now
depopulated in the neighbourhood of I fie- Abbots, in the adjacent hundred of Abdick.'
By other evidences it further appears that die faid parifh of StockUnch was fomedmes
difcriminated by the appellation of Stocklinch-Oy?ru'^r, and that the manor was held
by the fervice of keeping an oftrum or hawk for the lord paramount thereof 1 4 Ric. II.
John Denbaud held at his death the manor of Stokelynch-OJlricer, with the advowfon of
the church, of the Earl of Huntingdon, as of his manor of Hafelborough, by the fervice
of keeping a hawk \oJlrum'\ every year till it fliould be completely fit for fervice.
And when die faid hawk fhould be fo fit, he was to convey it to his lord's manor-
houfe, attended by his wife, together with three boys, diree horfes, and direc grey-
hounds, and to flay there forty days at the lord's expence, and to have the lady's
fecond-betl gown for his wife's work.**
• Lib. Domefday. ' Lib. Feod. « See vol. i. p. 63. ' Efc.
0,2
The
A
,i6 c H A F F c M B E. [®out|)#etl)etton*
The fame Jolin Denbaiid held alfo this manor of Chaffcombe of the abbot of Ford
in Devonfhire, by the fervice often fhillings per annum for all fervices, together widi
one mcfTuage, one hundred acres of pafture, and fix fhillings and eight-pence rent per
annum, in the parifli of Chaffcombej of Sir John Rodney, knt. as of his manor of
Backwell by knight's fervice/
From which family of Denbaud, or Denebaud, the manors of ChafFcombe and
Stocklinch-Otterfey came by marriage to the Poulets, and is now the pofleffion of their
reprefentative John earl Poulett.
Another manor here belongs to Mrs, Mallard.
The living is reftorial, and in the deanery of Crewkeme; Lord Poulett is patron,
and the Rev. John Fewtrell the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael, is a fmall building, confifting of a
nave, chancel, north aile or chapel, and a tower at the weft end, in which are three bells.
In the north aile there is a mural monument of various kinds of marble, with this
infcription: " Here lie the bodies of Samuel Sealy, of this parifli, who died the
loth of May 1742, aged 63J and of Sarah his wife, who died 2 Feb. 1716, aged 36;
with his father, mother, and feveral of his anceftors." Arms, Gules, a fefle between
three wolves' heads erafed argent.
In this church was buried Sir Amias Paulet, knt. who died June 25, 1538/
The chriftenings in ^his parifli are annually on an average five j the burials four.
' Efc. ' Colljns's Peerage, iv. 197.
CRICKET-ST. -THOMAS
IS a fmall parifli lying foutheaft from ChafFcombe, between Crewkeme and Chard,
under the fouthern ridge of White-Down. It contains now only eleven houfes,
but formerly there were many more, and the place much more confiderable.
It was held of the great barony of Caftle-Cary by mihtary fervice. 19 Edw. I.
Richard de Contevyle held two knights' fees and a half in Cricket of Sir Hugh Lovel,
knt." 2 Edw. III. Walter de Rodney was lord of this manor.'' 6 Henry IV. it was
held by Sir Peter Courtney, knt.' and 13 Henry IV. the manor and advowfon of the
church belonged to Margaret widow of Sir John St. Loe, who held the fame of Lord
St. Maur as of his manor of Caftle-Cary.'' It thence paflTed to Sir William Botreaux,
knt. and by his daughter and heir came to the Hungerfords. 31 EHz. the manor of
Cricket-Thomas, with the advowfon of the church, and lands in Knoll and Hill, were
•Lib. Feod. » Efc. ,'Ibid. 'Ibid.
held
®outf)#etbettcin.] cricket-st.-thomas. uy
held by John Prcfton. It now belongs to Sir Alexander Hood, who has here a very
neat feat with elegant plantations, embellifhing a Ipot by nature pleafing, and charm-
ingly romantick.
The living is a reftory in the gift of the lord of the manor; the Rev. John Golden
is the prefent incumbent. In 1292 it was valued at three marks ten fliillings.'
The church is very fmall, confifting of a nave, chancel, and fouth aile tiled, with a
fmall turret at the weft end, containing two bells.
The abbey of Ford had an eftate in this parifh valued in 1293 at 21s.'
• Taxat. Spiritual. ' Taxat. Tejrporal.
CUDWORTH
IS a parifli fituated three miles eaft from Chard, on a fmall elevation under the high
ridge of Chillington-Down. The number of houfes is twenty-eight, and of inhabi-
tants about one hundred and fifty. Moft of the houfes ftand in Upper and Lower Were.
Cudeworde was the land of Roger Arundel :
*' Odo holds of Roger, Cudeworde. Three thanes held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for three hides and a half. The arable is four carucates. In
" demelhe is one carucate, and fix fervants, and four villanes, and two cottagers, with
*' half a plough. There are four acres of meadow, pafture eight furlongs long, and
'* two furlongs broad. It was worth forty {hillings, now thirty lhillings."»
The chief pofleflbrs of this manor after the Conqueft were the Wakes, from whofe
family it came into that of Keynes, by the marriage of the daughter and heir of Thomas
Wake of Dowlifh," with John fon of Thomas Keynes of Winckley. From the family
of Keynes it paiTed to the Spekes, and became the property of Lord North, in a fimilar
way with Ilminfter and many other manors in this neighbourhood.
The church is a prebend in the cathedral of Wells, valued in 1292 at ten marks.'^
The living is a peculiar in the deanery of Crewkerncj the Rev. John Templeman is
the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and is compofed of a nave, chancel, north
aile and porch, with a turret containing two bells.
The prebend of Cudworth was annexed to the abbey of Muchelney, and confider-
.ible lands in this parilh belonged to that monaitery, under which they were held for
fevcral fuccefTions by the family of Buller.
• Lib. Domefday. » Sec under Eaft-Do«iiih, p. 1 19. f. Taxat. Spiritual.
The
ii8 cuDWORTH. [@outl)#ctl)erton.
The famous Dr. Richard Bufby was fometime prebendary of Cudwordi, to which
he was admitted in July 1639. The next year he was admitted to the mafterlhip of
Weftminfter-School, in the difcharge of which office, for the fpace of fifty-five y^ars,
he by his fkill and dihgence bred up the greateft number of eminent men in Church
and State that ever adorned at one time any age or nation. He died April 6, 1695,
aged 89, and was buried in Weftminfter-abbey.''
" Biog. Dia. iii. 52.
KNOLL, OR KNOWLE ST. GILES,
STANDS wefl from Cudworth, of which manor it was a member at the time of the
Conquefl. It now belongs to Lord Poulett. Its fituation is on elevated ground,
as its name imports, Enoll being the Saxon term for the apex of a hill. The roads
here are rough and narrow, overhung with hedge-rows, and full of fharp, yellow, and
grey flints.
There is very little notice taken of this place in our ancient records. The family of
L'Orti, or de Ortiaco, were its chief lords. 40 Henry III. Lord William de Parys
held it of the heirs of Lady Sabina de L'Orti, by the fervice of the third part of a
knight's fee." 56th of the fame reign Ralph Inweans held of Richard de L'Orti half a
knight's fee in Knoll, and a certain paflure in the manor of North-Stoke, containing
twenty acres, of Lord William de Montacute.'' By an inquifition taken at Wells Jan. 1 5,
1588-9, it was found that Sir Amias Poulett, knt. died feized of this among many
other manors on Sept. 26, 1588,= from whom it has defcended to the'prefent proprietor.
The living is a donative and peculiar in the deanery of Crewkerne; the Rev. Lewis
Evans is the prefent incumbent.
The church is a very low fmall ftrufture of one pace, with a turret and two bells.
It is dedicated to St. Giles, whence the village had its additional name.
• Lib. Feod. " Efc. ' Coles's Efc. in Bibl. Harl.
DOWLISH-WAKE, or EAST-DOWLISH,
(So called from the family who polTefTed it, and from its eaflerly fituation from another
place of the fame name in the hundred of Bulfton.*)
IS a fmall parifh, two miles foutheafl from Ilminfter, containing forty-one houfes, and
about two hundred and thirty inhabitants. The fituation is in a pleafant vale, but
the church ftands on a little eminence, wliich commands a good view of the country to
» See vol. i. p. 37.
the
®outa#eti)ectonO dowlish-wake. 119
the foiith and weft. The eftate called Bere-Mills, lying between Knowle-St.-Giles
and Weft-Dowlifh, belongs to this parifh. The lands are about three-fifths arable.
The foil in the eaft part fandy, in the north part ftone-rufh-j the fouthern part is gene-
rally a black earth and gravel, and very fertile. Several fprings rifing in this part
unite in a little ftreana, which running through Weft-Dowlifh joins the river Iflc at the
foot of Sea-Mill in the parifli of Ilminfter.
The manor of Doules, comprehending the two vills now called Eaft and Weft-
Dowliftj, was given by King William to the Bifhop of Coutances, whofe lands here
are thus furveyed :
" The Bifhop of Coutances holds Doules. Alward held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for two hides and one virgate of land. The arable is one caru-
*' cate and a half, and there are three villanes, and three cottagers, and one fervant.
" It was and is worth twenty- four fhillings.
" To this manor are added feven hides, which three thanes held in the time of King
" Edward for three manors. There are in demelhe two carucates, and two fervants,
" and eleven villanes, and eleven cottagers, with five ploughs. There ^re forty-four
*' acres of meadow, and four furlongs of pafture in length, and as many in breadth, and
** twenty acres more. Wood eight furlongs long, and three furlong? broad, and
** twenty acres befides. It is worth fix pounds and ten fhillings. This land William
" [dc Moncels] holds of the Bifhop."."
The Wakes were feated at Dowlifh early in the twelfth century. They derived
their defcent from Herewaldus le Wake, a Saxon general, who was the laft that with-
ftood the arms of King William the Conqueror, and by a compromifc with him in the
year 1076, was reftored to the eftate and honours which he had pofleflfed before the
arrival of the Normans.' This family was in procefs of time difpcrfed by various
branches into different parts of the kingdom; but their chief eftate was at Deeping in
the county of Lincoln, which continued in their polfeiTion till the beginning of the laft
century. All the names of that branch which poifeffed this manor are not tranfmittcd
to US; but it appears that in the time of Edw. I. it was the property of Sir Ralph Wake,
a perfon of great account in thefe parts, and one of thofe who 25 Edw. I. was fum-
moned to be at London with horfe and arms the next Lord's-day after the oftaves of
St. John the Baptift, thence to attend the King beyond the feas.** This Ralph, befides
the manors of Eaft and Weft-Dowlifh, had that of Compton-Martin in this county, as
alfo the manors of Stour-Cofin, Eaftover, and Weftover, Stoke in Blakemore, Gore-
well, Candel-Wake, and Hull, in the county of Dorfet, and the manor of Tangle in
the county of Southampton. By Alice his wife he left ilTue John, fometimes called de
Wake, and fometimes le Wake, his fon and heir, who fucceeded to thefe eftates, and
died feized of them 22 Edw. III. leaving three daughters his coheirs, viz. Ifabel the
wife of John de Keynes, Margery the wife of Hugh Tyrel, and Elizabeth who was
unmarried.' The manors of Eaft and Weft-Dowlifli, with the third part of tlie manor
of Compton-Martin, were allotted to Ifabel Keynes, who held the former manors of
.' Lib, Domefday. ' EngUfh Baronetage, i, 466. " Harl. MS. 119Z. • Efc.
the
I20 DOWLISH-WAKE. [^outf)#et&ertott;
the Countefs of Warren, as of her honour of Trowbridge, and the third part of the latter
of James de Audley. She died 33 Edw. III. and was fucceeded in her eftates by
Thonnas Keynes her fon and heir/ This Thomas Keynes was a lineal defcendant of
the ancient family of Keynes or Kahaynes, who were feated at Winckley in the county
of Devon in the time of Henry II. and bore for their arms. Azure y abend undee co-
tifed argent} He married Margaret daughter of Sir John Beaumont of Yolfton, knt.
by whom at his death, 35 Edv/. III. he left ifllie John, who was then of the age of
eight years."" Which John married Joan daughter and coheir of Nicholas Wampford,
and by her had iffue two fons, Richard and John; which laft was of Dowlifh, and died
8 Henry V. feized of the manors of Eaft and Weft-Dowlifh, with other manors and
eftates in this county and Dorfet, leaving Joan the wife of John Speke, efq; his daughter
and heir.* Which John Speke was father of Sir John Speke, of White-Lackington in
this county, knt." from whom this manor defcended through eleven generations to
George Speke, efq; father of the prefent Lady North, who devifed it to Mary his
eldeft daughter (whom he had by his firft wife) and to her heirs male; and in failure
of fuch iffue, to George Speke, of Curry-Rivel, efq; and his heirs. But the faid
Mary dying unmarried, and George Speke alfo dying without iffue, this manor de-
fcended to his heir at law the Rev. William Speke, B. D. of Jordans near Ilminilec,
the prefent poffeffor.
The prior of Farley had an eftate in thisparifh, wliich in 1293 was rated at fix
fhiUings.'
The living of Dowlifh-Wake is reftorial, and in the deanery of Crewkerne; the
patronage is vefted in the loi-d of the manor, the Rev. William Speke abovementioned-;
and the Rev. Septimus CoUinfon is the prefent incumbent. In 1292 this benefice was
rated at eight marks."
The church is dedicated to St. Andrew, and confifts of a nave, chancel, north aile^
and chapel; with a well-built quadrangular tower between the chancel and the nave.
The north part has been the burial-place of the families of Keynes and Speke, and there
ftill remain feveral ancient tombs, one of which reprefents John Speke and Joan his
wife, the heirefs of Keynes, who brought this eftate into that family.
Againft the chancel wall is a ftone monument, infcribed, " Underneath lies the
mortal part of the Rev. Mr. Arthur Hood, fifty-one years reftor of this parilh. His
pious foul was called from her earthly manfion July 22, 1759, aged 81 years. His
doftrine was the rule of his life, and his life an example of his doftrine."
Adjoining to the church-yard is a good old manfion, the refidence of J . Hanning, efq.
'Efc. » Sir William Pole's Survey of Devon. » Efc. 'Ibid,
* See voU i. p. 67. ' Taxat. Temporal. " Taxat. Spiritual..
DINNINGTON.
®outl)=lpetl)ertonJ - I m ]
DINNINGTON.
THIS parini is fituated eaftward from Dowlifh-Wake, and betwixt that and Hinton-
St.-George, the road to which is very beautiful, being on a terrace under the
ridge of Earl Poulett's park, crowned with noble woods, and affording a fine and ex-
tenfive profpeft to the eaft, north, and northweft.
The manerial property of this parifh is vefted in Earl Poulett. At the Conqueft it
was held by one of the King's thanes called Siward, as we read in the general furvey:
" Siward holds Dunintone. Edmar held it in the' time of King Edward, and
** gelded for three hides. The arable is three carucates, on which there are fix villanes,
*' and three cottagers. There is a mill of eight-pence rent, and eight acres of mea-
*' dow. Pafture three furlongs long, and two furlongs broad. Wood three furlongs
** long, and two furlongs broad. It was formerly worth twenty ftiillings, now forty.'"
•' Siward holds three virgates of land of the church of Glaftingberie in a manor
" which is called Dinnitone. It is worth thirteen fliillings and two-pence."''
The manor was held of the honour of Gloucefter in the reigns of Edw. II. and III.
by Alexander and Elias de la Lynde.'
The living is a redory in the deanery of Crewkerne, and in the gift of Earl Poulett,
the Rev. Henry Stambury is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Nicholas, is a fmall building of one pace,,
with a turret at the weft end, containing two bells.
Under the communion-table is a ftone with this infcription:- " Here lieth the
body of Worthington Brice, gent, buried March 14, 1649, aetat. fuae 6j. Chrifti vir-
tute refurgam."
On the north wall is an old monument to others of the lame family, but the infcrip-
tion is illegible: the arms are a griffin rampant.
In 1651-2 the Brices compounded for their eftates here in the fum of 195I. los.*'
• Lib. Doinefd.iy. 'Ibid. • Lib. Feod. * Somerfetftiire Compofition.
L O P E N
IS a parifh very pleafantly fituated on the turnpike-road from South-Pethcrton to
Crewkerne, well wooded, and abounding with excellent water. The number of
houfes is about fevcnty, which moftly ftand round the church; but a few are fituated in
the hamlet of Broomhill, about a quarter of a mile northwardj and feme are ftrag-
gling about the parifh. A rivulet rifing near Hinton-St.-George divides this parifh
from that of Mcrrigt, and this hundred from that of Grewkerne.
Vol. III. R The
122 L o p E N. [®outf)*pctf)ertoiu
The vill of Lopen is furveyed in two diftinft parcels in Domefday-Book:
" Gerard holds of the Earl [Morton] Lopene. Alward held it in die time of King
" Edward, and gelded for one hide. The arable is one carucate. There is one cot-
" tager, with one fervant, and ten acres of meadow. It is worth twenty fliiUings.'"
" Harding (Fitz-Alnod, a Saxon thane) holds Lopen. Tovi held it in the time of
*' King Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is two carucates. In demefne
" is one carucate, and two fervants, and two villanes, and five cottagers, and twenty
" acres of meadow. It formerly was worth twenty fliillings, now forty fhillings."''
This place gave name to a family who held their lands of the Malets; but in the
time of King John this manor of Lopen was the pofleffion of Nicholas de Meriet, and
was fometime farmed by John Wac," who fcems to have been of the fame branch of
the family of Wake, of whom we have made mention in the parilh of Eaft-Dowlifh.*
In this family of Meriet the manor of Lopen continued till the time of Ric. II. when
George de Meriet dying without iffue, the eftates were divided between his two fifters,
Margaret the wife of Sir Thomas Bonville, knt. and Elizabeth the wife of Humphry
Stafford. lo Edw. IV. this Humphry Stafford, eari of Devon, (fo created by that
King) held at his death this manor of Lopen of Sir John Colefhill, knt. as of his
manor of Sevenhampton.' After which this manor came into the family of Poulett,
in which it ftill continues. There were formerly a market and a fair in this village,
which John de Meriet procured of King Edw. I. 2 Edw. III. George de Meriet
pleaded in parliament that his anceftors, time out of mind, had poffeffed the manors of
Merriot and Lopen, together with the fairs and markets ufed in thofe towns, and pe-
titioned that they might be continued.^ 30 Eliz. the fair at Lopen, with its appcrte-
nances, was granted to Tipper and Dawe.^ It had before been granted in the time of
Edw. IIL and Ric, 11. to Gilbert Talbot and Walter Chamberline.
The manor above recited was denominated Mcgna-Lopen, by way of diftinftion from
Lopen-Parva, und Lopen- Abiis or ?V/«/)/i?, which lafteftate belonged to the preceptoryof
Temple-Combe, of which mention has been made in the fecond volume of this work.
Among the benefadtors to the knights-templars or hofpitalers of St. John of Jerufalem,
Milo de Franca-Quercu is fet down as having given to them divers lands and tenements
in the village of Lopen belonging to the prcceptory of Temple-Combe.'' Thefe hnds,
fometimes called by the name of a manor, amounted to half a knight's fee, which the
mafter of the knights-temple held of Hugh Lovel as in fee de Mortaigne 1 9 Edw. I.'
34 Henry VIII. that King granted the reftory of Lopen' to the dean and chapter of
<he cathedral church at Briftol, to be held to them and their fucceffors, of the crown in
pure and perpetual alms.'' It is a curacy in the deanery of Crewkernej the Rev. John
Templeman is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to All-Saints, is fmall, being of one pace, and at the
weft end has a fmall turret containing two bells. There are no memorials worth notice.
In this parifh there is a confiderable manufadture of dowlas.
Lib. Domefday. 'Ibid. ' Rot. Pip. 14 Joh. " See page iig. ' Efc. |' Petit, in Pari. 2 Ed. III.
« PAt.joEIiz.p. 16. !" Mon. Angl. ii, 551. ' Lib. Fcod. " Pat. 34 Hen. VIII. p. 10.
SEVINGTON,
®outb=lPctbertonO [ 123 ]
SEVINGTON,
Anciently Seofenemptotit Seovenamentone, Sevenehanlane, and Sevenemelone.
OF this name there are feveral places in this neighbourhood adjoining each other,
of which SEVINGTON-ST.-MICHAEL, fo called from the dedication of its
church, ftands northweft from the parifli of Lopen laft defcribed, and in the road from
Ilminfter to Yeovil.
Of this place Robert earl of Morton was lord at the time of the Conqueft.
" Malger holds of the Earl, Sevenehantune. Alward held it in the time of
" King Edward, and gelded for feven hides. The arable is feven carucates. Thereof
" in demefne are five hides and a half, and there are three carucates, and fix fcrvants,
" and eight villanes, and feven cottagers, with three ploughs. There is a mill of five
" /hillings rent, and forty acres of meadow. It was worth eight pounds, now one
" hundred fhillings.
" From this manor are taken away ten acres of wood, and twenty-five acres of moor
" and meadow, and arc in Sudperet the King's manor.'"
The following record feems more applicable to the place now diftinguifhed by the
name of Sevington-St. -Mary:
" Siward holds Sevenemetone. In the time of King Edward it gelded for three
" hides. The arable is three carucates. In demefne is one carucate, and two villanes,
" and three cottagers, and two fervants, and eight acres of meadow. It is worth three
" pounds.""
It appears from fubfequent evidences that the manor of Sevenhampton was held after
the Conqueft by the family of de Vallibus or Vaux, and that it came in the time of
Henry III. by the marriage of Maud the daughter of Hubert de Vaux, to Thomas de
Multon, a great baron in thofe days, whofe great-grandfon Thomas de Multon ob-
tained of Edw. II. a charter of free-warren in this his manor of Sevenhampton, and in
Pinhoe in the county of Devon." i Ric. II. Sir John Streche, knt. is certified to hold
ten knights' fees in Afhill and Sevenhampton, cum membris, of Hugh Courtney earl of
Devon.*" Which faid knights' fees were held by Thomas Courtney earl of Devon,
defcendant of the faid Hugh, 36 Henry VI.' 9 Henry VI. Cecilia the widow of
Sir William Cheyney, knt. held the manor of Sevenhampton-Vaus of Lord Zouch, as
of his manor of Caftle-Cary, in focage. She died that year, leaving Elizabeth and
Anne her fifters and next heirs,*^ Which Elizabeth becoming the wife of Sir John
Colefhill, knt. conveyed the manor of Sevenhampton into his family, in which it con-
tinued fomedme. 20 Henry VI. Sir Humphrey Stafford, knt. held at his deadi the
manor of Sevejihampon-Tieneys of the King in chief, leaving Avicia the wife of Sii"
James de Ormond, knt. his coufin and heir.* 22 Edw. IV. that King granted- the
• Lib. Domefday. " Ibjd. ' Cart. 10 Ed. II. n. 21. " Lib. Feod. ' Ibid. ' Efc. • Ibid.
R 2 manor
SEVINGTON-ST .-MICHAEL. [@OUtl)#etIjetton»
manor of Sevenhampton-Deneys to the abbey of Glaftonbury, in confideration of two
hundred and forty acres of land which the abbot had ceded to the King for the en-
largement 6f his park at Blagdon in the county of Dorfet."
The manor of Sevington-St.-Michael now belongs to the college of Winchefter.
The livin*^, valued in 1292 at ten marks,' is arcftory in the deanery of Crewkerne.
and in the patronage of Earl Poulett. The Rev. Henry Stambury is the prefent
incumbent.
The church is a fmall low ftruaure of one pace, having a wooden turret containing
three bells at the weft end. In the chancel lies the effigy in ftone of fome unknown
perfon.
" Pat. 22 Ed. IV. p. 2, m. 14. '' Taxat. Spiritual.
SEVINGTON-ST. -MARY
LIES to the weftward of Sevington-St.-Michael, and contains about My htfCifts.
forty of which are difperfed about the church, and ten compofe a Wthing half a
mile eaftward, called S^ingtm- Abbots, from its having belonged to the abbey ^
Athelney King Cnut by his charter without date gave to Goo and St. Feter, and the
abbot and convent of Athelney, two manfes, or one perch of land, in a place commonly
railed Seofenempton, on condition that they the faid abbot and monks fhould offer up
pfalms and prayers to God for his evil deeds, that after death he miglit by their pious
interceffions be admitted into the kingdom of heaven.^ To this fnoall donation accrued
In a Ihort time divers others ; fo that in the time of Edward the Confeffor the abbots
eftates in Sevenhampton were affeffed at the proportion of two hides, or between two
and three hundred acres. The fame was its amount at the time of the Conquelt.
" The church kfelf holds Seovenamxktoni. In the time of King Edward it
« gdded for two hides. The arable is two carucates, afid there are with it feven vil-
« lanes, and three cottagers, and two fervants. There are fix acres of meadow. It is
" worth thirty {hillings."" .
One of the abbots buik a chapel in this place, which contmned tifl the d?ffolutiOft
of monafteries.
The living of Sevington-St.-Mary is a curacy in the deanery of Crewkerne, and
gift of Earl Poulett. The Rev. Thomas Allen is the prefent incumbent.
The church is of one pace, and has at the weft end an «nbattled tower oontaining
three bells. , .^ -r. «
• Regift. Abbat, de Athelnef . J L** Domefdsy.
SHEPTON-
€)OUt!)'-lpetf)ctton.] [ 125 ]
T
SHEPTON-BEAUCHAMP.
HIS is a confiderable parilh, lying on the weftern fide of Sonth-Pethcrton, tn a
^ rich, flat, and inclofcd country. A fpring rifing in the centre of the parifti forms
a rivulet, which, uniting with another from a fpring in the hamlet of West-Cross,
there turns a grift-miU. The number of houfcs in this parifh is eighty-five. The
place derived its additional name from the barons Beauchamp its ancient lords; at the
Conqueft it belonged to the Earl of Morton:
« The Earl himfelf holds Scbptone. Algar held it in the time of King Edward,
« and gelded for fix hides. The arable is four carucates. Of this in demefne are four
« hides, wanting half a virgate, and there is one carucate and a half; and three fcrvaiits
« and nine viUanes, and three cottagers, and fifteen acres of meadow. It was worth
« one hundred fhillings, now four pounds.""
The Lords Beauchamp, of Hatch, being foon afterwards enfeoffed of this manor, it
became part of that barony, and was held of the King in chief by the fervice of half a
knight's fee." Of this noble and ancient family notice having been already taken,' it
only remains to fay, that this manor continued in their name and pofleffion till the latter
end of the reign of Edw. III. when John Beauchamp dying without ilTue, it became
the property of Cecily his filler and coheirefs, who was firft married to Roger Seymour,
and afterwards to Richard Turbervillc, of Bere-Regis in the county of Dorfet. Which
Cecily bore on her feal, 47 Edw. III. cheeky, being the arms of Turberville her fecond
hufband ' She died 17 Ric. II. feized of this manor of Shepton-Beauchamp and the
advowfon of the church, leaving Roger Seymour, fon of Sir Wilham Seyniour, her
grandfon and heir,' anccftor of the Seymours dukes of Somerfet. In the fchedule of
%it eftates of Edward duke of Somerfet, the proteftor, this manor is certified to be of
the yearly value of 37I. I2S. i|d.' This manor was the property of the late Robert
Child, efq.
The benefice is reftorial, and was valued in 1 292 at ten marks.' The patronage is
in the lord of the manor; the Rev. Heniy Kewmin is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which ftands on a rifing ground, is a handfome ftrufture of ftonc
brought from Ham-hill, and of excellent mafonry. It confifts of a nave, chancel, north
and fouth ailes, and at the weft end is a well-built embattled tower feventy feet high,
with a clock, chimes, and fix mufxcal bells. In the weft front of the tower ftands the
ftatue of St. Patrick with his crofier. In the chancel are tliree arches nfuig one above
the other, and vulgarly called the Three tabernacles.
On a black tabtotis tht following account of donations left to this parilh:
« Thomas Rich, of London, gent, left fnc acres of land within the parifti of Merriot
ferthe inftruftion of twelve poor children.
? Lib.Domefday. » Lib. Feod. 'Vol.i.p.44. 'Cart.Antiq. f Efc.
' MS. Valor. « Taxat. SpirUual. ^^ Hcnrv
,26 SHEPTON-BEAUCHAMP. [^outi)#et|)ettom
" Henry Werrott, of this parifli, gent, left one hundred pounds, the intereft of which
is to be applied to the binding poor children apprentices.
" William Palfry, of London, gent, left eight pounds four Ihilllngs and four-pence
yearly, papble out of an eftate at Curry-Rivel to the fecond poor.
« William Drew and John Cogan, gents, gave three pounds yearly to the fecond
poor, payable out of the manor of Cheddington.
" William Glanfield, of this parilh, gent, left nine acres of land within the parifh of
South-Petherton, for binding out poor boys apprentices.
" Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, of this parilh, left two hundred pounds, the intereft of
which is to be applied to the inftruftion and apprenticing out fix poor boys."
In this parifli is a large ancient houfe, the property of Thomas Grofvenor, efq.
WHITESTANTON.
THIS parifh lies at the fouthweft extremity of the county, being thi-ee miles north-
weft from Chard, and eleven eaft from Honiton in Devonlhire. It is fituated in
a valley nearly furrounded by hills, and in a very rough uneven traft of country.
There is a great deal of wafteland. The inclofed parts are nearly equally divided be-
tween pafture and tillage, and in general good. There are feveral fine woods, con-
taining principally oak timber. A fine fpring, having its rife near the church, forms a
rivulet which runs into Yarcombe river within the confines of Devon. The houfes
here are thinly fcattered and very mean, there being many cottages or huts of only
one floor, and a fingle room for a family. The country abounds with the digitalis, or
red large fox-gloves, which generally grow in the hedges of the inclofures, but are alfo
fo thick in fome parts of the wafte, as to rhake the hills appear red at a diftance like a
field of poppies.
There are feveral parts of this neighbourhood which have the prasnomen o( white or
whitty fuch as this parifh of White-Stanton, White-Lackington, White-Crofs, White-
Down, a difcrimination they feem primarily to have derived from the faint White, who,
together with St. Rayn, (according to William of Worcefter') was buried in a chapel
upon the plain near Crewkerne.
The original name of this place was Stantme, and it is thus defcribed in the Norman
furvey as parcel of the poffeflions of Robert earl of Morton :
*' Anfger holds Stantune of the Earl. Alward held it in the time of King
*• Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable is eight carucates. In dcmefne is
• P. 163,
" one
mm'^tmnon,} WHITESTANTON. 127
" one carucate and a half, and fix fervants, and eighteen villanes, and four cottagers,
" with three ploughs and a half. There is a mill not rated, and two hundred and fixty
"acres of wood, and fifty acres of pafturc. It renders four blomes of iron. It is
" worth fixty fliillings.""
A defcendant of the laft Earl of Morton feems to have been fettled at this place, and
to have aflumed its name. In the time of Henry II. Robert de Stantone held two
knights' fees of Walter Brito or Brett,' which Walter Brett had this manor by the
grant of the crown, and was progenitor of a refpecflable family who pofleflcd it till the
beginning of the prefent century. To which Robert de Stantone fucceeded William,
Henry, John, and John de Stantone; which laft was living in the time of Edw. II.
and had for his arms a chevron between three lions' heads erafcd.'' To him fucceeded
another John, and to him William de Staunton, who was lord of the manor of White-
Staunton 3 Ric. II.'
The Bretts, its chief lords, were a family of much repute, and produced many perfons
of eminence both in politicks and literature. Richard Brett, fon of Robert Brett of
this place, was one of the tranflators of the bible now ufed in our churches and private
families; he was well verfed in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chaldaick, Arabick, and
Ethiopian languagesj and publilhed feveral books of hiftory, biography, and criticifm.
He died in 1637, and was buried at Quainton in Buckinghamlhire, of which parifh he
was redtor.' Henry Brett, the reprefentative of this ancient family, fold this manor
with the advowfon of the church to Sir Abraham Elton, bart. whofe defcendant Ifaac
Elton, of Stapleton in the county of Gloucefter, efq; is the prefent pofleflbr.
The living is a redtory in the deanery of Crewkerne, and in the gift of the lord of
the manor. The Rev. James Knott is the prefent incumbent.
This benefice was in 1292 valued at eight marks.^
The church, which is dedicated to St. Andrew, confifts of a nave, chancel, and north
and fouth ailes. At the weft end is a ftrong well-built embattled tower, having a turret
at one corner, and five bells.
In the fouth aile is an old ftone tonnb, with the following coats, but no infcription :
viz. I. Cheeky. 2. Three lozenges in fefle. 3. A chevron between three rofes.
4. Effaced.
On a black ftone in the wall: " In this ifle lyethe buried Margaret Brett, one of
the daughters and coheirs of Hugh Ratcliff, efq; and wife of John Brett, efq; lord of
this manor of Whitftanton, who died the 22d day of Februarie 1582, and here refteth in
the affured hope of the joyful refurreftion." Arms, Argent, a lion rampant between five
crofs-croflets fitchee gules : Brett. Impaling, Argent, a bend engrailed /able : RatclifF.
" In this ifle lyethe buried Mary Morgane, eldeft daughter of John Brett, efq; and
and Margaret his wife, lord of this manor of Whitftanton, and wife of Chriftopher
» Lib. Doraefday. • Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 99. " Seals from ancient Deeds. • Efc.
' Athen. Oxon. i. 608. « Taxat. Spiriiu-il.
Morgane,
128
WHiTESTANTON. [^outi)^ii?eti)erton.
Morgane, of Maperton, efq; who died the 4th day of Januarie 1582, and here refteth
in the affured hope of the joyful refiirreftion." Arms, Argent^ on a bend zoixit^. Jable^
a fleur-de-lis between two cinquefoils gules: Morgan, impaling Brett.
In the floor on a grave-ftone:- " Here lyeth the body of Alexander Brett, efqj
who died the firft day of July, A. D. 167 1, aetatis fuse 38."
THE
■ -t
[ 129 ]
«^4fgr»4fr^ii|i> »t\ »%i n%\ n%\ *i|>4t|»«t t» «i t > »t t« "t > '» t> "> ' ^^«*fef<*| mt t »t i > M| r
THE HUNDRED
O F
PITNEY.
THIS is a fmall traft of land lying in the fouthern part of the county; and
wafhed by the rivers Ivel and Parret, which divide it into two portions^
It contains the ancient borough and market-town of Langport, and two
other parilhes.
PITNEY,
FROM which the hundred derived its name, and where the courts were ufiially Held,,
is a village very pleafantly fituated on the weft fide of Somerton, and to tlie north
of the road leading from that town to Langport, in a fine vale embofomed in a grove
of elms. A rivulet rifing at the eaft end of the parifh paflTes through it to the river at
Langport. This parilh is divided, both with regard to property and locality, into
three parts; the village and manor of Pitney; the ancient hamlet of Beer; and the
hamlet and manor of Wearn, fituated fouthweft near Huifli-Epifcopi.
The manor of Pitney, or Petenie, was partly ancient demefne of the crown, as wc
learn from the following furvey:
" The King holds Petenie. In the time of King fedward it gelded for one hide,.
** The arable is one carucate and a half. Hunfi-id holds dicre half a hide, and has one
*' plough, and fix acres of meadow, and three acres of wood. It was and is worth
" twenty fhillings. What the King has there is worth ten fliillings."*
* Lib. Domefday.
Vot. IIL S In
130 PITNEY. [Pimcg.
In the time of Henry III. Pitney was the pofleffion of Henry L'Orti, from whom
and his defcendants it had the name of Titney-Lorti. i\ of that reign the faid Henry
and Sabina his wife, who was the daughter of Richard Revel, baron of Curry-Rivel,
paid twenty fliilHngs and one gofhawk into the King's exchequer for the lands which
they held in Pitney and Wearn, parcel of the manor of Somerton.'' To which Henry
fucceeded Sir Henry de L'Orti, knt. (during whofe minority this manor was held by Sir
Eubulo de Montibus}') and to him Sir John de L'Orti, who was twice knight of the
fhirefor this county m the time of Edw. III. Which Sir John about 13 Edw. III.
gave the manor of Pitney to Sir Ralph de Middleney, knt. in marriage with his filler
Elizabeth,'' who died feized of the fame and the advowfon of the church 35 Edw. III.
without iflfue." Elizabeth his faid wife furviving him, married to her fecond hufband
Sir Robert de Afhton, knt. who in her right held the manor and hundred of Pitney
with the advowfon of the church, and all other appertenances thereto, of the King in
chief by the fervice of paying yearly to the Kin^ by the hands of the fherifF twenty
lliillings, or in lieu thereof a goihawk at the feaft of St. Michael.' He died 7 Ric. II.
and in the inquifition taken after his deceafe it is faid that his heir was uncertain, but to
an eftate in Dorfetfhire, Ralph Cheneye and Morris Rufiell are found to be the heirs
of the fiid Sir Robert de Afhton. But it is evident that neither of them pofTeffed this
manor; for it appears by another inquifition that Sir Robert de Afhton had a fecond
wife, whofe name was Phillippa, who furviving "him was afterwards married to Sir
John Tiptot, knt. and held this manor with the advowfon of the church for the term of
her lifc.^ After her death one moiety of the faid manor, hundred, and advowfon,
defcended to Elizabeth the wife of John Andrew, fifter and heir of Maud the wife of
John Langeryche, and one of the fillers and heirs of Hugh Lorty, a defcendant of the
barons L'Orti; and the other moiety of the manor, hundred, and advowfon, became
the property of Elizabeth the wife of John Gunter, the other furviving fifter, and heir
of the faid Hugh Lorty.*" After the death of Elizabeth the wife of John Andrew
' abovementioned, tlie whole manor of Pitney-Lorti, and its appertenances, became
veiled in the family of Gunter, of whom Roger Gunter died 15 Henry VI. in poffefTion
hereof, leaving John his fon and heir.' This John died 13 Edw. IV. feized of the
manor of Pitney-Lorti, and the advowfon of the church ; as alfo of the manor of KnoUe,
which had defcended with Pitney from Sir John de L'Orti in the time of Edw. III.
and was held under the abbey of Athelney; in all which he was fucceeded by Vv'illiam
his brother and heir.'' Which William died i Ric. III. and had for his fuccefibr
Edmund Gunter,' who bore for his arms. Sable, three gauntlets argent.'^ Hence it
pafTed to other families, and in the time of Philip and Mary was the property of
Robert Morton, who fold the manor of Pitney-Lorti to the family of Popham." It is
now the property of John Pyne', efq.
The manor of Wparn, called alfo Pitney-Wearn, has no other diflinftion in the
Korman furvey than the following:
' Rot. Pit). 21 Hen. III. « Rot. Pip. 41 Hen. III. * Cart. Antiq. ' Efc.
' Efc, ' Cart. Antiq. " Inq. Som. 5 Hen. V. ' Efc. » Lib. Feod.
' Efc. " Seals from ancient Deeds. ° Licence to alienate.
" Robert
IPitne?.]
T N
Y.
i3»
*' Robert de Odburuile holds of the King in Warne two virgates and a half of land,
" which never gelded. The arable is half a' carucate. There is one cottager with one
" fervant. It is worth fifteen (hillings. It was wafte when he received it."°
The lands of this Robert de Auberville In this county came to William de Wrothain,
and after him to the family of Plugenet, from whom the village of Wearn obtained
the appellation of IVearn-Plucknet. Its next pofleflbrs were the family of Haddon.
10. Edw. III. Henry Haddon held the manors of Putteney and Werne-Plukenet of
the King by the fervice of a pair of gilt fpurs, or fix-pence for all fervices.'' He died
that fame year, and Eleanpr his wife furviving him had this manor for her dower.'
By the faid Eleanor he had ifllie a daughter, Amice, who was married to Sir William
Fitzwarren, who pofi^efied this manor in her right; and after him it came to John
Fitzwarren, whofe heirefs brought it to the Chidiocks of Dorfetfhire. This portion
of Pitney has long been in the pofleffion of the Earls of Northampton.
The living of Pitney is a redtory, and a peculiar in the deanery of Ilchefter. John
Pyne, efq; is the patron, and the Rev. John Michell is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which ftands at the north end of the village on a rifing ground, is dedi-
cated to St. John the Baptift, and confifts of a nave, chancel, fouth aile, and tower
containing four bells.
In the chancel floor a flat ftone commemorates Cannanvell Bernard, M. A. minifter
of this place forty-four years, who died Nov. 9, A. D. 1668. Another is to the
memory of the Rev. Dr. Edmund Lovell, who was likewife reftor here, and died
Nov. 12, A. D. 1721.
? Lib. Domefday,
' Nom. tenent. in cap. Com. Somerfet.
' Efc. 35 Ed. III.
A N
O R
THE river Parret, foon after its junftion with the Ivel, vifits the ancient town of
Langport, the name whereof being compounded of the Saxon words Lanj, fro-
lixus, and Poj^, ofpidum, originally arofe from its uncommon length of building. It
was anciently very large, and is faid to have been moated round j but at prefent no
veftiges of fortification are difcernible, and it confifts chiefly of two ftreets, the principal
of which is called IVeJl-ftreet, being the road to Taunton and other places wcftvvard.
It is divided into two parts, denominated Langport-Eajlo'oer, and Langpcrt-JVeJlover, in
regard of their oppofite fituations ; and ftands moflJy upon a fmall afccnt, having a
traft of rich level champain on the north, weft, and fouth, with two large commons and
a moor weftrward, containing about one hundred and forty acres of fine rich meadow
land, which from the circumftance of its being depaftured in common and without
S a intcrruptioa
«,
,3»
13-2 ^ L A N G P O R T. [l^itncg,
interruption by the cattle of all the adjoining parifhes, is denominated Common Moor.
Another piece of land of finnilar defcription, containing about feventy acres, called
Vag^-Common, lies between this town and Sonnerton, but is not of equal goodnefs with
the former. No lord of any adjoinir^g manor has right of foil in either of thefe pieces
of land J but the neighbouring inhabitants of all defcriptions, by long cuftom, affert
the liberty both of building and feeding their cattle thereon, when and in what manner
they pleafer The Parret, navigable here for large barges, crofTes the lower part of
Weft-ftreet, and has over it a flone bridge of nine arches; a branch or outlet of the
fame river crofies the fame ftreet near the Town -hall, under another bridge of two
arches, and mixes with the main ftream at the diftance of about two furlongs below.
The fall of the river hence to Boroughbridge is only one inch in a mile, and from
Boroughbridge to Bridgvyater it is one inch and a quarter. From the level of King's-
Sedgmoor to the bed of the river, the fall is fifteen feet. A court of the commiflioners
of the fewers is held here quarterly.
The town of Langport was anciently more celebrious than now. In the time of
Xing William the Conqueror it was a royal burgh, and had in it thirty-four refident
burgefles, who, under the firm of the manor of Somerton, paid a rent of fifteen fhillings
to the King. There were two fifiicries on the river, which belonged to the borough,
and pr.id a rent of ten' fhillings; and the whole revenue of the place was rated at
791^105. 7d. per annum,' a very large fum in thofe days. Nor did the Kings of Eng-
land think ?it to part with fo defirabie an eftate till the time of Ric. I. who, finding
■occafion for baronial aid, gave it with feveral other eftates in the neighbourhood to Sir
Richard Revel, knt. who procured a charter for the town, and is faid to have built a
caftle here."" From him the manor and borough defcended by an heir female to the
L'Orti's; and in fucceeding times, by virtue of the franchife obtained by Revel, the
, manor and town of Langport-Eaftover, and Langport-Weftover, were held in free-
burgage by the Earls of Salifbury,'the Marquis of Dorfet, and the Earl of Hertford:
and in the time of Queen Elizabeth, Hugh Sexey, efq; being lord of Langport-Eaft-
over, left tlie fame in truft to feoffees, who fetded it on the hofpital at Brewton. Which
manor, called fometimes by the name of the Out-Manor, or Mamrium-forinjeciimi is
now held under a referved rent to Brewton by Sir Richard Colt Hoare, bart. whole
uncle purchafed it of Lady Northampton, widow of the Lord Berkeley.
But the manor intrinjecal belongs to the portreve and the corporation, which confifls
of twelve burgefies, who have the royalty of the river, and a variety of other powers
and liberties annexed to burghal tenures. The mofl ancient arms of this town was an
embattled and crennellated tower; thofe afterwards ufed were only a portcullis." It
thrice fent members to parliament.
It was the intention of King Heniy I. to have erefted in this town a very fplendid
and large monafterv;'' but he altered his defign, and tranflated his munificence to the
town of Reading in Berklhire, where the ruins of his flately abbey are ftill feen. It
does not appear that there were any religious houfes in the town, fave only a houfe or
hofpital of poor lepers, dedicated to St. Maiy Magdalen. This was founded before
>
' Lib- Domefday, Vide Somerton. ? Cart. Antiq. ' Ancient Seals, and Town-piece. ^ Lei. Itin. ii. 92.
the
3p>imC5.] L A N G P O R T. ijy
the year 1310, when Bifhop Drokensford granted the lepers here a brief to colled
alms throughout his diocefe for their fupport." An indulgence alfo was granted, by
Richard Metford bifliop of Sali/bury, to the benefacftors of this hofpital/
The living of Langport, being vicarial, is united with that of Huifli, and both form a
peculiar of the archdeacon of Wells. The Rev. John Michell is the prefent incumbent.
The church (lands on an eminence at the eaft end of the town, and is dedicated to
All-Saints, confiding of a nave, chancel, north and fouth ailes, and two chapels, and a
vellry-room (formerly a confelTional) in ruins.* There is a good tower at the weft
end, in which are five bells ; on the weft fide of it are fouv large niches, which formerly
contained ftatues long fince gone.
The fouth chapel was built (as it is faid) by the family of Heme or Heron, one of
whom lies buried here under a large ftone-tomb covered with grey marble : the brafs-
plates which contained the infcription are ftript off, and the arms defaced ; but in all
the three windows are thefe arms: Per fefle argent and Jable, a pale counterchanged,
three herons of the firft. In the fouth window, i. On a roundle gules a hernftiaw
argent. 1. Sable, three fwords in pile argent: Pawlct.
In the eaft window of the north chapel is the figure of St. Ambrofe, and thefe arms,
viz. Argent, a fefiTe nebulee gules, furmounted by a bend or; impaling argent a chevro^
gtdes between three acorns or.
In the north windows of the chancel are the figures of the Virgin Mary, St. Gabriel,
St. Elizabeth, St. Clement, St. Catherine, and others.
Againft the north wall is a fmall monument of black and white marble, infcribed,
" Juxta in progenitorum fepulchro jacct Johannes Michell, vir fumma humanitate, et
incorrupta fide infignis. Qui turn in arte chirurgica, tftn in medicamentaria, multum
verfatus, affliftis nodle dicque, quam maxime potuit, opem ferebat. Omnibus quibus
innotuit flebilis occidit Jan. 12, A. D. 176 1, astatis 40. Uxor moerens tam chari con-
jugis defiderio, in ejus memoriam hoc monumentum erexit." Arms, Gules, a chevron
between three fwans argent.
At the entrance of the chancel, on another fmall monument of black and white
marble: " Infra fepukus eft Johannes Michell, A. M. hujus ecclefiie vicarius, qui
Martij die 28° Anno Domini 1744°, aetat. fuse 52° deceflit."
A little to the eaft of the church is a fmall old building, vulgarljr called the Hanging-
Chapel, in which is kept a free-fchool founded by Thomas Gilkt, of Compton-Paunce-
fort, in the laft century. The road to Yeovil pafl"es under the arched gateway of this
ftnifture, which on this fide gives the place at entrance the appearance of a fortified
town. Its military tranfaftions however have been few, and we have little recorded
in this refpeft, if we except the hoftilities of the laft century; when, July 10, 1645, a
brigade of Lord Goring's army, being ftationed here to guard a pafs, were overpowered
by the rebels, and forced to a diforderly retreat with the lofs of three hundred mea
' Archer. ' HaxU MS. 862, p. ijJ. * 1785*
killed
Mi.
134 L A N G P O R T. [Pitnep*
killed and taken. In this aflion Sir John Digby received a wound, of* which he Ihortly
after died.''
This town has a market on Saturday, and four fairs, viz. the fecond Monday in Lent,
Old-Midfummer, Michaelmas, and St. Martin's daysj and gave title of Baron to
Charles Lord Berkeley of Rathdown.
'' Mercurius Belgicu;, p. 49.
M U C H E L N E Y,
,0r. The Great Island ;
SO called by reafon of its being inclofed between the rivers Ivel and Parret,' and its
being frequently infulated by the ftagnant waters of the furrounding moors, is a
parifli two miles fouth from Langport, confifting of the village of its name, in which
are about thirty houfes; the hamlet of Thorney fouthwardj and Muchelney-Ham
eaftward, each containing nine houfes.
The village of Muchelney is rendered memorable for its very ancient and rich abbey,
founded by Athclftan, king of the Weft-Saxons, A. D. 939. That king, in the earlier
part of his reign, having given too implicit credit to certain falfe infinuations of the
defign of his brother Edwin againft his life, caufed him to be fent with only one atten-
dant in an open boat into the ftormy fea, where he perifhed in the waves. Repenting
afterwards of this ralh and cruel aftion, he is faid, by way of penance, to have Ihut
himfelf up in a cell at Langport for feven years ; and at the expiration of that term, as
an atonement for his crime, to have founded in the adjacent village of Muchelney an
abbey of Benedidine monks, which he dedicated to the honour of St. Peter and St.
Paul. To this foundation, which by fome is afcribed to King Ina, many monarchs
were benefaftors both before and after the Norman Conqueft. At that period, as
appears by the general furvey, the abbey was poffefled of the following territories :
" The church of St. Peter of Micelenye holds four carucates of land, which never
" gelded, in thefe three iflands, Michelenie, Mideleme, and Torleie. Theie are in demefne
" two carucates, and one arpent [or acre] of vineyard. There are four fervants, and
" three villanes, and eighteen cottagers, with two ploughs. There are two fifheries
" which produce fix thoufand eelsj and twenty-five acres of meadow, and twelve acres
" of wood, and one hundred acres of pafture. 1 1 was and is worth three pounds."''
* " The firft upon the right, as from her fource, doth make
" Large Muchelney an ifle." Polyolbion, p. 48.
1 . 1 * Lib. Domefday. Their
ptnep.l M U C H E L N E Y. 135
Their other lands in this county, as recited in the fame record, were Cipcftable,
[Chipjlaple] Ileminftre, [Ilminfter'\ Ifle, [^IJle-Mbots'] Draitune, [Drayton] Camelle,
[IVeft-Camel] and Cathangre, [^Cathanger] in the parifh of Fivchead. Befides which
the abbot and convent had afterwards the manor of DownheacT, Middle-Chilcombe,
Weft-Earnlhill, and Eaft-Earn(hill j lands ifi Drayton, Burton, Here, Ilford, Ilminfter,
Martock, and otlier places;' with the churches of Muchelney, Chipftaple, Somerton,
Ide-Abbots, Fivehead, Merriot, Ilminfter, and the chapel of Drayton.** 12 Heniy II.
the abbot certified to the King that he, in like manner with his predeceflbrs in the mona-
ftery, held his lands by the fcrvice of one knight's fee, which fee was then partly held
by Richard Revel, and partly by Margaret daughter of Ralph Tabucl." In the time
of King John the abbot was by an order from the crown difpoflrefled of his lands and
chattels, and gave three marks of gold to have reftoration of the abbey and its poflef-
fions.' 14 Henry III. the abbot paid three marks for one knight's fee, to the aid for
the King's firft paflage into Britanny,' and 38 Henry III. the fame fum to the aid for
making the King's eldeft fon a knight.'" In the taxation of Pope Nicholas temp. Edw. I.
the abbot's revenues in Muchelney were valued at feven pounds fourteen fliillings.'
Of this monaftery the King was always patron j and the abbots were fummoned to
the convdcation.
Richard was abbot in 1201.
Walter, 1248. 4
"William de Givele, 1 274.
John de Hentone, 1304. He died June 9, 1334/
John de Somerton was confirmed July 19, 1334.
Thomas de Overton, 1353 and 1368.
William de Shepton, 1375 and 1387.
John de Bruton, 1399 and 1432.
John de Charde was eledbed in 1432. IIe"was canon of Wells, and prebendary of
the prebend of Ilminfter.'' He died Sept. 10, 1463.
Thomas Pipe,ele(5ted Sept. 21, 1463. There were fourteen rnonks then in the abbey.'
William de Crewkerne occurs abbot 1465, 1467, and 1468." •
John Bracey was at the eledion of John Gunthrop, dean of Wells, 1472. He died
May 16, 1490.
William de Wick fucceeded June 15, 1490. Fifteen monks were then in the
abbey, and two abfcnr. He died in the month of Oftober 1504.
Thomas Broke was confirmed Jan. 21, 1504, and died in 1522.
' Cart. Antiq. '' Taxat.' Spiritual. ' Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 89. ' Mag. Rot. 3 Joh.
« Ibid. 14 Hen. III. " Ibid. 38 Hen. III. ' Taxat. Temporal.
" Adam de Domerham in Prefat. p. xxx.
* Archer's account of Religious Houfes ; in Walter Hemingfbrd's Chronicle, 6ii.
" Adaro de Domerham, ut fopra.
John
136 M U C H E L N E Y. Wittlt^*
John Scherborne was ele£led 00:. lo, and confirmed Nov. 6, 1522.
Thomas Yve was the laft abbot," who with Richard Cofcob, prior, John Montague,
and eight others, fubfcribed to the fupremacy July 2, 1534, and afterwards to the
furrender Jan. 3, 1539. In 1553, there remained in charge of annuities 61.°
The revenues of tWis abbey were in 1444 valued at 97I. 3s. 4d. and 1534, at 447I.
5s.'' 30 Henry VIII. the King granted to Edward earl of Hertford the monaftery
and manor of Muchelney, with the manors of Drayton and Wefton, Middleney, Lang-
port and Othery, Yarnhill, Weft-Camel, Downfhead, IIle-Abbots, Ilminfter, Ilcombe,
Fivehead, Chipftaple, Ivell, Ilchefter, Milton, and Marfton, moft of them belonging
to this monaftery.' The manor of Muchelney belongs now to Walter Long, efq.
Another manor in tkis parifti is the property of Bethune, efq.
Tlife abbey^, according to William of Worcefter, and a furvey taken juft after the
diflblution, was a large and fine ftrudure; the church was one hundred and fifty-fix
feet long, and forty-five feet broad j the length of the cloifter was eighty-one feet, the
breadth fifty-ofte feet; there was a chapel in it dedicated to the blelled Virgin Mary/
It ftood adjoining to the prefent church-yard; the buildings are now moftly taken down,
and the remaining part converted into a farm-houfe, ftill diftinguifhed by the appel-
lation of the abbey. Moft of the houfe and offices now ftanding have an ancient
appearance, being in the Gothick ftile, with battlements, fine arched windows, ftone
ilair-cafes, and large quoins. In feveral of the windows there are the fragments of
what once was finely painted glafs. In the adjoining orchard the foundations of the
ancient ftrufture may eafily be traced to a great extent. It is furrounded by old vene-
rable elms, and feems to have been a place well adapted to retirement and religious
contemplation.
The cliurch of Muchelney was in 1292 valued at nine marks.' In 1308 there was
an« ordination of the vicarage by Walter Hafellhaw bifhop of Bath and Wells, by
which it was articled that the vicar for the time being fhould have all that houfe
and curtillage, then occupied by Richard Baldewyne of Martock, vicar of the faid
church, that he fhould have from the abbey cellar every day one of the monks' large
loaves, and two pitchers of the beft conventual ale, and from the abbey kitchen
twice a week, viz. Sundays and Tuefdays, a difh of meat; but the reft of the week
only a difh of eggs or fifh, at the pleafure of the kitchen fbeward. The vicar and
his fuccefTors were to receive yearly from the fexton of Muchelney for the time being,
at the four ufual quarters of the year, four pounds of filver to defray charges; alfo
all the money offered on fabbath-days, as well at Muchelney, as in the chapel at
Drayton annexed thereto, as alfo all the money offered at funeral folemnities as well at
firft as fecond mafsi alfo legacies left and mafs-pence offered for the deceafed; alfo all
the bread, and eggs, and other oblations at the crofs on Whitfunday and Eafter-day,
in the church at Muchelney, and the chapel of Drayton, as alfo all confeffional obla-
tions and gifts at purifications. The abbot and convent to receive all tithes great
" Archer, ut fupra. ' Willis's Hift. of Abbies, ii. 199. p Archer. ' Strachey's Lift, 661.
' Itin. Willelm. de Worceftic, 150. = Taxat. Spiritual.
and
Ipimcpj
M U C H E L N E Y.
^17
and fmall belonging both to Muchelney and Drayton, and every other perquifite not
above lijecifiedj and the vicar to fuftain all epifcopal, archidiaconal, and other ordinary
charges, befides archdeacon's procurations, and to find a proper chaplain to officiate in
the chapel of Drayton. This ordination is dated at Chew Dec. a, A. D. 1308.'
This vicarage lies in the deanery of Ilchefter. The dean and chapter of Briftol are
patrons, and the Rev. Thomas Powell is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and confifts of a nave and chan-
cel tiled, and north and fouth ailes leaded. At the weft end ftands an embatded tower,
containing five bells. In fome of the windows are the remains of painted glafs, but
little perfedl. In the fouth wall of the chancel are three niches or tabernacles.
* Excerpt e Regilt. Wellen. Etiam in Appendice ad Prxfat. Ad. de Domerham. Hid. p. boxiii.
1
Vol. III.
THE
T^
[ 139 1
■ ■a^.j^i.- jj^.. *'**. iA«. i Jaj. iJ*.- nJt. ij.> ia«..*<»^ i-a^.. «<«> »Ji> «^t..|Jjfc iitit ijij i^ifc iiBifc f 'tii i Jt> i Jifc4Jfc*^
THE HUNDRED
O F
P O R T B U R Y.
THIS territory, lying at the very northernmoft extremity of the county, and
in a very reclufe angle thereof, feems as it were a province of itfelf, and
not continuous with that large tradt of country to which it really belongs;
having the fea on the weft and north weft; and the river Avon, which
divides it from Gloucefterftiire, on the eaft and northeaft; and being on the fouth
fee ludedfrom the inland parts by a long and lofty ridge of mountain, extending from
the intrenchments of IBUttO&HlOl on the Avon over againft the viUage of Clifton,
to Clevedon-flats oppofite the coaft of Cardiff in South-Wales. The plain fouth-
ward of this ridge was formerly a branch of the fea, which, according to unvaried
tradition, waftied as high as the vale o( J/bton; but when its waters retired, thefe parts
became moors, which are in wet feafons ftill covered with ftagnant water, and are deep
and fwampy, like all fuch other parts of the coaft as have once been vifited and at
length forfaken by the waters of the fea.
This diftrid, being thus retired, and fortified on three fides by the fea and the river,
and on the fourth by a natural embankment, was a moft advantageous Ipot for the
Romans to exercife their arms, to defend themfelves againft the inroads of the inhabi-
tants of the fouthern and eaftern countries, and to obferve the tranlaftions of the
oppofite Tranfabrinians. One of their military ways (in many parts ftill plain and
vifible) coming from Axbridge, and the Pouldon-Hills near Bridgwater, pafles tranf-
verfcly through it towards the fea at Portiftiead, where was a paflage to Ifca-Silurum,
now called Caerleorit in Monmouthftaire, the principal town tliey had on that fide of
the water.
Ta To
140 PORTBURY HUNDRED.
To this remote corner alfo tends that egregious boundary of the Belgick wamors,
called Wanjdike, or IVanditch, which we have had fo frequent occafion to take notice
of. Its courfe is direfted hither from the ancient fortification of Mays-Knoll in the
tithing of Norton-Hautville foutlieaflward, whofe lofty weftern rampart feems to have
been a poft of obfervation for all thefe parts. Defcending the hill it crofles Highridge-
Common, where its trad is ftill vifible, and foon after thwarting the great weftern road
from Briftol to Bridgwater, forms by its vallum a deep narrow lane overhung with
wood and briars leading to Tanley-krttt in the parilh of Long- Afhton. From Yanley
it traverfes the meadows to a lane anciently denominated from it JVondefdich-Lane, as
appears from a deed dated at Afhton 3 Edw. II. wherein William Gondulph grants to
Adam de Cloptone a cottage with a piece of land adjoining to it in Ayjlonejuxta Brijioll,
fituated on the eaftern fide Venelle de JFondefdichJ" Here it crofles the Afhton road at
Rayenes-Crojs, and afcending the hill, enters the hundred of Portbury in the parifh
of Wraxall, and terminates at the ancient port of Portifhead abovementioned on the
Severn fea.
In the time of King Wilham the Conqueror the hundred of Portbury was certified
to contain eighty-fix hides and a half, fixty-three of which with one yard-land were
rated to the King; the reft was held by the barons, the Bifhop of Coutances, Ernulph
de Hefding, and others." 14 Henry II. the ftierifF accounted one hundred fhiilings for
murder committed in this hundred, which fum was paid out of it as an amerciament
to the King.' 8 Edw. I. it was found by the inquifition taken after the deceafe of
Maurice de Berkeley, that the faid Maurice held the out hundred of Portbury in chief
of the King, and that his anceftors had holden the fame time out of memory.''
Some of the parifhes belonging to this hundred are fituated in the moors fouthward;
the reft lie behind the hills towards the Briftol Channel, into which the river Avon,
emptying itfelf at the very northernmoft point, forms by its conflux with the Severn an
excellent road or ftation for fhips, called Kingroad.
• Ex Autog. penes J. H. Smyth, baronet. ' Inq. Gbeldi. • Mag. Rot. 14 Hen. II. r. 10. b, * Efc.
PORTBURY.
jport&urg.] [ 141 [
PORTBURY.
THIS place, which gives name to the hundred, and was in former times the prin-
cipal town in all thefe parts, is fituated in the valley northward from that traft
of mountain we have juft now fpoken of, and betwixt it and the harbour of Kingroad
in the Briftol Channel. It was anciently a town of the Romans, as appears from the
indubitable evidence'of coins of the Lower empire, and maflive foundations of old build-
ings; and alfo from the Military way, which has been already mentioned, traverfing the
hill hitherward from Axbridge. But perhaps we muft not give too implicit credit to
thofe who affirm, without any very good foundation, that tliis was the ftation called
Nidus, fet down as the next place to Bomium in the twelfth Iter of Antoninus.* Its
prefent name is derived from the Saxon Pojit:, a Port, and Bupj, a fortified town,
which is fufficiently expreflive of its ancient confequence, and countenances the tradition
that the towns of Portbury and Portifhead were once joined, and that the latter was die
port of this country before the city of Briftol had its being.
Among the various donations which William the Conqueror made to his favourite
Geffery bilhop of Coutances, the following manors are noted within this hundred :
Porbcrie, [Portbury] Portejhe, [Portifhead] F.ftone, [Eafton in Gordano] JVerocoJak,
£Wraxall] Weftone, [Wefton in Gordano] and Clotune, [Clapton in Gordano].'' Of
which this manor of Portbury, being near Briftol the place of his refidence, and where
he had the chief government of the caftle, was kept in his own hands, as we learn from
the following record :
" The Bifhop himfelf holds Porberie. Goduin held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for eight hides. The arable is eighteen carucates. In demefne
*' are two carucates, and thirteen fervants, and twenty villanes, and ieventeen cottagers,
" with fixteen ploughs. There are two mills of fix ftiilllngs rent, and one hundred and
" fifty acres of meadow. Pafture feventeen furlongs long, and two furlongs broad.
" Wood one mile long, and five furlongs broad. It was and is worth fifteen pounds-""
Thefe lands, having been given to the Bilhop of Coutances only for the term of his
life, on his death in 1093 reforted to the crown, and were granted to Harding, a rich
merchant, and governor of the city of Briftol, who came into this country, with the
Conqueror, and was a fon of one of the kings of Denmark. This Harding was father
of Robert, who, according to the ufage of thofe times, called himfelf Fitz-Harding, or
the fon of Harding, and was alfo governor of Briftol, and one of thofe who aided"
Maud the Emprefs and her fon Henry againft King Stephen, for which fervice he was
by them created Lord Berkeley. He procured a weekly market for this place, and a fair
yearly, and fometime refided here. His fon Maurice married Alice the daughter of
Roger lord Berkeley of Durdey, and was progenitor of the feveral branches of the great
* Vide Antonini Iter Britanniarum xii. Horfley's Britannia Roraana, 464, 465.
» Sec Domefday Book. ■ Ibid.
and
142 PORTBURY. [JpOtt&Utp*
and noble family of the Berkeleys, in which the manors of Portbury and Portiftiead
continued for a long feries of defcents, till it became veiled in the family of Coke, of
Holkham in Norfolk, into which two females of the houfe of Berkeley had inter-
married. Of which family was Sir Edward Coke, knt. lord chief juftice of England in
the time of James I. and from him defcended Thomas Coke, who in 1728 was created
Baron Lovel of Holkham in Norfolk, and in 1744, Vifcount Coke and Earl of Lei-
cefter. He married Margaret daughter and coheirefs of Thomas Tufton earl of
Thanet, by whom he had iflfue an only fon Edward, who died without ifllie in 1753;
and his father dying in 1759, the title became extinft; and the manors of Portbury and
Portifhead, with the hundred of Portbury, defcended to Thomas Wenman Coke, of
Holkham-hall in the county of Norfolk, efq; who in the year 1784 fold them to James
Gordon, efq; the prefent poffefTor.
An eftate in this parifh having been given by one of the Berkeley family to the
Auguftin priory of Bromere in Hampfhire, a cell was here eftablifhed fubfervient to
that houfe, and five or fix monks were refident therein. In 1293 this eftate was valued
at nine marks, or 61.'' 20 Edw. III. Maurice de Berkeley is certified to hold half a
knight's fee in Portbur)', and the prior of Bromere the other half." After the fuppref-
Con of that priory King Henry VIII. granted the manor or farm oi Portbury-Priorsy
with other lands belonging thereto to Henry marquis of Exeter,' who lofing his life in
1538, for correfponding with Cardinal Poole, the faid premifes came again to the
crown, and the fame King in the 34th year of his reign granted the manor, grange, or
farm of Portbuiy-priors, with lands and appertenances, to Robert Goodwin and his
heirs, to be held of him in chief by the fervice of the twentieth part of a knight's fee.*
After this the priory lands were poflefled by John Digby earl of Briftol, and being now
moftly incorporated with the manor, are the property of James Gordon, efq. The
ruinated (hell of the monaftick grange, called by the inhabitants the Priory, is ftill ftand-
ing, venerably clothed with ivy. And on tlie dope of the hill is a wood called Prior's
Wood, the property of Henry Goodwin, of Charlton in the parilh of Wraxall, efq.
This parilh is divided into the following tithings :
I.
Honour Tithing
5. Shipway""
8. Peter's Tithing
1.
Court Tithing
6. Caswell
9. Wick, and
3-
Abbot's Tithing
7. Ham-Green
10. WOLCOMBE.
4.
Cross Tithing
The church of Portbury was in 1292 valued at fifteen marks.' It is a vicarage in
the deanery of Redclifi^ and Bedminfter. The Bifliop of Briftol is patron, and the
" Taxat. Temporal. « Lib. Feod. ' Pat. 28 Hen. VIII. p. I . « Pat. 34 Hen. VIII. p, 12.
" The name of this place, which lies between Portbury and Portifhead, favours ftrongly of maritime affairs,
being compounded of the Saxon Scip, a fliip, and lUsj, a way, or according to the Domefday etymology,
lUopB, a village. It was held in the time of King Edward the ConfefiTor by BriiSric, and after the Con^ueii;
by Aluric, a thane, and confiiled of half a carucate of land, worth five ihillings. Lib. Dome/day.
At Casweh, near this was an eftate of the Arthurs of Clapton, and there were anciently feveral fmall
manors within this parilh, all held under the family of Berkeley.
' Taxat. Spiritual.
Rev.
IPOttftUrp.] P O R T B U R Y. 143
Rev. Dr. Cafberd the prefent incumbent. It was formerly appropriated to the abbey
of St. Auguftinc in Briftol, and after its diflblution the reftory and advowfon of the
vicarage were fettled on the newly erefted biflioprick. of Briftol.*
The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a large ftrufture, confifting of a nave,
chancel, north and fouth ailes, and chapel (dedicated to St. Mary) with a large and
good tower at the weft end, containing five bells. There is alfo a faint's bell. In the
fouth wall of the chancel are three large niches, with a fourth above it, which is fmaller,
and has at the bottom a bafon for holy water. There are three fimilar arches in the
fouth wall of the fouth aile.
1 1 Edw. III. Thomas lord Berkeley gave certain lands in this parifli to the vicar of
the church to celebrate the anniverfary of Lady Eve, his mother, on St. Nicholas's-
day, by placebo and dirigey with a mafsj afligning to the two chaplains there, if prefent,
two-pence a piece. Alfo to do the hke upon the anniverfaiy of Margaret his wife,
daughter of Roger Mortimer earl of March, and his own when he Ihould depart this
life. He likewife gave a mefluage, fifty acres of land, and forty ftiillings rent in Port-
bury, for a prieft to fing in our Lady chapel there for the fouls of all his anceftors,
himfelf, his fucceflbrs, and all the faithful deceafed.' After the diflblution of this
laft-mentioned chantry, William Powell the laft incumbent was allowed a penfion of
i\. 13s 4d." Maurice, eldeft fon of the faid Thomas Lord Berkeley, 23 Edw. IIL
gave lands in this parilh to Walter Rope his chaplain, to pray daily in the chapel of St.
Mary abovementioned for the good eftate of his father, and Lady Catherine then his
wife : likewife for his own foul, and the foul of Elizabeth his own wife, as alfo for the
fouls of Lord Maurice and Lady Eve Berkeley his grandfather and grandmother, and
Lady Margaret his mother. 28 Edw. III. he made a grant of other lands in this
parifli to a fimilar purpofe to Richard March his chaplain."
Lady Eve Berkeley, the wife of the third Lord Maurice Berkeley, with many others
;>f the fame family, was buried in this church; but there are no monuments remaining;.
id the only memorial of note is a brafs-plate affixed to the wall of the north aile,,
^•whereon is the portraiture of a female kneeling at a deflc, with this infcripdon :
" Sarah uxor Walter! Kemifli, gen. obijt A. D. 1621, jetatis fuae 38." Behind her are
two children praying, with the names Elizabedi and Fraunces ; and at the bottom
two infants, with the names infcribed Roger and Frances. Arms, On a chevron three
pheons. On two windows in this aile are the arm^ of Berkeley, viz. Gules, a chevron
between ten croflfes pattee argent.
In the church-yard are three very large yew-trees ; the firft of which ftanding weft-
ward is nineteen feet in circumference at feven feet from the ground, and timber for near
fi.xty feet high. The fecond is eighteen feet round at four feet height, and runs diat
fize for near twenty feet; the height of the topmoft branches, which are widely fpread,
is feventy feet. The third, which is entirely a fliell, is fifteen feet round at three feet
height, and continues that fize to the height of eighteen feet. Near the fouth door
* Pat. 34 Hen. VIII. p. 10. • Dugd. Bar. i. 358.
"■ Waii's Hill . of Abbies, ii. 203. • Dugd. Bar. i. 359.
tlierc
II
144 P O R T B U R Y. [IPOtt&Utp*
there is a fourth, but much fmaller than the reft. They altogether exhibit a veiy ve-
nerable pifture, and are doubtlefs upwards of five hundred years old.
A, D. 1772, Mr. James Selby, of the city of Briftol, gave one hundred pounds, the
intereft thereof to be diftributed to the poor of this parifli for ever.
A fair is annually held in this parifh on Whitfun-Monday.
It appears from the parifh regifters that there are about fixteen chriftenings, three
marriages, and fourteen burials, on an average per annum.
PORTISHEAD.
TO the nordiweft from Portbury ftands Portilhead, or the head of the port, from
Pojrr, port, and pepeb, head, there having been formerly at this point of land
a harbour, and a pafTage to the coaft of Monmouthfliire and Wales. The inhabitants
corruptly call it Pojfut.
It is pleafandy fituated on the fouth fide of a high ridge of hills finely wooded,
which rife immediately from the fkirts of the channel, and defend it from the ftrong
wefterly winds. At the northeaft end of the parilh the hills end, and admit a level
traft of meadows to the water. The Ihore is very rocky, and in fome places nearly
fixty feet in perpendicular height. The rocks are compofed of a kind of grit ftone, in
which is fome gypfum; and on them grow vaft quantities of the kelp-weed, but no
other varieties. Flat fifli and Ihrimps are caught on the beach. A few market-boats
are employed in carrying corn, cyder, and other goods daily to Briftol, and in return
bring bricks, tiles, timber, and fundry other articles. On the fpot called Portiftiead-
Point a fort was eredted in the laft century to command this ftrait part of the Channel j
but it was demoliftied, and only the foundations of the walls now remain. A fpring
called prelly-Spnng, rifes on Welly-Hill about a mile from the church, and running m
a fmall brook through the village, falls thence into the main channel at the water-mill.
The Norman furvey calls this place Portejhe, and thus defcribes it:
" William holds of the Biftiop, Porteshe. Aluric held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for eight hides. The arable is eight carucates. In demefne are
*' two carucates, with one lervant, and nine villanes, and four cottagers, with five
*' ploughs. There is a mill of eight IhiUings rent, and twenty acres of meadow, and
" one hundred acres of pafture. Coppice wood twelve furlongs long, and three fur-
" longs broad. It was and is worth feventy ftiillings.'"
In fucceeding times this manor of Portiftiead was poffelTed by the fame lords as that
of Portbury, and is now the property of James Gordon, efq. 2 Henry IV. Thomas
lord Berkeley obtained of that King a charter of free-warren for himfelf, his heirs, and
fucceflbrs, in this his manor of Portiftiead, and alfo in the manors of Wefton, Walton,
and Charlton, in the parifti of Wraxall.*"
• Lib. Domefday. " Cart. 2 Hen. IV. p. 2. n. 2. Within
¥
IpOttiJUrp.} P O R T I S H E A D. 145
Within this manor of Portifhead is Capenor-Court, which formerly belonged to
a family of that name, being held by them of the Percevals of Wefton.' In the time
of Queen Elizabeth, Richard Chocke, efq; held this manor with its appertcnances of
James Perceval as of his manor of Wefton in Gordano, by the fervice of the twentieth
part of a knight's fee/ It afterwards came to the Mohuns of Fleet in the county of
Dorfet, a family dcfcended from Robert, fifth brother of John Mohun, anceftor to the
Mohuns of Dunfter-Caftle, and from them pafled to the family of Full by the mar-
riage of Elizabeth, daughter and heir of William Mohun, efq; with Sir Edward Fuft,
bart. only furviving fon and heir of Sir John Full, of Hill-court in the county of
Gloucefter, bart. and it now is the property of Lady Fuft, relift of the late Sir John
Full, great-grandfon of Sir Edward abovementioned.
The living of Portilhead was valued in 1292 at twelve marks five fhillings and four-
pence j the church of Weft-Harptree having a pcnfion out of it of eight Ihillings." It ^
is a redlory in the deanery of Redcliff and Bedminfter, and in the gift of the chamber of
Briftol, who have here a very large eftate. The Rev. James Brown is the prefent
incumbent.
The church is a good building, decorated with a very lofty and beautiful tower,,
crowned widi elegant pinnacles, and of excellent mafonry.
In the upper end of the north aile are infcriptions for William Mohun, efq; who died
March 23, 168 1, and Mary his wife, who died July 26, 1692; and for Grace, wife of
Robert Halfwell, efq; who died Auguft 29, 1657, aged 70. This is the family vault •
of the Mohuns and Fufts, and over the graves are banners with the arms of Sir Edward
Fuft, and on a hatchment thofe of Mohun, impaling Morgan of Eafton.
Next the chancel is a ftone to the memory of John Read, D. D. vicar of St. Nicholas
jia. Briftol, and prebendary of Wells, who died 15 Feb. 17 1 2, aged 62 years.
On the fouth wall of the chancel is a black marble monument, infcribed,
Johannes Lovel, hujus parochise reftor, quadraginta ofto annorum obijt decimo'
nono die Martij, anno falutis 1748, aetatis fuae 79. Maria Lovel, uxor Johannis
Lovel, hujus parochise reftoris, ex antiqua et honefta familia Brentorum in agro Somer- *
fetenfi oriunda, filia reverendi viri Humphredi Brent, olim de Bedminfter cum ecclefiis
annexis dignifllmi vicarii, et Francifcas uxoris, ex familia Hawkinfiorum, in urbe BriC-
tollienfi diu et bene nota, baud minorem ftirpi retulit quam fufcepit gratiam. Deo,,
Marito, parentibus et amicis debita dum vixit officia perfolvens, coronam virtutis ac-
cepit i"" die Januarij, anno falutis 1720, jetatis 47. In gratam piamque memoriam
parentum et dileftiffimas conjugis, mceftiflimus maritus hunc lapidem locari voluit."
In the church-yard is acrofs of five rows of fteps, and a pillar in the centre twelve,
feet high,
« Can. Antjq. " Efc. 35 Eliz. » Taxat. Spiritual.
Vol. IIL U EASTON:
¥
,.<
♦ •
9
[ 146 ] [Poctburp*
EASTON IN GORDANOj
Or, St. G E O R G E ' s.
EAftward from the parifhes of Portbury and Portifhead, lies the village of Eafton
in Gordano, otherwife called St. George's, from the dedication of its parifh church
to that heroick Britifh faint, whofe name in times of chivalry was highly honoured by
our Englilh military barons. It is delightfully fituated on rifing ground, five miles
northweft from the city of Briftol, and within two miles of King-Road harbour, over
which it commands a very pleafing profpedt.
Upon the river Avon, northeaftward from the village, ftands the hamlet of Crock-
ERNE-PiLL, the buildings of which chiefly arofe in the laft century for the habitation
of mariners, whofe bufinefs confifts in piloting veflels to and from Briftol, and down
the Channel, fometimes as low as the ifland of Lundy, in which a great number of
towing boats and yawls are conftantly employed, befides fkifFs which ply down the
channel in fpeculation for the arrival of veflels.
In our early records this whole parifh is exprefled by the fingle name of Eftone,
which it obtained from its eafterly fituation fi-om the hundred town of Portbury, being
at the Conqueft held by the fame perfon, viz, Geffery bilhop of Coutances:
" Roger holds of the Bilhop, Estone. Ailric held it in the time of King Edward,
*' and gelded for twelve hides. The arable is nine carucates. In demefne are two
"^ carucates, and three fervants, and fourteen villanes, and feven cottagers, with feven
" ploughs. There is a mill of fifty-pence rent, and thirty-fix acres of meadow, and
" thirty acres of wood, and one hundred acres of pafture. It was worth ten pounds,.
^' now feven pounds.""
Very foon after the bifhop's deceafe. King William Rufus gave this whole manor of
Eafton to Robert Fitz-Hamon, on whom he had juft before conferred the honour and
earldom of Gloucefter, as a reward for his fervices in aiding to quell the faction excited
againft him in favour of his brother Robert duke of Normandy. This Robert had four
daughters, whereof Mabel the eldeft carried this manor in marriage to Robert de
Mellent, who was created Earl of Gloucefter A. D. 1 100.
This Robert had a principal fhare in all the perturbations of the reign of King
Stephen, being a ftrenuous advocate for the caufe of the Emprefs Maud, for whom he
raifed forces, and manned divers fortifications. He built the caftle of Briftol of ftone
which came from Normandy, and gave every tenth ftone thereof towards the building
a chapel to the honour of St. Mary in the priory of St. James, which he had founded
in that city.'' He likewife built the caftle of Cardiff, and founded the abbey of Margam
in Glamorganfhire, and was a benefaftor to the monafteries of Neath, Tewkeftjury,
and Gloucefter. He died A. D. 1147, and was buried in the choir of the priory of
St. James in Briftol abovementioned under a green jafper ftone."
f Lib. Domefday. ^ Dugd. Bar. i. 535, 5 ibid.
William,
Ipottburp.] eastoninGORDano. 147
William, his elcieft Ton and fucceflbr, was founder of the monaftery of Keynfham,
which he amply endowed with lands and revenues out of the honour of Gloiicefter/
He refided for the mofl: part at Cardiff-caftie in Glamorganfliirc, being the chief lord
of all ^hat province, then called (StDlflOiJOtjan, or the Land of Morgan, which he
pofleflcd by hereditary right from Robert Fitz-Hamon, who in the time of William II,
had, widi his twelve knights, put all that territory under his fubjedion. It is related
that this Earl William in the enjoyment of his pofielTions in this country experienced
much annoyance from one of his vaflals of the name of Yvor, furnamed Bach, on
account of the remarkable fmallnefs of his ftature. He was withal a perfon of incre-
dible fpirit and animofity, and had his habitation chiefly in the woods and mountains,
of which fylvan retreats the Earl with his men at Cardiff had often ufcd the means to
bereave him, or at leaft confine the limits of his excurfions. The impetuous Yvor not
brooking this unwelcome treatment, took occafion on a certain night to approach the
caftle of Cardiff with divers of his adherents, and though the battlements were lofty
and well guarded, there being in the caftle no lefs than one hundred and twenty fol-
dicrs, befides a great number of archers, he found means to fcale the walls, and took
away this William earl of Gloucefter, with his countefs and their young fon; and car-
rying them to the woods,, refufed to releafe them till he had affurance of the full refti-
tution of his property."
One of this Earls retinue in Wales was Peter de Salfa Marifco, or Saltmarlh, to
whom for his trufty fervices he granted lands of very confiderable value lying in this
parifh of Eafton, and thofe of Wefton and Clapton, and in other parts of the hundred
of Portbury, to hold of him by the fervice of the fourth part of a knight's fee/ Geoffry
de Marifco, a dcfcendant of this Peter, in the time of Henry III. gave thefe lands in
marriage with his grandaughter to Emerick de Gardino, or Gordein,* an ancient family,
who principally refiding in this neighbourhood, the places where they poffcffed eftares,
or in which they had any material intercourfe, became diftinguifhed by their names.
Whence arofe the corrupt appellations of Eafton in Gcrdam, IVeJlon in GordanOy Clapton
in GordanOy &c. Notice is taken of this particular, in regard there are fome who have
erroneoudy conceived that this whole territory we are now fpeaking of was anciently
called Gardinum; and others, equally miftaken, have given it as their opinion, that the
feveral places to which the diftinftion in queftion is affixed, having during the minority
of fome one of the Berkeleys, been in ward or gardien to the King, were thence cogno-
minated to preferve the memory of fuch a circumftance occurring in th# manerial pro-
perty of that illuftrious family.
But to return to the Earl of Gloucefter. Having diftinguifhed himlelf by many
military exploits, and more by his munificence to monafteries and religious eftablifli-
ments, he died A. D. 1 173, and was buried in the abbey of Keynfham. He jnarricd
* See Vol. iJ. p. 402. ' Giraldi Cambrenfis Itin. Cambr. Kb. i. cap. 6. ' Cart. Antiq.
« Tefla de Nevjl Somf. et ap. Cart. Antiq. Ralph de Gardino, one of the fame family, was living at Clcvedon
in the time of Ric. I. and held lands there of Matthew dc Clivedon. Thomas de Gardino, 47 Hen. III. held a
cirucatc of land in Well-Harptrec of Robert de Gournay. 17 Edw. I. William de Gardino held lands and te-
nements in the town of Somercon, and a raefluage and lands in the parifh of Farrington. Other branches of
this family were featcd \\\ Dorfctlhire and Dcvonilure.
U 2 Hawife,
548 E A S T O N IN G O R D A N O. [PortfJUtp*
Hawife, daughter of Robert earl of Leicefter, and by her had iflue one fon, Robert,
-who died in his father's life-time, and was alfo buried at Keynfliam, and three daughters,
viz. Mabil, wife of the Earl of Evereux, Amice, wife of Richard de Clare earl of
Hertford, and Ifabel. Almaric, the fon of Mabil the eldeft daughter by the Earl of
Evereux, dying without iflue, the inheritance of the honour and eftate totally devolved
to Amice the wife of Richard de Clare, the next filler.''
By which Richard the faid Amice had iflue Gilbert de Clare, who was the firft Earl
of Gloucefter and Hertford jointly, and dying in 1229, 14 Henry III. left iflfue by
Ifabel his wife, daughter and coheir of William Marefchal earl of Pembroke, three
fons, Richard, who fucceeded him, William, and Gilberti as alfo three daughters,
Amice, Agnes, and Ifabel.
Which Richard de Clare was, like mofl: of his anceftors, a military man, and ferved
King Henry III. in the different capacities of general, ambaflTador, and counfellor.
Under him this manor was held by Sir Ignatius de Clyfton, knt.' The epitaph on
his tomb at Tewkefbury, in the choir of which church he was buried, on the right-
hand of his father, in 1262, 46 Henry III, is fully expreflive of the charader of this
great man.
^ic putior ^ippolitj, iparinis scna, fcnfiiS UlMs,
aencac pictag, Ji)caoris ira jaccnt/
Gilbert his fon and heir, having a fair and ruddy complexion,' acquired the furname
of Rufus, or Red Gilbert. He married Alice de March, daughter of Guy earl of
Angolefme, from whom he was divorced, and took to his fecond wife Joan of Acres,
daughter of King Edw. I. to whom, in order to conciliate the match, he gave up the
inheritance of all his caft:les and manors in England and Wales, among the refl; this
manor of Eaft:on in Gordano, which the flieriff^ had a mandate to feize into the King's
hands." But thefe lands were foon afterwards reftored, and the faid Gilbert de Clare
died feized of this manor 24 Edw. I. leaving iflTue Gilbert his fon and heir, then five
years of age, as alfo three daughters, Eleanor, Margaret, and Elizabeth."
Which Gilbert was a chief commander in mofl: of the expeditions of the armies of
Edw. II. and being 7 Edw. II. captain of the van-guard of the King's hofl: in Scot-
land, had the misfortune to be flain in the battle of Bannockbourne near Striveling,
whence his body was fent without ranfom to England to be interred. Dying without
any furviving iflTue, his three fifl:ers became his heirs, viz. Eleanor the wife of Hugh le
Defpenfer, Margaret the wife of Piers de Gavefl:on, afterwards of Hugh de Audley,
and Elizabeth the wife of John de Burgh, fon of Richard earl of Ulfter in Ireland,
afterwards of Sir Roger D'Amori, knt.° Between which fifl:ers the inheritance being
divided*, this manor fell to the fhare of Ehzabeth lady of Ulfter, who by the faid John
de Burgh her hufband had iflTue William de Burgh earl of Ulfter,' whofe fole daughter
and heir Elizabeth was married to Lionel Plantagenet, third fon of King Edw, III.
who in 1J62 was created Duke of Clarence. He was alfo in right of his faid wife
" Dugd. Bar. j. 536. ' Cart. Antiq. " Dugd. Bar. i. 213. ' Lei. Itin. vj. 81.
" Rot. Fin. 18 Ed. I. m. 15. » Efc. » Dugd. Bar. i. 217. ' Lei. Itin. vi. 82.
Earl
iPottburg,] EASTON IN GORDANO. 149
Earl of Ulfter, and was one of the companions of the nnoft noble order of the garter.
He died in Italy 43 Edw. III. then feized of this manor,'' leaving by Elizabeth his faid >
wife an only daughter Philippa, afterwards married to Edmund Mortimer, the third
Earl of March of that family.
To which Edmund earl of March, who in right of his wife held thjs manor, and •
died feized thereof 5 Ric. II.' fucceeded Roger Mortimer earl of March his fon and
heir, who 17 Ric. II. had livery of all his lands. 19 Ric. II. he was appointed lieute-
nant of the provinces of Ulfter, Connaught, and Meath, in Ireland, and in the year
following lord-lieutenant of that whole realm. He was flain there 22 Ric. II. and
being brought to England, was buried with his anceftors at Wigmore' in Hereford-
fliirej leaving ifTue two fons, Edmund, who fucceeded him, and Roger, and two
daughters Anne and Eleanor.
"Which Edmund Mortimer, eldeft fon of Roger earl of March, fucceeded to the title
and eftate of his father, and having married Anne daughter of Edmund earl of Stafford,
died feized of this manor 3 Henry VI. without ifTue, whereupon Richard Plantagenet,
earl of Rutland and Duke of York, fon of Anne his fifter by Richard earl of Cam-
bridge, was found to be heir to his honours and his lands.'
This Richard bfihg flain at the battle of Wakefield in 1460, his cflates became
confifcated, and this manor of Eafton in Gordano,. with divers other lands and apper-
tenances thereto, was given that fame year to John Yonge, one of the King's juflices
of the bench of common-pleas, and to his heirs after him. George duke of Clarencer
at the fame time releafing to the faid Yonge and his heirs all his right in the faid
manor, of Eafton in Gordano, to which he had urged a claim of inheritance."
This John Yonge was fon and heir of Thomas Yonge of the city of Briftol, and was
lord-mayor of London, and one of the members for that city. He was knighted by
King Edw. IV. to whofe interefts he had loyally adhered, and from him, befides this J|
manor received other fignal marks of approbation. He was fucceeded in this eftate by
Thomas Yonge, who at his death, 17 Edw. IV. held the manor of Eafton in Gor- ^
dano by fealty of William lord Berkeley, leaving Thomas his fon and heir."
Which Thomas Yonge died feized of this manor 21 Henry VII. leaving ifTue a
fole daughter and heir Alice, married to WiUiam Malet, of Enmore in this county, efqj '
who by virtue of the faid marriage pofTefTed this manor, and held the fame of the King
by the fervice of half a knight's fee/
36 Henry VIII. Richard Malet, of Enmore, and Joan his wife, fold this manor "
of Eafton in Gordano, with its appertenances, and twelve mefTuages, twelve cot- * 4
tages, one water-mill, twenty-four gardens, twenty-four orchards, one hundred and
forty acres of arable land, one hundred acres of meadow, two hundred and forty of
pafture, twenty of wood, four hundred of marfh, 4I. 12s. 6!d. rent, two pounds of
pepper, and one calk of clove-wine, with appertenances in St. George's and Eafton in
Gordano, to Richard Morgan, efq; and his heirs.* In which family it continued till
' Efc ' Ibid. • Dugd. Bar. i. 150. • Efc. " Rot. Claus. 39 Hen. VI. ' Efc.
^ ibid. * Licence to alienate*
the
4
ijo EASTON IN GORDANO. [Pott&urg*
the beginning of the prefent century, when Richard Morgan, dying without ifllie, devifed
it to his widow, who left the fame to Thomas Wilkins, efq; her grandfon by her former
hufband, who afllimed the name of Morgan, and is the prefent owner of this manor.
The church of Eafton in Gordano is a prebend belonging to the cathedral of Wells.
In 1292 it was valued at twelve marks." The vicarage is a peculiar in the deanery
of RedclifF and Bedminfter; the Rev. Richard Wilkins is the prefent incumbent.
T he church confifts of a nave, chancel, veflry on the north fide, and fouth aile, with
a handfome tower at the weft end containing fix bells, and a clock j the tenor bell has
this poefy, Come when I call toferve God all.
The upper end of the fouth aile is the burial-place of the family of Morgan. On
the eaft wall are three monuments, the firft next the chancel, being of marble, has this
infcription : " Near this place lyeth the body of Thomas Morgan, of this parifh,
efq; who departed this life the 6th of April 1723, aged 86 years. Alfo the body of
Mrs. Ann Morgan, relift of the abovenamed Thomas Morgan, efq; who departed this
life the 2ift of Sept. 1747, aged 64. Likewife the body of Mrs. Ehzabeth Morgan,
late wife of Thomas Wilkins Morgan, of this parifli, efq; who departed this life the lift
of March 1765, aged 34. Alfo of Ann Morgan, daughter of the faid Thomas Wilkins
Morgan, efq; who died the i6th of March 1767, aged 10 years. Alfo the body of
Mrs. Mary Morgan, fecond wife of Thomas Wilkins Morgan, efq; who died the 17th
of May 1776, aged 31. This monument was erefted by Mrs. Ann Morgan, wife and
relift of the abovenamed Thomas Morgan, efq; anno 1736." Arms, Sable, three crofs
croflets in bend argent, Morgan : Impaling, Gules, on a bend argent, three hurts.
Next to this is a fmall black monument, infcribed, " Under this place lyeth the
body of Richard Morgan, of this parifh, efq; who departed this life the 4th day of
Odober 1688, aged 66 years."
On the third monument: " Near to this place lies interred the body of the moft
pious, virtuous, and charitable Mrs. Mary Morgan, the daughter of Col. John Jeaffrefon,
of Dulligham in the county of Cambridge; and Sarah the daughter of Aden Parkins,
efq; of Dunny in Nottinghamfhjre. She had for her firft hufband Charles B.'-ett, efqj
one of the gentlemen of the honourable band of penfioners to King Charles II. Her
fecond hufband was Thomas Lewis, of Penmarke in the county of Glamorgan, efqj
and her third hufband was Richard Morgan, of St. George's in this county of So-
merfet, efq; where Ihe died on the 21ft day of December, Anno Domini 1701, in the
54th year of her age." Arms, Morgan, impaling, Azure, a fret or, on a chief argent
three leopard's heads gules, JefFerfon.
Againft the fouth wall: " Near this place lyeth the body of Mrs. Mary Morgan,
late wife of Richard Morgan, efq; and daughter of Sir Herbert Croft, of Croft-caftle in
the county of Hereford, bart. and Elizabeth his wife, who departed this life the 7th day
of July, Anno Dom. 17 10, statis fufe 27°. Alfo the body of the abovenamed Richard
Morgan, efq; who died the 4th day of February 17 14, aged 30." Arms, Morgan,
impaling quarterly per fefTe argent and azure counterchanged ; in the chief dexter
quarter a lion paffant or: Crofts.
■ Taxat, Spiritual.
Againft
IPortaur?.] eastoninGordano. ,^,
Againft the north wall of the chancel is a heavy monument, whereon between two
columns is the half length figure of a pried in his canonicals, with the following in-
fcription: « Hie jacet Rogerus Soudon, hujus parochias et Portburis vicarius
obijt quarto die Martij Anno Domini 1703." '
Near this is a fmall elegant monument of marble, infcribed, « Near this place
are depofited the remains of Cordelia, wife of the Rev. Richard Wilkins, vicar of this
parilh, and daughter of the Rev. Conyers Place, A. M. of Marnhull in the county of
Dorfet, who died Aug. 1 7, 1774, jet. 40. As alfo the body of Cann, fon#f the above
Richard and Cordeha, who died Jan. 28, 177 1, aged 7 months." Arms, per pale or
and argent, a wyvern rampant wr/, Wilkins j impaling, per pale cr and gtiles, a lion
paflant counterchanged. Place.
Jn the chancel floor: " Here lieth the body of Mary wife of the Rev. George
Wilkins, who departed this life the 23d of January 1773, aged 30 years, A lady
whofe engaging fweetnefs of temper and charitable difpofition juftly recommended her
to the favour of the world, her exemplary piety and virtue to that of heaven..
' non te facundia, non te
Reftituent pietas."
In the fouth wall of the chancel are the remains of three tabernacles.
An upright tablet againfl: the north wall of the nave contains the followint^ memorial-
" Captain Samuel Sturmy, of this parilh of St. George's, made and gave unto the
fame two dials at the Pill, and two more upon the church porch; alfo in the fame
parifh hee write his Mathematical Treatife in folio, intided. The Marinors' or Jrtijes
Magazen. One of thefe books he freely gave to this parifli, upon the condition (viz.)
that the booke Ihould be chained too, and locked in the deolk where now he is left
(always) and the key to remaine in the hands of Capt. Richard Morgan, efq; or his
amgnes (ever) untill any ingenious perfons of the fame parifh, or Lye, or Portbury's
parillT; or any other which defires the ufe thereof, which fliall not be denied them freely
provided diey firft give unto Capt. Morgan, or his affignes, good fufficient fecurity as
he or them lliall think fit for three pounds fterling, that fhall be forfeited and loft, if
any that be fo ingauged IhaU cut, teare out, or blurr any paper, Iheet, figuers, or dia-
gram, that is in the laid book. And that 3I. is to put fuch another in its placej but on
the contrary, if Capt. Morgan or his affignes doth receive the booke in as good con-
dicion of the party obleiged as when he received it, then fliall the party be free of his
obligation untill the next time he defier to ufe it, then to give the fame, and likewife all
other perfons for ever. For an acknowledgment of kindnefs unto the author, the mi-
nifter doth proinife to preach a fermon always on his birth-day, being the 5th of Nov.
(he was borne at Gloucefter, anno 1633) and the fame day the marinors or ringers to'
give him a peale of bells at the fame parilh. Witnefs our hands the ift day of May,
Anno 1669. Non nobis Jolum nati fumus.
Minifter, George Willinton.
Churchwardens, J ^"'"^",^°«^°-^'
I Richard Wasbrow.
This
ija EASTONinGORDANO. [pottljurg,
This fcientifick credential is clofed by fome Engliih lines, and a fliort Latin perora-
tion, now nearly obliterated. On the top of the tablet is Sturmy's piAure.
Captain Daniel Defney, of Great- Yarmouth in Norfolk, was benefactor to this
church, which was pewed in 1730, cieled in 1731, and beautified and painted in 1763.
That pious and humbly learned divine George Bull, born at Wells in 1634, and
promoted to the fee of St. David's in 1705, was for a fhort fpace vicar of this church,
and that at a time when blind bigotry and mad enthufiafm had trampled under foot
thofe wholdfome ordinances, which regal laws, and civil and ecclcfiaftick elocution,
had in vain endeavoured to eftablifh and inculcate. The parilh of St. George's then
fwarmed with aconfufed mixture of pertinacious feftaries,'" whom, though our preacher
could not entirely vanquifh j yet, by his exemplary behaviour, found doftrine, and
argumentative difcourfes, he feems to have wrought more on his hearers than generally
befals the lot of a reclufe minifter, who has to combat the united attacks of difguifed
ignorance and avowed infolence. At leaft he convinced infidels. He died in 1709,
and was buried in the collegiate church of Brecknock.''
There was anciently a chapel at the foutheaft extremity of the parilh, near Ham-.
Green -, the place where it flood retains the name of Chapel-Pill.
■" See Biog. Didl. iii. 8. ' Godwin de Prsfulibusj 589.
ABBOTS-LEIGH.
ON the brow of the hill, foutheaftward from St. George's, and in the road thence
to Briftol, ftands the village of Abbots-Leigh, fo called for diftindtion from the
other Leighs in this county, and becaufe it formerly belonged to the abbots of St.
Auguftine in Briftol. A great part of the hill to the fouth and fouthweft is hence de-
nominated Leigh-Down^ being an uncultivated plain, covered with a fine Iheep feedj
but the foil is fo thin, that in many places the rock lies bare for a cbnfiderable fpace.
That part of the parifh which lies towards the north is almoft one continued ridge of
limeftone rock covered with wood ; the lofty and precipitous fides of which form a fine
amphitheatre from the water. Thefe rocks, like St. Vincent's, contain hexagonal and
pyramidal quartz cryftals, and fpar of various tinges ; fome with an almoft clear black
watei', others with a caft of red ; others diaphanous from iron veins j others amethyftine
concreted on iron ore, and others of a bright yellow proceeding from lead. Thefe
fpars and cryftals are found on the down, either loofe or cluftered in nodules of reddifh
ftone. Lead ore has frequently been found on thefe downs, and fome ftiafts have been
funk for the purpofe of extrafting iti but the quantity obtained has generally proved
too infufficient to defray the expence of working them.
The
Iportburp.] A B B O T S-L EJ G H. 153
The manor of Leigh or Lega was at the time of the Conqucft a member of the
large lordfliip of Bedminfter; it confided of one hundred and twelve acres of meadow and
wood, (the reft then lying wafte) and was hdd of the King by the Bifliop of Cou-
tances.' After the Conqueft it came into the hands of Robert I'itzharding, who gave
it to the canons of St. Auguftine, founded by liim in the city of Briftol, A. D,
1 148, 13 Steph."" Which grant was confirmed by King John/ and the faid canons
obtained of King Edw. I. a charter of free-warren in all their lands here/ which con-
tinued in their pofiefiion till the general diflblution of monafteries. The manor was
then granted by King Henry VIII. to Paul Bu(h the firft bifliop of Briftol, who, May
25, 1559, granted the fame to King Edw. VI. On the 23d of September the fame
year that King granted the reverfion of it, after die death of Paul Bufh aforefaid, to
Sir George Norton, knt. and his heirs for ever. Which Sir George Norton died 26
EHz. fcized of the manor of Abbots-Leigh, with its appertenances, and one hundred
meflliages, twenty cottages, two mills, one dove-houfe, two hundred gardens, five hun-
dred acres of arable land, three hundred of meadow, one thoufand of pafture, one thou-
fand two hundred of wood, one hundred of moor, one thoufand of wafte, one thoufand
of gorfe and heath, and common pafture for all forts of cattle, and feventeen fliillings
rent, with appertenances in Leigh, Afliton, Portbory, Ham-Gfeen, Clevedon, and
Tickenham.' He was fucceeded in the poflelTion of thefe lands by Samuel Norton
his fon and heir, and he by George Norton, whofe daughter and heirefs, Grace, was
married to Arthur Norton, fon and heir of Bonham Norton, of Stretton in the county
of Salop, efq; by whom ftie had ifluc George, born in 1622. He married Ellen,
daughter of Sir William Owen, of Condover in the county of Salop, knt. fon of
Thomas Owen, one of the juftices of the King's-Bench, by Ellen his wife, daughter of
Robert lord vifcount Kilmoryj and dying Feb. 14, 1677, left by the faid Ellen his
wife, two fons, George and Edward, and two daughters, Ellen and Grace. EUen his
wife furviving him, was afterwards married to Sir Timothy Baldwin, of the city of
London, knt. and died May 6, 1667, and was buried with her firft huft»and in the
parifli church of Abbots-Leigh.' Sir George Norton, fon and heir of the faid George
Norton by Ellen his wife, had ifiiie another Sir George Norton, born in 1658. This
Sir George, being a well-wiftier to all the means which had been exerted towards
the reftoration of his country and his Sovereign, diftinguiftied himfelf eminently loyal
in hazarding both his life and fortune, by concealing in his houfe here the perfon ot
King Charles II. till he could provide means for his efcape into France.^ He married
Frances, the daughter of Ralph Freke, of Hannington in the county of Wilts, efq;
by whom he had iffue three children, George, Grace, and Elizabeth. George and
Elizabeth died young; Grace their fifter was married to Sir Richard Gethin, of Ge-
thin-Grort in the kingdom of Ireland. She was a lady of moft uncommon accom-
plifliments, and though ftie lived only to the age of twenty-one, flie has left behind her
the moft evident traits of a mature and very refined underftanding. In her book en-
titled Reliquiae Gethinian<e, (being publijhed after her deceafe) there is the following
• See the Domefday Extrafl in Bedminfter, vol. ii. p. 280. ' Mon. Angl. ii. 233. ' Ibid.
* Cart. 13 Ed. III. n. 35. « Efc. 26 Eliz. ' From the monument in the church. « Ibid.
Vol. III. X • Pitl^y
A B B, O T S - L E I G H. [POttfiUtp. .
1 54"
pithy obfervation: ' Reading ferves for delight, for ornament, and for ability} itper-
« fefts nature, and is perfefted by experience; the crafty condemn it, fimple admire it,
< and wife men ufe it. Some books are to be tafted and fwallowed, and- fome few to
< be chewed or digefted. Reading makes a full man, conference a ready man, and
< writin- an exaft man. He that writes little needs a great memory, he that confers
' little a^prefent wit; and he that reiids little, needs much cunning to make him feem
* to know that which he does not.'"
The three children of Sir George Norton dying ifluelefs, the manor of Abbots-
Leieh came into the family of Trenchard, by virtue of the marriage of William
Trenchard, of Cutteridge in the county of Wihs, with Ellen daughter and coheir of
George Norton, (by the daughter of Sir William Owen, of Condover abovementioned)
and fifter of Sir George Norton, grandfather of the faid lady Grace Gethin. By
which Ellen the faid William Trenchard had ifllie John Trenchard, who married Anne
daughter of Sir William Blacker, bart. and died without iflue, as alfo two daughters,
one of whom was married to Thomas Hippefley, efq; who in right of his wife be-
came poffeffed of this manor, and by her had iflue Robert Hippefley, who aflunned
the name of Trenchard, and was father of J. W. Hippefley Trenchard, efq; the prefent
owner of this manor. The arms of Norton of Leigh are, Argent, on a bend cotifed
between two lions rampant>^/^, three efcallop fliells or. Thofe of Norton of Stretton
are. Or, two bars gules, on a cKxti azure, an inefcutcheon ermine. The arms of Tren-
chard, Per pale argent and azurey in the firft three pellets.
The manor-houfe is a very large building fituated on the brow of the hill north-
ward, from which there is an extenfive and beautiful profpeft of the Channel, part of
Gloucefterfliire, Monmouthfliire, and the Welch mountains.
Abbots-Leigh is a chapel to Bedminflier. The church is a good Gothick edifice,
built with reddifli fl:one, probably from the neighbouring rocks, and confifts of a nave,
chancel, and fouth aile, at the weft end is an embattled tower, containing fix bells, i
In the chancel is the burial-place of the Norton and Trenchard families, and there are
infcriptions for divers of them whofe names are fet down in the defcent of the manor.
Thomas Gordon, the celebrated tranflator of Tacitus, lived a while at the Court-
houfe in the capacity of amanuenfis to Mr. Trenchard, in conjunftion with whom he
publiflied Cato, and the Independent Whig. After his patron Mr. Trenchard's death,
he married his widow, and died July 28, 1750.
» Biog. Dia. Ed. 1784, vol. vi. p. 78.
WRAXALL.
lp)ort6urp.]
[ 155 ]
W R
L.
FOLLOWING the courfeof this lancet ridge of mountain fouthweftward, the next
viUaee we come to is Wraxall, fituated in a cove formed by a fweep of the hill
from the eaft to the northweft, apd commanding a profpeft almoft pecuhar to tlu*
extraordinary acclivity. To the weft appear the Holmes and the Welch coaft about
Cardiff in Glamorganlhirej and to the fouth, foutheaft, and fouthweft, the following
villages are all in view, viz. Dundry, Barrow, Flax-Bourton, Backwell, Chelvy, Con-
grefbury, Yatton, Worle, Uphill, Kenn, Kingfton-Seymour, Nailfea, ^'^kcnham
andClevedoni the profped to the fouthweft and weft is bounded by Mendip and
Noon's-peak hills.
This parifti is very extenfive, comprifing within its limits not only a confiderable
part of the valley beneath the village, but ftretching itfelf over the whole breadth of
The hiU behind it to its northern brow, which overlooks the Bnftol Channel, and the
villages of Monmouthfhire. On this brow, at the very extremity of the panfh towards
Clapton, ftands Naijh-Houfe, the feat of Walter King, efq; embelhlhed with fine and
flourilhing plantations; and further on towards the eaft, in a very pleafing retired fitu-
ation is Charlton-House, a large and handfome manfion, formerly the pofleflion of
the families of Berkeley and Gorges, afterwards of Yates and Muggleworth, and now
the manerial refidence of Henry Goodwin, efq. Still further eaftward is Favlan-d,
once a confiderable viUage, and the habitation of divers refpeftable families, as the De
Failands, who had their name from it; the Meades of Meades-Place; the Jubbes of
^ubbe's-Court. The manor is the property of John Blagrave, efq. On the fouthcrn
fide of die hill, and eaftward from the village of Wraxall, ftands Belmont, the feat ot
William Turner, efq; a very neat houfe, fituated on the declivity, with a fine wood m
the back ground, cut out into beautiful walks; and the bare fummit of the hill pic-
turefquely rifing above it. In front is a fine view to the fouth and fouthweft, and a
gentle defcent to the rich vale of Bourton.
The lands of this parifii are moftly pafture, and in the valley good; the wood moft
common is elm, which grows high, and forms confiderable timber; among the hazel
coppices which patch the fiopes of the hill there are feme oaks, but the fiialownefs of
the foil prevents their flourilhing ; amidft the rocks grow a great number of large aged
yews, whofe Umbs are twifted into rude grotefque forms, fporting as it were with the
hand of nature. The hills are almoft an entire mafs of lime-ftone.
The manor of Wraxall is noted in early record as parcel of the eftatcs of that
Gefferey bifhop of Coutances, of whom we have made fo frequent mention; it was
anciently written Werocojak:
"The fame Biftiop holds Werocosale. Aluric held it in the time of Kuig
- Edward, and gelded for twenty hides. The arable is twenty-fix carucates. In de-
cc mefne is one carucate, and two fervants, and thirty-four viUanes and thirty cottagers
with twenty-five ploughs. There are two miUs of the rent of twelve fl^^J-S^^^
tt
tt
,^6 WRAXALL. [IPort&Utp.
" fix-pence, and one hundred and fifty acres of meadow, and as many of wood. Paf-
" ture two miles long, and feven furlongs broad. It was and' is worth fifteen pounds.
" Of the fame land of this manor a knight holds four hides and a half of the bifhop,
*' and has thereon two ploughs, with thi-ee villanes, and four cottagers. It was and is
« worth fifty (hillings.
" To this manor is added one hide, which a thane held in the time of King Edward.
" The arable is one carucate. It is worth ten fliillings.'"
Of all which lands, including the villages of Bourton and Nailfea, the family of De
Wrokefhale became poflefled foon after the date of the above record, and in that name
it continued till the time of King John, when it came by the marriage of the heirefs
of Richard de Wrokefhale to Eudo de Moreville, whofe defcendant John de Moreville
in the time of Henry III. left iffue an only daughter and heir named Elena, married
to Ralph the fon of Ivo de Gorges, of Tamworth in the county of Warwick.
This Ralph de Gorges was a knight and great warrior; being one of thofe who in
the year 1263 was blocked up with King Henry III. in the city of Briftol by the
difaffefted citizens.'' Soon after which he was appointed governor of the caftles of
Sherborne and Exeter; and 50 and 51 Henry III. was flieriff of Devonfhire. 54
Henry III. he attended Prince Edward into the Holy Land, and died foon after his
return, leaving by the faid Elena his wife Ralph de Gorges his fon and heir.'
Which Ralph de Gorges was a knight, and 21 Edw. I. was marlhal of the King's
army in Gafcony, in which country he was engaged in feveral expeditions. 28 Edw. I.
he had fummons to be at Carlifle on the feaft of the nativity of St. John the Baptift,
well fitted with horfe__ and arms to march with the King againft the Scots then in rebel-
lion.'' 2 Edw. II. he was fummoncd to parliament among the barons, and died 29 Nov.
17 Edw. IL feized of the manor of Wraxall, which he held of Hugh de Courtney by
knight's fervice,'' leaving iffue by Eleanor his wife Ralph de Gorges his fon and heir,
then of the age of feventeen years; and one daughter Eleanor, married to Theobald
Ruffell, fon of Sir WiUiam Ruffell, of Kingfton-Ruffell in the county of Dorfet, knt.
and by his fecond wife, daughter and heir of John de la Tour, progenitor to the Duke
cf Bedford,'
The faid Ralph de Gorges, the third of that name, dying without iffue, the manor of
Wraxall became the inheritance of his fitter Eleanor, the wife of Theobald Ruffell
abovementioned. They had iffue three fons. Sir Ralph, who was of Kingfton-Ruffell
aforefaid, and of Dirham in the county of Gloucefter; William, who died without
iffue; and Sir Theobald, who was portioned with the manor of Wraxall, and was
anceftor of the Gorges of Bradpole in Dorfetlhire, and thofe of the county of Hereford.
This Sir Theobald relinquilhing his paternal name affumed that of Gorges, as well
as his mother's coat of arms, which was, Lozengy or and azure, and born by her in
confequence of her defcent from the heirefs of Moreville; but the original arms of
• Lib. Domefday. * Seethe Engliih Hiftories. ' Efc. * Harl. MS. 1192.
? Rot. Pip. 19 Ed. II. f Hutchins's Hiftory of Dorfet, i. 298.
Gorges
Jportburg.l
W R A X A L L.
^57
Gorges was a whirlpool, or gurges, in allufion to their name. Being thus pofrcflcd of
the nnanor of Wraxall, he 36 Edw. III. obtained a grant from the King for a market
to be kept here every .Thurfday weekly, and alfo for a fair yearly on the eve, day, and
morrow of the feaft of All-Saints, and five days next enfiiing.* He died 4 Ric. II.
leaving iflue three fons. Sir Ralph, who died that fame year without iflue," Bartholomew,
whofucceeded him, and. Thomas.'
Which Bartholomew dying alfo without iflue, 20 Ric. II. the cftate devolved to his
brother Thomas, who married Agnes the widow of Thomas Norton, efq; by whom he
had two fons, John, borrt in 1396, and Sir Theobald Gorges, knt. He died 5 Hen. IV.
feized of this manor, with its members of Bourton and Nailfea; and Agnes his wife
furviving him, had the faid manor in dower, and died 7 Henry V.*
John, eldeft fon of Thomas de Gorges, dying without iflue i Henry VI. Sir Theo-
bald his brotlier fucceeded to the eftate. Which Sir Theobald, 15 Oft. 1333, was
married to Agnes the daughter of John de Wyke, in the chapel or oratory belonging,
to the manfion of Court de Wick in the parifh of Yatton, licence being given thereto
by bifliop Ralph of Shrewsbury.' He died lo Edw. IV. leaving iflue two fons,
Walter, who fucceeded him at Wraxall, and Richard, who by the grant of his father
had lands in Sturminfter-Marflial in the county of Dorfet, where he and his poftcrity
were feated." He was buried in the parifli church of Wraxall, where there flill remains
the following memorial round his grave-ftone in the chancel:
*' I^cre \ptxu %\x Cptibot ®ocgc0, fenggfjtc $ tianeret, of to&o0 foule <SoD
iiatie mcrcg. 9men, h^s."
Walter, fon and heir of this Sir Theobald Gorges, died in his father's life-time; but
left iflTue by Mary his wife, daughter and heir of William Ouldhall, a fon called Edmund^
who fucceeded him in the eftate at Wraxall.
This Edmund was a knight of the Bath at the creation of Arthur Prince of Wales,
fon of King Henry VII. He married Anne daughter of John Howard duke of Nor-
folk, by Catherine his wife, daughter of William lord Molines, and both he and his
lady lie buried under a large altar comb in the chancel of the parifli church of Wraxall.
They had iflTue five fons and three daughters, whereof Sir Edward his eldeft fon was
feated at Wraxall. He married to his firfl wife Mar)' daughter of Sir John Newton,
by whom he had iflTue one fon Edward, who fucceeded him in this manor, and a
daughter named Anne. To his fecond wife he married Mary, daughter of Sir Anrhony
Poyntz, of Iron-Afton in the county of Gloucefl:er, by whom he had feveral children.
Of whom Sir Thomas Gorges, the fifth fon, lived at Langford in the county of Wilts,
and having married Helena relift of William Parr marquis of Northampton, left iflue
Sir Edward Gorges, knt. (who was created a peer of the kingdom of Ireland, by die
tide of Baron of Dundalk, July 13, 18 Jac. 1. and was father of Richard lord Gorges,
who died without iflTue,) and alfo a daughter Elizabeth, married to Sir Hugh Smyth,
father of Thomas Smyth, of Long-Afhton in this county.
« Cart. 36 Ed. III. n. 14.
' Excerpt, e Rcgift. Wellwi.
Efc. ' Ibid.
"" Hilt, of Dorfet. ii. 125.
Ibid.
Edward,
158 W R A X A L L. [I!?)0tt6ut^
Edward, fon of Sir Edward Qorges, by Mary daughter of Sir John Newton, was
born in 1 526. He married a daughter of Sir John Walfh, of tlie county of Gloucefter,
and was father of
Sir Edward Gorges, born in 1564. He married Dorothy daughter of Sir George
Speke, of White-Lackington in this county, knight of the Bath, by whom he had iffue
Sir Robert Gorges, who died without iffue in 1638, and Samuel, who fucceeded to the
eftate, and feveral daughters, of whom Elizabeth was married to Francis Trenchard of
Cutteridge, and Anne to Edward Tynte of Chelvy, efqrs.
Samuel Gorges, eldeft furviving fon of Sir Edward, lived at Wraxall in the times of
the troubles of the laft century, and paid 582I. compofition money for his eftate;"
he married Jane daughter of—— Cotterel of Winford, by whom he left iffue at his
death, in 1671,
Edward Gorges his fon and heir, who, by Grace daughter of William Winter, of
Clapton, efqj was father of Samuel Gorges, efq; the laft heir male of this family of the
Wraxall line, who, dying in 1699, left iffue an only daughter and heirefs Elizabeth,
married in 1709 to John Codrington, of Codrington in the county of Gloucefter, efqj
who in her right became poffeffed of this manor of Wraxall, and the manors of NaiKea,
Flax-Bourton, and Tickenham, all which defcended to Jane his fole daughter and
heir, who in 1742 was married to Sir Richard Warwick Bampfylde, bart. of Poltimore
in the county of Devon, father of Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde, bart. the prefent
poffeffor.
The manor-houfe, called Wraxall-Lodge, is a good old building, fituated north-
weftward from the church, and has a park adjoining to it on the fide of the hill. There
was a meffuage in Wraxall belonging to the Tyntes, called Whelps-Place, and another
in Chariton called Crede-Place, which was held by the Berkeleys.
The living of Wraxall is a reftory in the deanery of Redcliff and Bedminfter, and
with the chapel of Bourton was in 1292 valued at thirty-two marks.° The patronage
is in the lord of the manor; the Rev. Robert Simpkinfon is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to All-Saints, is a very handfome, and within a very
neat ftrufture, confifting of a nave, chancel, north and fouth ailes, with a good tower at
the weft end, containing a clock and five bells. In the eaftern wall of the porch,
which is on the fouth fide of the church, is a door-way leading up eight narrow fteps to
a fmall opening, from which it formerly was ufual for an acolyte or clerk of inferior
order to addrefs the people at their entrance into the church, and by fome feafonable
admonitions to prepare their minds for die enfuing folemnities.
In the chancel on a large altar tomb of ftone lie the effigies of Sir Edmund Gorges,
and Anne his wife, the daughter of John Howard duke of Norfolk. He is in armour
with a gold chain round his neck ; Ihe in a loofe robe with large fleeves, and a
hood turned back from the face and reaching to the Ihoulders. Round this tomb are
the following coats of armsj viz. On the fouth fide, i. Lozengy, Or and azure, a
" Somerfetlhjre Compofition 1651-2. " Taxat. Spiritual.
chevron
Iportfiurp.] W R A X A L L. 159
chevron gules : Gorges. 2. Quarterly, firft, Gorges: {ccond, argett/, om chief gules
three bezants, Ruflell of Dirham : third. Gules, a lion rampant argent, Mowbray:
fourth. Argent, a chevron between three caters on the d^xct, fable, Englowes, 3. Ruflell
of Dirham. On the north fide, i. Mowbray. 2. Quarterly as before. 3. Englowes.
At the eaft end, i. Quarterly, firft, Argent, three trevets faile : fecond. Gorges:
third, argent, a chevron engrailed _/}z^/if ; a martlet for diftindion : fourth, Ruflell.
a. Quarterly as before. At the weft end, i. Gorges and Ruflell, impaling G«i^j, a
bend azure, between fix fleurs-de-lis or. 2. Barry indented of fix or and azure, im-
paling or a bend wa.Yy fal/le.
In the eaft window of the chancel are the arms of Gorges quartered with Ruflrll,
Mowbray, and Englowes, and the following coat, viz. Or, five falconer's gloves pen-
dant proper.
On grave-ftones in the chancel floor are memorials to Grace the wife of Edward
Gorges, efq; who died Sept. 9, 169S, and Dorothy their daughter, who died Jan. 29,
1693. Edward Gorges, efq; was interred the 8th day of Sept. 1708.
Elizabeth the wife of John Codrington died the 13th of February 1740, aged 51.
Agnes, their fecond daughter, died July 30, 17 15; and Rachel their third daughter,
Feb. 18, 1717. Elizabeth, the eldcft, died Sept. 27, 1735, aged 25. Arms, a fcfCc
embattled and counter-embattled between three lions paflTant, Codrington. On an
efcutcheon of pretence, quarterly firft and fourth, a whirlpool fecond and third lozengy,
being the ancient and modern arms of Gorges.
On a plain white marble againft the north wall: " Hie tandem laboribus de-
fundlus, requiefcit una cum conjuge Avicia (nee enim par conjunftiflimum mors ipfa
dirimit) venerabilis vir, Thomas Flolt, S. S. theologias profeflTor, ecclefije cathedralis
Wellenfis cancellarius, & canonicus refidentiarius ; hujus ecclefias parochialis reftor ;
Irenarches, feu jufticiarius ad pacem in comitatu Somerfetenfi : rerum humanarum
vices aliquoties expertus, et fata ecclefias Anglicanas, bis peflTundata:, bis inftaurat.-c,
bis viftas, bis triumphantis, fortunam eodem femper vultu excepit, feu blandientem,
feu minantem. Vir prifca fide, omnibus aequus ac juftus, fero naturse quod debuit
perfolvit, anno jetatis fuse 80°, 10'' calendas Aprilis A. D. 1688. Obijt Avicia 4°ca-
lendas Februarii 1687, anno astatis 70°. Arms, Argent, on a bend engrailed /al>le,
three fleurs-de-lis of the field.
On a grave-ftone underneath, on the north fide of the communion-rails, is this in-
fcription: " Here lyeth the bodies of William Jones, bachelor of the civil lawes,
one of the prebendaries of the cathedrall churche of Welles, and reftor of the redtory
ofWraxall. He deceafed the 11 Februari 1609. And of Margaret Jones his wife,
daughter of Edmund Gorges, efquior, deceafed 17 Februari 1582."
On the fouth fide of the rails : " Here lyeth the body of Mr. Samuel Still,
clerk, late reftor of Wraxal, and Argentine his wife, who bodi departed this life in the
yeare 1698."
Againft the fouth wall of a fmall chapel forming a recefs at the eaft end of the fouth
aile, is a handfome marble monument with the following infcription;— —
" This
i6o W R A X A L L. [JPOtt&urp*
" This monument, facred to the memory of Margareta the wife of the Rev. Samuel
Coopey, M. A. She was the daughter of the Rev. Charles Brent, M. A. reftor
of Chrift's-Church and St. Werburg in the city of Briftol, and canon-refidentiary of
St. David's. His ancefbor came from Normandy with the Conqueror, and had great
pofleffions at Coflington and South-Brent in the reign of Henry I. Many of the
family ferved the Kings of England in the wars both in Gafcony and Scotland in the
quality of knights, and were great benefaftors to the abbey of Glaftoribury. The lafl:
pofleflbr of that ancient family, John Brent, efqj died at Coffington 1693.
« This is an account of her family only j but fhe wanted no advantages of birth to
adorn her charader.
*' Know then, reader, that if a moft compleat education, joined with the fweeteft
temper J if the fincereft heart, if charity anduniverfal benevolence, if all the focial and
conjugal virtues, adorned with a truly Chriftian life, could have refcued her from the
grave, thou wouldeft not have feen here infcribed the imperfcd defcription of this ex-
cellent woman.
" After a long and moft painful illnefs, which fhe bore with a marvellous patience,
it pleafed God to releafe her from all her miferies and troubles, on the 6th day of Dec.
1744, aged 51.
" In vicino fubtus domicilio cum cariffima conjuge dormit Samuel Coopey, A. M.
honeftifilmis parentibus natus. Qualem, dum apud mortales commoratus eft, vitam
egit, DIES iLLE indicabit. Emigravit A. D. mdccl." Arms, Gules, a chevron ermi-
misy between three crofles Calvary argent j Coopey : impaling gules, a wivern argent,
charged on the breaft with three fpots oi ermine; Brent.
On a brafs plate againft the wall, near the entrance into the pulpit : -" Hie re-
quiefcit corpus Johannis Tynte, armigeri, qui ineunte etate Rebeccam filiam Ricardi
Stevens, armigeri in uxorem cepit; fed moriens fine prole, fibi fucceffit jure hereditario
Edwardus Tynte de Chelvy, armiger, frater ejus proximus. Is Annam, filiam quartam
Edwardi Gorges de Wraxall militis, in uxorem duxit, ex qua numerofam fufcepit pro-
lem, quibus omnibus propitietur Deus. Obijt xiiii" die Oftobris 1616, anno xiii° Regis
Jacobi." Arms, a lion couchant between fix crofs croflets, three in chief, and as many
in bafe.
On a tablet againft the wall of the fouth aile, is the following account of benefac-
tions to this parifti :
" The Right Hon. the Lady Marchionefs of Northampton, relift of Sir Thomas
Gorges, knt. gave lool. for the ufe of the poor of Wraxall, with which were purchafed
certain lands in the parifli of Nailfea, called the Frith, being about twenty acres, and
now lealed out for iil. 10s. per annum; which money is to be diftributed upon St.
Thomas's-day, according to the will of the donor.
" Mrs. Elizabeth Gorges, relift of Samuel Gorges, cfq; gave a filver falver for
bread for the ufe of the communion-table, .
"John
JpOttftUtgO WRAXALL. i6i
« John Codrington, cfq; gave the cufliion and pulpit cloth now ufed, and a covering
of the fame for the communion-table.
*' John Codrington, efq; gave five pounds five fhillings towards the church clock.
" The branched candlcftick was given by Ifaac Martindale, gent, in the year 1728."
In the church-yard is a large yew-tree, and a fine crofs, with the fteps and pedeftal
nearly perfcdt.
FLAX-BO URTON.
IN the valley betwixt Wraxall on the north, and Barrgw on the fouth, ftands the
little village of Flax-Bourton, primarily denominated Bourton, or Burghton, becaufc
it had about it a burgh or fence at a time when the adjoining villages were open and
undiflinguifhed by inclofuresj and additionally Flax-Bourtony becaufc the abbot of
Flaxley in Gloucefterfhire anciently held the principal eftate in this parifh, having
exchanged for it certain of their demefnes at Regil in the parifh of Winford.' It
confifts chiefly of one ftreet, pleafantly fituated upon the turnpike-road from Briftol
through Long-Afliton (from which it is three miles diftant) to Brockley, CongerHjury,
and the villages on the coaft of the Briftol Channel. John Gore and James Sparrow,
efqrs. have here very good houfes. At the bottom of the valley, which has the appella-
tion o( Bourton-Combe) a fpring called Stancombe rifes at particular periods once or twice
a year, and forming itfelf into a rivulet runs through the parifh into Nailfea water.
This place was originally and ftill is a member of the manor of Wraxall, and there-
fore is not nominally accounted for in the Norman furvey. In fubfequent records it is
ftiled Hamleta de Burton, and pafTed through the families of de Wrockfhale, Moreville,
Gorges, and Codrington, to that of Bampfylde, wherein it ftill continues.
The living is a curacy in the deanery of RedclifF and Bedminfter, and is a chapel to
the church of Wraxall, where the inhabitants have their burial.
The church is a very fmall ftrufture of one pace, ftandingon the north fide of the
high road, being 64 feet in length, and 22 in breadth, with a tower at the weft end jo
feet high. In an arcade over the divifion betwixt the chancel and the nave, hangs a
faint's bell, which is common in moft churches in this neighbourhood. In tiie church-
yard is a yew-tree, and the reliques of a crofs.
The inhabitants here tell travellers, that whenever divine fervice is pei-formed, the
minifter preaches on the pinnacle of the tower. This is literally true; for the pinnacle
being many years fince blown down, was cut into joifts for the floor of the pulpit.
About fourfcore years ago one John Doughton left ten fhillings per annum, for a
fermon to be preached in this church, in commemoration of a narrow efcape from death
by the fall of a tree,
f Cart. Antiq.
Vol. III. Y NAILSEA.
[ i62 ] ri^ort&ur^
N A I L S E A.
THIS parifh is fituated to the weft of Flax-Bourton, and to the fouthweft from
Wraxall, in a deep and miry country, in fome parts (particularly that called
Nailfea-Heatb, which has the appearance of a difufed and neglected foreft) thickly tufted
with timber-trees, holly, and common briar. The foil abounds with coal, of which
there are four pits within the precinfts of- this pari(h: the coal is of that fort which
burns into white afh, and being quick of kindling, affords excellent fuel. A manu-
fadure of crown plate glafs has lately been eftablilKcd here by Mr. John Robert Lucas,
of Briftol, at which a great number of hands are employed, and a range of houfes, forming
as it were a fmall colony, is eredted for the habitation of the workmen and their families.
The village of Nailfea, comprifing the parifh church, lies weftward on the Ikirts of
a large moor, to which it gives its name.
This place was another member of the manor of Wraxall, (to the lord whereof it to
this day belongs) and the fame records which mention Bourton, include this alfo as a
hamlet or outfkirt to the then town of Wraxall, whofe buildings extended on this fide
to the brook which traverfes the valley on the north fide the village.
But it; fhould feem that fome one of the lords of Wraxall had parcelled out the
royalty of fome eftates in this parifli to other families. For the inquifitions and other
documents exprefsly fliew that the family of de Mora, de la More, or Bythemorc,
wei'e pofTefTed of a manor in Nailfea in very early time.' And it alfo appears that the
faid manor, which was held of the lords of Hinton-St.-George, palTed from them by an
heirefs to the Percevals, and was fold in 1582 by George Perceval to Richard Cole of
the city of Briftol, who afterwards, referving a part of it, fold the reft of it in parcels.''
The court, or manor-houfe, fometime inhabited by Cole's family abovementioned, is
fituated at a very confiderable diftance from the village of Nailfea, and near the church
of the adjoining parifh of Chelvy.
The living is a curacy in the deanery of Redcliff and Bedminfter, and is like Eourtpn
a chapel to Wraxall; but with this diftinftion, that the inhabitants bury in their own
parifh church, which is a confiderable building, compofed of a nave, chancel, fouth aile,
and tower at the weft end containing five bells.
The pulpit is of ftone, and fingularly conftrufted, the afcent thereto being up a low
narrow flight of fteps in the wall to a fmall projeding opening for the ftation of the
iTiinifter.
Againft the north wall of the chancel is a good old monument, with this infcription
on the tablet: " M. S. Under thofe fiibjacent ftones reft interred the bodies of
Richard Cole, efq; who deceafed June the 7th, 1650, aged 62 years; and of Ann his
wife, the daughter of Sir Arthur Hopton, knight, who departed this life June the 9th,
1650, by whom he had ifTue a fon named Samuel, who put off mortality at twelve yeares
old, Oa 17, i6a6, and his body is heer inhumed. Alfo a daughter named Dorothy,
' Vide %. poll Mort. Cart. Antiq. &c. » Houfeof Yvery.ii. 117. married
IportlJUtg.] N A I L S E A. 163
married to Alexander Popham, efq; Ofbobcr the 29th, iW5> who changed this life at
the age of 24, April 2, 1643, and lyeth buried at the Gaunys at Briftol.
" Hcer refteth likewife the body of Mary the daughter ocWilliann Collins, efq; and
Ann his wife, fifter to die aforefaid Richard Cole, who departed Sept. 12, 1647, in
the firft year of her age.
" And laftly, of William Cole, efq; brother and heyre to the faid Richard, who
ended this frayle life Febr. the 22d, 1657, in the 57th year of his age, at whofc ap-
pointment and charge this monument was eredlcd.
*' Mifta fenum ac juvenum conduntur corpora, fitque
" Candidus in tumuli carcere carbo cinis.'
" The candid Coles which kindly burn'd
" To' the warmth of many by their heat,
" To alhes black by death are turn'd,
" Yet fhine their foules in heavenly feat."
" Hojea xiii. 14. I will ranfome them from the power of the grave, I will redeeme
" them from death."
Arms, On the top of the monument. Quarterly, firft and fourth, party per pale
ttfient and gules, a bull paflant counterchanged; Coles. Second, Gules, on a chevron
argent, three etoiles/a^/f. Third, Or, a fefle azure-, over all a faltire gules charged with
five bezants J Afh. Under the monument, Azure, a lion rampant gules, impaling Coles.
On the fouth wall of the aile is a neat marble monument to the memory of William
Bullock, of this parilh, gent, who died Jan. 18, 1780, aged 53; and to feveral of his
family. And another. To the memory of William Hinkes, who pradifed phyfick and
furgery in this parifh 50 years with reputation and fuccefs, and died July 15, 1747,
aged 77. Mary his wife, who died June 29, 1754, aged 72, and divers of their chiU
dren, are alfo commemorated.
At the weft end of this aile the following infcription is cut on an upright ftone in
the wall:
As DAIES DOO PASS AND NIGHTS DOO COME,
So DOTH man's life DECAIE,
Therefore lett vs while wee have tyme
Doe good if that we maie.
For Thomas Jenkens who latelie liv'b
Is nowe laide in the grovnd;
And to the poore of Nailsea towne
Bv WILL he cave five povnde.
The vse thereof each half yere's end
They are to have fvll svre.
And eake the stock from age to age
For ever to endvre. Thomas Jenk[ens]
Rector de Backwill is
Obijt mortem 15 DIE Octob. 1626.
Y 2 TICKENHAM,
[ i64 ] [Potttjur?,
T I C K ^ N H A M.
A Large moor, deep and moralTy, and two centuries ago impaffable, but now ren-
dered tolerably fafe for horfes by a caufey raifed acrofs it, divides the parifh of
Nailfea from that of Tickenham, which ftands on the very edge of the moor, and at
the foot of that fame chain of mountain which fkirts this hundred from eaft to weft,
and in this fpot is rendered beautiful by patches of flouriftiing woods. Upon the very
brow of the hill, overlooking the village, is a Roman encampment called Cadbury-
Cajile, the etymology of which has already been given in the account of another work
of the farne name, but of much greater extent and confequence/ This contains about
one acre of ground, and is nearly of an oval form, fortified by a double rampart twelve
feet in height, and compofed of loofe limeftone, the produce of the fpot. To the eaft
of this camp Is a large wood called Umebridge-lVood, which was formerly a manor of
the Berkeleys, and is now attached to that of Portbury. In this wood, as in many
others in this neighbourhood, are great numbers of the Fly-Orchis, and fome other
fpccies of that plant. The modern name of this place is certainly a corraption of the
Saxon Lime-pperj, which fignifies a ridge of lime-ftone, and in that fenfe is pecu-
liarly adapted to this rocky eminence. Between the villages of Tickenham and Wraxall,
there is alfo a hamlet called Stonage, which originally derived .its name from its fitu-
ation on the ftony edge or acclivity of the fame rock.
At the time of the Conqueft the village of Tickenham was divided between William
de Ow, and Ernulph de Hefding:
" William himfeif holds Ticheham. Saulf and Teof held it in the time of King
" Edward for two manors, and gelded for eight hides and a half The arable is nine
" carucates. In demefne are three carucates, and four Icrvanis, and twelve villanes,
** and five cottagers, with fix ploughs. There are thirty acres of meadow, and fixty
** acres of pafture, and one hundred and ten acres of wood. It was worth one hundred
*' ftiillings when he received it, now fix pounds."*
" Engeler holds of Ernulph, Ticheham. Edric held it in the time of King Edv/ard,
*' and gelded for one hide, and three virgates of land. The arable is three carucates.
" There are three villanes, and one cottager, and one fervant, and fix acres of meadow.
" Wood three furlongs long, and one furlong broad. It is worth forty ftiillings.'"
A branch of the Berkeley family having their refidence in this village, adopted their
furnames from it, and called themfelves de Tickenham. Roger de Tickeuham was
living in the time of Ric. I."" and was father of Nicholas de Tickenham, who in the
time of King Henry III. for the health of his own foul, and the fouls of Sybil and
Wendyen his two wives, granted to the hofpital of Billefwick in Briftol the privilege
of digging turf in his moor of Tickenham.' To him fucceeded Ralph de Tickenham,
' Vol. u. p. 72. ^ Lib. Domefday. « Ibid. t Cart. Antiq.
' Regift. Hofpital de Billefwyke, MS.
■who
IPortburg.]
TICKENHAM.
165
who is witnefs to a charter of Thomas de Berkeley in the time of Henry III. and had
iflue Nicholas, who confirmed the grant made to the hofpital of Billefwick aforefaid j'
and 33 Edw. I. is certified to hold two carucates of land in the manor of Tickenham,
which manor was held of Roger Bigod, earl of Norfolk and marJhal of England, by
the fervice of keeping the gate of the caftle of Chepftow in Monmouthfhire for forty
days in the time of war.* From which Nicholas, furnamed Fitz-Ralph de Tickenham,
defcended Sir Thomas Fitz-Nicholas, who was owner of Tickenham 7 Ric. II. and
5 Henry IV.*" and at his death left iflue a fole daughter and heirefs, Catherine, married
to Robert Poyntz, whofe defcendant Nicholas Poyntz lived at Tickenham in 1 640.
The manor now belongs to Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde, bart. to whofe father Sir
Richard Bampfylde, bart. it defcended from the Codringtons and the Gorges.
From other documents we learn that in the time of Edw. I. Sir Richard Keylle held
the fifth part of a knight's fee in Tickenham of the honour of Gloucefter.' An4
aj Edw. III. the heir of William de Bradford held the fourth part of a knight's fee here
of Hugh Le Defpenfer.'' 1 9 Edw. IV. John Berkeley, efq; held at his death the manor
of Tickenham of the earl of Huntingdon, as of his manor or caftle of Chepftow in the
marches of Wales; as alfo the manor of Brytton, of the Bilhop of Bath and Wells, as
of his manor of Compton-Epifcopi, and lands in Mark and Burnham, leaving Cecilia
the wife of James Afh, his fifter and heir.'
A confiderable eftate alfo in this parifli belonged to the Percevals of Wefton, into
whofe family it came in the time of Henry VI. by the marriage of the heirefs of William
de Bofco with Ralph Perceval, whole defcendant Sir John Perceval alienated the fame
in 1656." The Baves afterwards had this eftate, and there was an old court-houfe
(now pulled down) belonging to it, called Barrow-Ceurt, fituated under the hill in the
road to Clevedon.
But the ancient manfion, called 'Tickenbam-Court, ftands adjoining to the church-
yard, and with its ruined walls and Gothick windows make a very venerable appearance.
In awing of the building eaftward ftands the chapel, now ufed as a brew-houfej and
in an old parlour over the chimney, carved in the oak wainfcot, were three fliields of
arms J the firft of which is gone; the fecond is, Quarterly, firft and fourth a griffin
fegreant, Davis. Second and third, a chevron between three fpears' heads; Rice,
impaling two lions paflant. The fecond coat impales three eagles difplayed, Rodney.
Rice Davis, whofe arms are here quartered, fometime refided at Tickenham, and mar-
ried Dorothy daughter of IMaurice Rodney, efq; and fifter and coheir of Sir George
Rodney, knt.
The patronage of the church of Tickenham, valued in 129a at nine marks,' was
anciently in the abbot and convent of St. Auguftine in Briftol; and after the diflblu-
tion of that monaftery, was granted by King Henry VIII. to the Biftiop of Briftol and
his fucceflbrs for ever. The living is a vicarage in the deanery of RedclifF and Bed-
minfter. The Rev. John Cafberd, D.D. is the prefent incumbent.
' Regift. Hofpital. de Billefwyke, MS. « Efc.
' Efc. ■"HoufeofYveiy.
* Cart, Antiq. ' Lib. Feed, * Ibid.
* Taxat. Spiritual,
The
i66 TICKENHAM. [IPotttJUr?,
The churthj which ftands on a rifing ground near tlie edge of the moor, is, accord-
ing to Edlon, dedicated to St. Quiricus and Julietta. It is an ancient building, confid-
ing of a nave, chancel, north and fouth ailes, and a tower at the weft end containmg
five bells.
The font here is very ancient, being a fquare ftone ciftern, refting on four fmall
round pillars, one at each angle, and a larger one in the centre.
In the fouth aile ftands a very ancient altar tomb, covered with a flat ftone, in which
is cut a large crofs flory voided; but no infcription.
Againft the north wall of the north aile, on a long raifed ftone bench, lie three full-
fized effigies in length, two of them being men in armour, with an oblong ftiield on
their left arm; and the middle one a female attired in a long robe, with a wimple under
her chin, and her hands placed together in a fuppliant pofture. Thefe effigies are
fuppofed to reprefent fome of the de Tickenham family, but no memorial remains
whereby to afcertain the particular perfons of whom they were intended to preferve
the remembrance.
Againft the wall of the fouth aile is a marble monument to the memory of Mr.
Samuel Bave, of this parifti, gent. Arms, Or, a rofe gules j on a c\\\t( azure a lion
courant argent. ,
In a window of the fouth aile, over the ancient ftone effigies above-mentioned, are
thefe arms in painted glafs, viz. i . Or, three pallets gulest within a bordure azure be-
zantee; Baffet, i. Quarterly, Gules and or, a bend argent; Fitz-Nicholas. In the
chancel window are thefe arms, i. Argent, on a canton dfnAtr gules, a quatrefoil or.
2, Gules, a. chevron between ten crofles patee argent, Berkeley. 3. Gules, on a chevron
er three ttoilts/abk, 4. Or, three pallets gules, on a canton a crofs patee argent.
CLEVEDON.
THIS village ftands at the extremity of the hill weftward from Tickenham, and is
fo denominated, becaufe the ClifF or Clive here ceafing a Dun or Valley is
formed, declining to the Briftol Channel. The rocks here rife with prodigious gran-
deur, and to a great height; on one of them, overlooking a vaft extent of land and
water, a tower formerly ftood, called Wake^s-Tower, from the family of Wake, who
were lords of the manor, and erefted it as a place of obfervation. This tower has long
lince been demoliftied, and in its place, about the year 1738, Mr. Elton built a fummer-
houfc, which alfo is gone to ruins. In this liill are feveral old lead mines, and that kind
of ore is frequently found in digging near the furface. Lapis calaminaris alfo was for-
merly dug here. The ride to this village over ths hill from Leigh-Down is juftly
efteemed the fineft jo the coynty.
King
IPOCtburp.] C L E V E D O N
•^^* . 167
Chvedon IS certified to hold two knUrs' fees of H7nrv T . " F "'.^'"'^"^ ^^
of William earl of Gloucefter ' Thril u ^ °''^'' ^"'^ °"^ ^"'ghfs fee
William fucceeld Ma ^w de Cli Jvtn T'' ' o- "''"°'" °^ ^^*^^^d°"- To thi»
de Cliveden was llvfnTL " ■ ,6c « Edi m" °" "T'i'- "°""«'-' "^""-ew
;. Ric n. and ^<^^^^.rJ:ci'lf^%'^^\^^^^^ ■37».
liave been out of the reo-nlar lin^ of ^»r . r • ^ ^hefe laft feem to
of Joan one of the fifter. nfrh^ r IS? ''"^rx Thomas Lovel, knt. the hu/band
Margery hs other fifter In which " ''".^'''' ^"' J"'" ^'"^^' ^^e hufband of
Bluet and Marc^er/hrw^fe ' 9 '/ u °^°"-^'y'^°"'"' ^^''^ ^'^g"^^ ^o John
all his righS[ji:t s.f rit: tveff :r of ^f r " ^r 7-r ^
ment bned. Which 9ir Th^^. . u ■ . ^ , VV^""^' '"" °* ^"^ Thomas Lovel above-
married to SW^^^^'^^Z'tt 'f :""" ""'"8'"" '^ '"''"''■ ^8""'
a.iedinparSa:^dt=ir;:5.t-eir'^^^^^^^^^^^
y mn. MS. 1,92. « Seals fron, ancient Deed^. ' Cart. Antk,.
^•"^- *^'''<'- ' Rot. Claui. ,5 Ric. n.
year
1 68 C L E V E D O N. [IPotttJUtp.
year of his reign granted one moiety of this manor of Clevedon to Sir Humphrey
Stanley, and Sir James Parker, knts. and the other to John Crocker and John Dudley,
efqrs. to hold by the fervice of a red rofe, payable yearly at the feaft of the nativity of
St. John the Baptift." But fhortly after the faid Roger Wake obtained a pardon, and
the reftitution of all or the greateft part of his lands, and fetded this manor, with the
capital manfion, and divers lands and tenements in Clevedon, on Richard Wake his
fecond fon, whom he had by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Catefby, of Afliby-
Legers in the county of Northampton, knt.°
Which Richard Wake bore for his arms Or, two bars gules, in chief three torteaux;
he had iffue feveral children, of whom John the eldeft was of Clevedon, and married
Elizabeth daughter of Sir Edward Gorges, knt. by whom he had iffue five fons, whereof
John the eldeft fucceeded him in this manor, and William the youngeft was progenitor
of William Wake archbifhop of Canterbury. John, the eldeft fon, married Margaret
daughter and heir of Robert Goodwin, of Portbury, efq; and by her had iffue Sir
Baldwin Wake, who was created a baronet by King James I. in the 19th year of his
reign. He married Abigail daughter of Sir George Digby, of Colefhill in the county
of Warwick, knt. and had iffue Sir John Wake, and feveral other children.
Hence the manor of Clevedon came to the pofleffion of John Digby earl of Briftol,
and of that family was purchafed by Sir Abraham Elton, the firft baronet of that name,
whofe defcendant Sir Abraham Ifaac Elton, bart. is thcprefent poffeffor.
The nfiinor-houfe of Clevedon is a noble old building, the work of different periods,
very pleafantly fituated on the fouth fide of the village, facing Nailfea moor, and on
the fouthem flope of the hill, which is here wildly feared with craggy rocks, intermixed
with fine herbage.
The church of Clevedon was appropriated to the abbey of St. Auguftin in Briftol,
and was in 1292 valued at twelve marks.'. The living is vicarial in the patronage of
the Bilhop of Briftolj the Rev. Edward Colfton Greville is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Andrew; it ftands at the weft end of the village, at
a fmall diftance from the edge of the cliff, which is here very fteep and rugged ; but by
reafon of its height the building is fecure from the fury of the fea, which Ibmetimes
beats with vaft violence when the wind fets in ftrong from the weft. It is built in the
form of a crofs, with the tower in the centre, and is from eaft to weft one hundred and
four feet, and including the porch, fifty-fix feet in breadth from north to fouth.
In the fouth crofs aile or chapel, which is the burial-place of the lords of the manor,
there is a ftone on which is the effigy of a man in armour, with his fword by him, and
under his feet a bull. The arms and infcription, by being frequendy trod on, are
worn out.
Againft the north wall of the chancel is a large ftone-tomb, with this infcription
round the top ftone: — " Heere refteth the body of John Kenn, of Clyvedon, the fonne
• Rot. Pari. 3 Heu, VII. » EngUflj Baronetage, i. 468. ? Taxat. Spiritual,
of
IpOttbUtg.] CLEVEDON. 169
of John Ken, of Ken, efquier, who decefled the 12th daye of Aprill in the yeare of
oure Lord Gou 1593." Arms, Ermine, three crefcents j-a/w, two and onej a naullct
for diftindtion,
" Thomas Gwrlliam, alias Phillips, gave fix acres of land in Kingfton, the profits
thereof yearly for ever to be employed in placing poor men's fons of this parifh
apprentices. He died March 4, 1650.
" The Right Hon. John earl of Briftol gave five pounds per annum to the poor of
this parifh forever, April 6, 1687.
" 1727. Sir Abraham Elton, bart. fettled five pounds per annum, clear of all
charges, for teaching poor children to read, inhabiting in this parifli, for ever."
WALTON IN GORDANO.
THAT chain of rocky mountain which bounds the greater part' of this hun-
dred on the fouthern fide, having terminated at Clevedon, a frefh ridge here
commences over againft the other, ftretching in a northeaft direftion along the Channel
to Portifhead-Point, where it dips into the fea. The intermediate fpace betwixt thefe
hills is formed into a pleafing and pifturefque amphitheatre, the fides of which arc
ftudded with villages, feats, woods, rocks, and paftures. The bottom is a moor, the
commonage of which belongs to tliis parifh, and thofe of Wefton and Clapton j this
moor is a long narrow wedge-like level, extending nearly three miles from eaft to weft,
often overflowed in the winter feafon, and frequented by numbers of wild-geefe, ducks,
and other forts of aquatick fowls. There was formerly a decoyj butof late years it has
been neglefted.
The village of Walton lies under the fouthern brow of the hill abovementioned,
with ah afpeft towards the moor, and the north (lope of the Clapton and Tickenham
heights. It derived its name from the Saxon Fealb, a v:ild, or wold, and ron, a town,
a term ftridly applicable, if not to its prefent, at leaft to its original fituation, which
was on the northwefl; declivity of the hill towards the fea, where now ftand the ruins
of the old parifh church. On the very fummit of this hill, (commanding on the land fide
a delightful profpcft of a long trad of hilly country, bounded on the eaft by Gloucefter-
fhire, and on the fouth by Mendip; and on the fea fide a full view of the coaft of Wales,
the Channel juft underneath, and the flat and fteep Holmes, rifing as it were out of
the bofom of the water) ftands Walton-Caftle or Lodge, the property of Lord Poulett.
This building is of an o6langular form, having a round tower at each angle, and an
embattled wall between each. In the centre of the area ftands the keep or citadel,
which is alfo oftangular, and has a fmall turret of the fame fliape on the fouthcaft fide,
rifing above the reft of the ftrudurei the roof and floors are fallen in, and no uie made
Vol. III. Z of
WALTON IN GORDANO. [IPOttiJUtp.
of anv Dirt of the caftle except a fmall portion of the hallium, which ferves as a dairy
?or th^eCan of the r^eighbouring farm. The entrance is through an embattled gate
eXard Th ch led dirfftly to a%ortal opening into the keep. Over the door-way
of 2 of the round tovverJ are the arms of Poulett, tl.e owners of tbs confpicuous
edifice, and lords of the contiguous manor j viz. three fwords in pile.
Walton was the only manor in this county which was pofieffed at the Conqueft by
Rabhde Mortimer, kinfman of the Norman duke, and one of h.s prmc.pal com-
manders in hi expedition into England. His eftates lying widely difperfed through-
out thTs kingdom, this manor was held under him by one Richard who in all proba-
bUh^was pSgen-itor of the family of de Walton, who held eftates here long after the
following furvey was taken: e ■>.• n '
cc Ralph de Mortemer holds of the King, Waltone, and Richard of him. Gunn.
« held it^in the time of King Edward, and gelded for three hides and a h^lf- The
« arable is four carucates. In demefne is one carucate, and feven villanes, and five
« cotuaers with three ploughs. There are twenty acres of meadow, and one hundred
.c ac^es^of prC-e, and V-res of wood. When he ^received it, it was worth fifty
« fhillin^s; now twenty Ihillings more; that is, feventy.
Of the defcendants of this Ralph de Mortimer, who were Earls of March, and lords
ofWilore in Herefordfhire, notice has already been taken in other parts of this
work It will therefore be fufficient to obferve, that they continued in the pofleffion
Tf h^ rovakv of this manor till it paffed in the time of Henry VI. by an heir female
; he Hou Lf York. An inquifftion taken after the deceafe of Roger de Mortimer
eaifof March, 35 Edw. III. fets forth, that the faid Roger held at his death half a
knight'rfe in Walton juxta Portbury, which moiety was afterwards held by Andi-ew
de Irompton.^ But the demefnes and other eftates in Walton were leafed out to the
JamuTf Berkeley, who a Heniy IV. obtained for the fame a ^^f^^l^J^-^^^^X
In the timeof Henry VI. the manor of Walton was the property of Sir Thomas de
Chedde;, by whofelughter and coheirefs it pafled to Sir John Newton, knt^ and .6
Edw. IV. was held in dower by Emmota Newton of the Duke of York. After her
deaTh it was inherited by Richard fon of the faid Sir John Newton, who left two
da ;\ rs hL coheirs, of'whom Jane the wife of Sir Thomas Griffin, knt. -^^[^^
this manor as a parcel of the fliare of her inheritance. Soon after which it fell into
h h'nds of the'crown; and, together with the manor of Chedder, was granted by
King Edw. VI. by letters patent bearing date at Ely, Dec. 6 the fixth year of his
S to Sir Edward Seymour, knt. and his heirs and affigns, refervingao annual rent
ofTi X9S. 8d. to be plid to the King, his heirs and fucceffors out of the f-d manors
at the feaft of St. Michael the archangel.^ Which Sir Edward Seymour, 16 May 4
and 5 Phil, and Mary, fold this manor with its appertenances to Sir John Thynne,
W'from whom it came to Chriftopher Ken, of Ken -/J^^ -"J'/J^i.:,^^
daughter and coheirefs Elizabeth conveyed it in marriage to John the firft Earl 1 oulett,
ancestor of John the fourth and prefent Earl Poulett, who is now lord of this manor.
. Lib. Domefday. ' Efc. ' Cart. * Hen. IV. p. - ». 2. ' Efc. 16 Ed. IV.
• Harl, MS. 608. ' Licence to alienate.
l^ottbutp.]
WALTON IN GORDANO.
lyi
The living is a reflory in the deanery of RedcUffand Bedminfter, and in the patro-
nage of the lord of the manorj the Rev. Thomas AUcn is the prefent incumbent.
The original ancient parifh church, which was dedicated to the honour of St. Paul
ftands in ruins at the bottom of the hill, a fmall diftance wcftward from the caftie and
within a few yards of the beach. It confifted of a finglc aile, with a tower at the wefl:
end, which, except the roof and crown of the parapet, is pretty entire; and at the
northeaft angle is a winding ftone flair-cafe to the top of the building. A large mitred
arch opens to the nave, fome of the walls of which are alfo (landing; and in the wail
at the eafl end are two fmall niches, and the remains of a third, which formerly held
images. In the fouth wall is a benetoire for holy water. In the church-yard, a little
eaftward from the ruins, ftands an ancient crofs of three rows of fteps, with apedeftal
and pillar nearly perfed. This cemetery is furrounded by a ftone waU, and is to this
-day the place of fepulture of the poor of Walton parifh, whofe bones reft here more
quietly than thofe enflirined within the maufoleums of the great. For here no fpade
inquifitive of earth's contents, difturbs the hallowed foil, which is but feldom trod
even by the foot of the antiquarian; and the traveller, who vifits this folitary demain
IS welcomed by no other founds than the howling of the winds, the roarintr of the fea*
tlie lowing of the cattle, and the bleating of the fheep upon the neighbouring mountain!
A church of modern eredlion of one pace, plain and fimple to a degree, with a turret
and one fmall bell, ftands in the viUage on the fouth fide of the hill, and is the prefent
place of worfliip for the inhabitants.
Near this laft-mentioned church, under the cove of the hill, is a good ftone manfion
adorned with a neat pleafure-ground and plantations, the feat of Sir John Durbin, knt.
WESTON, NORTH-WESTON, or WESTON in GORDANO.
npHIS village is fituated at the foot of the fame chain of mountain, and is diftant
one mile eaft from Walton, and betwixt that and Portifhead. It obtained die
"J"^? J^fT r"" "' '^'^""^y ^""^"^'^ ^^""^ ^he hundred town of Portburv; that
otmrth-WeJiort, from its northerly fituation in refped oiWejlon-Ju^er-Marc; and that
p r^'" z« Gordano, or Wejion-Gordein, for the reafon afTigned in the account of
talton, or St. George's. The hill above the village is denominated from it Wefton-
uown, and has on its flope fome fine coppice woods of oak and hazel, but the rock
prevents the timber from arriving at any large fize. On the brow fronting the fouth,
IS a neat houfe, the feat of Cann Wilkins, efqj who is lord of this manor.
At the time of the Conqueft it was held of the Bifhop of Coutances by Azelin, or
records' ^^'^^''^> ^s we are informed by the Norman furvey, which thus
Z2
" Azelin
172 WESTON IN GORD AN O. [PottfiUtg*
" Azeliti holds of the Eifliop, Westone. Britnod held it in the time of King
".Edward, and gelded for feven hides. The arable is fix carucates. Irt demefne are
" three carucates, and two fervants, and fix villanes, and feven cottagers, with three
"ploughs. There are thiity-three acres of meadow. Pafl:ure twelve furlongs long,
" and eight furlongs broad. Wood feven furlongs long, and three furlongs broad.
" It was and is worth four pounds and ten fhillings.'"
Who this Afcelin-Gouel de Perceval was, has already been Ihewn in the fecond
volume of this work, in treating of the ancient barony of Cary, which was deduced
fi-om the fame perfon through the Lovels and the St. Maursi*" we fhall now retrace
the defcendants of this Afcelin in the name of Perceval, who had their refidence and
interment within the manor we are now fpeaking of.
This Afcelin Gouel de Perceval married Ifabeldaughter of William earl of Breteuil,
Pacey, Conflrantine, and Yvery, in Normandy;" and by her had iflue feveral fons, of
whom Robert and William fucceffively pofleflTed this manor. The latter, who adopted
the furname of Lovel, married Auberie daughter of Robert earl of Mellent, by whom
he had iflue five fons, Waleran, furnamed de Yvery, Ralph, Henry, William, and
Richard.
Waleran de Yvery, tlie eldeft of thefe fons, fucceeded his father in the Norman
eftates, and left a pofterity which enjoyed the fame. Ralph the fecond fon ufed the
paternal title of Lovel, and married the daughter of Henry de Newmarch, but left no
children. Henry the third fon had iflue by Alice his wife two fons, Ralph and Henry,
the firft of whom dying without iflue, this manor, with the barony of Cary, and the
greater part of the eftates in England, came to Henry his brother, the fecond of that
name, fon of Henry, and grandfon of William Gouel de Perceval abovementioned.
Which Heniy was living in the time of King John, and by Chriftian his wife had
ifliie Richard Lovel, baron of Cary, (from whom were five defcents of that name from
38 Henry IIL to 25 Edw. IIL when it terminated in St. Maur;'') and alfo four daugh-
ters, to whom he gave this manor in four equal portions. The firft of thefe daughters
was married to Sir Walter de Efleleg, or Afliley; the fecond to Thomas le Briton; the
third to Matthew Wakej and the fourth to WilHam Fitz-Walter. William Fitz-
Walter fold his fourth part of this eftate, which he had in right of his wife, to Thomas
le Briton ; and he conveyed the fame together with his own fliare to Gefferey Maun-
deville, who thus became pofl"efled of a moiety of this manor. The part belonging to
Matthew Wake was given by him to Philip Lucan in marriage with his daughter; and
the remaining fourth part, belonging to Walter de Efleleg, was by him given to
Geffery de Marifco, who gave it in marriage with his grandaughter to Emerick de
Gardino, or Gordein." In procefs of time, however, thefe portions became united in
the families of Wyke and St. Maur, and from them again returned by marriage to the
houfe of Perceval> whofe genealogy we now purfue.
• Lib. Doraefday. ^ Vd, ii. p, jz.
' Anderfon's Genealogical Hift. of theHoufe of Yvery, i. 191.
* See vol. ij, of this work, p. 54. , .' Telia de Nevil.
Sir
PortbUtp.] WESTON IN GORDANO. 173
Sir Richard de Perceval, the youngefl: fon of William dc Gouel de Perceval, by
Aviberie daughter of Robert earl of Mellent, was portioned by his father with lands in
Stawel in this county, befides which he had Butcombe, Eaftbury in Carhampton, and
many other eftates, which defcended to his pofterity the fucceffivc lords of Wefton in
Gordano. This Sir Richard de Perceval attended King U.ic, I. in his expedition into
Paleftine, A. D. 11 90, where, being a pcrfon of uncommon ftrtngth and valour, he
diftinguiflaed himfelf in feveral fierce engagements. In one of them, it is faid, that
having loft his leg, he undauntedly continued on horfeback till he alfo loft his arm, and
that even then with the horfe's bridle in his teeth, he perfifted to deal (laughter round
him till he fell by lofs of blood/ Notwithftanding this tradition (one part of which feems
to be confirmed by the family creft, which was a man armed on .horfeback, with one
leg couped) it is certain that he lived to return home, and was buried in the church of
Wefton, under a fuperb monument, which was deftroyed in the civil wars of the laft
century. On a ftone near it there was this infcription to his memory.
*' ©rate pro anima EycatDi Ipcrcetial, qui miUtatiit in tecra fanta com
mesc BgcarDo, a. C. mn."
He bore for his arms. Argent, on a chief Undented gules three croffes patee of the
firft; ancj having married the daughter of William de Mohun, had ifTue three fons,
Robert furnamcd de Butcombe, Hamelin, (both of whom died without iffue) and
Richard, by whom this line of Perceval was continued.
This Richard was alfo in the wars of Paleftine with his father, and was likewife buried
at Wefton, where his monument remained till the year 1692.* He left iftue Robert
Perceval, who fettled in Ireland, and was fummoned to parliament there as Baron
Perceval, 1 3 Edw. I. being progenitor of the Lords Perceval of that kingdom ; Hugh,
who had Walton, Coreville, and other manors in this county j and John, fometimes
called de Walloti, and fometimes de Perceval.
Which John, being twice married, had iffue feveral children, of whom Sir Roger de
Perceval, the eldeft, inherited Wefton, and was fummoned to parliament among the
barons, 24 Edw. I. He died about the year 1 3 1 2, leaving iffue by Joan, daughter and
heir of Sir John de Bretefche, Sir John Perceval, who fucceeded himj and Richard,
who was parfon of the church of Exford.
Sir John Perceval, the fecond of that name, lord of Eaftbury in Carhampton» But-
combe, Thrubwell, and Clewer, all in this county, which he inherited from his ancef-
tors, married Millicent the daughter and heir of Lawrence de St. Maur, by which
match he regained to his famHy a moiety of the manor of Wefton in Gordano, which,
as has already been fliewn, had been difleminated by Henry Lovel his progenitor.
John de Perceval, the eldeft fon of the faid Sir John, by the match abovementioned,
died without iffue, and was futceeded by his brother Sir Walter Perceval, knt. who
married Alice daughter and heir of William de Afton, of Adon in the county of
Gloucefter, knt. and was father of John, who died without iffue, and Sir Ralph, wha
fucceeded to his eftate.
' Houfe of y very, i. 310. » Ibid, i. 314.
Which
174 WESTON IN GORDANO. [PottfJUtg.
Which Sir Ralph married Elizabeth, one of the daughters of John de Wyke, of
Ninehead-Flory in this county, of whom he- obtained by this intermarriage the other
part of Wefton, which had been alienated from his family. He had iffue by the faid
Elizabeth, Sir John, Richard, and Walter. He died about the month of February in
1403, having the 4th day of January preceding prefented Robert Faderwin to the
church of Wefton in Gordano.
Sir John Perceval, his eldeft fon and heir, died feized of this manor 8 Hen. V.
without iflliei and was fucceeded therein by his next brother Sir Richard Perceval,
who May 6, 1424, prefented Walter Toucker to the living of Wefton, then vacant by
the death of John Bufti, who fucceeded Faderwin above-mentioned. On this occafion
John Reynolds, reftor of Portifhead, whofe emoluments had been infringed by his
parifliioners' frequenting the church of Wefton, lodged a complaint and petition with
the biftiop, and obtained an injunftion that the faid Walter Toucker ftiould not, under
penalty of the lefler excommunication, admit any of the pariftiioners of Portifhead to
any of the religious rites of his church at Wefton, to the prejudice of his faid church of
Portifhead.'' He married Agnes, daughter of Sir Richard Arthur, of Clapton, knt. and
by her had Sir John Perceval, who died without ifTue in 1439J Sir Ralph, who fuc-
ceeded to this manor of Wefton; and Ralph Perceval the younger, the lineal anceftor of
the prefent Earl of Egmont.
Sir Ralph, the fecond fon of Sir Richard Perceval, fucceeding to this manor, pre-
lented to the living April 20, 1453, John Brice, clerk, Wajter Toucker the former
incumbent being then dead. He married Joan daughter and heir of Richard de
Bofco, or Boyce, of Tickenham in this county, and died 17 Edw. IV. feized of this
manor of Wefton in Gordano, which he held of Elizabeth Queen of England, by
knight's fervice, as of her honour of Trowbridge in the county of Wilts,* leaving iffue
three fons, Richard, John, and Ralph.
Richard the eldeft fon fucceeded his father in the manor of Wefton, of which he died
feized 22 Edw. IV. and was buried with his wife Catharine, who was the daughter and
coheir of Richard Hampton, in the parifh church of Wefton, where their monument
ftill remains againft the north wall. By his faid wife he left illiie three fons, Richard,
Ralph, and William, who all dying in their minority, the inheritance devolved to Sir
John Perceval his brother.
This Sir John, as feoffee of his elder brother's will, on Nov. 23, 1479, prefented
John Turner to the reftory of this church. He married Joan daughter of Thomas
Chedder, efq; by whom he had ifTue one fon James, and a daughter married to
Gilbert Cogan, efq.
James Perceval, fon of Sir John, was born in 1467, and 17 Henry VII. on the
marriage of Arthur Prince of Wales, with the Princefs Catharine of Arragon, was
returned among the chief men of this county, who were judged worthy of receiving
the honour of knighthood. In 15 14, upon the refignation of John Turner, he pre-
fented JohnDurbaine to the benefice of Wefton. This Sir James beautified and re-
* Houfe of Yvery, from the Regifters of Wells. ' Efc.
paired
IPoct&utg.]
WESTON IN GORDANO.
'75
paired the pari/h-church, and greatly ornamented the manor-houfe at Wefton. By his
will, bearing date 15 June, 1536, he orders his body to be buried in the chapel of St.
Mary Magdalen, within the church of St. Paul of Wefton in Gordano, and appoints
Joan his wife to find an honeft prieft to fing and pray for his foul, and all chriftian
fouls, in the faid chapel for the fpace of one whole year." He died in 1549, leaving
ifliie by the faid Joan his wife, the daughter of John Ken, of Ken in this county, efq;
Edmund his fon and heir.
Which Edmund married two wives, by the firft of whom, whole name was Ifabel de
Marifco or Mareis, he had a fon called James, and two daughters. His fecond wife
was Elizabeth Panthuit, who bore him a numerous proge.ny.
James the eldeft fon and heir of Edmund fucceeded to the inheritance of this manor
in 1550, and in 1554 prefented Richard Baker to the reftory of Wefton. He mar-
Tied five wives, the firft of whom was Mary, the daughter of Edmund Gorges, of
Wraxall, efq; on whom he fettled this manor. The fecond was a daughter of — —
Luttrell, of Dunfter-Caftle, efq. The third was Elizabeth the eldeft daughter of
. Chriftopher Ken, efq. The fourth was Elizabeth the widow of Richard Marftiall, of
Ivythorne in this county, efq; and the fifth was Elizabeth the fecond daughter of Sir
Maurice Berkeley, of Brewton, knt. By the firft four wives he had no iflue, but by
the laft he had ten children, viz. two fons, James, who fucceeded to the eftate, and
John, who died unmarried, and eight daughters, whofe names were Elizabeth, Ger-
trude, Anne, Florence, Sarah, Grace, Alice, and Mary.
James Perceval his fon and heir was ten years old at his father's deceafe, which was
in 1 593, and inherited the greateft part of the family eftate, as this manor of Wefton in
Gordano, Thrubwell, Butcombe, Stoke-Bilhop, Eaftbury, and Bridcotj the former of
which, viz. Wefton in Gordano, as alfo Wefton-Capenor, (a fmall lordfliip within the
other, fo called from the Capenors its polTeflbrs) he is certified to have holden by the
fervice of half a knight's fee, as parcel of the king's honour of Hereford and Trow-
bridge. Sept. 4, 1630, he, as lord of this manor and patron of the church, prefented
William Wale to the living of Wefton. He died in 1644, ^"d agreeably to a requeft
which he had made upon his death-bed, " that his body might be laid in the fame
tomb with that of Sir Richard (the famous warrior) his anceftor, that his afties might
mingle with thofe of his glorious predeceflbr,"' he was interred in the church of Wefton
in the fame monument, which it is faid was then very magnificent, ornamented with
rails, and plates of brafs gilt, of very great antiquity, (having then ftood upwards of four
hundred and fifty years) and of a workmanftiip extremely airious for the rude times in
which it was erefted." By Alice his wife, daughter of William Chefter, efq; he had
five fons and four daughters. Four of the fons died young, and Thomas, the only
furviving one, fucceeded to the eftate.
This Thomas was a ftgady adherent to the royal caufe, for which reafon his eftate
here was much injured by the parliament forces, who ranfacked his houfe, deftroyed
the family writings, defaced the monuments of his anceftors, and obliged him to
* Houfcof Yvery, from the Regifters of Wells,
Ibjd. i. 309.
. " Ibid. 449.
pay
176 WESTON IN GORDANO. [PortbUtg*
pay the fum of 25 81. by way of compofition." After the Reftoration he was twice
vifited at his inanor-houfe in Wefton by King Charles II. from whom he expefted,
but in vain, a gratuity for his fervices. He died in 1691, and was buried at Wefton,
leaving by Catharine his wife, daughter of Robert Lloyd, of Place-Ifcoyd in the-
county of Denbigh, Anne Perceval, his fole daughter, and heirefs of this branch of the
houfe of Wefton, who was fii-ft married to Evan Lloyd, of Llaneminick in the <:ounty
of Salop, efq; and afterwards to Colonel Thomas Saliftjury, of Bachagraige in the
county of Flint, efq. But Ihe having no ifTue that furvived by either of them, this
branch of this ancient family terminated with this lady, who, cutting off an old entail,
fold at different times the .whole eftate. This manor was purchafed out of chancery by
Cann Wilkins, efq; father of the Rev. George Wilkins the prefent owner.
The manor-houfe, built about the year 1430, ftands fouthward from the church near
the moor. It was formerly a large and handfome ftrufture, having in the windows in
painted glafs the arms of the different branches of the Perceval family, and their inter-
marriages for feveral hundred years. Thefe, as well as great part of the houfe itfelC
were demoliflied in the civil wars.
The living of Wefton is reftorial, in the deanery of Redcliff and Bedminfter. The
lord of the manor is patron, and the Rev. Richard Wilkins the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Paul, is a fmall and very ancient building,
confifting of a nave, chancel, and chapel on the fouth fide, dedicated to St. Mary
Magdalen, adjoining to which on the fame fide is the belfiy and tower, in which hang
five bells. On each fide of the chancel are four old femicircular ftalls, and two fimi-
lar ones on each fide the entrance weftward. Againft the fouth wall of the nave is a
ftone oratory.
The only remaining monument of the Percevals is that erefted to Richard Perceval
and Catharine his wife againft the north wall of the nave. This monument has in the
bafe an altar tomb, and on the back of the fcreen above it are two figures with fcrolls,
on one of which is EgCljarO IPCtfptiale ^& fOtOlC f)atie mercp. Arms: I. Jrgenf,
on a chief indented ^«/^j, three croffes patee of the firft; Perceval: impaling ^«/(?j, a
bend argent between fix fleurs de lis or; Hampton, a. Argent, on a chevron fable three
cfcallops of the firft; Ballowe : impahngyiz^/^, a chevron ermine between three efcallops
argent; Chedder. 3. Perceval, impaling, argent, in chief three bucks' heads caboffed
Jahle.
In the church-yard is alfo an old tomb with the arms of Perceval thereon.
" Somerfetlhire Compofition.
CLAPTON
Ipjxtbucg.]
r '77' '*3<^
CLAPTON IN CORD AN O.
ON the other fide of th^'ivibbr, a'Kd'oh' tHe ricii-thern iccli^'iry of that firft range of
hills which we have defci;ibed as running from Leigh to CIcvedon, (lands Clapton,
having Portifhead on the north, Wefton on the northweft, Tickenham on the fouth,
and Portbury on the eaft. The lands of this parifh are almoft wholly pafture; the foil
in foine places Tandy, and in the fields near the church a rich red earth, which b^ari
fine crops of grafs. On the fiope of the hill weftward is a fine wood of oak and hazel}
the lower part of the parifh is planted with elms and willows. Hefe is a coal-mine,
which has been worked upwards of a century; the coal is very quick of kindling, and
abounds with fulphur. A large quarry of ftone for paving and tiling was formerly
wrought in the wood called /i^^-Pari:, but has been for many years difcontinued.
Two rivulets, one rifing in Walton, the other in Clevedon, run through the village,
and fall into the fea at Portifliead-Point, / ,; i
This place is called in the old Norman record Glotune, and is fux-veyed.as follows:
" Herluin holds of the Bifliop [of Coutances]'CLOTUNE. Algar held it in the time
"of King Edward, and gelded for five hides and a half The arable is five carucates.
" In demefne are' two carucates, and twb fervants, and ten villanes, and ten cottager^
" with three ploughs. There are fifty acres of meadow. Pafture eighteen furlongs
" long, and three furlongs broad. "Wood feven furlongs long, and one furlong broad.
" It was worth forty fhillings, now feventy fhilHngs."*
This manor \vas held of the honour of Gloucefter by a family who lived in the place,
and were denominated from it de Clapton. In the timeof Henry I. Wido dc Clapton
held an eftate here oi Robert earl of Gloucefter." 'To him fucceeded Arthur de
Clapton, who was owner of lands in Clapton 25 Henry I.^ and was fucceeded therein
by Nigel Fitz-Arthiir, who is mentioned as refident here In i deed 'of award between
Robert Fitz-Harding and others in the timeof King Stephen.* The fuccefibrs of this
Nigel aflumed the name of Arthur, and bore for their amis. Gules, a chevron (O-gent,
between three clarions, or horfemen's refl;s, orC in allufion probably to the arms of
Robert Conful earl of Gloucefter. In the time of Henry III. William Arthur held
one knight's fee in Clapton and Biftiopworth of the earl of Gloucefter.' Which William
had ifTue Sir Richard Arthur, knt. who was living 12 Edw. I. and by the daughter and
heirefs of Flory was father of Sir William Arthur of Clapton, who was conftable
of Briftol caftle, and held other confiderable offices in this part of England. He
married a daughter and coheir of Baffet of Winterbourne, by whom he had ilTue a fon
named Richard, who was living at Clapton 44 Edw. III. , Which Richard, by Ifabel
daughter and heir of Roger Turville of the city of Briftol,' had iffue two fons. Sir
Thomas, who fiicceeded to the Clapton eftate, and Edmund, to whom his fidier gave
the manor of Bilhopworth in Bedminfter, to be held of the manor of Clapton by the
• Lib. Domefday. *• Cart. Aniiq.
' Lib. Feod.
Vol. III.
Ibid. "Ibid. ' Seals from ancient Dee(is.
» Brokc's Vifitatioa of Somerfetnure.
A A fervicc
178 CLAPTON IN GORDANO. [IpOttbUtg,
fervice of a red rofe, to be paid by him and His heirs on Midfiimmer-day yearly .'" He
had alfo one daughter, Agnes, firft married to William de Vernai, and afterwards to
Richard Payne.
Sir Thomas Arthur, knt. eldeft fon and heir of Richard, by a daughter of Ken, of
Ken, was father of John Arthur, of Clapton; Thomas, who was flain in Francej
Nicholas, who was of Bifhopworth, and left iflTue a fole daughter and heir, Alice, mar-
ried to Roger Kemys; and one daughter, whofe name was Mary.
John, the eldeft fon, was living at Clapton 11 Henry VI. and had ilTue Richard
Arthur, who was living here 20 Henry VI. and by Alice the daughter of James lord
Berkeley, was father of John, who by Joan the daughter of Roger Hyet had feveral
children, viz. John, who inherited this manor, and was living here in the time of Henry
VII. Thomas and Edmund, who died without iflbe; and three daughters, Margaret,
Ifabel, and Julian; thelaftofwhom was married to Richard Mead, of Mead's -Place
in the parifh of Wraxall.
John Arthur aforefaid, elcS;ft fon of John, married Margaret daughter of John'
Boteler, of Badminton in the county of Gloucefter, and dying Jan. 30, 13 Hen. VIII.
feized of the manors of Clapton and Alhcombe, and lands in Wefton in Gordano,
Milton, Gloucefter, and Briftol,' left behind feveral children, whereof Thomas Arthur
the eldeft became poflefled of this manor, and had iffue two fons, John, who married
Joan the daughter of Sir Edward Gorges, knt. but died without ifllie, and Thomas,
who by Cecily daughter of John Agard, of the city of London, had ifllie two fons,
Edward Arthur, living at Clapton in 1592; and Thomas, who was feated at Clevedon,
and one daughter Anne, who became the wife of Lawrence Sweetenham.
Edward Arthur married Mary, daughter of Erafmus Pym, of Brymore in this
county, efq; by whom he had feveral children, who left a pofterity; but Maiy his
daughter, and at length heir, became poflefl^ed of this manor, and by her marriage
transferred it to William Winter, youngeft fon of George Winter, of Dirham in the
county of Gloucefter, efq.
Which William Winter, lord of Clapton, in right of Mary his faid wife, was father
of another William, who was living in 1636, and was fucceeded in this eftate by
Henry Winter his fon and heir. Which Henry married Catherine daughter of Sir
Popham Southcot, knt. and died in 1685, leaving iffue by the faid Catherine four fons,
Henry, William, Arthur, and John ; and a daughter, Catherine.
Henry the eldeft fon, by his will bearing date July 10, 1685, afligned the manors of
Clapton and Wefton-fuper-Mare, to Sir John Smyth, bart. and others, to be fold for
the payment of his debts; in purfuance of which feveral eftates in Clapton and Wefton
were fold to difierent perfons; and afterwards by deeds dated i and 2 May 1690, the
refidue of the manor of Clapton was, with the confent of Henry the fon, fold for the
fum of 4350I. to Thomas Edwards, of the city of Briftol, efq. From him it defcended
to Mrs. Colfton,'' of Broughton in the county of Oxford, one of his daughters and co-
heirefles, whofe fon the Rev, Robert Ready is the prefent pofleflbr.
» Broke's Vifitation. I Gglcs's Efc. " See under Weft-Lydfwd, vol. ii. p. 84.
Nailh-
3pott6utg.]
CLAPTON IN GORDANO.
179
Naifli-Houfe and grounds (on the borders of the parilh, now the feat of Walter
King, efq;) and Dunhills, part of the Cunnygree and Quarrs, were part of the Winters*
eftates, and were fold from them in 1687, to Mrs. Kemys for the fum of 2450I.
The manor-houfe of Clapton (lands near the church, and is an ancient ilrudhire,
built by one of the Arthurs, whofe arms, impaling thofe of Berkeley, arc placed over the
front of the porch; from which it feems probable that Richard Arthur, who married
Alice the daughter of James lord Berkeley, in the time of Henry VI. was the founder.
The living of Clapton, valued in 1292 at eight marks,' is a rectory in the deanery
of Redcliff and Bedminfter. The lord of the manor has the patronage; and the Rev.
Henry Still is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Michael the archangel, is fituated on an emi-
nence, near the edge of the moor, and commands a pleafing prolpedl of that natural
amphitheatre, which has been taken notice of in Walton, by whofe afpiring caftle the
view is on that fide terminated. It confifts of a nave, chancel, and aile on the north
fide; at the weft end is a plain tower containing three bells.
In the north aile is the burial-place of the Winter family; and againft the wall
thereof, ftands a ftately monument of ftone, on which are the effigies of a man in
armour, and a lady in a black clofe-bodied veft, both kneeling, and between them a
child feated in a chair, and holding a fmall fcull in his lap with his right hand. On tlie
bafe is this infcriprion : " Herelyeth the body of Edmund fonneof Henry Winter,
efq; who departed this life November the 25th, Anno Domini 167a." On the top of
the pediment thefe arms. Sable, a fcR'c ermine ; acrefcent for diftindion ; Winter: impa>
ling argenty a chevron betweea diree coots/able; Southcote.
Againft the north wall is a fmall monument, infcribed,— — " Here lyeth the body
of William Winter, efq; who departed this life tlie 21ft day of Aprill, A. D. 1632.
Alfo Mary his wife, daughter and heire unto Edward Arthur, efq; who departed this
life the 17th day of Februarie, Anno Dom. 1632, whofe ifllie were three fonns, and
four daughters." Arms, Winter, impaled with gules, a chevron argent between three
clarions or; Arthur.
' Taxat. Splriraal,
Aaa
THE
\ ?fb lol ?vi''
[ i8i J
4^4*^^^T^^^^^r'^T^'*T^'*^^P*^T9'*T^'*^'^'* 1^5^^ 4?54*T^^*T^T>i^4*iT54^^?5T^4^4*iig4>4T|4*^iJ4*T^!t>T^4*i^Tfc
THE HUNDRED
O F
S O M E R T O N
Is fituated in the fduthern part of the county, adjoining to the hundred of Pitneyj
and contains nine pariflies, one of which comprifes the ancient town of Somcrton,
which gives name to this diftrift, and, according to the generally received opinion,
to the whole county. Here was formerly. a royal warren, the cuftody of which
belonged to a certain mefluage within the manor of Newton-Forefter in the hundred of
North-Petherton, and was held jointly with the five forefts in this county. 52 Hen. III.
this hundred with its rents, profits, and all other appertenances, was granted by the
King to Eleanor the wife of his fon Prince Edward, afterwards King Edward I."
* Mich, commun. 52Hen, III. Rot. 2. a.
' S O M E R T O N.
oi ,v:.,,
THIS town, which in ancient times gave name to the whble county we are dc-
fcribing, and is fuppofed to have received its own from the ajlival plealantnefs
of its fituation (the Saxons calling it Sumup-tun,) ftands in a very fertile and beautiful
part of the county, finely interfperfed with cultivated hills, and rich luxuriant vallies.
Its diftance from Bridgwater is fixteen miles towards the foutheaft, and towards tlie
fouth thirteen from the city of Wells.
It is fituated on elevated ground, and confifts principally of five ftreets, containing
two hundred and fifty-one houfes, which are chiefly built of blue lyas ftone, brought
from the quarries in the neighbourhood of the town. This part is called the borough of
Somerton,
1 82 s o M E R T o N. [Common*
Somerton, and adjoining to it is the tithing of Lower-Somerton, or Somerton-
Erleigh, in which are twenty houfes. One mile eaftward is the tithing of Hurcot,
having nine houfes. In the whole parifli are about two hundred and eighty houfes,
and nearly one thoufand four hundred and eighty inhabitants.
On the eaftern fide of the hill, above the hamlet of Hurcot, are confiderable quan-
tities of fine white alabafter. The fouthweft declivity of tliis range of mountain,
extending four miles northward, bears confpicuous traits of its having formed in feme
very early perior' i bold and rocky boundary to the fea, being remarkably fteep, ftrongly
indented, and in fome parts fretted into deep concavities; and there are many plants
growing thereon fuch as are ufually met with on the fea-coaft. If King's-Sedgmoor
was once a part of the fea (and that it was little doubt can remain in die mjnd of an
attentive obferver) its waters would naturally flow into this refervoir, and form a bay
under this fine ridge.of hills. The river Cary runs through this parilb under a ftone
bridge of three arches, a quarter of a mile northeaftward from the town. Under an
plms-houfe fituated in the weft ftreeC tliere is a Ipring of very fine water, which emits
five different ftreams, about two feet diftant from each other; from which circumftance
it has obtained the name of Rmgers'-Well. Thefe five ftreams conjointly form a ri-
vulet which falls Into the river foutheaftward from the town.
The alms.-houfe juft mentioned was founded by Sir Edward Hext In the year 1626,
for eight poor men, viz. four of Somerton, two of Langport, and two of High-Ham j
eadi of whom have a room and garden plat allotted them ; and two fhillings a week,
with about fix fhillings weekly for the purchafe of coals. On the front of the building
are the initials E. H. for Edward Hext, and his arms, a tower between diree battle-
axes; as alfo this verfe of fcripture: " He hath dilperfcd abroad aad given tb the poor:
his benevolence remaineth for ever. 1626."
The government of the town is vefted in conftables; and there is a hall for holding
petty-fefllons. The market is on Tuefday, and very confiderable for corn, cattle, &c.
There are five fairs for cattle, three weeks intervening between each; the firft begins on
the Tuefday in Pafllon-Week. Here are alfo two other fairs, held Sept. 30, and
Nov. 8, for catde, ftieep, hogs, and pedlary-ware.
It has been fuppofed by fome that Somerton was a Roman town; but hiftory is
filent of any event incident to it previous to the heptarchy, when it is faid to have
been of large capacity, fortified and walled round by the Weft-Saxon kings.* Here
King Ina had his palace and his caftle, which in the wars with Mercia A. D. 73a,
Ethelbald king of that country made himfelf mafter of,*" but was foon after driven
from the country, and in a mutiny flain by his own fubjeds. About the year 877 the
place was plundered and laid wafte by the Danes under the conduft of their captains
Inguar and Hubba,' but being foon re-edified, became the moft confiderable town in
all this territory, both in regard of its extent and population, and the ftrength of its
titadel or ^orfrefs; which having been founded by' the Kings of Weflex on the brow or
edge of the hill, had from its fituation the name of Monteclefe,^ and at different periods
• Cotton MS. Julius F. vl, ? Chron. Saxon. 54. ' Cwwn MS. Ht fopra. * Ibid,
contained
©ometton.]
SOMERTON.
183
contained within its walls the perfons of moft diftinguinied prifoners, among whonn
•was John king of France, who 33 Edw. III. was removed hither by order of the King
from Hertford-caftle, with a view of more firmly lodging his royal charge. For the
bufinefs of this removal, and for fecuring the monarcli on his arrival at Somerton, com-
miflioners of high rank were appointed by the crown ;"• and the caftle was fitted up
commodioufly for his reception. On the decay of this caftle, the common prifon of
the county was erefted out of its ruins, and was " imbattcUed aboute caftell lyke in
ferpetuatn ret memoriam."' The ruinous fragments of this laft building are ftill extant,
and part of an inn, called the Bear-inn, built out of them; at the back of which fouth-
ward is a remnant of the old wall, with two or three crencllations, and the veftiges of
a femicircular tower.
There were at the Conqueft few more confiderable manors in the county than that of
Somerton, which comprehended, befides the town of its name, the borough of Lang-
port, and the eftaces of three Saxon thanes. The following account of it Is given in
tlie Norman furvey:
" The King holds Sumertone. King Edward held it. It never gelded, nor is the
" number of hides known. The arable is fifty' carucates. In demefne are five caru-
*' cates, and four lervants, and fourfcore villanes, and twenty-eight cottagers, with forty
" ploughs. There are one hundred acres of meadow, and one mile of pafture in length,
" and half a mile in breadth. "Wood one mile long, and one furlong broad.
" There is a borough which is called Lanporth, in which refide thirty-four bur-
" gelTes, rendering fifteen fhillings, and two fiflieries render ten (hillings. It brings in
" per annum feventy-nine pounds ten ftiillings and feven-pence of twenty in tlae ore.
" To this manor are added three lands which three thanes held in the time of King
" Edward, Brifnod, and Aluric, and Sawin, and gelded for five hides and a half.
" There are fcven villanes, and five cottagers, with four ploughs. It yields k.ytn
" pounds and fifteen ftiillings.
** From this manor is taken away half a hide, Dekesmodeswelle, which was of the
" King's demefne farm. Alured de Hifpania holds it, and it is worth ten (hillings."*
" The two manors of Sumertone and Cedre [Chedder] with their appendages in the-
" time of King Edward paid the expence of one night's entertainment for the King."''
After the Conqueft this manor was given by King Henry II. to his natural fon
William Tongefpte or Longfword, who by Ric. I. was created Earl of Saliftjury. This
William Eongefpce eredled at Somerton, on the fpot where now ftands the parilh
church, a houfe for nuns, and endowed the fame with certain lands of his demefne in
Somerton. Which nunnery, according to fome, is faid to have been fupprefied on
account of the focicty clandeftinely fending news by fpies to the French King; and
according to others by Henry V. for the building of the monafteries of Shene and
Sion.' In the time of this pofleflbr the inhabitants of the town of Somerton were
5 See the Engli(h Hiflories ; Dugdak's Baronage, i. 388 ; ii. 168, &c. ' Cotton MS. ut fupra.
« Lib, Damefday. " Ibid. ■ > Cotton MS. ut fupra.
184 s o M E, R T o N. [^omcttom
aflefled in the fum of four pounds aid for marrying the King's daughter j'' and 14 Hen.
III. were tallaged at ten pounds.'
This WilHam, whofe furname originated from the very long and remarkable fword
he ufually wore, was one of the aftive barons in the time of King John, and was fherifF
of Wiltfhire, warden of the marches of Wales, fherifF of the counties of Cambridge
and Huntingdon, commander of the Englifh- fleer, fherifF of Somerfet, and governor of
the caftles of Winchefter, Portchefter, and Sherborne. He married Ela the daughter
of William Devereux earl of Salifbury, who furvived him, and who being a lady of no
mean accomplifhments, after ferving the office of fherifF for the county of Wilts for
three feveral years in the reign of Henry III. folicited that King, and paid him the fum
of two hundred marks, to have that office continued to her for the refidue of her life.
But being a perfon of much piety alfo, fhe feven years after her hufband's deceafe, for
the healtii of his foul, her own, and all her anceflors, founded in a certain place called
^nailC0=^Cll0, in the parilh of Laycock in the county of Wilts, to the luonour of
our Lady, and St. Bernard," an Augufline nunnery, in which fhe firft took the habit
of a nun; and afterwards in the year 1240 the office of an abbefs in that foundation.
After having prefided for the fpace of-eighteen years, being grown old, and become
incapable of any longer holding her facred function, fhe refigned the fame; and dying
in 1 263, was buried in her own abbey, where, in the cloifters of this venerable building,
great part of which is now ftanding, a flat ftone flill preferves the following infcription
to the memory of this very illuftrious lady :
" :jnfra fimt DefoOa (jBIac ucnembilis oflfa,
£iimc oeoit bas fenes faccas monialibus acDeis.
atliatifla Quioem quae fanftc nixit itiiDcm,
(St comitifla ^arum, tiictutum plena ttonarum*
i)i)iit 00CCI."
.i'.;. -i J-.; .. _
From this family the manor, town, and hundred of Somerton came to tlie crown,
and were granted by King Edw. II. in the thirteenth year of his reign to Edmund,
^"urnamed, from the place of his ufual refidence, de Woodftock, the fecond fon of King
Edw. I." who the year enfuing procured a licence for a fair to be held in this town
yearly on the eve and day of St. Andrew the apoftle, and the feven following days.°
This Edmund forfeited his eftates by attainder, and the prem.ifes aforefaid were given
to William de Montacute earl of Salifbury for the term of his life; but the attainder
being revoked, the property was perpetuated in the perfon of Edmund, fon of the faid
Edmund de Woodflock, who, dying in his minority, was fucceeded in all the eflates by
his brother John earl of Kent, which John 26 Edw. III. died feized of the manors of
Somerton, Kingfbury, and Eafl-Camel, all which he held of the King in chief as parcel
of the county of Kent, leaving Joan his fifter the wife of Sir Thomas Holand, afterwards
Duke of Surrey, heir to his eftates.'' The faid Sir Thomas Holand left ifFue an only
daughter and heir Helen, married to Thomas Montague earl of Salifbury, who inherited
the eflate, ajid left ifllie a fole daughter and heir named- Alice, married to Richard
Neville, fon of Ralph earl of Weftmoreland, created Earl of Salifbury by Henry VI.
" Mag. Rot. 14 Hen. II. ' Ibid. 14 Hen. III. ■" Mon. Angl. iii. 342.
• Cart. 13 Ed. II. n. 20. " Cart. 14 Ed. II. n. i;. ^ Efc. To
®omtrtort.] somerton. 185
To this Richard carl of Salifbuiy fucceeded another Richard his fon, who was
knight of the garter, high admiral of England, and Earl of Warwick. He died in
1472, and the manor we are now fpeaking of pafled to George duke of Clarence,
who had married Ifabel the eldeft daughter of the faid Earl Richard. Margaret, a
daughter by this match, was by King Henry VIII. created Countefs of Salilbury, and
fucceeded to the polTeffion of this manor, which in her life-time was valued at 72I. 3s.
Qj-d.' But after her death, which unprovifedly happened in the year 1541, the manor
of Somerton was feized by die crown, and there held till the firft year of the reign of
Queen Mary, when it was granted to Francis earl of Huntingdon, and the lady Cathe-
rine his wife (grandaughter of Margaret the faid Countefs of Sahfbury) whofe grandfon
Sir Francis Haftings, 2 Dec. 35 Eliz. fold the fame to Sir Edward Hext and his heirs/
This Sir Edward Hext by Dionyfia his wife left an only daughter heirefs to his great
pofleffions, of which this manor and the neigiibouring one of Aller were part; who was
firft married to Sir Ralph Killigrew, knt. and afterwards to Sir John Stawell, knight of
the Badi.
From Sif John Stawell, fecond hufband of the faid heirefs of Hext, Somerton de-
fcended to his fon Ralph Stawell, who by King Charles II. was created Baron Stawell
of Somerton ; in whofe dcfcendants the manor continued till fold by the executors of
the laft Lord Stawell to Colonel Strangwayes, from whom it has come to the Earl of
Ilchefter the prefent proprietor.
The manor of Somerton-Erle, or Erleigh, (fometimes alio called Somerton^
Parva) was fo named from its pofleffors and refidentiary inhabitants, the fainily of
Erleigh, of whom mention has been made in the account of Beckington in the hun-
dred of Frome.' They held this manor by the grand ferjeanty of being the King's
chamberlain, and pouring water on his hands upon his birth-day.' In the time of
Edw. III. John de Erleigh fold the manor of Somerton-Erle, with the advowfon
of the chapel of the faid manor, to Richard Brice and Edith his wife;" who pafled
the fame to Sir Guy de Bryan, knt. who 12 Ric. II. enfeoffed Robert Fitzpaine and
Others in truft with the manors of Kingfton, Somerton-Erle, and Somerton-Randolf,
remainder to Guy his fon and his heirs male, and in default of ifllie to William de
Bryan his fon and his heirs male, and in default of fuch iffue of him, to Philip his Ion
and his heirs male.* The faid Guy de Bryan died 14 Ric. II. then feized of this
manor, which defcended to Philippa his coxifin and coheirefs, firft married to John
Devereux, and aftei-wards to Sir Henry le Scrope, knt. Which Philippa held at her
death, 8 Henry IV. the manor of Somerton-Erle, and alfo one mefiliage, one carucate
of arable land, ten acres of meadow, and ten of pafture, in Somerton-Randolf, of
Elizabeth Juliers countefs of Kent by knight's fervice; as alfo the manor of Kingfton,
and the advowfon of the church, held of Sir Robert Latimer, knt.; and the manors of
Downhead and Stoke, held of Philip Hampton; and the manors of Shockerwick and
Bath-Eafton, held of the Biftiop of Bath and Wells; leaving Elizabeth her fifter, the
' Dvgd. Bar. iii. 292. ' Licence to alienate. • Vol. ii. p. 198. ? Efc.
» Cart. Antiq. ' Rot. CJaus. 12 Ric. II.
Vol. III. B b wife
i86 s o M E R T o N. [^omertom
wife of Robert Lovel, her next heir/ In the time of Henry VIII. this manor belonged
to the Earl of Northumberland, who fold it to Johnfon, and he to William Popley,
gent, who 20 May, 37 Henry VIII. fold it to John Wiffe. 2 Dec. 40 Eliz. the faid
John Wifle fold the manors of Somerton-Erleigh, and liendall, otherwife Somerim-
Handolf, to the family of Fifher,' in which it continued till the beginning of this cen-
tury, when it paffed by an heirefs of John Fiftier to Mr. Bernard. He dying inteftate,
the eftate was divided between four children, of whom were three fons and one
daughter. One of the fons died foon after the father. The daughter was married to
Mr. Gill, who in her right enjoyed the third fhare, and added another thereto by the
purchafe of the younger Mr. Bernard's purparty. The other third part remains vefted
in John Bernard, efq; fon of Mr. Bernard aforefaid.
The manor of Hurcott, or Hurdecote, which formerly belonged to Lord Grey, is
now the property of Richard Henry Bennett, el'q.
17 Edw. I. William de Gardino, one of the fame family whereof we have Ipoken in
the hundred of Portbury, held in the parifh of Somerton a meflliage, one hundred
and feventy acres of arable land, eight acres of meadow, thirty fhillings and one farthing
rent of afTize, and thirty fhillings cuftomary rent, with other fervices. As alfo a mef-
fuage, one hundred and twenty acres of arable, two acres of meadow, and forty {hillings
rent, in Farringdon. And in Cogges, a meffuage with a clofe, thirty acres of arable, fix
acres of meadow, forty fhillings rent of affize, and five fhillings cuftomary rent, with
other fei-vices and cuftoms.»
A. ly. 8 94, King iEthelred gave to the abbey of Athelney all the tithes of Somerton-
Erleigh, which grant was confirmed by William de Erlega, A. D. 1168.'" The fame
"abbey had a penfion of ten marks out of the church of Somerton."
Bifhop Savaricus appropriated the tithes of Somerton to the abbey of Muchelney in
the year 1205,'' and in 1292 the redory was valued at thirty nrurks, and the vicarage at
one hundred fhillings.'
The benefice is vicarial in the deanery of Ilchefter, and in the gift of the Earl of
Ilchefter. The Rev^ John Chafie is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Michael the archangel, and confifts of a nave, chancel,
fide ailes, veflry-room, and porch. On the fouth fide is an octangular embatded tower,
fixty-three feet high, in which are eight windows, and fix bells.
In the fouth wall of the belfry, in a niche formed by a plain pointed arch, lies the
effigy of ' one Edithe in portrature of flone, the whiche was bylyke the Saxten, th^t
' had the rule of the churche and howfes, and by lyke the fowndres of the fteple.*'
Divers of the chief nuns were buried here.^
Againft the fouth wall of the chancel is the following memorial: "Thomas
Preen, gen. hanc capellam fumptibus propriis ornavit. Anno Dom. 1627."
'' Efc. ^ Licence to alienate. ' Efc. » Regift. Abbat. de Aihelney. ' Ibid.
'Excerpt. eRegift.Wellen, ,« Taxat. Spiritual. ^ Cotion MS. ut fupra. » Ibid.
Upon
feoinccton.] S o M E R T o N. 187
Upon the fame wall is a marble monument, infcribedj " Underneath are depo-
fited the remains of Harbin Arnold, gent, of this town, who died the firfl; of Auguft
1782, aged 77 years. He built the veftry-room at his own expence, gave two brafs
chandeliers to the church, and added another bell in the tower. He alfo bequeathed to
the fccond poor of this town an annual gift of eight guineas for ever to be diftributed
in bread. In grateful teflimony of his liberal benefaftions, and moft eminent virtues
both private and publick, and as an example to teach pofterity beneficence, his execu-
tors have credted tliis monument."
On the north wall is a marble monument to the memory of Tliomas Rooke, gent,
who died July 25, 1764, aged 62; and Prifcilla his wife, who died June 5th, 1751,
aged 42.
" Alice Yeates, widow and relict of Henry Yeates, of Hurdcot within this parilh,
gent, having a due regard for the promotion of the Chriftian Religion, by her laft will
and teftament gave tiie fum of five pounds to be paid yearly for ever for the educating
at an Englifh fchool twelve poor children of this parifh."
*' Mr. Thomas Churchey, goldfmith of London, fon of Mr. Jerome Chiirchey of
this town, out of his great love .ind charity to the poor of tliis town, being the place of
his nativity, did by his will give ten pounds, to be diftributed to the poor people the
day he was- brought hither to be buried. And gave one hundred and fifty pounds
more to be beftowed in lands, and appointed the profits thereof to be given to the
poor in bread every Lord's-day. He died the ninth day of February 1690, and lies
interred in the fouth porch of this church."
" Mr. Thomas Glover, citizen and ironmonger of London, becaule his father was
born in this town, and intended to give fomething for the publick benefit thereof, but
died before he performed it, gave a houfe near the church-yard to the town for ever,
that the rent and profits thereof might be beftowed every week in bread for the poor.
He gave alfo another houfe in the town towards the fetting up and maintenance of a
free- fchool. Anno Dom. 1675."
A L L E R, anciently SLRe.
THE Brltifti word SltDSt fignifies a Mint or Treafury; but it is not clear how fir
its meaning may be applicable to this village, which is fituated near the banks
of the Parret, northweft from Langport, that river dividing it from Eaft-Ling and the
I fie of Athelney, the celebrated retreat of the illuftrious Alfred, whofe name has
ftamped immortality on this lefs confpicuous fpot.
That King, having at Ethandune, or Edington, fignally overthrown the Danilli
forces, reduced them to terms of peace, and engaged on his part to refign the king-
dom of the Eaft- Angles to fuch of their people as would embrace the Chriftian
B b a religion.
i88 A L L E R» [^ometton*
religion. In purfuance of this treaty, Godrun or Guthrun their leader came to Alre^
the place we are now fpeaking of, being in the vicinity of Athelney, with thirty of his
officers, to receive the rite of baptifm, and King Alfred himfelf ftood fponfor for him at
the font, and gave the barbarian convert the name of JElhelJian. The Danes ftaid
twelve days after at AUer with the King, and were then difmifled with large prefenta
of money."
The next account we have of this place occurs in the Norman record, where we are
told that one Ulward a Saxon was owner of it in the time of Edward the Confeflbr, but
that when the furvey was taken it belonged to Ralph de Limefi, one of the Conque-
ror's followers :
" Ralph himfelf holds Alre. Ulward held it in the time of King Edward, and
** gelded for two hides. The arable is four carucates. In demefne are two carucates,
*' and two fervants, and five villanes, and twelve cottagers, with two ploughs. There
"are fifteen acres of meadow, and two hundred acres of pafture; and ten acres of
*♦ wood. When he received it, it was worth one hundred fliillings, now fix pounds.'""
In the time of Edw. II. John de Afton held a moiety of this manor of John
Odingfeles by the fervice of a knight's fee, and a fourth part of the neighbouring
village of Staeth of Nicholas de Moels, and died 6 Edw. II. leaving John de Adlon
his fon and heir.' The whole manor of Aller, with that of Allermore, and other
cftates here, loon after this came to the family of Botreaux, whofe heirefs carried it to
the Hungerfords, from whom it carpe to the Haftings earls of Huntingdon/ 25 Eliz.
Henry earl of Huntingdon fold the capital mefluage here, wjth one hundred acres of
arable land, fix hundred of meadow, and fixteen hundred of pafture in Aller, Allermore,
and Combe, to Roger Bromely, and Chriftopher Southowfe, and the heirs of the faid
Chriftopher.' The manor was purchafed by Sir Edward Hext, and from him it came
to the family pf Stawell; but now belongs to Emanuel^college in Cambridge.
In this parifh is a hamlet called Worth, fituated a mile towards the fouthweft, which
jn the Conqueror's time belonged to Roger de Curcelle, being then written Worde,
" William holds of Roger, Worde. Two thanes held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for one hide and a half. The arable is three carucates. There
** are ten villanes, with two carucates and a half, and four acres of meadow, and four
" furlongs of wood in length, and two furlongs in breadth. It was and 15 wprfh
S' fixty ftiillings,'"
The living, which is a reftory in the deanery of Ilchefter, was in 1292 valued at
twenty marks.^ The patronage is in Emanuel College, and the Rev. John Grefley \%
the prefent incumbent.
In tjic church, which is dedicated to St. Andrew, were formerly founded feveral
chantries; as, i. St. Mary's chantry, the laft incumbent of which, John Chynne,
^ad in 1553 a penfion of 5I. 2. 'Trinity chantry. Henry Larb^ck incumbent, 61,
f js, 4d, John Whytwell, another incumbent, 61. 13s, 4d, 3. Holy Crojs chantry,
* Chron, Saxon, p. 8j, ' Lib. Domefday, « Efc, ■■ Ibid,
S Licence \q alienate, ' Jiib. I^oinef^ayt ' Taxat, Spiritual.
Williani
*
®omecton.] A L L E w 189
William Troylyan 61.'' The church is an ancient edifice of one pace, with a tower at
the weft end, containing three bells. The fouth door is furnriounted by a very fine
Saxon arch, and in the upper pannel of the door is a curious antique carving of a
pelican and her young.
Under an arch in the north wall of the chancel, lies the effigy in armour of Sir
Reginald de Botreaux, knight, and near it on an upright ftone this infcription :
" f^ic meet Eeffinalijus filius Mlilbclmi Domini De TSotceaur, qui ohiit
xtx" Die mcnfis 3!uWi, 9nno Domini ^ccccrr"."
In the church-yard is alfo a mutilated effigy, probably of another of this ancient and
noble family.
Dr. Ralph Cudworth, redtor of this parifh, was father of that moft learned divine
Ralph Cudworth, the celebrated author of the " Intelle£fual Syftem.'* He was bora
here in 1617, and in 1630 was admitted penfioner of Emanuel-coUege in Cambridge,
where he received his degrees. He was afterwards prefented to the redlory of North-
Cadbury in this county j appointed in 1644 mafter of Clare-hall in Cambridge, and
the year after nominated profeffor of the Hebrew tongue in that univerfity. In 1654
he was chofen mafter of Chrift's- college, Cambridge; and in 1657 was one of the
perfons nominated by a committee of the parliarnent to be confulted about the Englilh
tranflation of the Bible. He died June 26, i688, and was buried in the chapel of
Chrift's-college. He was a man of very extenfive learning, excellently (killed in the
learned languages and antiquity; a good mathematician, a fubtle philofopher, and
profound metaphyfician.' His works in print and manufcript are very numerous,
Aller-Moor is famous for a fight in 1645 between the royalifts and parliament
forces, It has in it a fine decoy, belonging to Lady Acland.
" Willis's Hift. of Abbies, ii. 20i. ' Biog. Dift. iv. 24.8.
T
WEST-CAMEL.
HIS pariih lies at the eaftern extremity of the hundred, adjoining to the parifti of
Queen-Camel in the hundred of Catafti, in a flattifta woody country, the foil of
which is a wet heavy ajid cold clay. It comprehends
1. DowNHEAD, in which are eleven houfes, fituated northweft.
2. Urgashay, about half a mile weftjvard from the church, containing nine houfes,
The village itfelf contains forty-one houfes; the number of inhabitants is ^vo hun-
dred and fixty-three. It had once a family of its name.
In a hill half a mile to the north two catacombs were dlfcovered a few years ago, ia
which lay many bodies regularly arranged in rows, each in a fmaU trench, che ijitcrme-
diato
190 ^S> E s T - c A M E L. [^otttecton*
diate fpace filled up with fmall ftones; thefe bodies were found at the depth of five feet
beneath the furface, with their feet turned towards the north.
The manor of Weft-Camel was part of the pofieffions of Muchelney-abbey, and is
thus recorded:
" The church itfelf holds Camelle. In the time of King Edward it gelded for tei>
" hides. The arable is fixteen carucates. Thereof are in demefne four hides and a
" half, and there are four carucates, and five fervants, and feven villanes, and eight
*' cottagers, with fix ploughs. There is a mill rendering ten fhilHngs, and fixty acres
*' of meadow, and fixty acres of pafture. Of thefe ten hides Dodeman holds of the
" abbot one hide, and has there one plough, and three villanes, with one carucate, and
" two acres of meadow. The whole is worth ten pounds and ten Jfhillings.""
In 1 2 93 the temporalities of the abbot of Muchelney in this parifh were valued at
81.'' After the difl"olution the manor was granted to Edward earl of Hertford, and in
his time was valued at 25I. 14s. id. per annum.' But in this laft-mentioned valuation
was included the manor of Downhead, which 32 Edw. III. William Derby, chaplain,
and Alexander de Cammel, clerk, gave to Thomas de Overtone ^bbot of Muchelney,
and the convent of that monaftery, to find a certain regular chaplain to celebrate divine
fervice in the abbey-church there for the good eftate of the faid Alexander during his
life, and for his foul after his deceafe, and the fouls of all his anceftors, and all the
faithful deceafed, every day for ever.'' The manor of Weft-Camel has of late years
belonged to the family of Kingfton.
There was an ancient manor called SloOy but now Slow, which formerly belonged to
the family of Montague.
The living is reftorial in the deanery of Marfton, and in the gift of the Bifhop of
Bath and Wells. The Rev. William Willes, archdeacon of Wells, is the prefent incum-
bent. In 1 292 diis redory was rated at twenty marks.'
The church is dedicated to All-Saints, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and north
alle tiled, with a fquare tower on the fouth fide, crowned with a fmall fteeple covered
with lead. The north aile belongs to the proprietor o{ Slow-Court, and has been long
the burial-place of the family of Parfons.
In the chancel there is a marble monument to the memory of the Rev, Montrich
Hill, A. M. redtor of tliis parifh, who died Aug. 16, 1744, aged 58.
The chriftenings in this parifti are on an average ten, the burials five.
Adjoining to the church-yard ftands the parfonage-houfe, built on the fcite of the
old grange belonging to the abbots of Muchelney.
At Downhead there was anciently a chapel j but it has long fince been deftroyed.
• Lib. Domefd^y. * Taxat. Temporal. « MS. Valor.
* Adam de Doraerham, in Append, ad prsfat. Ixxiii. ? Taxat. Spiritual.
CHARLTON-
1
^omccton.] [ 191 ]
CHARLTON-ADAM, otherwife EAST-CHARLTON,
IS a fmall parifli eaftward from Somerton, confifting of about forty houfcs, and two
hundred and ten inhabitants. The houfes are in general very decent dwellings,
and fome very good ; being built of that excellent blue lyas which is found at Hinton-
Mandeville and Kingwefton. The village confifts of two irregular ftrects near the
church. The river Cary divides this parifh from Kingfdon, and continuing its courfc
by the town of Somerton, and round the north fide of Ham-hill, joins the Parret near
Boroughbridge. The houfes in this parilh ftand in a grove of fine elms, which fringe
the borders of almoft every inclofure and road.
This and the adjoining parifh of Weft-Charlton,. or Charlton-Mackarel, arc in
Domefday-Book comprehended under the undiftinguiihed title of Cerktune, and thus
furveyed:
*' Roger [Arundel] himfelf holds Cerletune. Aluerd held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable is fix carucates. In demelhe is one
** carucate, and four lervants, and three villanes, and nine cottagers, with three
** ploughs. There are thirty acres of meadow, and two acres of wood. It was worth
*' fix pounds, now one hundred fhillings."''
The manor of Charlton- Adam became in future time the pofleflion of the priory of
Brewton, under whom it was fometime held by Lord Henry Fitz-Richard, who ob-
tained of the prior and convent licence to ereft a free-chapel or chantry in his court of
Charlton-Adam, to be ferved by a chaplain who fhould receive all oblations coming to
the altar of the faid chapel. And the faid Henry Fitz-Richard, for himfelf and his
lieirs, and for the health of his own foul, and the fouls of his anceftors and fucceflbrs,
gave and granted in pure, free, and perpetual alms, to the church of our Lady at
Brewton, and the canons there ferving God, in recompence of damages that might be
luftained by the mother-church of Charlton-Adam, belonging to the faid prior and
convent, by reafon of the faid chantry fix acres of arable land of his Iprdfhip in the town
of Charlton, and one acre of meadow, to hold to them and their fucceflbrs freely and
peaceably for ever.'* In 1293 the temporalities of the prior of Brewton in this place
were rated at 61/' 8 Ric. II. William de Windfore was tenant of this manor undef
the faid priory, and lord alfo of Lydford, a neighbouring manor, and Knoll, whicK
he held of the abbey of Athelney,'' 1 Eliz. the Queen granted the manor of Charlton-
Adam, lately belonging to the monaftery of Brewton, to Sir Francis Walfingham,
lent.' who fold the fame to Sir William Petre, knt. It is nowthe property of the Rev.
Edmund Gapper.
2 Edw. VI. the chantry or free-chapel of St. Stephen in this parifli abovementioned
was granted to Sir Thomas Bell, knt. and Richard Duke, efq; to be held of the King
as of the manor of Stalbridge in the county of Dorfet/
» Lib. Domefday. ' E Regift. Oliveri King. « Taxat. TemporaL * Efc.
• Pa:. 2 Eliz. ' Pat. 2 Ed. VI. p- $•
- The
192 CHARLTON- AD AM. t^omettOrt,
The church of Charlton- Adam was valued in 1 292 at loos.^ The living is a vica-
t-age in the deanery of Ilchefterj the Rev. Samuel Gatehoufe is the prefent incumbent*
The church is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, and confiftsof a nave, chancel,
and fouth aile tiled, with a tower containing five bells.
In the fouth aile is an old mural monument, infcribed, — —^" Here lieth the bodi of
Thomais Bafket, of Charlton in com. Som. efquir. He decefed 16 Nov. A.D. 1592."
In the fame aile are the following memorials to the family of Strangways of this
place: " Here underneath lyeth the body of Giles Strangways, efqj of Charlton-
Adam, who died Jan. 30, 1677, jet. fuas 77.
*' Anne Bonham, wife of Thomas Strangways, efq; mother of four fons and twelve
daughters, married 39 years, aged 60, buried Nov. 3, 1638.
" Prope jacet Bonhamus Strangways, armiger, Portlandias caftri, regnante Guliclmo
tertio, prsefeftus, filius et hasres iEgidii Strangways ex Margaretta filia Henrici Ludlow,
equitis aurati, ac forore illuftris Edmundi Ludlow.
" Juxta item reconditur Jana prasfati Bonhami vidua, et filia Roberti Coker, armr-'
geri de Mapowder in agro Dorceftrenfi. Bonhamus anno 17 19, Jana anno 1741^
pleni annis in Domino obdormiverunt."
• Taxat. Spiritual.
■EBi
CHARLTON-MACKARELL, or WEST-CHAR LTO^f,
ADJOINS to Charlton-Adam weftward. The river Cary here runs under a ftone
bridge of two arches on the Roman fofle-road, called Poppli- Bridge, and gives
its name to two very iancient places, viz. Lytes-Cary, and CARV-FiTzfAiNE. The
latter of thefe places is thus furveyed in the Domefday record:
*' Robert holds of Roger [Arundel] Cari. Two thanes held it in the time of
*' King Edward, and gelded for one hide wanting one fiirlong. The arable is one
carucate, which is in demefne, with four cottagers. There are twenty acres of mea-
dow. It was and is worth twenty fhillings.'"
This feems to have been one of the chief feats of the family of Fitzpalne, who had
in early times the poflefllon of the greateft part of this parilh. 8 Edw. I. Robert
Fitzpaine is certified to hold a moiety of the; manor of Charlton-Mackarell, and the
manors of Cary, Bridgehampton, and Cheddon-Fitzpaine, with divers other eftates in
this county and that of Dorfet, for half a barony, being parcel of the honour of Roger
Arundel j all which defcended to Robert Fitzpaine his fon and heir,'* This Robert
i Lib. Domefday. ? Efc.
was
K
©omctton.]
C H A R L T O N-M ACKARELL.
'93
was fucceeded in thcfe eftates by a Ton and grandfon of his own name; the lafl: of whom
died feizcd of this manor and that of Cary 28 Edw. III.j and having no iflue male,
the faid manors were fettled for life on Robert the younger fon of Richard lord Grey
of Codnor, and Elizabeth his wife, and the ilfue male of their bodies lawfully begotten.
From diis family of Grey, this parifh for a while aflumed the name of Charlton-Grey,
and was afterwards poffefled by the Lords Zouche of Harringworth.
Other property in this parifli came by the heirefs of Fitzpaine to the families of
Poynings and Percy. A confiderable eftate alfo in Charlton was long in the pofleflion
of the Horfey family. Ralph de Horfey was living here in 1340, and then gave a
mefTuage, two yard-lands of arable, and twelve acres of meadow land in Charlton-
Mackarell, to a chaplain to perform divine fervice for the foul of die faid Ralph, his
anceftors and fucceflbrs, in the church of the blefled Virgin Mary of Charlton every
day for ever." A. D. 1395, John Horfey, who was in all probability fon of the
abovemcntioned Ralph de Horfey, founded another chantry in this parifh in a chapel
called Uorjley chapel, and gave thereto one mefluage, eighty acres of arable land, and
twelve acres of meadow lying within this parifh, for the maintenance of a chaplain to
celebrate therein. At the fame time alfo Roger Rondell granted to the reftor 6f the
church of Charlton and his fucceflbrs, one acre of arable land and one acre of meadow
in the faid village, for ringing a certain bell there early in the morning; as alfo eight
acres of arable land, for the finding five lights in the faid church every high feftival
yearly forever; and ten acres of arable land, and two acres of meadow, to find a lamp
to burn perpetually before the high akar/ Mofl of the lands belonging to thefe
chantries were after their difTolution granted to Sir Thomas Bell, knt. and Richard
Duke, efq.° John Drewe was the lafl incumbent of Ralph de Horfey's chantry, and
had in 1553 a penfion of il. 4s.' There was a place in Charlton-Mackarell called
Horfcy-Court. The manor now belongs to Thomas Lockyer, of Ilchefler, efq.
The manor of Lytes-Cary had its name from the ancient family of Lyte, who had
their habitation here in a large manfion, in which was a chapel, where their arms, viz..
GuleSy a chevron between three fwans argent, with many of their intermarriages, were
depifted. Much of their property came into the family by the marriage of Thomas
Lyte with the heirefs of Drew, whofe family derived great eftates from that of Horfey.
The laid Thomas Lyte left ifTue feveral children, the eldefl of whom, John, married
Edith the daughter of John Horfey, efq;^ a defcendant of the founders of the chan-
tries abovemcntioned. The name is not yet extinft; but many of the original eflates
have pafTcd into different families. A ftone in the church floor informs us that
Thomas Lyte, efq; buried in 1638, was the fourteenth in lineal defcent of this very an-
cient family.
The living is a reflory in the deaneiy of Ilchefler, valued in 129a at twenty-five
marks." The patronage is in the family of ChcfTelden. The Rev. Richard Ford is
the prefent incumbent.
« Inq. ad quod damn. * lUd. ' Pat. 2 Ed. VI.
« Cooke's Wuation of Somerfetlhire.
Vol. III. C c
' Willis's Hift. of Abbies, ii. 202.
f Taxat. Spiritoal.
The
194 C H A R L T O N-M A C K A R E L L. [^ometton.
The church is dedicated to the blefled Virgin Mary, and is a handfome Gothick '
ftrudlure in the form of a crofs, having in the centre a large embattled tower, contain-
ing four bells.
A.t the north end of the tranfept is an ancient tomb, having thereon the mutilated
remains of the effigies of a man and woman, reprefenting probably fome of the Lyte
family, who were buried in this part of the church.
In the floor are thefe infcriptions :
" Sept. i8, Ano Dni 1638, Thomas Lyte, of Lytes-Carie, efq; in lineal defcent of
that furname and family the 14th, here refteth in the Lord. Mihi vita Chriftus.
" Here lyes the body of John Lyte, efq; who departed this life May 15, 1698.
" Alfo the body of Thomas Lyte, efq; who died Sept. 7, 1761, aged 67."
In the eaft wall of the chancel are two elegant mural monuments of white rnarble,
to the Dodd family, with the following infcriptions :
" Underneath are depofited the remains of the late Rev. Mr. William Dodd, M. A.
reftor of this place, and fole patron of the church, vicar of Northover, and prebendary
of Cudworth and Knowl founded in the cathedral church of St. Andrew in Wells. He
departed this life the i8th of March 1760, in the 69th year of his age. He was a
tender hufband, an affeftionate parent, a cheerful companion, and a fincere friend; he
performed the bufinefs of his function regularly, decently, and with ferioufnefs ; and his
life and converfation were not inconfiftent with his profefllon. Near this place alfo
lies the body of Mrs. Jane Dodd, daughter of John Strachey, of Sutton-Court in this
county, efq; and wife to the abovefaid the Rev. Mr. Dodd, who died Sept. 23, 1732,
3-ged 39."
On the other monument: " Near this monument reft the remains of Lydia
Dodd, fecond daughter of the late Rev. William Dodd, reftor of this church. She
Jived in this world as one expefting a better, and in that hope departed this life June
19, 1778, aged 52 years. Her filter Jane Chefelden, as a mark of her great affec-
tion, erefts this monument to her memory."
On the north wall, in the chancel, is an old fmall mural monument to the Rev.
Simon and Mary Whitcomie, but the infcription is nearly illegible.
On the fouth wall, on a plain black ftone: « To the memory of the Rev. Mr.
Jarvis, Odt. 31, 1670 ; — Mr. Brown, April 17, 1684; — Mr. Lapley, Jan. 5, 1685;—,
Mr. Carter, July 29, 17 18; — fometime rectors of this place; this ftone is infcribed by
the prefent incumbent, 1757."
On a ftone in the chancel floor:- — — " Underneath are buried Eleanor a daughter 5
&nd Charles and Arthur, twins, fons of John Pyne, efq; and Mary his wife; they dyed
in their infancy."
KINGSDON
®ometton,j
[ ^95 ]
K I N
DON
IS a panfli lymg nearly midway between Ilchefter and Somerton, on high land
commanding an extenfive prolpedl towards the fouth and fouthweft. On the fide
Of the hill, below the village, there are feveral large quarries of a kind of Oate or ruft
coloured ftone, which he in thin lamina one above another nearly horizontally with
thin layers of earth between them. This ftone contains a few foflll Ihells of the bivalve
kind. This parilh contains about one hundred houfes, and about four hundred and
fifty inhabitants.
There is no mention of this place in the Conqueror's furvey, it having been at that
time perhaps a member of fome other manor. In the time of Edw. IIL John Go^he
held dus manor.' After this it belonged to the Fitz-Alans earls of Arundel, and The
Scroops of Mafliam." 6 Edw. VI. the manor of Kingefdowne, with its appertenances,
and the advowfon of the church, and other lands, tenements, and hereditaments in
Kingefdowne, were held by Sir Edward Fines, knt. Lord Clinton and Say, of the Kin»
by the twentieth part of a knight's fee.' In the fucceeding reign the fame manor bet
longed to Matthew Arundel, efq;" and is at prefent the property of the Earl of Arundel.
In the taxation of 1 292 the living, which is a reftory in the deanery of Ilchefter was
rated at twenty-one marks.' The lord of the manor is the patron, and the Rev.
Thomas Tucker is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to All-Saints j it ftands on high ground, and is a lar-e ful?-
ftantial edifice, built in the form of a crofs, with a large well-built tower at the weft
end, containing a clock and fix bells.
At the eaft end of the tranfept, under the window, is the ftone effigy of a military
perlon with his Ihield and belt. '
In the chancel floor there is a brafs-plate with this infcription : " Hie jacet ma-
gifter Johannes Dotin, medicus ac aftrologus infignis, quondam hujus ecclcfise paftor
nechon Collegii Exonien. Oxon. reftor, qui obijt f Novembris, A° Dni 1561, cul
gloriofam concedat Dominus refurreftionem."
This John Dotin was a bachelor of phyfick, and according to Anthony Wood,
though he wrote nothing, yet was a learned man, and a benefaftor to learning, by chiving
to the college whereof he was reftor, a iioufe and lands fituated in the parifti of Bampton
in the county of Oxford, (of which place he was one of the vicars) and alfo all his
books of medicine for the improvement of the college library. He was likewife fome-
time reftor of Whitfton in the county of Cornwall, and canon of the cathedral church
of Exeter.'
The chriftenings in this parifh are twenty, the burials fifteen, upon an average annually.
• Efc. 30 Ed, Iir. ' Efc. « Ter. Sydenham. - Ibid.
' Wood's Fdli/i. 55. Hift. of Oxford, 114.
C c a
' Taxat. Spiritual,
EAST-
[ 196 ] [^ometton,
EAST-LYDFORD.
OF this place, which lies on the Roman fofle-road, here traverfed by the river
Brew, running from Brewton towards Glaftonbury, we have the following ac-
count in the Norman furvey:
" Roger holds of the church [of Glaftonbury] Lideford. Alward held it in the
*< time of King Edward, nor could he be feparated from the church, and gelded for four
*' hides. The arable is five carucates. Thereof are in demefne three hides and
*' half a virgate of land, and there are two ploughs, and fix fervants, and fix villanes,
*' and three cottagers, with one carucate and a half. There is a mill of ten Ihillings
" rent, and forty acres of meadow. It was and is worth four pounds.'"
This manor is not rated to the abbey in the taxation of its temporal eftates made
A. D. 1293, and therefore v/e may fuppof^ the abbots had nothing further to do with
it than as mefne lords. It became in procefs of time attached to the honour of Glou-
ceftcr, and 24 Edw. I. was held therefrom, then confifting of two knights' fees, by Sir
John Bonville, knt.'' After which it became the property of the Hills, of Hounfdon
aad Spaxton. In the inquifition taken after the deceafe of Sir John Hill, knt. 15
Edw. III. he was found to have died feized of the manor and advowfon of Eaft-
Lydford, and the manors of Littleton, Harnam, Pury-Fitchet, Aflaolt, Poftridge,
Yard, Sherington, Durland, Wellefleigh, and divers other manors and eftates in this
county, in which he was fucceeded by Robert Hill his fon and heir/ 13 Henry VI.
John Hill, of Spaxton, efq; was lord of this manor and, patron of the church, and after
him John Hill, his fon and heir.'* 24 Henry VII. Richard Mawdley of Nunney died
feized of the fame." The manor now belongs to the Rev. Mr. Ryall.
The living is a redkory in the deanery of Gary; the Rev. Narciflus Ryall is the pre-
fent incumbent. In 1292 it was rated at ten marks.'
The church ftands in a low fituation near the river, and is a fmall building of one
pace, with an open turret at the weft end, in which hang two bells.
There is a handfome mural monument of various marbles ereded in memory of John
Ryall, gent, of this place, who departed this life Sept. 9, 1781, aged 73; at the eX-
pence of John and Elizabeth Davis, nephew and niece of the deceafed. Arms, Quar-
terly, Argent und/aMci on a bend gules, three fleurs-de-lis on
• Lib. Domefday. ' Lib. Feod. ' Inq. poft Mort. Jo. Hill, roil. * Efc.
* Coles's Efc. ap, Harl. MSS. 756, fo. 177. ' Taxat. Spiritual.
LONO-
@ometton»]
[ 197 ]
LONG
SUTTON.
THIS panfh, being fo called on account of its extent, and to diftin^mifh it from
other Suttons, lies three mUes fouth from Somcrton, on the river Yeo whicli
divides It from the parifh of Martock. It confifts of one hundred and thirty houfes
of which one hundred and five compofe feveral ftragghng ftreets near the church and
the reft are fituated m the hamlet of Knowle, a mile eaftvvard in the road to Ivelchcfter
The lands are in general a heavy yellowifh clay, and moftly arable. Here is a great
deal of moor-land, particularly Kingsmoor, containing upwards of two hundred acres
which belong moftly to this parifli, Somerton, and Martock, all which parilhes have a
right of common on it for young cattle, horfes, and fheep, under the direftion of com
miflionen,, chofen out of the pariflies of Long-Sutton and Somerton. A fair for oed-
lary ware is held here on Trinity-Monday.
In the year of our Lord 852, King Alfred gave to the church of Athclney the manor
of Long-Sutton, confift.ng of ten caffates of land, and diftinguifhed by the following
boundaries: « Ferft on Chdbroke, from Chelbroke up to Harepath, end elang Harepath
to Merfronford, from Merfronford end lung ftrate on Ryjhwyll, from Ryfhwyll to Fcul-
wUe mto J>:her,cc, end langes Penheved unto Foxhole, from Foxhole y^nxo Ertheme
eaftwards, out of Erthcnote into Cuttlejion, from Cuttlefton unto Herpath, end elang
Herpath unto Dyrfton ynto Jnhence, from Anhence end elange the more unto Boylt
dych froni Boyle-dyche into the Lake, end elang the Lake unto the Dyche, out of the
Dyche end lang Mores unto Be„ham eaftwards, from Benham unto Swanmore, out of
Swanmore into Tcvel, out of Yevel into Pedryd, out of Pedryd into Abaulah, out of
Abaulake eft into Chelbroke.'" j ul «i
The next account of this manor is in tlic Conqueror's furvey, where it is fet down
as follows:
« The Church itfelf holds Sittune. In the time of King Edward it gelded for ten
" hides. The arable is fixteen carucates. Of this are in demefne four hides, and there
« arc two carucatt-s, and four fervants, and eight villanes, and fix cotta-ers, with fix
" ploughs. There are forty acres of meadow, and one hundred acres of pafture. It
" is worth to the abbot eight pounds.
" Of d;is land Roger [Brito, or Bret} holds half a hide, and has one plough.
"Of the fame land of this manor Roger de Corcel holds two hides againft the
abbot s confent. 1 wo thanes held them of the church in the time of King Edward,
and they could not be ievered from it. The arable is two carucates, which are in
demefne, and fix acres of meadow. It is worth fifty Ihillings. Two homagers hold
" It of Roger. *
This manor now belongs to the Countefs of Northampton.
Another manor in Sutton, called Suttok-Damer, is the property of— Williams, cfq. .
♦ Regift, Abbat. de Aihelney, «> Lib. Domefday.
The
198 L o N G - s u T T o N. [®omeiton*
The manor of Knowle was long held of the abbots of Athelney by the family of
Gunter, and before them by the families of Middleney and L'Orti."^ This was a
chapel to Long-Sutton.
Bifliop SavaricuSj about the year 1198, Benedift being then abbot of Athelney,
created the church of Long-Sutton into a prebend in the cathedral church of Wells."*
Which prebend, valued in 1292 at thirty-five marks/ Continued in that monaftery
till its diflblution.
The living is a vicarage, and a peculiar in the deanery of Ilchefter, and in the gift of the
dean and chapter of Wells. The Rev. Chriftopher Tatchell is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It confifts of a nave, chancel, north
and fouth ailes, and two porches, all covered with lead except the chancel. At the
weft end is a well-built tower, one hundred feet high, decorated at the top with twelve
Gothick pinnacles, and containing a clock and five bells. The weft front of this tower
has fix niches for faints.
At the eaft end of the north aile there is a mural monument of marble to the memory
of Elizabeth wife of Thomas Banbury of this place, gent, and daughter of Jafper
RadclifFe, of Franklin-houfe in the county of Devon, efq; who died Dec. 29, 17 16,
aged 29. Arms, Argent, a crofs between four mullets gules, a crefcent for diftinftionj
Banbury: impaling, <2r^^«/, a bend engrailed ya^/e; RadchfFe.
There are a few other infcriptions to others of the fame family.
• Efc. * Archer. ' Taxat. Spiritual.
YEOVILTON.
THIS place, lying nearly eaftward from the town of Ilchefter, originally had its
name from the river Yeo, or Ivel, which divides a part of this parifti from that
of Limington. In ancient times it was called Geveltone, the G in old S.ixon writings
frequently ferving the place of Y, as now ufed at the beginning of many of our modern
names of things and places. The parilh is divided into two tithings, viz.
• I. Yeovilton Tithing, containing twenty-one houfes, one of them a mill.
1. Speckington cum Bridghampton Tithing, fituated about a mile eaftward
from the church, in which are fourteen houfes.
King WiUiam the Conqueror beftowed the manor of Yeovilton on William de Auco,
or Ow, as he is called in the furvey of that time :
" Ralph holds of Wilham, Geveltone. In the time of King Edward it gelded for
'* eight hides. The arable is eight carucates. In demefne are three carucates, and
"four
feomCCton.] YEOVILTON. 199
" four fervants, and fix villancs, and four cottagers, with five ploughs. There arc two
** mills rendering tiiirty fiiillings, and fourfcore and ten acres of meadow, and forty
** acres of pafture. When he received it, it was worth nine pounds, now as much.
" To this manor are added two hides, which five thanes held in the time of King
** Edward in equal portions. The arable is two carucates. It is worth thirty fliillings."*
This William de Ow, Auco, or Ewe, was the fon of Robert earl of Ewe, one of the
chief counfellors to William duke of Normandy before his conqueft of England. In
the year 1088, he was of the number of thofe who took part with Odo bifliop of
Bayeaux, and Robert earl of Morton, for endeavouring to advance Robert Curthofe to
the crown; and in that purfuit did much mifchief in GloucefterHiire and other parts of
die kingdom. But afterwards, in 1093, he forfook that caufe, and fubjefted himfelf to
William Rufus, to whom alfo he in a (hort time proved unfaithful, and in confequence
thereof forfeited his fortune and his life together. Although many of his lands were
afterwards reftored to his fucceflfors, yet it is evident this manor never was, at leaft (o
fully as he had himfelf enjoyed it. For it appears that in the time of Henry II. it was
held by Hugh Fitz-Richard,'' who was progenitor of a family that adopted the name of
de Teovilton, from this their place of refidence, and bore for their arms two bars nebiilce.'
12 Ric. II. Sir John Cobham, of Blackborough, knt. held at his death the manor of
Yeovilton jointly with Catherine his wife, who furvived him, of the King in chief,
leaving John his fon and heir.* 6 Henry IV. Sir Peter Courtney, knt. died feized
thereof; and 12 Henry IV. John Wyke of Ninehead held it, in right of Catherine his
wife for the term of her life, of John Rogers as of his manor of Berwick.' 13 Hen. IV.
Margaret the widow of Sir John St. Lo held this manor of the heir of the faid
John Wyke;' after which it came with the manor of Aller to the family of Botreaux
by the marriage of Sir William de Botreaux, knt. with Elizabeth daughter and heir of
the faid Sir John de St, Lo and Margaret his wife; which WiUiam had iflue a fon of
his own name, who died 18 Ric. II. and he another William, who, after the death of
Elizabeth his grandmother, 12 Henry VI. had livery of all the lands of his inheritance.*
This William de Botreaux, by his deed bearing date 23 Sept. 37 Henry VI. gave
" this manor of Yeovilton, with certain lands in the parifh of Camerton in this county, to
the prior and convent of St. Peter's at Bath, for a mafs to be celebrated daily for the
good eftate of King Henry VI. Queen Margaret his wife, and Edward then Prince of
Wales; as alfo for the good eftate of him the faid William, and Margaret at that time
his wife; and after this life for the health of their fouls; likewife every Sunday in the
year for a mafs de SanSld Trinitate; on Monday de Saudis Jngelis; on Tiaefday de
Omnibus SanSlis; on Wednefday de San5Id Maria Magdalend; on Thurfday de S, Petrq
is Paulo Apojlolis; on Friday de Epiphanid Domini; and on Saturday the like mafs de
S, Maria. Likewife that three days before Eafter (when mafs Ihall not be faid) for
the diftribution of fix-pence to the poor of Bath in bread, fo that each poor man
might have the value of a farthing. And that each prieft, naonk, or fecular, faying
* J/ib, Domefdajr. " Rot. Pip. 23 Hen. II, * Seals from ancient Dec4s, * Efp.
« Ibid, ' Ibid. « Rot, Fi», jz Hen, VI. m. ?o.
mafs
200
y E o V I L T o N. [©ometton*
mafs weekly, fhould toll a bell in that monaftery thrice, (the faid bell to be called
Botreaux Bell;) and at the introite of the mafs, fay with a loud voice, " Ye fliall pray
for the good eftate of our Sovereign Lord the King Henry the Sixth, and of our
Sovereign Lady the Queen j andofPrjnce Edward; and of William lord Botreaux,
and Ma^-^aret his wife, while they liven, and for their fouls after they be departed out
of this w^'orld; and for the foul of Elizabeth, late the wife of the faid Wilham lord
Botreaux; and for his fader's foul, and his modyr's foul, and his grandfader's foul, and
his criandam's; and for all the fouls which the faid Lord will afTign them to pray for in
wririn<^; and for all his anceftors' fouls, and all Chriften fouls, Pater-nofter thrice, and
A've-Maria, with this pfalm, De frofundis clamavi, &c. with a low voice." And that
the prieft faying fuch mafs Ihall daily receive two-pence, and the convent of that mo-
naftery to receive from the prior, for the obit of the faid Lord, and Elizabeth his late
wife to be performed in albis, before the altar of the Holy Trinity, forty fhillings,
to be equally divided amongft them. Likewife that there Ihould be diftnbuted to
the fame convent twenty-feven fhillings for three other obits; viz. On the twenty-fifth
of May for the obit of William Botreaux, father of the faid Lord; on the fourth of
September, of Elizabeth mother of the faid Lord; on the third of January, of Margaret
St. Lo, grandmother to the faid Lord by his mother; and twenty Ihilhngs yearly to
the facrifts for providing bread and wine, and all other things neceffary for the faid
mafles and obits."*
The manor of Yeovilton is now in the poffeffion of Thomas Lockyer, efq.
The manors of Speckington and Bridghampton were probably the two hides which
at the Conqueft were added to the manor of Geveltone; but came afterwards to the
Fitzpaines of Charlton. 8 Edw. II. Robert Fitzpaine was lord of Speckington, and
then gave to John Wycombe, parfon of the chapel of Speckington, and to his fuc-
ceffors, for the health of his own foul, and for the fouls of his anceftors, a meffuage,
and fixty acres of land, lying within the villages of Speckington and Bridghampton."
Of which chapel at the diflblution of chantries William Hodges was incumbent, and
had a penfion of il. i8s. 4d/ The faid Robert Fitzpaine was fucceeded in thefe
eftatesby a fon of his own name, whofe daughter and heirefs Ifabel carried them by
marriage to Sir Richard Poynings, knt. Which Ifabel furviving her faid huft)and had
thefe manors among many others for the term of her life; and i8 Ric. II. is certified
to hold one meffuage and one carucate of land in Bridghampton, and die manor of
Speckington, with the advowfon of the chapel of the faid manor, Robert Poynings
" being her fon and heir.' In the fchedule of the Duke of Somerfet's eftates the manors
of Speckington and Bridghampton are valued at lol." In the time of Queen Ehza-
beth, Thomas Hodges was lord of Bridghampton cum Speckington, and 45 Eliz. fold
the fame to Humphry CoUes." The manor and capital meffuage now belong to John
Hunt, of Compton-Paunceford, efq.
In the time of Ric. II. Peter de Yeovilton was living at Speckington, and had an
only daughter and heir named Margery, who was married to Thomas Pain, of Painjhay
.' D'ugd. Bar. i. 630. ' Inq. ad quod. damn. * Hift. of Abbies, ii. zoj. » Efc.
: MS. Valor. f Licence to alienate.
• _ _ _
in
©omerton.] yeovilton.
201
in the county of Devon, by whom fhe had ifllie Catherine, who was firft married to
JohnSturton of Prefton; and fecondly, to William Carent." The faid Catherine
Carent died 13 Edw. IV. feizedof the manors of Speckington and Yeovilton," which
defcended to Alice her daughter by her former hufband, married to William Daubeney,
progenitor of Henry earl of Bridgwater.
The living of Yeovilton is redorial, in the deanery of Ilchefter, and in the patro-
nage of the bifhop of Bath and Wells. The Rev. Daniel Dumarefq, D. D. is the
prefent incumbent. In 1292 this reftory was rated at thirty-five marks.' Thead-
vowfon was granted to the bifhoprick the year preceding this valuation.'
The church is dedicated to .St. Bartholomew; it has only a fingle aile, with a well-
built tower at the weft end, containing five bells. In the weft window are thefe coats,
1. Two fwords in faltire. 2. Jrgeyit, on a fefle azure a mitre with labels expanded or\
between three bucks' heads caboffed gules, in chief, and in bafe as many ^hcomfabU.
The arms of Bilhop Beckington.
Near the communion-table is a mural monument of ftone, with this infcription:
« Near this place are laid the bodies of Katharine the wife of John Hunt, efq- who
died May 21, 1626. And of Johanna Hunt, fifth daughter of Robert Hunt, efq; and
Elizabeth his wife, who lived a virgin, and died in hope 24 Aug. 1^7 9." Arms, Azure
two chevrons between three martlets argent. ' *
Aflat ftone commemorates the Rev. Edwin Sandys, M. A. fometime fellow of
Magdalen-college, Oxford; archdeacon and canon of Wells, and redor of this parifli
and Puddimore-Milton; who died Oft. 8, 1705, aged. 6 2.
Another ftone is to the memory of the Rev. Robert Woodforde, LL.B. redor of
this church, and treafurer and canon of Wells, who died April 4, 1762, aged 87.
• Sir William Pole's Survey ofDevon, in Axminfter Hundred. r Efc.
' Taxat. Spiritual. r Cart. ig Ed. I. n. 19.
ftXM^^M
Vol. III. D d
THE
[ 203 1
4j|4>4^-i^»-t4»«<4**<**-»4*»-»4*><i^*i^-Hi«<4^-»4*»<<^+^*"H|**"^*****4^*<*»^**
THE HUNDRED
o F
STONE AND YEOVIL.
THIS hundred takes its name from a village in the neighbourhood of Yeovil,
where the hundred courts were formerly held. It was anciently called Stanet
from the Saxon Stan, and was granted by King Henry II. to the bqrgefles
of Ivelchefter;' but was afterwards held with the hundred of Catafh by
the Earls of Huntingdon;'' being then diftindt from Yeovil, which was not united with
it till of late years. It adjoins to the hundred of Horethorne on the eaft, and on the
foutheaft is contiguous to the county of Dorfet, containing the parifh and ancient
town of Yeovil, and fix other parilhes.
• Cart. Antici.
Efc.
E O
IS a large and populous town, fituated in the great weftern road from London to
Exeter, being dittant four miles fouth from Ivelchefter, nine eaft from Chard, and
fix weft from Sherborne in Dorfetfliire. It has its name from the river Yeo or Ivel,
which rifing from feven fprings, called the Seven Sifters, near Sherborne, runs here under
a ftone bridge of three arches, dividing the counties of Somerfet and Dorfet. This
river by Ravcnnas is ftiled Velox.^
This town is pleafantly fituated, being defended from the north by a range of high
hills finely cultivated. The furface of the furrounding country is pleafingly diverfificd
and well wooded. The lands are in general goodi almoft eqiully divided between
f Anonym! Ravennatis Britanniae Chorographia.
Dd2
pafturc
* '204 Y E o . V I L. c^tonc f geottil.
pafture and tillage j the foil a fandy loam. Near the town is a pool, the water of which
is green, and fuppofed to receive that tinfture from fome latent veins of vitriol ; there
is alfo a chalybeate fpring, which is reckoned to contain more fteel than moft others of
like nature. The town abounds with fine fprirtgs, and in the centre is a common pump,
from which a great part of the inhabitants are fupplied with water.
The town of Yeovil confifts of upwards of twenty ftreets and lanes j fome of the
ftreets are wide, and contain many good ftone and brick fafhed houfes. In the year
1449 one hundred and feventeen houfes in this town were deftroyed by fire, among
which were fifteen houfes belonging to the chantry of the Holy Trinity, founded in the
parifh church here; eleven belonging to the chantry of the blefled Virgin Mary,
without the church; nineteen belonging to another chantry of the Virgin Maiy within,
the church ; and two belonging to the almshoufe. Forty days of indulgence were
granted to charitable contributors on this occafion."
The market here is kept on Friday, and is very large for corn, cattle, and pigs ; for
bacon, cheefe, butter, flax, and hemp. In the two laft articles there is frequently from
600 to loool. returned on a market-day. There is a good market-houfe, feventy feet
' long, and twenty wide, fupported by twenty ftone pillars ; and in the middle of it are
the remains of an ancient crofs. There are alfo feveral rows of fhambles. There are
two fairs of two days each; one held on the fixteenth of November; the other the
twenty-eighth of June ; both for cattle of all kinds, narrow cloths, and pedlary ware.
There was formerly a large manufafture of woollen-cloth ; but now the principal one '
is of leather-gloves, in which a great number of hands are conftantly employed.
* The towne is privilegyd with greate libertes, and keepithe courts for decidinge of
' futs." It is governed by a portreve and eleven burgefles, out of whom the portreve,
•who is a magiftrate for the time being, is annually chofen. There are alfo a mace-
bearer, and two conftables for the town, and two others for the parifh, which is diftindt
from the borough. The town-feal is ancient, and is charged with the figure of St.
John the beloved difciple of our Lord holding the holy lamb, within a canopy between
two rofes, and this circumfcription : " ^igiUum COmUtlitatiS tilUe DC <3C0t\ faC-
, turn in bOnOtC Ctl 31Ol)l0»" I have a town-piece of Yeovil, having on one fide the
initials E. R. underneath a crown, and this legend, " the borovgh of yeovil ;"
on the reverfe " made by the portreve 1669."
Roman coins and remnants of Mofaick pavements have been difcovered here, and in
all probability it was a town in the days of that people. Its Saxon name was Devele:
it is recorded in Domefday-Book under the following defeription ;
" Hugh holds of William [de Ow] Ivle. In the time of King Edward it gelded
" for fix hides. The arable is fix carucates. In demefne is one carucatc, and three
" fervants, and eleven villanes, and fourteen cottagers, with fix ploughs. There is a
" mill of ten fhillings rent, and thirty-three acres of meadow, and thirty acres of
" pafture. It was always worth eight pounds.
* E Regiftro Thoma; Bekynton. « Lei. Itin, vii. no.
« To
©tone $ ipeotjil.] Y E o v I L. 205
" To this manor are added twenty-two ground plats [mafuras] which 22 homagers
*• held in coparceny in the time of King Edward. They rendered twelve fhillings.''
" The Earl [of Morton] himfelf holds in Givele one hide. The arable is twg.
" carucates. There are two cottagers. It is worth three Ihillings.
"In the fame town Amund holds of the Earl one hide. The arable is one carucate,
" with which there arc two cottagers. There is a mill of five fhillings rent. The
" whole is worth twenty Ihillings. Four thanes held thefe two hides in the time of
** King Edward, and gelded for as much^"°
The feveral lands above recited fell afterwards to the pofTefllon of the crown, and
fome one of the Kings of England annexed part of them, by the name of the manor of
Yeovil, to the parfonage of tlie church of St. John the Baptift, founded al/ antiquo in
the faid town of Yeovil, and endowed it with divers privileges, fuch as a market on
Friday, profits offtallage, fairs, view of frank- pledge, &c.' The place was in thofe
days called the town, borough, lordjhip, and hundred of Teovil, and was incorporated
by the name of the provoft and commonalty, and a court of piepowder was held by the
provoft every day in behalf of die parfon of the town.
The faid manor and lordfliip of Yeovil continued thus veiled in the fucceffive reftors
of the church of St. John the Baptift, till about the year 141 8, when the then redtor
rengned the parfonage, together with the town and lordfliip, to King Henry V.* who
granted the manor or lordfhip of Yeovil, with its appertenances, fuch as views of frank-
pledge, leets, and law-days, together with the flocks, pillory, and tumbril, and all fines
and amerciaments, and all profecutions, impiifonments, and attachments, and alfo the
appropriate reftory of the church of Yeovil, to the abbot and convent of the Virgin
Mary and St. Bridgett, which he had founded at Sion in the county of Middlefex.
This grant was confirmed by King Edw. IV. After the difl"olution of that monaftery
Henry VIII. in the 25th year of his reign, granted the manor and lordfhip of Yeovil,
■with the redlory of the church, to his confort Queen Catherine, who held the fame till
her death, when it came to King Edw. VI. in whofe time it was filled the borough,
lordjhip and hundred of Teovil. After which it continued in the crown till the time
of James I. who in the 8th year of his reign granted the manor under the yearly rent
of 8s. 2d. to George Whitemore and Thomas Whitemore, and their heirs and afTigns
for ever. The fliid George and Thomas Whitemore 27 Nov. 9 Jac. I. granted the faid
manor or lordfhip, with its rights, members, and appertenances, and the right of court-
leetSj views of frank-pledge, law-days, and the afTizes of bread, wine, corn, chattels,
jurifdiftions, franchifes, liberties, cufloms, privileges, commodities, efcheats, goods and
chattels of felons and fugitives, and felons de fe, deodands, heriots, free-warrens, and
hereditaments whatfoever, in as full and complete manner as the late King James might
have enjoyed the fame, to Sir Edward Phelips and Sir Robert Phelips, their heirs and
aiTigns for ever. In which family the faid premifes ftill continue, being the pofTefTion
of Edward Phelips, of Montacute, efq.
" Lib. Domefday. « Ibid. •■ Madox's MSS. vol. xxLx. in Mufeo Britannico,
« Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen.
Near
-«o6 Y E O V I L. C^tone « geotjil*
Near the town of Yeovil, on the banks of the river Yeo, Hands Newton, anciently
called Newton-Sermonville, now the feat of Wyndham Harbin, efq. The family
of Sormaville or Sormayle, who polTeffed this manor and gave it their name, were of
Norman extraftion, and, as appears by the inquifitions and other records, held this
manor by a very particular tenure, i Edw. II. Johanna de Sormaville held in the
village of Newton, then called Nyweion, a certain meffuage, with a garden and fixty-
fix acres of arable land, half an acre of meadow^ one acre of wood, and two acres of
alder-grove, by the petty ferjeanty of paying yearly into the exchequer, on the feaft of
St. Michael, a new table-cloth ten ells long, and a towel five ells long, in lieu of all
fervice.'' In the time of Edw. III. andRic. II. the family of Muflcet had confiderablc
cftates in Newton.' By an inquifition taken 14 Henry VI. after the death of John
Warmwell, of Newton-Sormail, it was found that the faid John Warmwell died feized
of this manor, and that he was the fon of Roger Warmwell, and by Margery his wife
had iflue two daughters, Alice and Agnes, his coheirs, between whom the manor was
divided. Alice was married to Richard Penny, who dying without iflue, fhe married
to her fecond hufband Simon BIyhe. Agnes was married to Ralph Brett, efqj by whom
Ihe had ifliie one fon, who died childlefs. The faid manor of Newton is certified to be
held of the King in capite by Uie fervice of 6s. 8d. a fuccedaneous equivalent for the
towel and table-cloth above-mentioned. The prefent proprietor of the manor is de-
fcended from an ancient and refpedtable family, and bears for his arms, AzurCy a faltire
voided between four fpears' heads erefl or.^
. Henford, or the old ford, is another ancient manor, additionally called Matravers,
,from its owners. The firft of this family that we find had any concern in this county,
was Hugh Maltravers, who was witnefs to King Henry the Firft's charter to the
monks of Montacute. To him fucceeded William Maltravers, and John, which laft
was Hving in thefe parts in the time of Henry II. Waiter Maltravers occurs in
the time of Ric. I. His ifllie was John, who held this manor in the latter end of the
reign of Henry III. and left ifliie a fon of his own name, who died 24 Edw. I. feized
of this manor, which he held of the Earl Marfhal by the fervice of being conflable of
Strigoil-caftle in Monmouthfhire, leaving iflue John his fon and heir. Which John
was twice married; his firft wife's name was Alice; his fecond was Joan, daughter and
heir of Sir Laurence Sandford, knt. who furviving him was afterwards married to
Alexander Venables.' John, his fon and heir by his laft wife, fucceeded to this manor,
then called Henford- Maltravers-, and 12 Edw. II. obtained a charter of free-warren
for the fame."" i Edw. III. he was fummoned to parliament among the barons, and
died 38 Edw. III. He married to his firft wife Ela the daughter of Maurice lord
Berkeley, by whom he had John Maltravers, who died in his father's life-time; to his
fecond wife he married Agnes daughter of William Berneford, and relift firft of Sir
John Argentine, knt. and fecondly, of John Nerford; by whom he had iflue John
Maltravers, jun. who was feated at Hooke in the county of Dorfet. John his eldeft
fon, who, as we have before faid, died in the life-time of his father, by Wentliana his
Efc. * Ibid. '' See the infcription on the Monument in ^he account of Yeovil Church.
• Hutchinj's Hift. of Dorfet, ii. 113. " Cart. 12 Edw. II. n. 76.
wife
®tonc cf ^coDil.] YEOVIL, 207
wife left ifllie one fon Henry, who died childlefs, and two daughters, Joan, who yras
twice married, but died without progeny; and Eleanor, firft the wife of Sir John Fitz-
Alan, fon of Richard earl of Arundel, and afterwards of Reginald lord Cobham, of
Sterburgh, whofe defcendants enjoyed this manor, now the pofleflion of Jonathan
Hooper, efq. The arms of Maltravers were, Sable, a fret or, over all a file of tliree
points ermine. There was anciently a church or chapel in Henford called Brag-Churchi
it has long fince been demoliflied, but its fcite may be ftill traced, and a lane near the
fpot retains the appellation of Brag-Church-Laue.
WicDEN manor, now the property of George Braggq Prowfe, efq; had formerly
owners of its name; of whom was John de Wigetone, who 13 Edw. I. was lord of
the adjacent manor of
Kingston juxta Teovil, fometimes called Kingston-Pitney, with the advowfon of
the free chapel there, valued at loos. per annum." From the family of de Wigetone ic
came to the Fitzpaines, who held it by the fervice of half a knight's fee." 30 Edw. III.
John Fawconer, of Weft-Marfh, releafed to William fon and heir of William de Carent,
then under age and in ward to the King, all his right in the manors of Kingfton juxta
Yeovil, and Huntekghe-MarJIiJ' From the Carents this manor defcended to the
Stourton family, and was held with divers other lands in Yeovil 16 Henry VII. by
William lord Stourton.'' 22 Eliz. John lord Stourton held the manor and the ad-
vowfon of the chapel of Kingfton juxta Yeovil, with the hundreds of Weft-Perrot,
Andersficld, Williton, and Freemanors.' In that part of Kingfton, which is now
called Kingfton-ftreet, ftood the chapel, to which the finecure of Pitney is annexed, ,
and where the reftor reads prayers after inftitution. The Rev. Dr. Hunt is the pre-
fent incumbent of the living of Kingfton alias Pitney.
Marsh, which lies a mile wettward from the parifh church, had the additional
name of Huntekghe, or Hunteley, from its old pofleffors. i Edw. II. John de Huntley
held of Maud the widow of Hugh de Mortimer the day that ftie died the manor of
Merftie, by the fervice of half a knight's fee.' There was a chapel alfo in this hamlet,
and the place where it ftood is ftill Ihewn.
To the north of Yeovil is Lyde, formerly the eftate of the families of Fitzpainc and
Poynings, now the feat of William Tanner, efq.
Another hamlet called Pen-Mill lies eaftward from Yeovil.
Near Henford is a fpot called Elston-Combe, where formerly was another chapel,
which has long ago been ruinated. The ground where it ftood, and the lands belonging
to it, are in deeds, and in the common language of the pariftiioners of Yeovil, called
Eljlon-Combe Chapel to this day.
Thefe feveral chapels in the hamlets abovementioned were originally erefted for the
purpofe of oratories, and the performing of maftcs for the fouls of the refpeftive lords
ofthofe vills wherein they were fituated; and afterwards, when thofe places became
more populous, the chapels were ufed by the inhabitants for their publick devotions;
" Efc. • Lib. Feod. ► Rot. Claus. 30 Ed. III. 1 Efc. ' Ter. Sydenham. • Lib. Feod.
but
2o8 YEOVIL [@tonc « gCOtJil*
but they all belonged to the mother-church of Yeovil, in which the inhabitants had
their burial, and the particular fpots can ftill be pointed out which were allotted in the
parifh church for the fepulture of Henford, Kingfton, Marfli, &c. the fmall tithes of
all which places belonged and ftill belong to the vicar of Yeovil.
In 1 192 the church or chantry of Yeovil was rated at fixty-eight marks and a half;
the vicarage at feven marks and a half. The prior of Bermondfey in Surrey received
out of it a penfion of three marks, and the prior of Montacute in this county another
of .five pounds.' The lord of the manor is the patron, and the Rev. William Phelips
the prefent incumbent.
• The paroche chirche is faire and lyghtefom. In it be 4 or 5 cantuaries endwyd
'with lands.'" Thefe chantries were,
I." The chantry of St. John the Baptlft.
1. Holy Crofs, founded 11 Henry VI. and endowed with tenements in Yeovil to
rhe amount often marks, befides tenements and lands in other places."
3- Holy Trinity, endowed with lands and tenements in Yeovil to a confiderablc
amount.
4. Virgin Mary's chantry, founded without the church.
5. Virgin Mary's chantry, within the church.
6. Samborne's chantry, founded 22 Edw. III. by Robert de Samborne, and endowed
v/ith feven meflliages and thirty acres of land in Yeovil, Kingfton, and Marfh.''
The church is called by the inhabitants, from the tradition of their anceftors, as well
as from the feats of the finging men, and the defks for the finging books, ftill remaining
in the chancel, a Quarter-Choir. In the veftry are the remains of two fets of organs,
which were deftroyed in the rebellion of the laft century.
This church, which is dedicated to St. John the Baptift, confifts of a nave, large
chancel, north and fouth aile, and tranfept, all covered with lead. At the weft end
ftands a large plain tower, ninety feet in height, with a ftone balluftrade at top, con-
taining a clock and eight large bells: the tenor is fifty-two hundred weight, and has a
remarkable fine found. The length of the building is one hundred and forty-fix itctt
the breadth fifty, and the length of the tranfept eighty feet. In the centre of the
church hangs an elegant brafs chandelier, the gift of Edward Boucher, tobacconift,
in 1724, The altar-piece is very handfome, being formed into a rich portico, fupported
on .each fide by four handfome fluted pillars with Corinthian capitals, and a rich enta-
blature. This portico is divided into fquare compartments with cherubs and rofes
gilt, and decorated with a tranfparent glory encircled with clouds.
In this church are no monuments of antiquity; but on the north fide of the chancel
is a mural monument of white marble, with the following infcription : " In this
church is depofited the body of the Rev. John Phelips, A. M. late vicar of this town,
fecond fon of Edward Phelips, efq; of Montacute in this county. He died April 14,
* Taxat. Spiritual. " Lei. Itin. vii. no, ' Pat. 11 Hen. VI. p. i. m. 19. J' Inq. ad quod damn.
1766,
©tone $ geotiit.] YEOVIL. 209
1766, aged 39. Juft, candid, focial; he was efteemed and beloved whilft living:
benevolenr, moderate, humane; he wa$ regretted and lamented when dead. His
widow, in pious and grateful remembrance of him caufed this monumental ftone to be
ercfted and infcribcd. Heu! quam caduco fidere nafcimur! VitJcque mortem pro-
tinus additam lugemus; emifllquc cunis, ad tacitam properamus urnam. Tu fola,
virtus, mortis aculeum, ludis fuperb oforcior impetu expandis alas; numiniiquc intuitu
propiore gaudes."
Againft the eaft wall of the north tranfept is a monument of grey and white marble,
the tablet of which has this infcription: " In a vault beneath this place lie the bodies
of John Harbin, efq; Ton and heir of Robert Harbin,, of Weeke in the county of
Dorfet, and of Newton in this county, efq; and Bridget his wife, daughter of William
Drewry, gent. As alfo the body of Robert Harbin, efq; fon of John and Bridget, who
married Gertrude daughter of Anthony Stocker, of Chilcompton in this county, efq.
As alfo the body of John Harbin, clq; fon of Robert and Gertrude, who firft married
Ifabella daughter of William Pert, of Arnolds in the county of Eflex, clq; and aftenvards
Elizabeth daughter of Sir Richard Strode, of Ncwnham in the county of Devon, knt.
As alfo the body of Robert Harbin, eldeft fon of John and Ifabella, who died unmarried.
As alfo the body of William Harbin, efq; their fon and heir, who died i6 Nov. 1705,
aged 51. He married Elizabeth (who lies by him) daughter of Sir Francis Windham,
of Trent in this county, bart, by whom he had nine children. She exchanged this life
for a better 30 June 1708. They lived together many years, being as great pattern*
of piety and virtue, as they were remarkable for their hofpitality and extenfive charity.
As alfo the body of John Harbin their eldeft fon, who died 17 March 1704. As
alfo the body of William^ Elarbin their youngeft fon, who died 15 May 1705. In
pious memory of all thefe, Windham Harbin, of Newton, efq; only, furviving fon of
William and Elizabeth, hath erefted this monument. Anno Domini 1711."
The church-yard is large, and contains many old tombs and grave-ftones. It is
planted round with lime-trees, which are kept dipt, and have a handfome appearance.
In the year 1476, John Wobourne, minor canon of St. Paul's, founded and en-
dowed in this town an almshoufe, for one cuftos or mafter, two wardens, and twelve
poor people of both fexes; and in 1477 fettled on the faid foundation one hundred and
twenty-eight acres of arable, meadow, and pafture land, lying within the parifli of
Ocford-Fitzpain in the county of Dorfet, for the fupport of the faid poor, and for the
maintenance of a chaplain to perform divine fervice every day in a chapel newly
ereded for their ufe to the honour of St, George and St. Chriftopher the martyrs,
or otherwife in the parilh-church of Yeovil, for the good eftate of him the faid
founder, for William Wobourne and Richard Huet, cofounders and benefaftors;
of Henry Wobourne and Margery his wife, parents of the faid John and William
Wobourne; Mr. Ralph Baldock and Mr. John Chefeed, predeceflbrs of the faid John
Wobourne; as alfo for the good eftate of King Edw. IV. Lady Eleanor Poinings
countefs of Northumberland, Henry Percy earl of Northumberland her late huftiand,
Henry Percy then earl of Northumberland, William earl of Arundel, Lord Richard
Poinings and Eleanor his wife. Sir Thomas Darnett, Sir John SncU, Thomas Harling
Vol. Ill, E e late
310 Y E o V I l: Intone 5 J^eotif!,
late parfon of Yeovil, Mr. Richard Kentwood, Mr. John Cole, Mr. Nicholas Lyte and
Elizabeth his wife, and Thomas Helling and Agnes his wife. 17 Edw. IV. Thomas
Bartlet vicar of Yeovil, Thomas HoUyng, John Harold, William Bufh, and William
Godfrey, conferred fourteen mefliiages, and twenty-one acres of land lying in Yeovil,
Stanford in the parifh of Afhington, Kingfton, and Henford, (all held under the abbot
of Sion) on the above-mentioned inftitution,'' which was confirmed by King Edw. IV.
and was fubjeft to the following orders and regulations:
*• I. That an alms-houfe, one cuftos, two wardens, and twelve poor people of both
kinds by equal portions of number, or eight at the leaft, always fole and chafte, not
leprous, of Yeovil, do pray for ever in a chapel built to the honour of St. George and
St. Chriftopher the blefled martyrs, or in the parifh church of Yeovil.
" 2. That thefe be called the cuftos, wardens, and alms-houfe of WilUarn Wobourne,
late canon-minor of the cathedral church of St. Paul's in London.
" 3, That the cuftos, wardens, and poor of the faid alms-houfe, and their fuceeflbrs
for ever, ftiall be one body and pne commonality for ever in fubftance and name, and fhal|
L»: able perfons in law, and may purchafe, obtain, receive, &c. whatfoever lands and
other profits fliall be fold, bequeathed, given, afligned, SfC- — may plead and be im-
pleaded — profecute and defend caufes, &c.
" 4. That every year the cuftos and wardens continually be changed within fifteen
flays after Eaftcr, and chofen by five or feven of the honefteft and difcreeteft men of
Yeovil, to be named by the cuftos and wardens then in being. That when chofen
they fliall take an oath before thofe prefent to all and fingular which pertain to their
olHce; and in cafe either die within the year, a new choice may be made by the reft,
with confent of five or feven as aforefald, and of the poor in the faid alms-houfe.
" 5, That when any of the poor depart, die, or be removed for ill-behaviour, another
may be chofen within fifteen days by the euftos and wardens,
" 6. That on the 8th of January a cotTimemoration be annually celebrated in the
thurch, and a dole made, viz. To the vicar 1 ad.^— to every one of the nine chaplains
prefent 6d.— to every clerk 4d.'-r— to each of the boys Serving the choir id. — ■ to the
cuftos of the alms-houfe, and to every. warden, 6d.— r-and for two new candles then to
be burning of at leaft lib, of wax, iid.— to the prieft reciting the names of the bene-
fadtors in the pulpit every Sunday yearly, i6d.-;^to the cryer for reciting their names
jn the town, id,
" 7. July 32. Alfo one other alms for ever in the church ^t the procefTion on the
day of St. Mary Magdalen, viz. To the vicar 2d. — chaplains id. — clerk id.— feven
finging boys id. each. — cuftos 1 2d.-— wardens of the houfe iid. — the ringers 6d. —
cryer id, — &c,
" 8. Od^, 21. Alfb one other dole every year for ever on the day of the iiooo
virgins, vi?. The chaplains prefent id. — every clerk id. — wardens of the houfe iid.
ringers 6d,— cryer id. — feven boys id. each.— cuftos id.
* In(}. ad quod Damn.
f* 9. Nov,
p
fttonc f i?COtii!.] YEOVIL.. tii
" 9. Nov. 25. Alfo one other dole for ever in the church on St. Katharlne's-day at
the proceflion: To the vicar doing his office rid. — the nine chaplains prefent id. — •
boys id. each — cuftos id. — wardens 2d. — ringers 6d. — crycr id.
** 10. That five-pence and the po^tiohs of all them that be abfent be diftributed
yearly on Shreve-TuelUay in bread to the poor prefent and fick abfent of faid parifh.
** II. That the cuftos ind wardens do make a brotherhood of the parifhioners of
Yeovil, and all others wlio of their own devotion will join them, to provide for the fuf-
ficient fuftentation of the poor aforcfaid, and of other charges of the poor of the faid
alms-houfe, and that the faid cuftos and wardens have the government of the faid (oc'iity.
" 1 2. That the cuftos and wardens as chofen and fworn, fhall make a faithful in-
ventory of all the goods of the houfe and fraternity, in the prefence of five or fevert
men as aforefaidi
'* 13. And at the end of the year the cuftos and wardens Ihall make and yield lawful
accounts of their receipts and expcnces, and of the goods and ornaments, before five or
fevcn men as aforefaid, and others that the parifti may prefent.
" 14. That the cuftos and wardens have a common coffer for the comrhori leal and
letters pjttent, and all other writings and papers relative thereto, with three keys witK
divers wards.
" 15. That the cuftos, wardens, and twelve or feven poor, and their fucceflbrs, fliall
have ten marks by the year above all charges and expences, viz. obits, proceffions,
f'eparations and quit-rents, or aftual rents which of our Lord the King be holden, to
fupport all charges above fpecified ; and the refidue of the faid ten marks if any to
be given to the poor of the faid houfe.
" 16. That the cuftos and wardens do fee all the ftatutes and articles, according to
the ftrength, force, and efFedt of thefe prefents, oblerved and kept; and that for
their labour they take yearly on that behalf each one two-pence.
" 17. That each of the twelve or feven poor have weekly. ort the Sunday before
high noon three-pence.
" 18. That for more farety, one of the poor that is of the ftrongeft body, with the
cuftos or his afligns, or the wardens, do yearly within fifteen days after Michaelmas
furvey and overl'ee the lands lying in Okeford-Fitzpaine belonging to the faid alnns-
houfe, to be rooted and cleanfed by the farmers from thorns and brambles, and
Other hurtful things; and other defaults of the hedges, ditches, ways and paths to
be amended.
" 1 9. That there be planted yearly by the farmers twenty or thirty oakeh plants irt
the hedges of the faid land.
" 20. That every one of the poor fliall continually wear on his breaft a red crofs, in
memory of St. George the martyr. .
" Signed and foaled by John Wobourne brother to the faid William, and by Richard
Huet, chaplain^ in a writing tripartite indented, given at Okeford 1477-
E e 2 '" ''21. And
212 y E o V I L. [^tone (J geoijil,
^" 21. And by way 6f amplifying the obits and proceffional days aforefaid, that
there be affigned to the portreve of Yeovil (being perfonally at the obits aforefaid) is.
— to the bailiff" of the faid town, 6d. — -to every warden of the faid houfe, 4d. — alfo to
the aforefaid portreve for every proceflional day, 2d.— to the bailiff of the faid town,
id. — to every clerk and warden id.
" 22. That there be affigned to five or fix of the beft and difcreeteft of the parifh
of Yeovil, as well at the eleftion as at the account of the officers of the faid alms-
hoiife, being for their drinking at the faid alms-houfe, 8d.
" Thefe rules and orders are by Mr. John Beal, vicar of Yeovil, re£tor of Sock-
Dennis, and fometime fellow of King's-college in Cambridge, extrafted out of the
tranflated copy of one of the tripartite indentures which is attefted by A. Maynard to
agree with the writing indented lying in the veflry of the monks of Mountague, and
with the writing indented lying in the coffer of the bifhop Baldock, in the chapel of St.
George at Bull's in London."
In the year 161 9, a fuit in chancery was commenced by the poor of Yeovil againft
Francis Sutton and others, for demifing and felling fundry parcels of land belonging to
the alms-houfe, confiderably under their known real value, to the injury of the faid
charity. On a hearing of the cafe, the Lord Chancellor ordered a commiffion to
the Bifhop of Bath and Wells, and Dr. HufTey, one of the maflers in chancery, who
pafTed a decree i
ly?. That the tenants' and cuftos* of the faid alms-houfe negligence was inexcufable,
and that they fhould pay ten pounds to the poor of the faid alms-houfe.
zdly. That for a fuller amends unto the poor people, the tenants who had taken leafes
for longer terms than the flatute made for hofpitals permits, fhould furrender the fame.
And ji/y. That from henceforth they fhould let no leafes for longer terms than the
charter for their foundation and the laws of the land prefcribed.
Which being certified by the f^id commiffioners, the Lord Chancellor confirmed
the fame.
Here is alfo a charity- fchool, in whigh poor children are educated and clothed, and
afterwards put out to ufeful ti'ades.
ASHINGTON
lES four miles north from Yeovil, in a low, flat, and woody, but withal a fruitful
country, wafhed by the river Yeo.
This was one of the manors which King William the Conqueror bellowed upon
Roger de Curcelle after the fettlcment of this kingdom.
« Vitalis
etonc * ^COtiH.] ASHINGTON. 213
" Vitalis holds of Roger, Essentone. Godiiin held it in the time of King Edward,
*' and gelded for three hides. The arable is three carucates. In dcmefnc is one caru-
" cate, witJi one fervant, and two villanes, and four cottagers, with one plough.
*' There are forty-tliree acres of meadow, and twenty acres of pafture. It was and u
** worth forty fhillings."*
It was afterwards held of the manor of Diinden upon Poldon, of the families of
Malet, Vivonne, and Beauchamp of Hatch, fuccefTivcly lords of that manor, under the
abbey of Glaftonbury.'' 32 Henry II. Robert Fitz-William died feized of this manor,
and left ifllie Reginald Fitz-William, who was of age 3 John, but it feems died without
children. For 15 Joh. Henry de Furnellis paid a fine to the King, that a reafonablc
partition might be made of the lands which he claimed in right of Joan his wife,
daughter and coheir of Robert Fitz-William.' Upon which partition, this manor and
alfo that of Kilve in this county, fell to the fhare of de Furnellis, or Furneaux, and
were inherited by Matthew, fon of this Henry and Joan.
Matthew, fon of this Matthew, was 2% Edw. I. lord of Afliington and Kilve, and
then a knight. 33 and 34 Edw. I. he together with William de Montacute was fherifF
of this county and Dorfet. 36 Edw. I. he obtained licence for a fair at his manor of
Pury, afterwards called Pury-Furneaux, near Bridgwater. 4 Edw. II. he was again
Iheriff of Somerfet and Dorfet. He died 1 1 Edw. II. leaving ifllie by Maud his wife,
daughter of Sir Warine de Ralegh of Nettlecombe, Simon, Walter de Furneaux of
Holford, and Johnj alfo feveral daughters, whofe families became afterwards heirs
to his eftate.
Simon eldeft fon of Sir Matthew de Furneaux 12 Edw, II. married Alice daughter
of Sir Henry de Umfraville, of Penmark-caftle in the county of Glamorgan, and dying
24 Edw. Ill, left iflue by her Elizabeth his daughter and heir,*" who in his life-time had
been married to Sir John Blunt, by whom flie had iflue a daughter Alice, who fuc-
ceeded to the eftate.
Which Alice was firft married to Sir Richard Stafford, and afterwards to Sir Richard
Storey, knts. but dying without children, the lands of Sir Simon de Fourneaux became
divided among the defcendants of his fifters. The manor of Afliington, in the parti-
tion, fell to Richard St. Barbe, fon of Mary, daughter and coheir of Sir Humphrey
Langland, knt. and Margaret his wife, fifter of Sir Simon de Fourneaux, and becaVnc
a principal feat of that family, from whom it has defcended to St. Barbe Sydenham,
efq; the prefent poflTeflbr.
The living, which is a reftory in the deanery of Marfton, was in 1 192 valued at ten
marks.* The patronage is appendant to the manor, and the Rev. John Williams is
the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Vincent, and is a fmall fl:ru(fturc of a Angle pace,
with a turret at the weft end containing two bells.
• Lib. Domefday, ' Cart. Antiq. • Rot. Pip. 15 Joh.
t See vol. i. p. 262, ' Taxat. Spiritual.
In
Sii4 A S H i N G T O N. [^tonc f gfoiJlf,
In the chancel there is a handfonne nnonilment of grey and white marble, infcribed,
" Here lies Sir John St. Barbe, bart. pofTefled of thofc amiable qualities, which birth,
education, travel, greatnefs of fpirit, and goodnefs of heart, produce. Interred in the
fame vault lies his fecond wife Alice Fiennes, aunt to the prefent Lord Say and Sele.
His firft was Honotir, daughter of Colonel Norton. He died at his feat of Broadlands
in Hampfliire Sept. 7, 1723, leaving for his only heir and executor Humphrey
Sydenham, efq; of Combe in Somerfetfhire, who ordered this marble to his memory."
The arms of St. Barbe were. Cheeky argent zxAjahki
BklMPTON-b'EVERCY.
THIS village is fituated two miles weft from Yeovil, and on the turnpike-road
from that town to Taunton. Half a mile eaftward from the church is a hamlet
called Alvington or Avington. There are about fourteen houfes in the parifh^
and about eighty inhabitants.
At the Conqueft it had the fame lord as Afhingtoh, arid was thus furveyed:
" Herbert holds of Roger, Brunetone. Seulf held it in the time of KingEdward^
*' and gelded for three hides. The arable is four carucates. In demefne are two ca-
*' rucates, and two fervants, and two villanes, and eight cottagers, with two ploughs.
" There are thirteen acres of meadow, and four acres of coppice-wood. It was
** worth forty Ihillings, now fixty Ihillings."*
The manor obtained its additional name from the family of D'JEvercy, who were
feated here in very early times, and held their lands of the family of Fourneaux
t)f Afhington; In the time of Edw, I. Sir John D'Evercy, knt. gave this manor to
Peter D'Evercy and his heirs. Which Peter dying 18 Edw. II. left iffue an only
daughter and heir Anne, married to Sir John Glamorgan, who pofielTed this manor iri
her right) and left five daughters his coheirs. But foon after this we fihd the manor
in the pofleflion of Dame Ifabel D'Evercy, who died feized thereof, and after her
death Piers Glamorgan, fon and heif to AmiCe daughter of the faid Ifabel, entered
tpon the eftate, and entailed the manor, in default of iffue, on Joan Glamorgan his
lifter.'' But Nicholas Glamorgan, brother of the faid Peter, inherited the manor, and
at his death 36 Edw. III. held it with the advowfon of the church of Ifabel Blountj
as of her manor of Aftiington, leaving Ifabel, Petronilla, Margaret the wife of Walter
Rofe, Nichola, Eleanor^ Anne the wife of Peter Veer, his fifters, and John the fon of
Joan another fifter, his next heirs.' The family of Sydenham next poffeffed this
inanbr, and it was according to Leland the oldeft houfe of that family.** By an inqui-
sition taken 12 Edw. IV. it was found that Joan the wife of John Sydenham held at
* Libi Domefdafi *> Rawlinfon's Book of Inquifidonsi 5 Efct * Itin. ii. 99.
©tone <J IP0OWU] BRIMPTON-D'E VERCY.
215
her death the manors of Biimpton and Alvington, with the advowfon of the church of
Brimpton, and the chantry of the blefled Virgin Mary in the faid church; as alfo the
manors of Combe-Syderiham, Stoke-Gomer, Prefton, Boffington, with lands and tene-
ments in Timberfcombe, Kitnor, Quarum-Kitnor, Mountfey, Sydenham, Cothay,
Smithay, Manworth and Novington, Thorn -St. -Margaret, and Langford-Budvillc ;
as alfo Aihbritde, with the advowfon of the parifh-church there; Chilthorne-Domer,
and Milverton, together with two tenements, a fulling-miJl, and one carucate of land
in Streme in the parifh of St. Decumans, and one mefluage, fixty acres of arable land,
feventy acres of meadow, one hundred acres of palhire, and four acres of wood, irj
Eaft and Weft-Chefcomb; John Sydenham, the fon of Walter Sydenham, ^fq; being
the heir of the faid Joan.' This branch of the Sydenham family became extinft
in theperfon of Sir Philip Sydenham, bart. who died in 1739. Some time before his
death he fold this manor to a gentleman of the fame name, who likewife fold it to a
Mr. Penny, then receiver-general for the county of Somerfet. He being remifs in his
returns to the exchequer, the manor was feized by the commifTioners, and being ex-
pofed to fale, was in the year 1730 purchafed by Francis F!^ne, efq; for the fum of
twelve thoufand pounds. The faid Francis Fane dying in 1757, left it by will to his
fecond brother Thomas Fane, of Briftol, efq, from whom it ha§ defcended to John
Fane earl of Weftmoreland, the prefent proprietor.
The manor-houfe is a noble large old building, {landing near the church, at the foot
of the hill fronting the fouth, and fheltered oq the north and northeaft by fine hilh
planted with wood,
The living is a redory in the deanery of Ilchefter, and in the gift of Lord Weft-
rporeland. The Hon. Mr. Charles Strangways is the prefent incumbent.
In 1 192 this living was valued at fifteen marks/
34 Edw. I. Peter D'Evercy gave a mefliiage and forty acres of land in this parifh tQ
a chaplain to perform divine fervice in die church of St, Andrew of Brimpton for th^
foul of the faid Peter, his anceftors and fucceflbrs, and for the foul of all the faithful
deceafed.^ The advowfon of this chantry was annexed to the manor.'
This church is an old ftrufture, compofed of a nave, two fide ailes, two chapels, and
chancel, with a fmall turret at the v/eft end in which are two bells. In fome of the
windows are the remains of fine painted glafs.
In a chapel on the north fide is the vault and burial-place of the Sydenham family,
and over it a ftately marble monument, on the tomb of which four Corinthian columns
with gilt capitals fupport a grand canopy, adorned with carving, painting, and the
^rms of the family, viz. Argent, three rams pafTant /a/'/(?, and thofe of its fcveral
alliances. On a marble table within the canopy is the following infcription :
" My foundir Sydenham, match'd witli Ilobye's heyr,
Badde me informe thee (gentle paflenger)
' Efc^ ' Taxat. Spiritual. ' Jnq. ad <)uod Damn.
Efc,
That
2i6 BRIMPTON-D'EVERCY. [^tOtie f gJCODiU
That what hee hath donne in mee is only meante
To memorize his father and 's difcent.
Without vayne glorye; but hee doth intreate,
That if thou comeft his legende to repeate.
Thou fpeake him truly as hee was ; and then
Report it fo, hee dyed an honeft rrmn.
lo November 1626."
On a flat flone below:—" Here lyes my honoured father; a great lover of his
country. Sir John Pofthumus Sydenham, bart. fon of Sir John Sydenham, bart. and
Anne fecond daughter of Sir John Hare, of Stow- in Norfolk. He dyed 1 696, aged 54,
Phillip Sydenham."
" Here lies Elizabeth a daughter of the ancient and honourable family of the
Pomfrets of Hinton-St.-George, firft wife of Sir John Pofthumus Sydenham, by whom
ihe had .... who died and was buried at Binjo 1664: Ihe died 1662."
" Here lies the beft of wives, the beft of mothers, the Lady Mary, fecond daughter
of Philip earl of Pembroke, and fecond wife of Sir John Pofthumus Sydenham, by
•whom ftie had John, who died unmarried 1692, Philip living 1714, and Mary who
died 1698. She died to the great lofs and grief of her family 1686."
There are other infcriptions to the memory of the Sydenhams, but they are either
illegible or imperfed.
On each fide of the eaft window of the chancel is a Gothick niche, which probably
in former times contained the ftatues of faints.
In the church-yard and juft above thefurface of the ground, are feveral ftone effigies,
which formerly lay in the church. One of them reprefents a knight templar, crofs-
legged; another a lady of diftinftion in the habit of the times; a third a nun ; a fourth
that of a monk in his cope with his crown ftiaved, and holding a chalice in his hand.
In this church-yard there is likewife a ftone crofs, and a fine yew-tree.
CHILTHORNE-DOMER
LIES northweft from Yeovil, and between that town and Ivelchefter. It was a
manor of the Earl of Morton, and was at the Conqueft divided into two parts,
both held of the Earl by one of the name of Alured:
" Alured holds of the Earl, Cilterne. Briduin held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable is three carucates. In demefne are
" two carucates, and two fervants, and three villanes, and five cottagers, with two
" ploughs. There are fifteen acres of meadow, and twenty acres of wood. It was and
" is worth fixty fhillings.
" Alured
®tonc (J )tt)eotiii.] chilthorne-domer. 217
" Mured holds of the Earl, Cilterne. AIwi held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for two hides. The arable is three carucates. In dcmefne are two ca-
" rucates, and five fervants, and two villanes, and four cottagers, with two ploughs,
" and thirty acres of meadow. It was worth thirty fhillings, now forty fhillings.'"
Another portion of land in this parilh has the following defcription, under a diffc-
jent name :
« Warner holds of William [de Ow] Citerne. In the time of King Edward it
" gelded for one hide. The arable is one carucate. It is worth ten lliillings. The
" aforefaid lands Aleftan Bofcome held in the time of King Edward.""
This place obtained its adiund ai^pellation from the family of Domcr, or Dommere,
who were lords of it, as another fituated foiithward had that of Vagg, fi-om the
family of Page, and is now by corruption fimply called Va^. In the time'of Edw. I.
Johnde Dummere was lord of Chilthorne-Domer, and^hen gave one acre of knd
in this parifh with the advowfon of the church to Thomas bifhop of Exeter, who be-
ftowed the fame on the prior and convent of Brewton/ 9 Edw. III. Richard
Dommere held lands in Chilthorne by the fervice of the fourth part of a knight's fee."
Thefe lands deicended by an heirefs to the family of Page, of whom we find the fol-
lowing particulars:— 29 Edw. I. John Page held at his death two parts of the village of
Chilterne-Fage of the heir of Baldwin de Aldham, by the fervice of the fourth part of a
knight's feej and alfo the eighth part of a fee in Eford juxta Taunton, by die fervice
of paying five-pence yearly to the Bifliop of Winchefter, on the feaft of St. Michael.
John Fag his fon and heir was then of the age of eighteen years.' Which John Fa^-^
or Page, and Catherine his wife, held jointly 34 Edw. III. of the heirs of Sir John de
St. Clair, the manors of Chilthorne-Fage and Chilthorne-Domer,*^ and were fucceeded
therein by Marmaduke Page, who by Alice his wife had iflbe Thomas Page, who in-
herited the eftates.^ After which the manor of Chilthorne-Domer came to the family
of Sydenham J and 9 Edw. IV. was held by Walter Sydenham, efq; and Margaret his
wife, of Sir Humphry Stafford, knt. late Earl of Devon, as of his manor ofCompton-
Dundcn." After continuing in this family for a number of dcfcents, it was fold by
them to the family of Hawker, in which it ftill continues.
The church was appropriated to the monaftery of Brewton, and valued in 11 92 at
fourteen marks and a halO the prior of Bermondfey had out of it a yearly penfion of
twenty fhillings.'
The living is a vicarage in the deanery of Ilchefteri the Rev. Matthew Hodge is the
prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a fmall ftrudure of one pace, having a
turret at the weft end in which are two bells.
In an aich under the north wall lies the effigy, according to tradition, of John de
Dummere, a great warrior, and lord of this manor in die time of Edw. II. he is in
.armour, widi his fliield, military belt, and fwordj one leg is broken off".
'Lib.Domefday. 'Ibid. ' Inq. - Lib. Feod. « Efc, 'Ibid.
_, , *i'>«d. Mbid. ? Taxat. Spiritual.
Vol. III. F f On
2i8 CHILTHORNE-DOMER. [^tone (J l^COtiil.
On the fouth wall a fmall monument has this infcription :— — " Near this place lies
George Hawker, efqj of Vagg, who died Jan. 6, 1716, aged 28. In a vault near this
place alfo lieth Mary, daughter of the above George Hawker, efqi who died April 3,
175 1, aged 36."
LIMINGTON,
OR the town upon the torrent, (Him in the old Britilh, from the Greek word
■XifAvri) figrjifying as much) lies between Afliington and Ivelchefter, on the river
Yeo or Ivel, and is divided into two tithings, viz.
1. LiMlNGTON.
2. Draycot, a hamlet, fituated half a mile eaflwai-d.
At the time of the Norman furvey Roger de Curcelle pofleffed the lordfliip of
Limington, for which his father gave five hides in exchange to the monks of Glafton-
bury." It is thus defcrjbed:
" Roger himfelf holds Limintone. Saulf held it in the time of King Edward,
*' and gelded for feven hides. The arable is eight carucates. In demefne are three
« carucates, and three fervants, and one villane, and thirteen cottagers, with one plough.
" There is a mill of twenty fliillings rent, and fixty acres of meadow. Pafture twelve
** furlongs long, and two furlongs broad. It was and is worth feven pounds.'""
This was held of the barons Beauchamp, of Hatch, by the family of Fitz-Ber nard,
and afterwards by that of Gyverney.'- In the time of Edw. II. Sir Richard Gyverney,
a famous knight, was lord of this manor, and lived in a manfion on the northeaft fide
of the parifii church.'' This Sir Richard, A. D. 1329, gave a mefluage, five acres and
one rood of arable land, one acre of meadow, and feventy-two fliillings rent, with
appertenances in Limington, to God and the church of Limington, and to John
Fychet chaplain, and all other chaplains his fucceflbrs, to perform divine fervlce every
day at the altar of the blefled Virgin IVIary in the parifli church of Limington, for the
fouls of him the faid Sir Richard and Maud his wife, and for the fouls of Gilbert
Gyverney and Mabil Gyverney, father and mother of the faid Sir Richard, and of lord
Philip de Columbers and Eleanor his wife, Gunnora formerly wife of the laid Sir
Richard Gyverney, and Maigaret alfo formerly his wife, and of Henry Power and
Maud his wife.'
Soon after the foundation of this chantry this Sir Richard Gyverney died, and was
buried in a fair chapel on the north fide of the parjlli church of Limington,' Having
no iffue male, his eftates defcended to Henry Pov/er, who had married Maud his filler.
• Lib. Domefday. 'Ibid. ' Lib. Feod. " Lei. Idn. ii. 91.
' Exfcrpt. e Regift. Wellen. The laft chantry prieft here was Thomas Raplyn, who in 1553 had a penfion
granted him of 3I. 12s. ff'illis, ' Li\. Jun. ii. 91.
Which
etone $ peotiil.] LIMINGTON. 219
Which Henry died feized of this manor 35 Edw. III. leaving an only daughter Joan,
who was married to William de Sharefhull.' After which the manor came to the
Bonvilles. Sir William Bonville held it at his death 9 Henry IV. of Lord Beauchamp,
William the fon of John Bonville being his coufin and heir.'' From the Bonville family
it came to the Marquis of Dorfet. 6 Eliz. the manor of Limington and form called the
Wejlern-Farm within the fame manor, and other lands, tenements, and hereditaments,,
in Yeovilton and Limington; as alfo a farm called the Eajiern-Fartriy and the advowfon
of the church of Limington, were held by William Rofewcll> Thomas Rofewell,
William Smithe, and Henry Dale.'
Draycot was the land of Robert carl of Morton, as we learn from the following
Record :
" William holds of the Earl, Dr aicote. Ulwi held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for two hides. The arable is three carucates. In demefne is one caru-
** cate and a half, and nine cottagers, with one plough and a half. There is a mill of
** fifteen fhillings rent, and twenty-fix acres and a half of meadow, and thirty-one acres
'' of pafture, and as many of coppice- wood. It is worth forty fhillings."''
A fmall portion of this vill was held by Goduin one of the King's thanes: " He
** and his mother held it in the time of King Edward the Confeflbr, and p^id Danegeld
" for one virgate of land. The arable is half a carucate. It renders two fliillings
*' per annum."'
This manor is now by inheritance the property of St. Barbe Sydenham, efq.
The living is a reftory in the deanery of Ilchefter j in 1 1 92 the value thereof was
certified at thirty marks.'" The Rev. John Clothier is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, confifts of a nave, chancel, and north
aile or chapel j at the weft end is a plain tower containing four bells.
In a niche under the north window of the chapel lies the effigy of Sir Richard
Gyverney the founder of the chantry; and at his feet that of a woman veiled. Under
the arch which divides this chapel from the nave is a large tomb, whereon lie the
effigies of another of the Gyverney family (probably Sir Gilbert) and his lady by his
fide. All thefe figures are much mutilated.
There is a mural monument to the memory of Mr. Edward Gould, fon of Mr.
James and Mrs. Mary Gould, of London, who died Jan, ao, 1747, aged ai. Arms,
Paly of fix argent znd/al/le, fix crofs-croflets or.
In the chancel are two ancient pews, on fome of tlie pannels of which are carved divers
armorial fliields, with the bearings of the Houfes of York and Lancafter. Another coat
is, Quarterly, firft and fourth fix mullets, fecond and third a fret. On another is the
cypher of Cardinal Wolfey, who was reftor of this church, to which he was prefented by
the Marquis of Dorfet. There goes a ftory of him, that foon after his preferment to this
•Efc.
» Ibid.
' Pat. 6. Eliz. p. 8.
' Lib. Domefday.
' Ibid.
" Taxat. Spiritual.
Ff2
living
220 L I M I N G T O N. [^tonc ^ geotii!.
living, he was put into the flocks by Sir Amias Pawlet, a neighbouring juftice of the
peace, for getting drunk and making a riot at a fairj a kind of difcipline which Wolfey
did not forget when he arrived at the high ftation of Lord Chancellor of England j but
fummoned his correftor up to London, and after a fevere reprimand, enjoined him fix
years clofe confinement in the Temple.
M tr D F O R D.
NORTHWARD from Yeovil, and in the road thence to Caftle-Gary, (lands
Mudford, which originally had its name from an ancient ford through the river
Yeo, over which there is now built a bridge of two arches. There are three places of
this name, viz. Mudford-Street, West-Mudford, and Upper-Mupford; all
■which are indifcriminately furveyedin the Norman record, as follows;
" Warmund holds Mundiford, in mortgage of Ulwarji, by evidence of the King's
*' writ. In the time of King Edward it gelded for five hides. The arable is five ca-
*' rucates. Thereof are in demefne two hides, and there are two ploughs. There are
" twelve acres of meadow, and as many of pafture. It was and is worth three pounds.'"
" Dodeman holds of the Earl [Baldwin de Execellre] Mundiford. Wnulf held it
*' in the time of King Edward, and gelded for four hides and a half. The arable is
* " four carucates. In demefne are two carucates, and feven fervants, and one villane,
*' and feven cottagers, with one plough. There is a mill rented at twenty ftiillings, and
*' fifteen acres of meadow, and forty acres of pafture. It was and is worth four pounds."'*
" Rainald holds of Serlo [de Burci] Mudiford. Elmar held it in the time of
*' King Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable is three carucates. In de-
*' mefne is one carucate and a half, and three villanes, and four cottagers, with two
" ploughs. It was formerly and is now worth three pounds.
" To this manor is added Stane, \_StoKe, which anciently gave name to the hun-
" dred.] Sareb held it freely for a manor in the time of King Edward, and gelded for
" two hides. The arable is one carucate and a half It was formerly and is now wortli
« ten fiiillings.'"
The principal pofleflbrs of the chief manor in Mudford after the Norman Conqueft
were denominated from it de Modiford. Henry lord of Modiford, by a deed without
date, granted to William Malet lord of Enmore two fardels of land in the village of
Mudford, In free marriage with Sarah the daughter of Lord Raymond de Sulley. The
feal appendant to this deed has the name de Modiford furrounding a rofe, the arms of
' that ancient family.-'
? Lib. Domefday. 'Ibid. 'Ibid. * Rawlinfon's Book of Inquifitions,
Thofe
©tone (J peotiil.] M U D F O R D. 221
Thofc lands which were held in Mudford at the Conqueft by Baldwin de Mxctcr
dcfcended to the Courtncys earls of Devon, and continued long in the pofTeirion of that
family. Another manor was denominated Mudford-Torrv, and was held in the time
of Edw. I. by the family of Plugcnet of Hafclborough, under that of de Romefly or
Romfey.* 20 Edw. III. Nicholas the fon of Nicholas Dannay held at his death in
demcfne of the King in chief the manor of Mudford-Tony, leaving ifTue Sir John
Dannay, knt. his fon and heir, whofe fole daughter Emma inherited his lands.' 14
Henry IV. Thomas Romefye granted to William Brocas and others a third part of
this manor, with all his lands in Saltford and Chilthorne-Domer.' This family feem
always to have been lords paramount of this manor: they became extindt about the
beginning of the reign of Henry VI. 36 Henry VIII. that King granted the manor
of Mudford, with its appertenance's and lands in Mudford, to Richard Fermor and Ann
his wife, for the term of their lives, remainder to John Termor and Maud his wife for
their lives, remainder to the heirs male of the body of the faid John, to be held of
the King in chief by knight's fervice.*" Thefe Fermors were anceftors of the Earl of
Pomfret. The manor now belongs to the Raymond family of Gloucefterlhire.
The manor of Stone, which has already been mentioned in the Domefday account
of Mudford, is in that record thus farther noted :
" Earl Moriton holds of the King thefe manors, Stane, Stoca and Stoca, Drei-
** COTE. Thefe lands were thane-land in Glaftingberie in the time of King Edward,
*< and could not be feparated from it. They are worth fourteen pounds."'
This vill was afterwards given to the priory of Bermondfey in Surrey, whofe eftates
here were in 1 193 valued at 61. 5s.'' It is now a depopulated place between Mudford
and Yeovil.
The other hamlets in this parifli are, i. Socke, or Old-Stock, fituated a mile
fouthweft from Mudford, and containing feven houfes, one of which is a large ancient
Gothick pile, built of Ham-hill ftone, formerly the feat of the family of Raymond.
The Philolbphical Tranfadions take notice of a pool in the paftures of Mr. Phelips, at
Sock-Farm, to which pigeons refort, but which cattle will not drink even when there
is fcarcity of water, being to the tafte not only brackilh, but in other refpefts very dif-
agreeable. In a ghifs it looks clear, but greenifh. On boiling it in a bell-meral
veflel, it fuddenly yields a thick froth, having fomething of a vitriolick tafte, and when
evaporated leaves a vitriolick fait on the fides of the pan. The mud and earth about
this fpring are Roman vitriol. In a long and hard froft, Dr. Heal fent for a bottle of
the water, and found it very tliick and blackilh. It fmelled intolerably ftrong, and not
much unlike gunpowder newly inflamed.
This hamlet is defcribed in Domefday-book, next after FJfentone, or Afliington:
" Vitalis holds of Roger, Soche. Tochi held it in the time of King Edward, and
f* gelded for a hide and a lialf. The arable is two canicatcs. In demefne is one
' Lib. Feod. ' Efc. • Rot. Claus. 14 Hen. IV. " Pat. 36 Hen. VIII. p. 6.
' Lib. Domefday. » Taxat. Temporal.
*' carucatr.
222 M tJ D F o R D. C^tone gt faeotiit
** cariicate and three cottagers, and ten acres of meadow, and fifteen acres of pafture.
** It was and is worth fifteen fhiUings."'
This eftate was held of the Courtneys lords of Mudford.
a. Haifa mile to the northweft of Mudford is the hamlet of Hintok, containing
fix houfes. And,
3. East-Lane, containing two cottages.
Befides which there is a fingle old houfe called Wood-Court. The whole number of
houfes in this parifh is about fixty, and of inhabitants about three hundred.
The prior of Montacilte had an eftate in Mudford, which was valued in 1 193 at 81.*
The benefice was anciently rated at thirty marks." It is a vicarage in the deanery
of Marrton, and in the gift of the dean and chapter of Wells. The Rev. Aaron
Fofter is the prefent incumbent;
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a large handforrie ftrufture, confift-
ing of a nave leaded, and a chancel and finall north aile tiled. At the weft end is i.
large well-built tower, containing a clock, and five bells. The old tower which ftood
here was blown down in a ftorm Sept. 4, 1 309, which likewife deftroyed the tower of
Yeoviltoni and did much other damage in this neighbourhood."
in the north aile is a fmall mural monument of ftone,—" In memory of Chriftopher
Raymond, of Old-Stock in this parifti, efq; fon and heir of George Raymond, of Yeat
in the county of Gloucefter, efq; who died Jan. 1 8, 1 7 23-4, astat. fuje 60." Arms, Sable,
a ehevrbn between three eagles difplayed argent; on a chief of the firft three boars
paflant Jable-.
The chriftenings in this parilh are on an average fix, the burials feven annually.
' Lib. Domefday. " Taxat. Temporal. » Taxat. Spiritual. • Triveti Annales, ii. 7.
PRESTON
IS a confiderable parilh one mile northweft from Yeovil, in the turnpike-road to
Taunton. It is divided into two tithings, viz.
I. Preston-Pluckn£t, containing forty houfes, with the church.
2i PftEstdN-BERMONDSEY, Containing fourteen houles.
The whole number is fifty-fourj and of inhabitants two hundred and eighty. There
are abotit teft farrhs j the reft are moftJy cottages, but better than in many other pst-
J-ifties; The foil is a rich light fandy loam, and ftone-rufti, with good blue marie under
it, and the fituation very pleafant. It is highly cultivated, Well watered by Iprings, and
brnamentedj but not encumbered with wood,
It
<8jtonc f ^eotoil.] PRESTON. 223
It was anciently, as it is at prefent, divided into two manors, the firft of which was
held by Alured de Ifpania, one of the Conqueror's attendants, who derived his furnanie
from the circumftance of Spain being his native countiy.
" Hugh holds of Alured, Prestetone. Alwi held it in the time of King Edward,
and gelded for three hides wanting one virgate. The arable is five carucates. In
" demefne is one carucate, and two fervants, and fourteen villanes, with one plougli.
** There is a mill of twenty-pence rent, and eight acres of meadow, and fifteen acres of
" wood. When he received it, it was worth thirty ftiillings, now fixty fliillings.'"
The other manor was given by King William to Anfger dc Montagud, and is ti)us
fet down:
" Anfger holds of the King, PRESTETOt;fi. Alward held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for two hides. The arable is oac carucate, which is in demefne,
*' with one fervant, and eight cottagers. There are ten acres of meadow. It was for-
" merly worth fifteen (hillings, now it is worth forty fliillings,"''
The former of thefe manors obtained the appellation o( Preflon^Plucknet, in regard of
its having been parcel of the eflate of the family of Plugenet, corruptly called Plucknet.
Under them it was fometime held by a family who had their names from this place,
where they had their ufual refidence. Thomas de Prefton occurs witnefs to a charter
6 Edw. I. after him came William dePrefl:on, who was of Prefton in the time of Edw, II.'
John de Prefton held at his death 35 Edw. III. of the King in chief a meffuage in
Prefton-Pluckner, by the fervice of the third part of one knight's fee."* To him fuc-
ceeded another John de Prefton, who 10 Ric. II. gave a leafe of lands in Prefton-
Plucknet to Felicia the widow of Roger Warmewell.' William de Prefton, a natjve of
this place, was a rrjonk of Bermondfey, and compiled a regifter of the charters and muni-
ments refpefting the liberties, churches, rents, penfions, portions, and all other poflef-
fions, belonging to the houfe of our Holy Saviour of Bermondfey juxta London, A, p.
1863.' This manor of Prefton-Plucknet belongs now to the Earl of Weftmoreland.
The other part of Prefton is diftinguiflied by the name of Bermondfey, by reafon of
its having been formerly poflefled by the monks of Bermondfey abovementioned. In
the year of our Lord 1 1 26 Anfgerius Brito, a defcendant of that Anfger de Montagud
who held this n)aDor at the Conqueft, gave Prefton, confiftjng of two hides, to the
Cluniac priory of our Hojy Saviour of Bermondfey, to the intent that with the profits
thereof two chaplains might be found to celcbr;itc divine fervice in the church of that
monaftery for the foul of the faid Anfger, and the fouls of his anceftors, and all the
faithful deceafed.^ This grant was confirmed by Walter Brito, or Bret, fon of the laid
Anrger,"" and in 11 93 the monks were foiind to have poflelTions here of the value of
81, 3s. 4d.' This manor is now the property of John Wills, efq.
The church of Prefton was not rated in the taxation of 1 192, It is a vicarage in
jthe deanery of Marfton, and in tlie patronage of Edward Phelips, of NJontacute, efq.
The Rev, William Phelips is the prefent incumbent,
• iiib, Domefday. 'Ibid. ' Cart. Antiq. " Efc. 'Ibid. ' Tanner's Notitia Monallica.
' Inquif, anno 5 Henry V. n, 9. ' Mon, Angl, ' Taxat, Temporal.
The
224 PRESTON. [^tone u geotJil,
The chufch confifts of a nave, chancel, and two fide ailes, with a tower at the weft
end, containing four bells.
On two black frames is the following account of benefadions to the parifli :
" 1726. Thomas Freke, of this parifh, gent, gave 20s. a year to be diftributed to
the poor on Chriftmas-day for ever.
" 1730. Philip Freke, of Briftol, merchant, gave one annuity or rent-charge of 50s.
ifluing out of Shore's-Clofe, to five poor families of this parifh not receiving alms, viz.
I OS. to each on the 23d of December yearly, at the difcretion of the minifter and
churchwardens for ever.
" 1 73 1. William Freke, of Briftol, merchant, gave 40I. to pay 40s. yearly to four
poor families of this parifh not receiving alms, los. to each on the 23d of Dec. for evcE.
" 1732. Thomas Freke, of Briftol, merchant, gave 20s. a year out of Shore's-
Clofe to the poor for ever.
"17 Dec. 1747. James Hooper, of Yeovil, gent, by will gave 50s. yearly on
Feb. 2, and Nov. 5, to the fecond poor of this parifh ; and charged his clofe of free-
hold land in Yeovil, called Cookfham, with the payment thereofj which faid devife
has been fince confirmed by the faid teftator's only fon and heir, by a deed enrolled in
the court of chancery. Oft. 30, 1780."
There is a publick charity-fchool inftituted here for the clothing and teaching twelve
boys and twelve girls to read. After they leave this fchool, they are removed for further
inftruftion to the charity-fchool in Yeovil.
Not far from the church is a large old manfion, called Prejlon- Abbey, having been
formerly one of thofe granges which are commonly met with in manors belonging
to religious eftablifhm,ents. The windows in this houfe are Gothick, and fome very
large; the door-ways arched, and the ftair-cafes of ftone. The predial barn is one
hundred and fourteen feet in front, of ftone well quoined, with a fpacious arched en-
trance, and a timber roof curioully contrived for ftrength and duration.
THE
f 225 ]
■«Jt«**g*>->4*n4»H^>-«^><'3»-<^<^-tij*>4^>-«^-Hi»4g4» t j o ij li > 3H tjl» || H itll > |H >|tl >tl» < < »»
THE HUNDRED
O F
T A U N T O N - D E A N,
THE river Tone," gliding through a fuccefllon of rich meads and paftures,
imparts to a large diftridt, forming one of the moft beautiful dens, or vallics,
in the county, the diftinguifhing appellation of Taunton-Dean, whereon
Drayton, in the third fong of his Polyolbion, pafles this encomium:
** What eare fo empty is, that hath not heard the found
" Of Taunton's fruitful Beam? not matcht by any ground."
In the hundred oiTantone, and in the hundred oi Pipminfter, [Pitminfter] were con-
tained at the Conqueft fix-fcore hides, tiuee virgates, and one furlong of land, which
were held by the King, Walchelin bifliop of Winchefter, William the fheriff, Roger
Arundel, and John the porter.'
31 Henry II. this hundied was fined five marks for not certifying the fheriff of the
death of Walter de Wateley.''
This hundred, exclufive of the town of Taunton, contains the following parifhes:
Angers-Leigh
Bagborough-Weft
Bradford
Cheddon-Fitzpaine
Comb-Flory
Corfe
Cothelfton
Heathfield
Hill-Bilhops
Hill-Farence
Kingfton
Lidiard-St.-Laurence
Ninehead
Norton-Fitzwarren
Oake
Orchard-Portman
Otterford
Pitminfter
Rimpton
Ruifhton
Staplegrove
Stoke-St.-Mary
Tolland
Trull
Wilton
and
Withiel-Floiy.
• 10 William III. an aft pafled for making this river navigable from Bridgwater to Taunton; which naviga-
tion was improved by another aft in 1708.
» Polyolbion 48. • Lib. Domefday, Exon. * Mag. Rot. 31 Hen. II. rot. 12.
Vol. III. G TAUNTON,
[ 226 ] [CauntoivDean,
TAUNTON,
TliONODUNUM/ (or the Town upon the river Tone.)
THIS town, which in point of fize, buildings, and refpeftability of inhabitants,
may vie with moft cities, is fituated fifty-two miles fouthweft from Bath, and
thii^ty-two northeaft from Exeter, being Intermediate, and on the publlck road between
thole two cities. Its extent from eafb to weft is nearly a mile, and it confifts of four
principal ftreets, which are wide and very well built; and there is a noble fpaclous
market-place, In which is a handfome commodious market-houfe, with a town-hall
over it, the building whereof was completed in the year 1773. The markets are large,
and kept on Wednefday and Saturday; and there are two fairs, one held on the 17th of
June, the other on the 7th of July. The woollen-manufadlure has flourifhed in this
town almoft ever fince its firft introduftion into England by the memorable Jolin
Kempe from Flanders j the firft manufaflure being eftabliilied here about the year
J 336. Of late years it has decayed, and its fuccefs has been in great meafure tranflated
to the neighbouring town of Wellington. A filk manufafture was introduced here in
1780. In the year 1477 the conftables, portreves, and burgelTes, prefented a petition
to parliament, praying that licence might be granted for paving and otherwife im-
proving the town of Taunton, which was granted upon a provifo that the a.Q. ftiould
not extend to the prejudice of William blfliop of Winchcfter, or his fucceflbrs, or of any
tenements belonging to his biflioprick."' The principal ftreets at that time were deno-
minated (as they are at this day) North-ftreet, Eaft-ftreet, Fore-ftreet, and High-ftreet.
It is obferved by Mr. Aubrey, a writer who deals largely in fuperftition, that once
in feven years there rages in Taunton a fmall-pox which the phyficians cannot mafter,
and he gives us the following extrafts relating thereto from theparifti reglfter:
Small-pox in Taunton all the year 1658
Likewife in the year — 1670
Again in the year — — 1677
Again very mortal in the year 1684."
Taunton is an ancient borough by prefcriptlon, and has returned members to par-
liament .from the year 1294, 23 Edw. I. The right of choofing thefe members is
vefted in the p9,ri(]iioners boiling their own pot (hence called Pot-Wallers, and Pot-
Walloners) refiding within the limits of the borough, not being ftated paupers, nor
having within a twelve-month received any fbare from the funds of the refpedlve
charities. It was incorporated by King Charles I. and again by King Charles II.
A. D. 1677, ^"^^ put under the government of a mayor, who returns the burgefles to
parliament. The firft mayor under the former charter was Andrew Henley, efq; fon
of Robert Henley, of Leigh in this county, efq; and progenitor of the prefent Earl of
• Dr. Stukcley fuppofes a Roman rpad pafled hence to Bridgwater ; but Taunton was no Roman town.
" Pet. in Pari. 17 Ed. IV. ' Aubrey's Mifcellanies 33.
Northington,
Cmmtoii'Dcan.] T A u N T o N. 227
Northington. The fiift under the fecond charter was Roger Gale, efqj grandfather of
tlic Rev. Thomas Gale, vicar of the church of St. Mary-Magdalen in the town of
Taunton, and great-grandfather of Henry Prodor Gale, of Haydon, cfq. The cor-
poration confifts of a mayor, recorder, a juftice of the peace, two aldermen, ten capital
and ten inferior burgefles. The juftice is always the laft mayor, who with the two
aldermen is annually elefted out of the capital burgefles, and the vacancies occafioned
by this eleftion are filled up from the inferior members of the corporation. The officers
are, a town-clerk, two ferjeants at mace, a bell-man, and a beadle. There are afting
under the mayor and fworn by him two conftables and fix tithing-men or petty-
conftables, who with two portreves and two bailiffs are annually chofen by a jury, and
are, properly fpeaking, the officers of the Bifhop of Wincheftcr, in whofe court they are
eleded. The. conftables were formerly the chief magiftrates of the town j and the
province of the portreve is to colledl tiie Biiliop's rents. The mayor's officers cannot
arreft within the borough ; and there being no prifon, except a kind of town-bridewell,
called the Nook, debtors are fent to the county gaol at Ilchefter, and criminals are
committed to that at Wilton.
The corporation have neither lands, houfes, nor joint-ftock, the laft charter pre-
cluding them from any fuch pofieffions. Their original feal was, an eagle ftanding on
an imperial crown with wings difplayed: under the crown, on a icroU, this motto,
Defendamus: the circumfcription, Sigillum Burgi de Taunton. The arms of
the town are a caftle triple-towered, crenellated and embattled; and the device, allufivc
to its name, is the letter T paflcd through a tuti, lying feflTeways.''
The caftle ftands on the weft fide of the town, and is part of a ftately edifice, ereded
by William Giffard biftiop of Winchefter, and lord of the town in the time of Henr)' I.
By feveral documents of the bifliops of that fee dated at Taunton-caftle, • it fcems to
have been a place of their frequent refidence. In 1495 the wliole building was
repaired, and an embattled gate-way built by Thomas Langton biihop of Winchefter
from i486 to 1492. This gate is ftill ftanding, and has over it a fliield between four
rofes, with a crofs charged with five rofcs, and this infcription: " 1490. LaU0 tifat
Cijl-ifte C. JLangtO COintO." He alfo ereclied the houfe adjoining to the porter's
lodge. In 1577 the buildings received confiderable improvements from the hands of
Bifliop Robert Horn, who likewife built the affize-hall as it now ftands, and whofe
arms, three bugle-horns, impaling the fee in 1577, remain ftill thereon.
23 Edw. I. Nicolas de Bonvile was conftable of Taunton-caftle.
14 Edw. II. John de Buckland had the fame office.
9 Edw. III. Hugh de Taunton was Janitor Caftri da Tantone, and held lands in
Taunton under Adam de Orlton biftiop of Winchefter.
6 Hen. V. Thomas Chaucier was conftable of the caftle.
13 Henry VI. Sir John Daubeney was conftable.
? Tavnton Farthing, by the Constablej, 166-.
G g 2 17 Mcniy
228 . , TAUNTON. [Caunton'Si^ean,
17 Henry VI, Sir John Stradling was conftable of Taunton-caftle, and had an
annuity of 20I. per annum granted to him out of the borough or manor of Taunton.
18 Edw. IV. the office of feodary and bailiff of the franchifes of Taunton was
granted to WilUam Bodelh
13 Henry VII. Giles Lord Daubeney had the conftablefliip of the caftle, and the
annuity of 20I. This year the Cornifh rebels under the command of Perkin Warbec,
who laid claim to the crown of England under the pretext of being Richard duke of
York, fecond fon of King Edw. IV. came to Taunton, and laid fiege to the caftle,
which they tookj but were foon repulfed; and their leader, being purfued by Lord
Daubeney to Beaulieu in Hampfliire, was there taken, fent to London, and executed.
The Cornifh infurgents had the year before invefled the place, and murdered in the
caftle the provoft of Penryn, who had been appointed a commifiioner of the new
lubfidies."
19 Henry VIII. the office of feodary and bailiff of Taunton was granted to Robert
Hill and William Payne.
22 Henry VIII. Thomas and Matthew Arundel had the office of confl:able and
gate-keeper of the caftle.
24 Henry VIII. the fame office was granted to Poole and Drables.
4 Edw. VI. the conftablefliip was granted for life to Walter Halfe.
4 and 5 Philip and Mary, the office of woodward of Taunton was granted to
Nicholas Lenthall and Hugh Lyddon.
4 Eliz. the office of clerk of the caftle and bailiff of Taunton was granted to
Hugh Norris and his two fons.
1 7 Eli2. the bailiwick and conftablefliip of Taunton were granted to Jerome and
Edmund Home.
1 8 Eliz. Richard Rofewell was woodward of Taunton.
39 Eliz. the bailiwick and conftablefliip of the caftle were granted to Edward
Lancafter and his affigns for three lives.
10 Jac. I. Sir Francis Popham, knt. was conftable.
25 Nov. 4 Car. I. the office of clerk of the caftle, town, and lordftiip of Taunton
was furrendered by Sir John Horner, knt. John Syms, and Thomas Malet, efqrs. at
the requeft of George Browne, and was granted to the faid George Browne, and Robert
Browne, for their lives, and the longer liver of them. They had alfo a grant at the
fame time of the office of gate-keeper of the caftle.
14 May, 9 Car. I. George Browne being dead, Robert Browne furrendered the
office, and took a grant of the fame to himfelf and John Browne for their lives.
10 March, 20 Car. I. the conftablefliip of the caftle was granted by Walter bifliop
of Winchefter to Francis Keene, of Wells, gent.'
* See the Englifli Hiftories. ' From the Ledger books of Winchefter.
In
Caunton»S?Cfln.] TAUNTON. 229
In 1642 this caftle fdl into tlie hands of the parliament army, who placed a garrifbu
therein, and intended to have made it their chief lioid in all diis country; it was
however qoickly refcued from them by the Royalifts under the Marquis of Hertford,
and as quickly retaken by Colonel Blake for the parliament, who in 1645 defended ic
againll an army of ten tlioufand men that was brought againft it by Lord Goring.
After the Reftoration King Charles II. ordered it to be difmantled, in which ruinous
ftate it has ever lince continued to this day.
It ftood nearly upon the fcite of a fortrefs eredled about A. D. 700 by Ina king
of the Weft-Saxons, for the purpofe of better fecuring the conquefts which he had
made in this part of Britain, and awing thofe difaffedted nobles who fixed a jealous
eye on his dominions. It was here that that prince, whofe reign throughout is marked
with fortitude tempered with moderation, and prudence heightened by religion, con-
vened the clergy of the Weft to affift him in the promotion of the Chriftian religion,
and framed that code of laws, which was intended to regulate the police of his
country, and was in many points fo favourable to the Aborigines of the ifland. Not-
withftanding the infurreftion of Ealdbright Clito, who urged a prefumptivc claim to
his crown and fceptre, and whom he vanquifhed underneath his walls, and the (editi-
ous murmurs of fome other malecontents of inferior note, he lived to fee his territories
in the ftill pofleflion of tranquillity; and there being now no longer an occafion for
walls and bulwarks, the caftle of Taunton was demolifhed, and the King, having put
the government of his kingdom into the hands of Ethelard, brother of his Queen
Ethelburga, retired to a monaftery at Rome, and there ended his days.
Ethelard fucceeding to the throne, feems to have followed the fteps of his great pre-
decelTor, and to have cultivated peace, piety, and religion, in which he was affifted by
his devout Queen Frithogitha, who, abandoning all her fplendid pofleflions, devoted
herfclf entirely to God, and, among many other ads of religious charity, prevailed
upon Ethelard to beftow the town of Taunton, then the feat of Royal refidence, on the
church of Winchefter, which had been founded by Cygenils the firft Chriftian king
of the Weft-Saxons.
To this donation, which was made fomewhat above three hundred years before the
arrival of King William the Conqueror, was appended in that fpace fuch a remarkable
fliare of immunities, prerogatives, and privileges, as is hardly to be found in the de-
fcription of any other manor in the Norman furvey.
The Land of the Bishop of Winchester.
" The Bifhop of Winchefter holds Tantone. Stigand [bilhop of Winchefter, and
" archbifhop of Canterbury] held it in the time of King Edward, and gelded for
" fifty-four hides, and two virgates and a half of land. I'he arable is one hundred
" carucates. Befides this the Bifliop has in demefne land to the amount of twenty
" carucates, which never gelded, and has there thirteen ploughs. There are fourfcore
" villanes, and fourfcore and two cottagers, and feventy fervants, and fixteen coliberts,
" and feventeen feeders of fwine, paying feven pounds and ten {hillings. Amongft
" them all they have fixty carucates. There are fixty-four burgeffes paying thirty-two
" (hillings.
230 TAUNTON. [Caunton^Dcan,
" fhillings. There arc three mills rented at one hundred (hillings wanting fixty-pence.
" A market pays fifty Ihillings, and fifty fhillings [are paid] for the liberty of coining.
" There are forty acres of meadow. Pafture two miles long, and one mile broad.
" Wood one mile long, and as much broad. When Bifhop Walchilin received it, its
" revenue was fifty pounds. Now it produces one hundred and fifty-four pounds and
*' thirteen-pence, with all its appendages and cuftoms.
" Thefe cuftoms belong to Tantone. Burgherifth,^ robbers,"" breach of the peace,'
" hainfare,* hundred-pence,' and St. Peter's-pence,'" cluirchfet." To attend the Bifhop's
" pleas thrice a year without being fummoned, and to go to the army with the
'• Bifliop's men.
" Thefe faid cuftoms thefe lands were accountable for to Tantone. Talanda,"
" Achtty lloleforde^ and UhcedenCy and Succedene,' Maidenobrocke^ Laforde^ Hilla^ and
" Hela/ Nichehedey Nortone%' Bradeforde," Halja,^ and Hafella^
" Scohindare^ and Stocha\ thefe two lands do not owe the army.^
" The fame cuftoms owe they o£ Baweherga^ except the army and the fepulture.'
" Of all thefe lands thofe who would make oath or carry their decifion come to
** Tantone.'' When the lords of thefe lands die, they are buried in Tantone.
" Hilla and Hela could not be feparated from Tantone in the time of King Edward.
" Of the aforefaid fifty-four hides and a half, and half a virgate of land, Goisfrid
" now holds of the Bifhop four hides and one virgate of land. Robert four hides and
^ The cognizance and power of puniftiing houfe-breakers in the borough.
'' The fame extended to the judging and executing thieves and highway-robbers.
' Power of adminiftering juftice in all mifdemeanors and petty commotions.
'' Jurifdiftion over fervants abfconding from their mailers.
' A fum demanded by the IherifFfrom each tithing within his county by way of fubfidy.
" A tribute of one penny for every houfe, given by King Ina to the church of St. Peter at Rome in his pil-
grimage thither, A. D. 720.
" A mcafure of wheat formerly paid to the church by every houfekeeper on St. Martin's-day, in the name
of firft-fruits.
" Tolland. ' Oake. ' Holford. ' Over-Cheddon. ■ Nether-Cheddon. ■ Maidenbrook.
" Ford. » Hill-Bi(hops. ^ Heal. ' Ninehead. • Norton-Fitzwarren. ^ Br.idford.
' Halfe. " Heathfield. ' ' Stoke-St.-Mary.
^ Are not obliged to fend men to attend the Bifhop's men in the army.
'' Bagborough. ' Fees paid for interment,
' The meaning of this fentence is, Thofe who were difpofed to acquit themfelves of any charge alledged againft
them, either by oath, or carrying in the hand a red-hot iron of a pound weight forthe fpaceof nine ftep:;, were
to apply to the Bifliop's court at Taunton to make fuch proof of their inrtocence. This mode of purgation from
the charge of puilt, by an appeal as it were to God himfelf, was called by our forefathers fire-ordeal, and was
only the privilege of freemen, or better fort of people. It was of two kinds, that abovementioned being ihc fim-
pleft of the two: the other was performed by ftepping barefoot and blindfolded over nine red-hot plough-ftiares
laid at equal diilances. In either way, if the defendant efcaped unburnt, he was dcclared'innocent ; but if burnt,
guilty. Tlie ordaliati law was totally aboliflied by an aft of parliament in the time of Henry III.
<' a half.
cmmtoivaDcan.j T A u N T o N. 231
« a half. Hugh two hides and a hah". There are iti demcfne ten carucates, and
« twelve fervants, and twenty villanes, and twenty-eight cottagers, with ten ploughs.
" There Are thirty-feven acres of meadow, and forty-diree acres of wood, and a mill of
" three fliillings [rent.] This is Hugh's. In all it is worth twenty-feven pounds.
" Alfo of the aforefaid hides Goduin hold* of the Bilhop two hides wanting half a
" virgate of land. Leveva two hides. Alward one hide, and one yardland and a half.
" Aluric and Edmor three hides. Lewi half a virgate of land. There arc in demefnc
" feven carucates, and thirteen fervants, and thirteen villanes, and twenty cottagers,
" with three ploughs and a iialf. There are two mills of the rent of fix /hillings and
" eight-pence, and forty-five acres of meadow, and fixty-one acres of wood. In all it
" is worth eiglit pounds and three fiiillings. They who held thefe lands in the time of
" King Edward could not be fcparated from the cliurch.
" Alfo of the aforefaid hides Earl Moriton holds one hide. Alured one hide. John
" two hides and half a yaidland. In demefne there arc two carucates, and fix fervants,
*' and twelve villanes, and feventeen cottagers, with three ploughs and a half. There
" are two mills rented at fourteen fhillings and two-pence, and nineteen acres of mea-
" dow, and one hundred acres of pafture, and twenty acres of wood. Thefe three lands
" belonged to Tanton^ in the time of King Edward, and were valued at feventy
" fiiillings. Their profits are now fix pounds and ten fiiillings.
" To this manor of Tantone are added two hides and a half in LUianf and Lega^
" which a thane held in parage in the time of King Edward, and could go to what lord
" he would. Wlward and Alward now hold them of the Bifiiop by the grant of King
•' William. The arable is five carucates. There are fix villanes, and three cottagers,
'^ and four fervants, and eleven acres of meadow, and one hundred acres of pafture,
" and forty-nine acres of wood. It was and is worth forty-five fiiiUings. From thefe
" lands cullom and I'ervice always belonsied to Tantone, and King William sranted
" thofe lands to be held by St. Peter and Bifliop Walchelin, as he himfelf acknowleged
" at Sarifiieri [Salifbury] in the hearing of the Bifiiop of Durham, to whom he gave
" inftrudions to enroll this his faid grant in the records.""
This Walchelin, who is fometimes otherwife called Walkelm, and Valceline, was
coufin and chaplain of King William tlie Conqueror, and profeflxjr of theology at Paris."
Soon after his coming into England, he was, in the room of Stigand, who had been for
divers reafons deprived of his epifcopal honours, confecrated Bifhop of Wincliefter by
Arminfrid the Pope's legate, on the feaft of the Holy Trinity, A. D. 1070.'' He pre-
fided over that fee feven and twenty years,, and died Jan. 2, 1097.^ He is generally
fuppofed to have inftituted the cuftoms of the manor.
To which Walchelin fucceeded in the fee of Wincheft:er, and in the manor of Taunton,
William Gifl^ard, 1 107, He built the cafl:le and the priory.
Henry de Blois, brother of King Stephen, 1 1 29. He was a benefactor to the priory.
' Lydiard-St.-tawrcDce. " Leigh, orJCnight's-Leigh. " Lib, Domcfday. " Rudborne Hill. Wlnton.
f Godwin de Prxfulibus, z\\, ' Simeon Dunclm. FDft. zij.
Richard
232 TAUNTON. [Caunton^a:)ean.
Richard Toclive, alias More, 1173. He was a native of Ivelchefter.
Godfrey de Lucy, fon of Richard Lucy, chief juftice of England, 1 189.
Peter de la Roche, 1204. Made chief juftice of England by King John.
William de Raley bifhop of Norwich, 1238. ' . -
Ethelmar, or Adomar, fon of Hugh earl of March, 1260,
John de Gernfey, or John de Oxford, 1262.
Nicholas d^ Ely, 1268. Was a benefactor to the priory.
John de Pontifiara, or Pointes, 1282.
Henry Woodlock, prior of Marmonftier, 1305.
John de Sandale, canon of York, 13 16.
Reginald de Afler, canon of Orleans, 1320.
John de Stratford, archdeacon of Lincoln, 1323.
Adam de Orlton, or Tarlton, tranflated from Worcefter, i323'
William de Edendon, lord treafurer of England, 1345.
William de Wykeham, 1367.
Henry Beaufort, cardinal of St. Eufebius, 1405. This bifiiop, .14 Heiiry VL
granted to John archbifhop of York and others a certain yearly rent of 133I. 6s. 8d.
iflTuing from the manors of Downton, Eblefbourne-Epifcopi and Knoyle in Wiltfhire;
and 333I. ifiliing from the caftle and town of Taunton, and from the manors of Hull,
Staplegrove, Holway, N aiknjourne, Otterford and Rimptonj and the prior and con-
vent of St. Swithin in Winchefter ratified the grant.'
William Waynflet, 1447. He granted the old guildhall (which with the high crofs
was taken down in 1769) to Nicholas Dixon, vicar of Taunton, under the yearly rent
of a red rofe.
Peter Courtney, i486.
Thomas Langton, 1493. He repaired, and greatly added to the caftle.
Richard Fox, 1504. He was founder of the free-fchool in Taunton.
Thomas Wolfey, the famous cardinal, 1529.
Stephen Gardiner, 1534.
John Poynet, 1550.
John White, 1557. '■
Robert Horn, dean of Durham, 1560. He built the aflize-halL
John Watfon, 1580.
Thomas Cooper, the author of the Chronicle and Thcfaurus, 1584.
William Wickham, 1595.
William Day, dean of Windfor, 1595.
Thomas Bilfon, 1597.
Thomas Mountague, bifhop of Bath and Wells, 1617.
Lancelot Andrews, 1618.
' Rot. Claus. 14 Hen. VI.
Richard
s.
d.
I
51:
o
6
15
10
I
3\:
17
10
Caunron=2Dcan.] TAUNTON, 233
Richard Ncile, tranflated from Durham, 1628. He was the laft prelate of the fee
who enjoyed this manor without moleftation; for in the time of his fucceflbr
Walter Curie, who fucceeded in 1632, an aft pafTed for the fale of Bifhops* lands;
and die manor of Taunton and Taunton-Dcan, together with the caftle and all other
appertenances, were fold by the truftees appointed by parliament, on March 20, 1647,
to Brampton Gurdon, of AfTington in the county of Suffolk, efq; and John Hill, of
Taunton-Dean, gent. But the manor was afterwards recovered by and is ftill veiled
in the bilhoprick of Winchcfter.
This manor has five divifions or hundreds, viz. Hollway, Hull, Poundisford,
Staplegrove, and Nailsbournej and by the return of the furveyors appointed by
parliament for the furveying the manor of Taunton-Dean, in order to a fale, Feb. 9,
1647, it was found that
The tenants of the hundred of Hollway paid at the firft coming in") £.
of every Bilhop, by way of acknowledgment, called Recognition > 24
Money, the fum of J
The tenants of the hundred of Hull . 10
The tenants of the hundred of Poundisford — . ■ ■ - 12
The tenants of the hundred of Staplegrove — — ■■ 13
The tenants of the hundred of Nailfbourne — ■ 9
In this manor there are two forts of lands, Bondland and Overland: The Bondland is
that whereon there have been and commonly are ancient dwelling-tenements, and is
held by a cuftomary fine and rent certain, paying heriots, and doing other fuits and
fervices to the fame belonging. The Overland is that whereon in ancient time there
were no dwellings, and is held by a fine and rent certain and fealty j but the tenants
thereof pay no heriots, and do no other cuftoms, fuit, or fervice, for the fame.
By the cuftom of this manor, if any tenant die feized of any cuftomary lands or tene-
ments of inheritance within the fame, having a wife at the time of his death, then his
wife inherits the fame lands as next heir to her hufband, and is admitted tenant thereto,
to hold the fame to her and her heirs for ever, in as ample a manner as any other cuf-
tomary tenant there holds his lands, under the rents, fines, heriots, cuftoms, duties, fuits,
and fervices, for the faine due and accuftomed. And if any tenant die leized of any
cuftomary lands or tenements of inheritance within the faid manor, having no wife at
the time of his death, and having but one fonj then that fon inherits the fame land as
heir to his father; but if he have more fons than one, then the youngeft fon inherits the
fame as fole heir to his father. And fo likewife of daughters : if he have more than
one, and die without ilTue male, then the youngeft daughter inherits the fame as fole
heir to her father. But if fuch tenant have neither wife, fon, nor daughter, then the
youngeft brother of the whole blood inherits the fame lands; and if he have no brother
of the whole blood, then the youngeft fiftcr of the whole blood; and if he have neither
brother nor fifter, then the youngeft next of kin of the whole and worthieft blood in-
herits and holds the lands to him and his heirs, or to her and her heirs for ever, under
Vol. III. H h the
«f?
234 TAUNTON. [Cauttton^tDean*
the fines, rents, heriots, cuftoms, duties, fuits, and fervices due for the fame, by the
cuftom of the faid manor.'
The affairs of the Bifhops of Winchefter, and die revohitions of their caille, engrofs
the hiftory of Taunton for feveral hundred years. Its other tranfaftions have been
but fewwith refpeft to notoriety; and perhaps the moft memorable occurrence in its
jmodern annals is the adventure of James duke of Monmouth, and the cruelties exer-
cifed on his partifans by Kirk and Jeffreys.
The Duke, having in the fpring of the year 1685 failed from the Texel with three
veffels, came on Ihore at Lyme in Dorfetfhire with about fourfcore followers. The
novelty of his expedition, and the difaffeftion of the people to the meafures of King
James II. foon drew numbers to his ftandard, and his army increafed daily as he
advanced up the countr}'. On the 1 8th of June he arrived at Taunton, which he made
his head-quarters, and having won many perfons of confidcrable efteem to his caufe, he
procured himfelf to be proclaimed King on the Cornhill the 21ft following, by the title
of James II. and then publiflied three feveral proclamations againft the King, the
parliament, and the Duke of Albemarle. To quell diis ufurper. General Kirk, an
officer who had habituated himfelf to look on afts of favage cruelty with afecret de-
legation, was, among others, difpatched into thefe parts; and as the Duke's deluded
followers were without much difficulty captivated, fo they were without any fhew of
mercy, or form of trial, immediately and moft inhumanly put to death ; the General
ordering nineteen men at one time, thiity at another, and many others at different times,
to be hanged on the Cornhill, their bowels to be burnt, and their limbs boiled in pitch,
to be expofed in the ftreets and publick roads. On the 28 th of Auguft following,
George Jeffi-eys the Lord Chief Juftice was fent by the King on the Weftern circuit,
efcorted by a party of Kirk's foldiers, with a fpecial commiffion oiOyer and Terminer
to try the infurgents; and here, on Sept. nth, he held what is very properly ftiled his
bloody aflize; for neither age, fex, nor character, efcaped his barbarity; and he feems
to have exerted all the powers of his underftanding in the invention of methods
Jiow to torment and tantalize his miferable prifoners previous to their fate, and caft the
bitter gall of affliction on thofe their friends who offered interceffions in their behalf.
The particulars of thefe unparalleled barbarities need not here be recited: it will be
fufficient to obferve, that the numbers hanged by order of the judge in different parts
of the Weft were three hundred and thirty-one; eight hundred and fifty were fold for
flaves, and four hundred and eight were fined, whipped, and continued in prifon.
We fhall now fay fomething of the religious matters of this place. On the fouth-
eaft fide of the town William Giftard bifhop of Winchefter, about the year mo,
founded a priory of canons-regular of the order of St. Auguftine, wiiich he dedicated
to the honour of St. Peter and St. Paul.' This monaftery he endowed with all the
churches of Taunton, with their chapels and all their appertenances; the land of
Blqgdon, and the church o( Kingston, with its chapels and appertenances; the church of
* Cuiloms of the manor of Taunton and Taunton-Deane, revifed by R. Locke.
• Tanner's Notitia Mocaftica.
Leigh
Caunton^Dcan.] TAUNTON. 235
Leigh with its appertenances, and the church of Hill with its appcrtenances. Henry
de Blois bifhop of Winchefter, who by Leland is fet down as a co-founder of this
priory," gave thereto the church of Pitminjier., with its appertenances and chapels.
Robert Arundel gave two hides of land at JJh, (called from that donation ylJh-Priors)
and the church of that village with its appertenances. William Fitz-Odo, the land of
Wildelandt and the church of the fame village. William de Mohun, the land of Lidiard.
Richard de Turberville, with the confent of Hugh his brother, gave tlie church of
Dulvertcn, and the land of Tolland. Roger Bret, the land of Upcott. Baldwin de
Combe, the land of Moor. Geffrey Foliot, one yard-land and a half in Staunton. Ofbert
and Geffrey de Hidone, the land of Middleton. Baldwin de Combe, fifteen acres.
Hugh de Flury, twenty acres of land in Hejler combe. William de Montacute, earl of
Sarum, gave the manor and hundred of Dulverton, with their appertenances.* This
laft grant was dated in the chapter-houfe of Taunton March 1 8, lo Edw. III. Befides
which the prior and convent had the manor of Middlecot, and lands in Orchard, Trull,
Corfe, Lydiard St, Laurence, Thorn St. Margaret, Ninehead,Wcft-Monkton, Bridg-
water, North-Petherton, Thurloxton, Spaxton, Stringfton, Hagwell, and Stoke St.
Mary J and they prefented to the reftories of Combe-Flory, Lidiard St. Lawi-ence,
Runnington, and Thurloxton. They had alfo the appropriate reftories of the following
vicarages to which they prefented, viz. Kingfton and Cothelfton, Ninehead, Withiel-
Flory, and Pitminfter. The rcftories of the following parifhes were entirely appropri-
ated to them, viz. the vicarage of St. Mary Magdalen in Taunton, with eight chapels
belonging to it, viz. St. James in Taunton, Hill-Bifhops, Ruilhton, Stoke St. Mary,
Staplegrove, Thurlbury, Trull, Wilton; and alfo Corfe, Otterford, and Afh-Priors.
In 1444 the revenues of this prioiy were valued at 146I. ijs. 4d. and in 1534 at
a861. 8s. lod.'
The fucceffive Bifliops of Winchefter were patrons of this priory, and the priors
were fummoned to convocation. The names of thofe that occur, were
Stephen, 1175, 1189.
John, 1313.
Stephen de Pycotefton, 1315. He died 1325.
Richard de Colmftoke, 1325.
Ralph de Colmftoke, 1331. He refigned March 22, 1338.
Robert de Miflingham was eleded April 19, 133.9. There were then twenty-four
canons prefent in the convent.
Thomas Cok, or le Cock, April 8, 1346.
Thornas de Pederton, died 1361.
Walter de Gratley, 1 36 1.
Walter Coke, died in January 1407.
Robert Newton, January 18, 1407. He died Aug. 12, 1431.
Thomas Ufcolm was elefted Sept. 14, 1431. Fourteen Monks were then 'm
the convent.
" Lei; Colleftan. i. 81. » Mon. Angl. ii. 83.
» SoDngdale, andHarl. MS. 701, but Archer, from the Regifters of Wdb, fays a861. 10s.
H h 2 Thomas
236 1 A u N T o N. [Caunton^Dcan,
Thomas Bennet, prior of this houfcj was in 1438 fummoned to the council of Florence.
Richard Glene was fummoned to the convocation 1449. He died Jan. 31, 1475.
John Aylhent, fucceeded Feb. 28, 1475. Fifteen canons were then in the houfe.
John Prowfe, 1492. He refigned in 15 13.
Nicholas Feper, was eleded Feb. 23, 15 13, when thirteen canons were prefent, and
three abfent. He died Sept. 26, 1523.
William York, B. D. canon of Brewton, was nominated by Cardinal Wolfey,
Odt. 27, 1523. Twelve canons were then prefent, and one abfent.*
William Williams was the laft prior, and with twelve monks furrendered the priory
to the King, Feb. 10, 1539, being allowed a penfion of 60I. per annum, and a gra-
tuity of 30I.
In 1553 there remained in charge 61. 13s. 4d. in fees, and 39I. 6s. 8d. in annuities;
and the following penfions, viz. To William Baylie 61. 13s. 4d. — Nicholas Befam 61.
— John Warren 5I. 6s. 8d. — John Hayward 5I. 6s, 8d. — John Cockeram 5I. 6s. 8d.
William Ferfons 5I. 6s. 8d. — and to William Brynfmede 5I. 6s. 8d.*
;^6 Henry VIII. the fcite of this priory, with its appertenances, and lands in Taunton,
Hill-Billiops, Staplegrove, Ruiihton, Trull, Corfe, Pitminfter, Hill-Farence, Norton,
Kingfton, and Cheddon, was granted to Sir Francis Brian, knt. and Matthew Colthurft,
gent, and the heirs of the faid Matthew, to be held of the King in chief by the fervice
of the twentieth part of a knight's fee.''
It has been aflerted that Jafper Tudor earl of Pembroke, half brother to King
Henry VI. ordered his body to be buried in this prioryj but Keynfham was in reality
the monaftery wherein he appointed his interment, and where his remains were accord-
ingly depofited."
Leland, who faw this priory before its diflblution, takes notice of the following books
in the monks' library, viz. Chronicon Ivonis, Philaretus de fulfibuSi 'iheo-philus de urinis.^
Near the chapel of St. Margaret in this town, ftood an ancient hofpital, founded in
the time of Henry III." for the maintenance and fupport of poor lepers, by one
Lambrizt, or Lambright, a merchant of this place, whole fucceffors annexed the ad-
vowfon thereof to the abbey of Glaftonbury.^
Here was alfo a houfe of Carmehte or White Friars, founded by Walter de Meriet,"
lord of Combe-Flory in the time of Edward III. The fcite of this houfe belongs to
Henry Proftor Gale, efq.
In Taunton there are two pariflies, St. Mary Magdalen, and St. James. In 1292
the church of the blefled Mary Magdalen in Taunton, with the chapel belonging to the
fame, was valued at ninety marks, the vicarage at nine marks.'' It was appropriated to
the priory, and in 1308, the following ordination refpefting the vicarage was made by
» Archer. • Willis's Hift. of Abbies, ii. 200. * Pat. 36 Hen. VIII. p. 21 .
•See Vol. ii. p. 403, Dugd. Bar. ii. 242. " Lei. CoUeftan, iv. 153. « It is mentioned before 1269.
' Tanner's Notitia MonalUca, ^ ibid. * Taxat. Spiritual.
Walter
Caunton^Dcan.] TAUNTON. 237
Walter Hafellhaw bifliop of Bath and Welh, viz. " That Mafter Simon dc Lym, as
incunnbenc of and duly inftituted in the vicarage of St. Mary Magdalen in the town of
Taunton, fhould receive every week throughout the year twenty-one canonical loaves,
and forty-two conventual flagons of ale, and feven loaves of bolted bread of the fame
weight as the canonical loaves, and twenty-eight loaves of fine wheat flour, and feven
flagons of beft ale. That he Ihould receive every year from the prior and convent fif-
teen marks of filver, and fix cart-loads of hay, and feven bufiiels of oats every week for
his horfe, and two fliillings forfhoeing his horfe yearly; that he fhould have all legacies-
left to him in the faid parifli, and fuch tithes and curtilages as his predeccfibrs ufually
had, with the following duty, viz. tliat he fhould ferve, with proper afTiflants, the chapel
of the blefled Mary Magdalen of Taunton, and the chapels' of 'Trendle, the Cajlle, and
St. George's Well, in facraments and other facred offices at his own expenc?, with this
addition, that he fhould find a refident minifler to officiate always at Trendle. For the
relief of the faid vicar and his fuccefTors (to whom the care of the fouls of the whole
parifli was committed by the ordinary) the prior and convent were to find a fecular
refident priefl for the chapels of Sioke and Rijlon, another for Staplegrove and St. James,
and a third for Hull-Epifcopi, at their own expence. It was further ordained, diat the
faid vicar and all his affiftants ferving the faid chapels fhould make an oath of trufl to
the faid prior their reftor, at their admiffion, that they would without any defalcation
or referve reftore and refund all and fingular the obventions received in the aforefaid
places. That for the augmentation of the faid vicarage two quarters of wheat fliould
be delivered out of the priory grange or granary to the faid vicar on the feaft: of our
Lord's Nativity. The prior and convent to fuftain ordinary and their proportion of
extraordinary burdens, and find boolis, veftments, and other neceffaries, for the faid
chapels at their own expence.'"
The living is in the patronage of Henry William Portman, efq. The prefent in-
cumbent is the Rev. William Chafin.
The church flands in the eaft part of the town, and is a large and beautiful Gothick
fl:rudl:ure, having at the weft end a fine lofty tower of moft excellent workmanfliip,
crowned at the top with four (lately pinnacles, thirty-two feet high: the whole height
is one hundred and fifty-three feet. In this tower are thirteen windows, and the whole
ftruiflure has an air of elegance and magnificence blended together, which is not perhapS
to be equalled in any other building of the kind in this kingdom.
In this church there are no very ancient monuments nor infcriptions : between the
middle aile and tlie belfry is a flat flone, infcribed,
" ©rate pro ata 3!oiS Coofc mcvcatorisf Cantonic qui oftiit 19° oie menfi0
aprilis, 3nno ^alutis 1502, ciu' aiepropicictin:3:)c% amen."
On the fouth fide of the church is a mural monument with this infcription : ■ • •
" Here under lyeth buried the body of Richard Huifh, efquire, borne in Taunton,
and aunciently defcended of the famllie of the I luyflies of Donyford in the countie of
Somerfet. He founded the hofpital in Mawdelyn lane in Taunton for thirteen poor
men, begunne by himfelf in his life-tyme, and finiflied by his executors after his deatli;
' Excerpt, e RegilV. Wellen.
and
238 TAUNTON. [Caimton^Deatt*
and for the reliefe of the faid poore men, he gave by his laft will one hundred and three
pounds by the yeare for ever, yflliing out of certain howfes and tenements in the Black
Fryars, London. And alfo by his fayd will he gave one hundred pounds a yeare for
ever owt of the fayd tenements for the maintainance of fyve fchoUars of his name of
Huyfh and kindred at one or both of the Univerfitys of Oxford or Cambridge j and
dyed in the true fayth of Chrift Jefus, the 73d day of Feb, Ano Doiri. 16 15."
Againft the north wall of the church there is a handfome monument erefted to
another benefaftor to this town, Robert Gray, elq; whofe effigy thereon reprefents him
in his flieriff's robes:
** Taunton bore him, London bred him;
% Piety train'd him, virtue led himj
Earth enrich'd him, heaven careft himj
Taunton bleft him, London bleft him.
This thankful town, that mindful city.
Share his piety, and his pity.
What he gave, and how he gave it,
Afk the poor, and you Ihall have it.
Gentle reader. Heaven may ftrike
Thy tender heart to do the like.
And now thy eyes have read this ftory.
Give him the praife, and Heaven the glory.
" He died in the year 1635, aged 65."
He was the founder of the alms-houfe at Eaft-Gate, for poor people of either fex, who
have a comfortable allowance and clothing, and for its fupport the fum of two thoufand
pounds was in the year 1640 confirmed by a decree of chancery to truftees for ever.
Near it was another alms-houfe, founded by Lady Grace Portman, which was burnt
down in the civil wars by Lord Goring's forces, but afterwards rebuilt by Mr. Pope
in the year 1648.
In the church of St. Mary Magdalen were founded in ancient times divers chantries
and religious fervices, whereof the following are the names :
1. The fraternity of the Holy-Crofs, to which Robert Bathe and TifFania his wife
gave four mefluages in Taunton 21 Ric. 11." William Trowbridge was the laft in-
cumbent of this fraternity, and had in 1553 a penfion of 4I.'
2. St. Andrew's chantry. Henry Bull the laft incumbent thereof had a penfion of 5I.
3. Holy 'Trinity chantry. Ralph Wylkyns 5I.
4. St. Ethelred'% chantry. William Callowe 5I.
5. St. Michael's chantry. John Seyman 4I. i6s.
6. Virgin Mary'% chantiy. John Pytte 4I.
7. Twing's chantry. Alexander Maggott 3I. 14s. 4d."
» Efc. 5 Hen. VI. •HJft.ofAbbie5,ji.303. f Ibid.
Near
Caunton^Pean.] TAUNTON. 139
Near this church Mrs. Dorothy Henley founded an alms-houfe for eighteen poor
people, ■Who were to receive each one-and-twenty-pence per week out of lands in HuU-
Bifhops, and Afli-Priors.
The living of St. James in Taunton is a curacy, and both it and the former arc
comprehended within the deanery of its name. The Rev. Lawrence Head Luxton is
the prefcnt incumbent.
The church is a neat plain and ancient ftrufture, and has a ring of five bells. It is
fuppofed to have been ereded in the thirteenth century.
Taunton has denominated an archdeaconry in the cathedral of Wells ever fince the
year i io6, when Robert was the firft archdeacon. The prefent archdeacon of Taunton
is the Rev. John Turner, A. M. and canon refidentiary of Wells cathedral.
In 1535 Taunton was made the fee of a fuffragan bifhop, and William FInche, laft
prior of Bromere in Hampfhire, was fuffragan bilhop of Taunton in 1538. After the
diflblution of his monaftery he had a penfion of 18I. per annum, which he enjoyed
A.D. 1553."
This town has yielded birth and name to divers refpedlable and diftinguifhed perfons.
Gefferey de Tantone was a monk of Winchefter 1 170.
William de Tanton was prior of Winchefter 1249.
Gilbert de Tanton was almoner of Glaftonbury-abbey 1274.
Walter de Tanton was abbot of Glaftonbury in 1322.
Samuel Daniel the poet, of whom we have given a brief account in the parifli of
Beckington, the place of his fepulture," was born here in 1562.
In 1683 this place gave birth to Henry Grove, a learned diffenting minifter, de-
fcended from the Groves of Wiltfhire, and the Rowes of Devonfliire. He received
the early part of his education at the academy of tiie Rev. Mr. Warren in Taunton,
in which he afterwards fucceeded him, and acquitted himfelf in that employ with ample
reputation. Befides feveral papers in the eighth volume of the Spedtator, he publilhed
many diftinft works, chiefly on divine fubjefts, in which his piety and learning appear
equally confpicuous. He died Feb. 27, 1737-8.
In the year 1522 a/ree-fchool was founded in this town by Richard Fox bifliop of
Winchefter, of which fchool the learned John Bond, A. M. was defied mafter in 1579.
He was educated at Winchefter, and in 1569 was entered a ftudent at New-College
in Oxford, where he was highly efteemed for his clafTical learning. He continued in
the mafterftiip of Taunton-lchool many years, and thence fent into the world many
eminent fcholars. At length he turned his thoughts to the ftudy of phyfick, which,
after relinquiftiing his former employment, he praftifed with much reputation. He
• died Aug. 3, 1612, and was buried in the chancel of the church of St. Mary Magdalen,
with the following infcription on his grave-ftone:
" Willis's Haft, of Abbies, ii. 204. • See vol. ii. p. 201.
«Qui
240 ' ^ TAUNTON. [Cauttton^Ocan*
" Qui medicus do£lus, prudentis nomine clarus,
Eloquii fplendor, Pieridunnque decus.
Virtutis cultor, pietatis vixit amicus;
Hoc jacet in tumulo, fpiritus alta tenet."
He wrote fome ufeful commentaries on Horace and Perfius.
In 15915 Simon Saunders, gent, gave lool. with which was purchafed an annuity of
aal. towards clothing the induftrious poor of the town of Taunton for ever.
Thomas Trowbridge, merchant-tailor, gave lands to the amount of i il. per annum
to the poor for ever, 16 14.
Sir George Farwell gave il. 4s. per annum, 1621.
Robert Mpggridge, clothier, gave 5I. per annum, 1645.
Mr, Clarke gave lool. — Mr. Warman 50I, — Mr. Grabham lOol.
Mr. George Hooper, two acres and a half of meadow land lying at Pyrland; Mrs.
Florence Stone, 20I.J and Mrs. Jane King 2I. per annum, to the poor for ever, about
the middle of the 17 th century.
William Gill, merchant, gave Stringlands to the poor for ever, 1672.
Mr. John Meredith gave 400I. 1677.
Archibald Thompfon, efqj gave 10s. per annum, 1693.
Sir Hugh Parker gave 5I. per annum, 1694.
Mr. Samuel Reynolds gave half the profits of a meadow at Holwayj Mr. Philip
Gadd 2I. los. per annum^ and Mrs. Margaret Cornilh, a meadow to the poor for ever,
about the year 170D.
The foundation of a county-hofpital was laid here Sept. 29, 1772.
Of the other parilhes in this hundred we fhall treat in alphabetical order.
ANSGERS.
Caunton^Dean,] [ 241 ]
♦ ANGERS-LEIGH,
LEIGH-MILITIS, or KNIGHTS-LEIGH.
THIS parilh is pleafantly fituated in the fouthern part of the hundred under the
ridge of Blackdown, fix miles fouth from Taunton, and five foutheaft from
Wellington. Its lands are aimed equally divided between dairy and arable. The
country abounds with brown, red, and yellow flints, and fome black jafper, but there
are few foffils. The whole parilh is rated at about 450I. per annum, and contains
twelve houfes, eight of which are farms, the reft cottages.
This manor, originally written Lega and Lege, was given by William the Conqueror
to Walchelin bifhop of Winchefter, of whom it was held by one Alward a Saxon.'
It obtained the name of Jnger's -L.e\gh from a family who poflefled it. 18 Edw. II.
John Anger was lord of tliis manor, and prefented to the living, as did alfo Maud,
widow of the faid John Anger, in the year 1360,'' Both the manor and advowfon con-
tinued in the fame name till the year 1427, when Richard Chedder, efqj became pof-
fefled thereof, and gave the fame to Robert Chedder, efq; from whom it defcended to
his fon Thomas Chedder, efq; whofe daughter and coheirefs Ifabel carried it in mar-
riage to Sir John Newton, knt. Richard Newton, fon of Sir John, left two daughters
his coheirs, of whom Ifabel was married to Sir Giles Capel, knt. who in her right pof-
feffed the manor and advowfon of the church, and from him it defcended to Sir Henry
and Sir Arthur Capel, knts. and continued in that family till about the year 1670, when
it became the property of the family of Proftor, and is now the inheritance of Henry
Proftor Gale, efq.
The living of Angers-Leigh is a reftory in the deanery of Taunton, and in the gift
of Henry Pro<5lor Gale, efq. The Rev. Thomas Wyndham Goodwyn is the prefent
incumbent. •
The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and is a fmall building, Axty-five feet long,
and feventeen wide, with a tower at the weft end, containing four bells.
In the church-yard is a fine old yew-tree, the trunk of which at a foot from the
ground, divides into four other large trunks, which at ten feet height fubdivide them-
felves into a great number of branches.
* Lib. Domefda/. * Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen.
Vol. IIL I j BAGBOROUGH-
s
[ 242 ] " [Cauntou'Dean.
BAGBOROUGH-WEST
TANDS on high ground, under the weftern ridge of Quantock-Hills, which par-
, I ticularly in this part wave into fine fwells and hollows, clothed with purple erica,
and patched with fine woods on their (lopes, and in their receffes. It comnaands a fine
and extenfive profpeft over the vale of Taunton to the fouth and weft, the view being
bounded by Blackdown and Brendon-Hill.
This manor was alfo held under the Bilhop of Winchefter, fubjed to divers cuftoms
and fervices," by William de Mohun.
« William himfelf holds Bageberge. Leuric held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for three hides. The arable is ten carucates. In demefne are three caru-
" cates, and feven fervants. and twenty-one villanes, and two cottagers, with four
« ploughs. There are eleven acres of meadow, and two hundred acres of pafture, and
*' ten acres of wood. It was and is worth one hundred fnillings.""
It was for the moft part in future time held of the caftle of Dunfter, and the fervice
due for it was one knight's fee. 14 Edw. I. Maurice de Membury held one knight's
fee in Bagborough,>w medio, of Sir John de Mohun lord of Dunfter.' 16 Henry VI.
we find a deed of releafe from William Taverner to Sir Thomas Brooke, knt. and his
heirs, of the manor and advowfon of the church of Weft-Bagborough, and the manors
of Lufton, Brooke-Ivelchefter, and other lands in the county of Somerfet." By an
inquifition taken 30 Sept. 21 Henry VIII. it appears that William Tanfield, efq; died
feized of the manor of Weft-Bagborough, which he held of Andrew Luttrell, efq; by
the rent of two ftiillings for all fervices; the manor of i^i^o-^ held of the biftiop of
Winchefter J the manor of Oldbury of the priory of Taunton; and the manor of Dur-
borough-Quantock of Sir William Say, knt. leaving Francis his fon and heir of the
age of feventeen years.' i Jac. Sir John Stawel, knt. died feized of this manor, and
it is now the property of his reprefentative Henry lord Stawel.
Eaftward from the village is Eajl-Baghorough, which in^the Conqueror's time- was
the land of Ralph Paganel:
" The fame Ralph holds of Ralph, Bageberge. In the time of King Edward it
« crelded for one hide. The arable is four carucates. In demefne' is half a carucatp,
" and three fervants, and five villanes, and five cottagers, with two ploughs and a half.
« There are three acres of meadow, and fixty acres of pafture. It was always worth
« fifty ftiUlings.'"
The defcendants of this Ralph Paganel, the Gaunts and Luttrells, were lords pa m-
mount of this manor, which was held by knight's ii?ivice of the manor of Eaft-Quan-
tockfliead. 21 Henry VI. William Godwyn, of Godwyn's-Boure, held it of Sir
Philip Courtney, knt. as of that manor,^ apd from that family it came to the Brents |
• Seethe Domefday account of Tauntoa. " Lib, Dcmefday. ' Lib. Feod. " Rot. Claus. 16 Hen. VI. ;.
' Inq. capt. apud Brygwater. ' Lib. Domefday. ' Efc.
- of
Caimton»Dcan.] bagborough-West,
843
of Coflington; but is now the poflefllon of Thomas Slocomb, efq; who has a feat here
called i'hbill; with a paik, afcending almofl: to the top of Quantock-Hili. if
There are three other hamlets of the names of Triscombe, Stockham, an^
Westwood.
The living of Weft-Bagborough, the patronage whereof has generally been appen-
dant to the manor, is a redrory in the deanery of Taunton. The Rev. George Norman
is the prefent incumbent. In 1 292 this benefice was valued at ten marks.''
The church, which is dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is fmall but neat, and confifts of
a fingle aile and chancel, and an embattled tower at the weft end, in which arc five belJs.
On the fouth fide of the church is a mural monument of white marble, infcribed,
" Underneadi is buried Thomas Popham, efq; defcended from the ancient family of
Huntworth, being eldeft fon of Alexander Popham, of Wellington, efq; by Mary
Gatchel, of ClavilHiay. He married Sarah, eldeft daughter and coheirefs of John
Andrews, of Axbridge, efq; who alfo is here interred. By her he had iffue Alexander
his heir; Thomas, who died young; Charles, who was unfortunately caft away with
Governor Vanfutart in the Aurora frigate, failing to the Indies; and LjEtitia, married
to James Sparrow, of Bourton, efq. Alexander his fon married Frances, daucrhter of
the Rev. Mr. Sanford, of Walford, by Catherine daughter of Sir John Chicheft?r, bart
who, alas! died March 18, 1773, in child-bed (of a fon, who furvived her but a few
days) aged 2 1 years." Arms, Argent, on a cY^id gules two bucks' heads cabofled or.
Mr. Popham has a good feat near the church.
' Taxat. Spiritual.
B R
D
O R D,
Or the Broad-Ford, from the Saxon Bpab, latus, and Fojxb, vadum,
LIES upon the river Tone (over which there is a ftone bridge of two arches near
the church, and another in the hamlet of Hele) betwixt the towns of Wellint^ton
and Taunton. The fituation is low and woody. ^
This was another member of the bifhop of Winchefter's manor of Taunton, and
was m the time of King Edward the Confeflbr held therefrom by Eduin, a Saxon. But
after the Conqueft it was given to the Earl of Morton, and held under him by
Alured the King's butler.
^^ "Alured holds of the Earl, Bradeford. Eduin held it in the time of King Edward,
^^ and gelded for five hides. The arable is eight carucates. In demefne are two
' carucates, and five fervants, and nineteen villanes, and feven cottagers, with fix
I i 2 »« ploughs.
BRADFORD. [Caunton-Oean*
*< ploughs There is a mill often fhillings rent, and thirty acres of meadow, and ten
« acres of pafture, and feventy-two acres of wood. It was worth eight pounds, now
** eleven pounds.""
1 7 Joh this manor was held by John de Montacutej" but afterwards came into the
family of Meriet of Combe-Flory, and from them to the Warres of Heftercombe.^
21 Edw III. Sir Thomas de Camoys, knt. releafed to Simon de Meriet and his heirs,
all his right in the manor of Bradford juxta Taunton, and in aU its members, in Hele
and elfewhere, and the advowfon of the church of the fame manor."
31 Eliz the manor of Bradford, with its appertenances, and feven meffuages, two
cottages, ten gardens, four hundred acres of arable land, fifty of meadow, one hundred
of pafture, ten of wood, forty of gorfe and heath, and nineteen fhillings and eight-pence
rent with appertenances in Bradford aforefaid, and alfo the redory and the advowfon
of the vicarage of the church of Bradford, were held by John Parker of the crown by
the fervice of the twentieth part of a knight's fee."
The manerial property of this parifh is now vetted in the reprefentatives of thefe
families, and in Edward Clarke, efq; and William Doble Burridge, of Stoke St.
Mary, efq.
The hamlet of Hel£ is a mile and a half diftant from the church. Near Buckland
is another hamlet called Stoford.
The prior of Montacute had a fmall eftate in this parifh.
The church of Bradford, valued in 129a at twenty marks,' was appropriated in the
year 1387 to the priory and convent of St. Nicholas atBarlinch;^ after the diffolution
of which priory. King Henry VIII. in the 35th year of his reign granted the reftory tp
Richard Parker," who 38 Henry VIII. fold it to John Parker and his heirs, m whofe
defendant John Parker, efq; the patronage is now vefted. The living is vicanal in
the deanery of Taunton > the Rev. John Burrow is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Giles. It is compofed of a nave, chancel, and two
fide ailes, with an embatded tower fixty feet high, containing a clock and five bells.
In this church was a chantry ; John HufTey the laft incumbent had a penfion of 51."
In the time of Henry III. William de Forde was lord of Forde within the parifh of
Bradford, and by his deed without date granted to Roger de Vernay all his lands, mef-
fuages, curtilages, and gardens, with all appertenances in Ford, to hold to him his heirs,
and alTigns, for ever.'
• Lib, Doraefday. » Rot. Pip. 13 Joh. ' Efc. - Rot. Claus. 21 Ed. III.
•EfcsiEliz. 'Taxat. Spiritual. « Archer. - Pat. 35 Hen. VIII. p. 1.
' Licence to alienate. " Hift. of Abbies, u. 201. ' MS. Palmer.
CHEDDON-
Caunton^Dcan.l [ 245 ]
CHEDDON-FITZPAINE
i
Is fituated two miles north from Taunton, at the foot of the foutheaft corner of the
Quantock hills.
The Norman furvey calls this diftrift by the names of Ubcedene, or Upper-Cheddon,
and Sucudme, or Lower-Cheddon; and adds thereto Maidenobroche, or the hamlet of
Maiden BROOK, lying betwixt the village of Cheddon and the town of Taunton. All
which places did fuit and fervice to the Bifhop's court at Taunton, and were fubjeft to
thofe cuftoms which are mentioned in that old record j but there is no particular furvey
taken of either. It is probable that the Norman names of Ubcedene and Succedene
funk into the fimple one of Cedetie very foon after the Conqueft, when the manor came
into the poffeflion of the family of Fitzpaine, by whofe furname it is to this day
diftinguifhed.
The firft that afllimed this name was Robert the fon of Pain Fitz- John, brother of
Euftace Fitz-John, nephew and heir of Serlo de Burgh, founder of Knare/borough-
caftle in the county of York.* This Robert, 31, 32, ^Zt 34, and 35 Henry II. was
ftieriff of the counties of Dorfet and Somerfet, and was lord of the manor of Oakfey
in the county of Wilts.
To him fucceeded Roger Fitz-Pain, who married Margaret one of the fifters and
coheirs of Alured de Lincoln, by whom he had iflue Robert his fon and heir, who
had livery of all his eftates, lying in the counties of Wilts, Somerfet, and Dorfet,
30 Henry III.
This Robert Fitz-Pain was a military perfon, ferving in feveral expeditions in the
reigns of Henry III. and Edw. I. and at his death 9 Edw. I. he is certified to have
held his lands in this county, by the moiety of a barony, for which he rendered to the
King one knight's fervice in his army.""
Robert his fon and heir was twenty-feven years old when his father died, and 25
Edw. I. was fummoned to parliament among the barons. 31 Edw. 1. he was in the
Scottifh wars, and 23 Edw. I. was governor of Corfe-caftle in Dorfetfhire. The year
following he was knighted with Prince Edward, whom he attended into Scotland.
I Edw, II. he was made governor of Winchefter-caftle, and 2 Edw. II. being then
fteward of the King's houfhold, was difpatched with Otto de Grandifon in an impor-
tant embafiy to the Pope. He died 9 Edw. II. leaving by Ifabel his wife Robert
his fon and heir.
Which Robert 10 and 12 Edw. II. was in the wars in Scotland, and by Edw. III.
whom he attended into France, was created a knight baneret. He died 28 Edw. III.
feized of the manor and advowfon of the church of Cheddon, and other manors and
churches, leaving ifllie an only daughter and heir Ifabel, who was married to Richard
lord Poynings, of Poynings in the county of Suffex.
* Dugd. Bar. i. 90. ii. 572. * Efc.
Robert,
246 CHEDDON-FITZPAINE. [caunton=2:)ean»
Robert, fon of this Richard lord Poynings, by the faid Ifabel his wife, was fummoned
■ to parliament from 5 Henry IV. to 24 Henry VI. and the next year was flain at the
faege of Orleans, being then feized of the manors of Cheddon, Staple, Radway, Stoke-
Coiircy, Gary, Charlton, Wick, Speckington, and the hundred of Cannington.'
Richard his eldeft fon died in his father's life-time, A. D. 1387, but left ifllie by
Eleanor daughter of Sir John Berkley, of Beverfton, knt. a daughter Eleanor, fole
heirefs to the family, who became the wife of Sir Henry Percy, afterwards the third
Earl -of Northumberland. Which Sir Flenry Percy by this marriage came into the
pofleffion of the manor of Cheddon-Fitzpain, and in his family it continued till the
timeof James I. when it was fold to Thomas Moore, efq; fon of Francis, and grandfon
of Thomas Moore, efq; of the priory in Taunton, to whofe memory a large tomb,
ornamented with many coats of arms belonging to his family, isereded in the chancel
of the church of St. Mary Magdalen in that town. He. died in 1576. The faid
Thf)mas Moore, grandfon of the laft-mentioned, who purchafed this manor, married
Rachel, daughter of Sir John Wyndham, of Orchard-Wyndham in this county, knt.
by whom he had iffue Thomas Moore his fon and heir, who married Elizabeth, eldeft
daughter of Sir John Bampfylde, of Poltimore in the county of Devon, bart. and at
his death in 1695, left four daughters his coheirs, of whom Gertrude the third daughter,
marrying Anthony Methuen, efq; brought to him this manor, and that of Withey in
this county, in the divifion of Mr. Moore's eftates. At his death in 1717, their only
fon Thomas Methuen, efq; fucceeded to this manorj he married Anne daughter of
Ifaac Selfe, of Beanacre in the county of Wilts, efq; by Penelope his wife, daughter of
Charles lord Lucas, by whom he had ilTue an only fon, Paul Methuen, of Corfham in
the county ofWilts, efq; who by Chriftian his wife, daughter of Sir George Cobb, of
Adderbury in the county of Oxford, bart. had ifTue an only fon Paul Cobb Methuen,
efq; the prefent proprietor of this manor, which his- father fettled on him on his mar-
riage in 1776 with Matilda daughter of Sir Thomas Goocb, of Benacre-hall in the
county of Suffolk, bart.
1 3 Ric. II. lands in Maidenbrook belonged to the hofpital of St. John in Bridgwater.*
The living of Cheddon is a reftory in the deanery of Taunton. The prefent incum-
bent is the Rev. Nathaniel Alfop BlifTe. It was rated in 1292 at ten marks.'
The church is feventy feet bng, and thirty wide, and confifts of a nave, chancel,
fouth-aile, and tower containing five bells.
On the north wall are thefe infcriptions :
" Immanuel Drake, late of Pitminfter, gent, gave unto this parifh the fum of fifty
pounds to be beftowed in lands of inheritance, fo as to bring in the full rent of fifty
{hillings the year to be diftributed every Chriftmas-day by the minifler and church-
wardens for the time being to five honeft laborious perfons of this parifh, not receiving
conllant coUeftion, at los. each perfon. The money thus given was laid out in houfe
and land lying on the left hand of Broomfield road, oppofite to Vollis-farm."
^Efc * Inq. ad quod Damn. ! Taxat. Spiritual.
Caimton=Dean,i cheddon-fitzpaine.
247
*' In perpetuam viri et ret memoriam. Roger Drake, of the city of London, efq;
gave to this parifli, the place of his birth, one hundred pounds, to purchafe a parcel of
land of inheritance of the clear yearly value of five pounds, to be diftributed yearly by
thf parfon and churchwardens of this parifh, and their fucceflbrs, unto fix inhabitants of
this parifn, poor labourers and induftrious men, or widows; viz. to.each of them
1 6s. 8d. at the feaft of the Nativity of our blefled Saviour. The money was employed
according to the donor's willj and the land purchafed belongs to the corner houfe at the
call end of this church-yard. Vade viator , et fac ftmiliter. Anno Domini 1 67 2."
COMBE-FLORY
TAKES its original name from its fituation, which is in a rich vale well wooded and
watered, about feven miles nearly weft from Taunton. A little eaftward from the
church, on a fwelling knoll, ftands the feat of John Fraunceis Gwyn, efq; adorned with
fine plantations. From an oppofite hill, whereon ftands an old building, now ufed for a
fummcr-houfe, the profpeft is very pleafing. At a fmall diftance, on a level with the
eye, is the houfe, with a deep vale lying between, in which are the offices, the church,
and the village. Over the houfe, and along the fouthern flope of Quantock-hills,
interfperfed with fine fwells and hollows, villages, woods, and gentlemen's feats, the
view extends near fifteen miles in length, and is terminated by the channel and the
Welch mountains.
There is alfo a very neat houfe in a pleafant vale, with good gardens, the refidence
of the Rev. Mr. Webber.
Combe was of the number of thofe manors which were held of the bifhoprick of Win-
chefter. Its moft ancient pofrefl"ors were the family of Cumbe, or de Cumbe, who held
their lands in thefe parts by the fervice of three knights' fees.' In the time of Henry I.
lived Baldwin de Cumbe, and held this manor of the Biftiop of Winchefter, in which
he was fucceeded by Hugh de Fluri,'' or Flory, and after him came Ranulf de Fluri,
from whom the manor derived its adherent denomination. From this family of Flory,
it very fliortly came to that of Meriet, of whom fome notice has already been taken
in the account of Merriot in the hundred of Crewkerne, and Ajhton-Meriet in that of
, Hareclive and Bedminfter." 13 Edw. II. John de Meriet obtained of that King a
'charter of free-warren in all his demefne lands in the manor of Combe-Flory.'' Walter
de Meriet, a defcendant of this John, was a benefadtor to the Carmelite friars in
Taunton, and appropriated at one time nineteen acres of meadow land, and at another
nine acres called Cockfinede, lying in Taunton, to the ufe of their houfe forever.' This
Walter de Meriet died 19 Edw. III. without ifllie, and Simon fon of John de Meriet,
his brother, became his next heir.'
• Lib. Feod, * Lib. Nig. Scac. Suthamtefcire, i. 69.
' Sec Vol. ii. p. 169, 297. See alfo Heftercombe in this hundred. " Cart. 13 Ed. lU. n. 35.
* Inq. ad quod Damn. 15 ct 17 Ed, III. ' Efc.
Aft^r
m
248 coMBE-FLORY. [CautitomDean,
After fome other defcents in this family, the manor of Combe-Flory came by the
mairiage of a co-heirefs to the family of Fraunceis, an ancient houfe defcended from
the Fraunceis' of Bolham in the county of Devon ; in whofe pofterity it has ever fince
remained, being now the poflefiion of John Fraunceis Gwyn, efq.
Between this village and Bilhop's-Lydiard is a manor called East-Combe, to diftin-
guifh it from the former, and is the property of John Somerville, efq.
Here is alfo an ancient manor called Yard, but anciently Zerde, which belonged to
the Hills of Spaxton, and was held by them under the family of Stawel of CotheKtone.^
An eftate in Combe-Flory, valued in 1 293 at ten {hillings, belonged to the abbey
of Athelney."
The prior and convent of Taunton were patrons of the church of Combe-Flory,
which in 1 292 was rated at fix marks and twenty-pence.' It is a reftory in the deanery
of Taunton, and in the gift of the crown. The Rev. David Webber is the prefenc
incumbent.
The church, which, according to Efton, is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is a
neat Gothick edifice, confifting of a nave, chancel, and north aile; at the weft end is a
good tower with five bells. The aile belongs to the lord of the manor, and is very
neat. At the weft end on a tomb raifed a little above the floor lie the effigies in ftone
of a man and two females j the man is crofs-legged, in a coat of mail, with his Ihield on
his left arm, and his military belt and fword. This was the burial-place of the Meriets.
In the chancel is a mural monument of white and Sienna marble, infcribed,
*' Sacred to the memory of Alexander Malet, M. A. reftor of this parifti, and of
Maiden-Newton in the county of Dorfet; and a prebendary in the church of Glou-
cefter j whofe exemplary virtues added dignity to his profeffion, and luftre to the ancient
family"* from which he was defcended. He was a kind huft)and, an affeftionate parent,
and a cordial friend. To his furviving acquaintance his death is an irreparable lofsi
to himfelf it is the commencement of an endlefs felicity. He died Sept. 19, 1775,
aged 71." Arms, Azure y three efcallops or, Malet j impaling argent, on a bend y<?^/(?,
three annulets or, St. Lo.
Walter de Meriet, lord of this manor, founded a chantry in a chapel dedicated to
the blefled Virgin Mary, near the church, to which John Still prieft was prefented
20 Edw. III. by Simon de Meriet.' Robert Spyce was the laft incumbent of this chantry,
and had a penfion of 3I. 4s. 4d.'"
• Efc. * Taxat. Temporal. ' Taxat. Spiritual. * See vol. i. p. go.
' Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen. " Willis's Kft. of Abbies, ii. zoz.
CORFE
cauntoti'Dean.] [ 249 ]
C O R F E
IS a parifh four miles fouth from Taunton, fituated in a woody flat under the north
ridge of Blackdown, and watered by a fmall ftream rifing in the neighbouring
paiiHi of Otterford. Half the lands in this parifli are arable, the crops moIUy wheat
and barley, and fome flax. A confiderable quantity of common land lies on Black-
down-Hill.
Corfe, being part of the fifty- four hides of Taunton, is not particularly mentioned in
the Norman furvey. It has always been parcel of that manor, and is confequendy
regulated by the fame cuftoms.
It has generally been reckoned a chapelry to St. Mary Magdalen ; the living formerly
appropriated to the priory of Taunton, is a curacy in the deanery of Taunton, under
the appointment of Goodenough Earle, of Barton in the parifh of Pitmintter, ef^
34 Henry VIII. the reftory and advowfon of Corfe were granted to Humphrey Colics.
The church ftands furrounded with high trees, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and
fmall aile on the fouth fide, with a plain tower at the weft end containing four bells.
This church is fixty-four feet long, and thirteen feet wide.
The font is very ancient. The chriftenings in this parifh are annually on an average
ten } the burials feven.
In the church-yard is a tomb with an infcription to the memory of Anna Catharina,
daughter of Samuel and Sarah Brown, who died March 2, 1760, in the 8th year of
her age.
*' See from the earth the fragrant lilly rife.
It fprings, it flouriflies, it fades, it diesi
So this fair flower fcarce bloflTom'd for a day;
Sweet was the bloom, and fpeedy the decay."
COTHELSTONE.
THIS parifh, which is fituated on the fouthern flope of the Quantock-Hills, at the
diftance of kven miles northweft from Taunton, has been ever fince the Con-
quefl the pofTeffion of the family of Stawel, who derived their name from Stawel near
Moorlinch in the hundred of Whideigh. The firft perfon of this name was Sir Adam
de Stawel, who was living in the time of William the Conqueror, and had a Ion named
Henry de Stawel, who was father of Sir Pagan de Stawel, and grandfather of another
Sir Pagan, both knights in the time of King John and Henry III.
Vol. III. K k To
250 c o T H E L s T o N E. [caumon*D?an»
To the laft-mentloned Sir Pagan fncceeded Sir Leonard de Stawel, who was among
the parliamentary barons in the time of Edw. I, and was father of Sir Henry de Stawel,
who by the daughter and heir of Sir Matthew Stratton, knt. had ilTue an only Ton and
heir. Sir Nicholas de Stawel, who married Chriftian daughter of William Ruflel, by
whom he had ifliie two fons. Sir Adam and Sir Geffrey de Stawel, which laft inherited
this manor, and left three fons, Matthew, Rollo, and Nicholas. Matthew de Stawel,
the eldeft fon, had ilTue Sir Geffrey de Stawel, knt. who is ftiled of Cothelftone. He
married Joan daughter and heir of John de Columbers, by whom he had a daughter
Joan, married to Bardolph de Ceftrcton, and one fon. Sir Geffrey, who lived in the
time.of Edw. III. and by Julian his wife, filler and heir of Sir William Gaftelin, knc.
had feveral childien, of whom Sir Matthew Stawel, knt. his eldeft fon, inherited the
manor of Cothelftone, and his other eftates in this county, and in Wilts and Gloucefter.
He married Eleanor, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir Richard Merton, of
Merton in the county of Devon, knt. by whom he had iflue Sir Thomas Stawel, knt.
Which Sir Thomas married to his firft wife Joan daughter of Walter Frampton, of
the county of Dorfet; fecondly, Margaret daughter of Henry Burton; and thirdly, Jane,
daughter of Lord Berkeley; and dying 16 Henry VL was buried in the fouth tranfept
of the church of Glaftonbury-abbey.' In the inquifition taken after his deceafe he is
certified to have holden the manor of Cothelftone, and the advowfon of the church, of
Henry cardinal of England, as of his manor of Taunton; and the manors of Stony-
Stratton and Evercreech of the abbot of Glaftonbury.*"
Walter, fon and heir apparent of Sir Thomas Stawel, died in the life-time of his
father; and having married Joan, daughter and heir of John Farway, left iffue Robert
Stawel, who after the death of his grandfather fuccecded to the eftate.
This Robert married Elizabeth daughter of William Wadham, of Merrifield, efq;
fon of Sir John Wadham, the judge, founder of Wadham-college in Oxford, by
whom he had iffue Edward his fon and heir. The faid Robert was buried in Glafton-
bury abbey.
Which Edward married Agnes daughter of John Cheyney, of Pinhoe in the county
of Devon, and by her had iffue
Robert Stawel, who fucceeded him in this eftate, and married Anne eldeft daughter
and coheir of John St. Maur, lord of North-Moulton in Devonftiire. By which Anne
he had two daughters, Joan, and Elizabeth married to Henry Beaumont; and two fons,
John and William.
John, the eldeft fon and heir, was twenty-four years of age a Henry VIII. He
married Dorothy daughter of Sir Edmund Carew, knt. and was father of
Richard Stawel, who married Lady Alice Powlett, eldeft daughter of William firft
marquis of Winchefter, by whom he had two fons, Sir John, who fucceeded him, and
Thomas, who married Thomafine daughter of John le Floyre.
• Vol. ii. 26J, » Efc.
Sir
caunton'DeanJ cothelstone. 251
Sir John Stawel, the eldeft Ion, married Frances daughter of Sir Thorinas Dyer,
lent, and by her left another
Sir John Stawel," who was one of the knights of the Bath at tlie coriion.ition of
King James I. He married Lady Elizabeth I'econd daughter to George Touchct
lord Audley, and by her was father of a third
Sir John Stawel, knight of the Bath, who had his education at Queen's-college'in
the univerfity of Oxford. He was one of the moft eminent perfons in this county for
eftate, wifdom, and prudence; and having ferved the office of (heriff, deputy-lieutenant,
&c. for the fame, he accumulated great efteem and intercft, and was returned kniglit
of the Ihire to the parliament convened at Weftminfter, Nov. 3, 1640. Being a
perfon zealoufly affefted to the caufe of his Sovereign Charles I. for whom he raiietl
at his own expence three regiments of horfe, one of dragoons, and another of foot, he
expofed himfclf to the malevolence and perfccution of riie parliament, who imprilbneJ
him in Newgate, fold his lands, cut down his woods, and dcmolifhed his houfe at
Cothelftone, which had been the refidence of his family for many generations. He
lived however to fee the Reftoration, and retiring to his feat at Nether-Ham near
Somerton, there died Feb. 21, 166 1-2, and was conveyed with great funeral pomp to
Cothelftone, and interred in that parifti church. He married Elizabeth daughter and
heir of Sir Edward Hext, and widow of Sir Jofeph Killigrew, and by her had I'evcral
fons, of whom
Ralph the eldeft was, in confideration of the eminent loyalty and very exemplary
fufFerings of his father, created a Peer of this realm by the title of Lord Stawel, baron
Stawel of Somerton in the county of Somerfet, by letters patent bearing date Jan. 15,
1682-3. He married to his firft wife Anne daughter of John Ryves, of Runfton in the
county of Dorfet, efq; by whom he had iflue John lord Stawel, who fucceeded him;
to his fecond wife he married Abigail daughter and heir of William Pitt, of Hartley-
Wefpall in the county of Southampton, efq; by whom he had ilTue two fons, William
and Edward, and four daughters, Elizabeth, Catherine, Lucy, and Diana. He died
Aug. 5, 1689, and was buried at Low-Ham, or Nether-Ham, near Somerton aforefaid.
John his eldeft fon fucceeded him as fecond Lord Stawel, and married Margaret
daughter of James earl of Salifburyj but died vvithout iflue Nov. 30, 1692, and was
fucceeded by his brother
William, the third Lord Stawel, one of the gentlemen of the bedchamber to his
Royal Highnefs George Prince of Denmark. He married Elizabeth widow of William
Forfter, efq; by whom he had W^illiam his fon and heir, who died before him in 1740,
and a daughter Charbtte; and dying Jan. 23, 1741-2, was fucceeded by his only
furviving brother
Edward, fourth Lord Stawel, who married Mary daughter and heir of Sir Hugh
Stewkley, bart. by whom he had illue a fon, the Hon. Stewkley Stawel, who died
' The manors which this Sir John Stawel died feized of were Cothelftone, Cufhuifh, Weft-Bagborongh, Stawel,
Littleton, Stony-Stratton, Mcrriilge, and Heathcombe. Ik held alio the reitory of the church of Halic. and
the advowfon of the vicarage ; and a moiety of the manors of Babcary, Pury, Blackford, Wolfton, PricftJy,
Purllon, and Michaelchurch. Jiiq. poft Mort. Johis Stawd, mil. capt. ap. Taantofit «7 Aii«. 3 Jac.
K k 2 youiig.
252 c o T H E L s T o N E. [Caunton^Dean,
young, and a daughter Mary. He died at his feat at Aldermafton in Bcrkfliire,
April 13, 1755, without any furyiving iflue male, and his ellates defcended to Mary
his only daughter and heir.
Which Mary was firft married to the Right Hon. Henry Bilfon Lcgge, fourth (on of
William firll Earl of Dartmouth; who, after ferving his King and country in divers
hbnourable capacities, died Aug. 21, 1764. To the faid Mary Legge, his late
Majefty, in the 34th year of his reign, granted the dignity of a Baronefs of Great-
Britain, by the tide of Baronefs Stawel of Somerton, and the dignity of Baron to her
heirs male by her faid hufband, by whom in 1757 flie had iffue the Hon. Henry
Stawel L.egge. Her Ladyfhip's fecond hufband was the Right Hon. Wills Hill earl
of Hilllborough. She died July 29, 1780, whereupon the title of Baron Stawel de-
volved upon her fon
Henry Stawel Bilfon Legge, the prefent Lord Stawel, and pofleflbr of this manor.
His Lordfliip's arms are, Firft and fourth. Azure, a buck's head cabofled argent, for
Legge; fecond and third. Gules, a crofs lozengy argent, for Stawel.
Cothelftone-Park lies on the eaftern fide of the parifh, and the lodge ftill remains,
ftanding on a high hill juftly celebrated for commanding one of the fineft profpefts in
this part of the county. On afcending this eminence, the firft objeft that ftrikes
the fight is the fine fucceffion of hills and vallies round the lodge, cut into rich in-
clofures; the beautiful vale of Taunton to the fouth, and to the weft a feries of hills
rifing in a.pidturefque gradation, bounded by tlie fbreft of Exmoor. A great part of
Dorfetftiire, and part of Wiltftiire, are in view. But to the north, northeaft, and
jiorthweft, the profpeft is very extenfive, commanding all the middle part of the county,
like a map, from the high lands near Sherborne to the Channel; Mendip bounding the
view to the eaft, at about thirty miles diftance. To the north and northweft appear
the Channel for near fifty miles in length, the mountains about Brecknock, and the
greater part of South-Wales. From this delightful fpot the eye commands fourteen
counties, and with a glafs in a clear day, one hundred and fifty churches^
The living of Cothelftone is a curacy in the deanery of Taunton, and in the gift of
Lord Stawel. The Rev. James Browne is the prefent incumbent.
The church confifts of a nave, chancel, and fouth ailej at the weft end is a tower
with fix bells.
The aile is divided from the nave by two arches fijpported by a large round Saxon
pillar. Under one of thefe arches is a handfome ftone tomb erefted to the Stawel
family, whereon lies the effigy of a knight in armour, and his lauy by his fide. And at
the eaft end of the nave under the north wall are the remains of another ancient tomb,
with two effigies lying on it, but much more defaced than the former.
In the chancel are two mural monuments of the fame fize and ftile, having a cornice
fupported by two round Corinthian pilafters of black marble. The firft is inicribed,
" Hie jacet Johannes Stawel, miles de Balneo, filius Johannis Stawel militis, et
pater Johannis Stawel militis de Balneo, in hac canceiia in oppofito iiti, qui obijt
vicefimo tertio die Januarij, annoque Domini 1603."
Caunton^Dean.] c o T H E L s T o N E. 253
On the other:
*' Hie fiftus eft Johannes Stawcl de Cochelftone, prsenobilis ordinis Balnei miles.
Uxorcin duxit Elizabetham Edvardi Hext, dc Ham in com. Somerfet, equitis au-
rati, filiam et heredem, e qua fufcepit filios Johannem, Georgium, Raciulphum, patri
fupcrftites ; Edvardum, equitem aiiratum, Thomam, Ferdinandum, Ricardum, Wil-
liclmum, Robertum ; filias autem Luciam ct Miriam fine prole defundlos. GrafTante
perduellione, magnas equitiim peditumque copias, fuis fumptibus, in auxilium regis
paravit. Poft perditam rem familiarem, jedirum ruinam, carceres, aliafque calamitates,
cxoptatifTimo Regis Caroli Secundi reditu laetans, diem obiit 21° die Feb. 1661.
Anno aetatis 61°. Patri cariffimo monumentum pofuit Georgius filius." Arms, Gulest
» crofs lozengy argenf.
HEATHFIELD
IS fituated five miles weft from Taunton, in the road thence to Wivelifcombe. A
ftream rifing on Brendon-Hill divides this parifli from that of Bifiiop's-Lydiard.
This manor was given by the Conqueror to William de Mohun, and in his record it
is thus mentioned:
" Ralph holds of William, Herfeld. Elwin held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for three hides and a half. The arable is fix carucates. In demefne i&
" one carucate, and five fervants, and feven villanes, and five cottagers, with one
" plough. There is a mill of thirty-pence rent, and eighteen acres of meadow, and
" fifty acres of pafture, and thirty acres of wood. It was worth thirty ftiillings, now
•* four pounds."*
From its refpeftive pofleflbrs under this family of Mohun, the manor in procefs of
time acquired the names of Heathfield-'Talbot, Heathfield-Durborough, and Heathfield-
Columbers, 1 a Henry II. Talebot de Hathfelde held two knights' fees of William de
Mohun." To him fucceeded Gilbert Talebot, and to him Laurence Talebot, which
laft 6 Edw. I. held one knight's fee in Hethfelde-Talebot, valued at lOOs. of John de
Mohun lord of Dunfter-caftle.' The fame fee he alfo held 14 Edw. I."* In the time
of Edw. III. the property of the Talbots in this place came to the poflTefllon of the
family of Durborough. 26 Edw. III. Sir John de Durborough held at his death the
manor of Heathfieldof John de Mohun of Dunfter by knight's fervice, and was fuc-
ceeded therein by his fon Sir Hugh Durborough, knt.° To which Sir Hugh fucceeded
James Durborough his fon and heir, who married Alice daughter of John Bath,^and
by her had ifliie John Durborough of Heathfield, who dying without ifiiie i Hen. V.
this eftate became the pofleflion of his uncle Ralph Durborough, who by Joan daughter
•Lib.Domefday. » Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 92. « Lib. Feed. 'Ibid.
* Efc. ' MS. Pedigree, Palmer^
154 H E A T H F I E L D. [Caunton'tDcan*
of John St. Barb had ifTue two daughters, Alice the wife of Alexander Hadley, and
Joan the wife of John Courtenai, who died without iffue. This manor came to
Alexander Hadley, whofe fon John, by Joan the daughter of Richard Stawel, had
ilTue Richard Hadley his heir, who married Philippa the daughter of Sir Humphrey
Audley, knt. and by her had one fon James, who refided at Withycombe in this
county }* which manor, together with tliis of Heathfield, defcended to his grandfon
Arthur Hadley, who dying without iflue, they became the property of his fifter
Margaret, the wife of Thomas Luttrell, anceftor of John Fownes Luttrell, efqj the
prefent owner.
The property which the family of Columbers had in this village amounted to half
a knight's fee, which was alfo held under the family of Mohun of Dunfter.''
The prior and brothers of St. John of Jerufalem, at London, were patrons of the
reftory of Heathfield, which was rated at five marks.' i6 EUz. the advowfon be-
longed to Gabriel Hawly.'' The patronage is now veiled in the Rev. Mr. Efcott, of
Hartrow, and the Rev. Thomas Cornifli is the prefent incumbent.
The church confifts of a nave, chance], fmall fouth aile, and tower, containing
two bells.
« See Vol. ii. p. 48. * Feod. Johannis de Mohun, 4 Ed. III.
' Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen. " Strachey's M, 653.
HILL-BISHOPS, or BISHOP's-HULL,
A Confiderable parifli on the river Tone, adjoining to Taunton weftward, and on
•*^^ the turnpike-road to Exeter. It is divided into three tithings, viz.
1. HiLL-BisHOPs Tithing.
2. FipicK, or Fydoakj one mile northweft from the church.
3. RuMWELL, two miles fouthweft, in the road to Wellington.
This manor was parcel of the fifty -four hides of Taunton, and was held of the Biihop
of W inchefter by the Earl of Morton, and of him by Alured :
" Alured holds of the Earl, Hele. Eldred held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for one hide. The arable is three carucates. In demefne is one caru-
** cate, and four fervants, and two villanes, and feven cottagers, with one plough.
" There is a mill often fhillings rent, and ten acres of meadow, and fifteen acres of
** wood. It was worth forty fhillings, now four pounds.
" This land in the time of King Edward could not be feparated from Tantone, the
'* manor oC Biihop Walcheline."*
* Lib, Domefda/.
The
Caunton IDean.] H I L L - B I S H O P S. 255
The manor with its appertenances is ftill vefted in the bifhrtprick ofWinchcfter.
The living is a curacy in the deanery of Taunton, and in the gift of Nathaniel
Jarman, efq; by inheritance from the family of Farewell. The Rev. Michael Dickfon
is the prefent incumbent.
The church confifts of a nave, chancel, and north and fouth ailes, covered with tile.
On the north fide of the nave is an odanguiar tower fixty feet high containing five bells.
In the north wall of tlie chancel is a fumptuom tomb of red and white marble,
upon which under an arch within a recefs lies the effigy of a Dodor of Laws in his
robes; his head reclining on his right hand, the left hand broken ofF. Underneath,
within a fmaller arch, is the effigy of a man kneeling on a cufhion, and before him
three boys kneeling, with large ruffs j and behind him five girls in the fame attitude,
with large ruffs alfo. On a tablet above is this infcription :
" Parenti fuo colendifllmo Georgio Farewel, armigeri, et Irenarcha;; juftitiae et
pacis publicas procuratori et confervatori ; fummo pauperum patrono, religionis ortho-
doxse non cultori modo, fed propugnatori: conftantifTimo principi denique fubdito,
iixori marito, familiaribus amico fidelifTimo; necnon liberis patri amantifTimo; qui 23"
die Augufti, anno a?tatis fuaeyi," Dominican Incarnationis 1609°, ex hac valle miferi-
arum ad Creatorem fuum mira cum alacritate remigravit. Georgius Farewel, equts
auratus, ejufque filius natu maximus, hoc monumentum qualecunque fit, in fpcin
refurredionis, et filialis obfequii fymbolum, moerens moeftusque erigi curavit.
" Unus eram, dum vivus eram; poft funera binus:
DifTecor in partes, qui prius unus eram.
Terram terra petit j repetit pars Caslica ctehim;
Ad proprium tendit pars ita quasque locum.
Nata cadunt} fors veflri ctiam veifatur in urnaj
Scala Jacobi fcandite cafb-a Dei."
*' Scio quod Redemptor mcus vivit, et in noviflimo die furrefturus fum et rurfus
circundabor pelle mea, et in carne meo videbo Deum." Job ix. 25, 26. " Equat
omnes cinis." Arms, i. SaMe, a chevron engrailed between three efcallops argent i
Farewel. a. The fame impaling a flag's head cabofTed, argent. 3. The lafl iitipa-
ling, party per fefic indented or and gules.
On the fouth wall is a mural monument, infcribed :— — " In memory of the excel-
lently accomplifht Sir George P'arcwell, knt. who died May 14, 1647. Alfo of his.
moft pious lady, who was the daughter of Sir Edward Seymour, of Berrie-caftle in
Devon, baronet, by whom he had twenty children, and who died Dec. 13, 1660.
** A perfon graceful, learn'd, humble, and good.
Well match'd with beautie, virtue, and high blood.
Yet after fufferings great and long, both dead.
To mind us where great worth is honoured."
Againfl the fame wall is a fuperb mural monument of black and grey marble, the
cornice of which is fupported by two black Corinthian pillars with gilt capitals; on the
tablet
2^6 H I L L - B I s H o P s. [Caimton^Dean*
tablet is this iofcription: " To the pious memory of Mrs. Mary Brune, daughter
of Sir George Farewel, of Bifhop's-Hull in the county of Somerfet, knt. relift of
Charles Brune, of Athelhampftone in the county of Dorfet, efq; mother of Mrs. Bridget
Fowel, her daughter and only child, who, in teftimony of her inviolable duty, and
affeftion to her moft tender and indulgent parent, hath erefted and dedicated this
marble. She was a perfon of excellent endowments both of body and itiind; but thofe
could not exempt her from the common fate; for fhe departed this life the firft of
April, anno aetatis fuje 80, et Domini 1697.
" Beneath in duft her mortal relicks lie.
Subdued by death, become the viftor's prey;
Her foule, tlie nobler part, doth foar on high
In glorious regions of eternal day."
Arms, I. Farewel. 2. Argent, a chevron>^/?, on a c\i\d gules three mullets of the
field, Fowel; impaling azure a crofs moline or, Brune.
Weflward from Bifhop's-Hull is the hamlet of Upcott.
F
H I L L - F A R E N C E.
OUR miles to the weft of Taunton, in a low flat country thickly wooded, 1$
_ HiU-Farence, which in the Conqueror's time was held diftinftly from the manof
di Taunton by Alured de Ifpania, and of him by Walter.
" Walter holds of Alured, Hille. Alwi held it in the time of King Edward, and
" gelded for three hides. The arable is fix carucates. In demefne is one carucate,
« and four fervants, and eleven villanes, and four bordars, and one cottager, with one
<' plough. There is a mill of thirty-pence rent, and feventeen acres of meadow, and
" ten acres of pafture, and feventeen acres of wood. It was worth three pounds, now
** two pounds."*
This manor came foon after to the ancient family of Feron, or Ferun, from whom
it obtained the addition to its name, being written Hulle-Ferun, and Hulle-Ferons,oi
which the prefent denomination is a flagrant corruption. Of this family were John,
Alexander, Michael, and Robert Ferun, which laft, by his deed without date, granted
to Symon de Locumbe and his heirs all his land lying in mieford, with all its apperte-
nances, liberties, and free cuftoms, to hold by the fervice of paying yearly, to the faid
Robert Ferun and his heirs at the feaft of Eafter, a pair of fpurs, value three-pence, m
lieu of all fervices." From this family the manor defcended to that of Vernal. In the
time of H«nry III. Lady Cecilia de Vernai, the wife of Philip de Columbers, of Nether-
Stowey in this county, being feized in demefne of half a knight's fee in Hulle-Ferun,
• Lib. Domefday. ' Cart. Antiq. apud CoUeftan. Tho. Palmer, de Fakfield, arnrig.
Cflunton^Dean.]
H I L L - F A R E N C E.
^17
by her charter bearing date the 41ft of that reign, granted the fame to Maud de Vernai
her daughter, and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten, rcverfionary, in default
of fuch iflue, to the faid Cecilia and her heirs for ever. Soon after which Philip de
Columbersj fon and heir of the faid Cecilia, and Philip her hufband, ratified and
confirmed the grant to the fiid IMaud de Vernai, who fettled this manor on her eldcft
fon William de Vernai, on his marriage with Margaret daughter of Sir Ralph Ruflel,
knt." In which family of Vernai the manor of Hill-Farence continued through divers
defcents, till in the time of Queen Elizabeth it pafled with Fairfield and other lands by
marriage to the family of Palmer, and from them afterwards came to that of Acland,
wherein it ftill remains, being now the property of John Acland, efq.
To the northeaft of Hill-Farence, is the hamlet of Allarford, which anciently
had poffcffors of its name. Elias de Allarford was living 21 Edw. I. and after him
came Robert de Allarford, lord of the manor of Allarford, who left ifliie two daughters
his coheirs, viz. Dionyfia the wife of William de Vernai, and Maud the wife of Robert
dc Staunton. Which Robert de Staunton dying without iilue, Maud his faid wife
granted all her Ihare in this manor to the aforefaid William de Vernai, her brot!ier-in-
law, whofe defendants held it with Hill-Farence."*
The living of Hill-Farence is a curacy in the deanery of Paunton, and in the gift of
Trinity college in Oxford. The Rev. Thomas W^arton is the prefciit incumbent.
It was appropriated to the priory of Barlinch, and in 1292 valued at lOOs." There
' was an eftate alfo in this pari(h belonging to the fame priory, which was rated in 1 293
at 40s.'
The church, dedicated to tlie Moly-Crofs, is a filial! building, confiding of a navi.',
chancel, fmall aile on the Ibuth fide, and tower, containing five bells. Tlie aile or
rather chapel was built by William de Vernai lord of this manor, who founded a mafs
in this church for the good eftate of his own foul, and the fouls of Dionyfia and Ancilla
his wives, William de Vernai his f^ither, Margaret de Vernai his mother, and Vs'^illiarn
de Vernai his grandfather} and dying in 1333, was buried in tlie chapel above-men-
tioned. William de Vernai his father was alfo buried in this church/
' Diflent de Hilleferons, apud Colkaan. Tho. Palmer.
' Taxat. Temporal.
' Diflent de Allerford.
• MS. Palmer.
•" Taxat. Sjjiiiuu!.'
Vol. III.
L I
KINGSTON.
[ 258 ] [Caunton^2:)eam
KINGSTON.
THIS parifli is fituated under the fouthern extremity of the Quantock-Hills, about
four miles nearly north from Taunton, and comprifes the following tithings:
1. Kingston Tithing, in which ftand the church, and about forty-feven houfes,
inhabited by upwards of feventy families.
2. Nailesbourne, about a mile fouth, in which are feventeen houfes, and twenty
families.
3. CowsHuisH, or CusHuisH, (including the hamlet of Toulton) feventeen houfes,
and twenty families, fituated nearly three miles towards the northweft.
4. NoRTH-FuLFORD, nearly two miles fouthweft, including the hamlets of Yarford
and CuTLEv, and containing twenty-one houfes, and about twenty-four families.
5. Illbeare, containing ten houfes, and twelve famihes.
6. Hestercombe.
All the above tithings, a few trifling eftates excepted, belong to the cuftomary manor
of Taunton-Dean, where the tithingmen are annually chofen, and in the general
account of which the lordfhip of Kingfton is involved in the Norman furvey.
On the eaft fide of this parifh, on rifing ground, moft admirably improved by art,
and exquifitely.embellifhed by tafte, ftands Hejlercombe-Houje, anciently the feat of the
family of Warre, now of Copleftone Warre Bampfylde, efq.
This eftate was in the time of King Edward the Confeffor parcel of the pofTeffions of
the abbey of Glaftonbury;^ but King William the Conqueror took it from the church,
and gave it to the Bifliop of Coutances.
" The fame Bifhop holds Hasecumee, and William of him. Four thanes held it
*' in the time of King Edward, and gelded for two hides and three virgates of land.
" The arable is three carucates. In demefne are two carucates, with one fervant, and
" four villanes, and eight cottagers, with two ploughs. There .are thirty-one acres of
"meadow, and ten acres of coppice wood. It was worth forty fhillings, now fifty
" fhillings."" -^^
Hence this manor became the pofl"eflion of the Mohuns, from whom it pafled by
purchafe to the family of Flory, of whom Hugh de Flory gave twenty acres of land in
Heftercombe to the priory of Taunton." From them it came to the family of Meriet,
who held it by knight's fervice of the Bifhop of Winchefter, as of his manor of Taunton.
John Meriet, knt, was lord of Heftercombe 6 Edw. II. and 8 cal. Aug. 13 16, had
a licence granted him by the Bifhop of Bath and Wells to found a chantry in his
oratory at Heftercombe j'' and 13 Edw. II. he obtained a grant of free-warren for
the manor."
* Lib. Domefday. (_'' Ibid. ' Mon. Angl. ii. p. 83. * Excerpt, e Regift, Wellen
' Cart. 13 Ed. II. n. 35.
Walter
aunton^Dcan.] KINGSTON. 259
Walter Meriet, fon of this John, died 15 Edw. III. poflcfled of the following
manors: Connbe-Flory, and Hcftercombe, held by knight's fervice of the Bifhop of
Wincheiler, as of his manor of Taunton; one carucate of land at Cerncy in Glou-
ceftcrfhirc, and nineteen acres of meadow in Taunton, called Coke's-Mead; one
meflliage and three carucates of land at Wyke, of the Bifliop of Bath and Wells; one
carucate of land at Bykely, held of the manor of Milverton; one carucate of land at
Pilleigh, held of Geffrey Stawell; two carucates of land in Wydccombe and Eftcote,
held of John de Mohun; one carucate of land in EUworthy and Plafhe; half a carucate
of land in Brompton-Rauf, of Sir John Mohun; one carucate of land in Capeland, of
Sir John Afton, knt.; the manor of Bradford near Wellington, held of John de St.
Clare, as of the manor of Chifelbury; and two carucates in Long-Afhton, of Thoma*
Berkeley.'
This Walter Meriet was fucceeded by another Walter, who dying without iflue 19
Edw. III. his nephew Simon inherited the eftate, to whom a licence was granted by
the bifhop of Bath and Wells to have maffes and other divine offices celebrated in his
chapel at Heftercombe.*
John Meriet died feized of Heflercombe 43 Edw. III. and was fucceeded in it by
another John, a knight, which John, in a deed dated 48 Edw. III. excepts Combe-
Flory and Hcftercombe from a deed of feoffment of his eftate.*" The faid Sir Joha
Meriet died 15 Ric. II. leaving one only daughter and heir, Elizabeth, married to Johrt
la Warre, who in her right became pofTelled of Hcftercombe.'
The family of la Warre was a collateral branch of the ancient barons of that name, and
bore for their arms. Gules, crufuly fitchee argent, a lion rampant of the laft. They were
feated in this county from very early times; but the firft of the anceftors of la Warre
of Hcftercombe that we can fpeak of with certainty, is Robert la Warre, who married
a daughter and heir of Kentifbere of Huntworth, a veiy ancient and knyghdy family,
a moiety of whofe lands came to the Pophams by the marriage of another daughter and
coheir. This Robert la Warre was probably the fame who, with Alexander Luttrell,.
Richard Filiol, and others, was figned with the crofs in order to attend Prince Edward
to the Holy Land 54 Henry IIL By the daughter of Kentifbere he had ilTue
Matthew la Warre, who married Fehcia the daughter of PhiHp Denbaud, of Hinton
St. George, and Sybilla his wife, daughter of Simon Gryndham; with her he badlands
in Hinton, which were held of the honour of Hampfted-Marfhall; alfo the manor of
Crafte adjoining, which continuing long in the family was thence denominated Crafte-
Warre. This Philip Denbaud was the fon of Agnes one of the daughters of Sir
William Hereward of Devon, and Dulcia his wife, fifter to Sir Richard Stapledon and
Walter Stapledon bifhop of Exeter, and founder of Exeter- college and Hart-hall> Oxon.
The faid Matthew la Warre was living 9 Edw, III. being at that time witnefs to a
deed of Matilda, widow of Sir William de Falconbridge, fifter and heir of Sir Robert
de Mandeville, together with John de Clyvedon, Richard Picks, and Henry de Urtiaco,
knts. He had ifTue, by the daughter of Denbaud,
' Efc. « Excerpt, e Regift. WeUen. " Sir WiUiam Pole's MS. p. 545, ' Efc.
L 1 2 John
26o KINGSTON. [CauntomH:)ean.
John la Warre, who, as we have already faid, by his marriage with the daughter
and heirefs of Meriet, brought Heftercombe into the Warre faniily, as by the marriage
of another daughter of Meriet, Combe-Flory was conveyed to the family of Fraunceis.
This John left ifTue
Ricliard la Warre his fon and heir, who married Joan daughter and heir of John
Atwood by Gonilda his wife, filler and one of the heirs of Sir William Percehaye. By
the faid Joan he had iflue Elizabeth wife of John Chiflelden, efq; of Holcombe in the
county of Devon, and one fon
John, who became his heir. He married Joan daughter and heir of John Combe, of
Dalwood in the county of Dorfet, efq; by which match feveral manors in that county
were added to his eftate. He was high-fherifF of this county and Dorfet 2 Henry V.
and 8 Henry VI.
Robert Warre his fon and heir married Chriftian, fifter to Sir Richard Hankford, of
Annery in the county of Devon, and was fheriff of Somerfet and Dorfet 36 Henry VI.
He died 5 Edw. IV. being then pofleffed of Heftercombe, Baghaye, the manor of Crafte-
Warre held of Sir William Poulet, knt. Wellysforde, Bradford, and Grenevylefwike,
all in this county. The probate of his will bears date 6 Aug. 1465. In it he orders
his body to be buried in the monaftery of Athelney.' He had iffue
Richard Warre, who married Joan daughter to Lord Stourton, but died without
iflue. This Richard repaired and adorned the chapel at Heftercombe, which being
in a very ruinous ftate, was a few years fince taken down. On the windows were the
arms of the matches of the family, viz.
I. Gules, crufuly fitchee, a lion rampant argent: Warre.
a. Gules, a pair of wings conjoined argent, debruifed by a bend azure: Kentifbcre.
3. Barry of fix or and/able, abend ermine: Meriet.
4. Argent, a crofs moline^«/w: Percehaye.
5. Or, three keys |;k/^^: Clavile.
6. Sable, a bend or between fix fountains proper: Stourton.
7. Azure, a chevron between three ftags' heads cabofled or: Chipleigh.
8. Argent, four bars wavy gules, over all a faltire or: Mawbank.
9. Argent, a feffe indented paly vert zndjabk, cotifed of the firft, witliin a bordure
engrailed of the fecond, in chief a xvmWct fable : Hody.
10. Azure, three efcallop-lhells or: Malet.
1 1. Or, a chevron between three eagles difplayed, vert: Blewet.
12. Argent, on a chief gules, two flags' heads cabofi^ed or; a crefcent for diftindion:
Popham.
13. Cl.ecquy argent and /able: St. Barbe.
14. Azure, a chevron between three lions' heads erafed on Wyndham,
'. Reg, Godwyn, Prerog. offic. f. 73.
15. Ardent
cauntomDean.] Kingston. 261
15. ytgent, on a bend azure, three boars' heads of the firftt Broke/by.
16. Ermine, a faltier engrailed |;a/fj: Defmond.
17. Argent, a bend nebule cotifed 7^^/^.
1 8. Azure, three leopards' heads cabofled or.
19. f'ffr/, a faltier engrailed <7r^««/: Hawley.
20. Argent, on a bend dauncettce /<?^/i?, cotifed azure bezantce, three fleurs-de-lis
of the field : Cuffe.
21. Azure, a faltier voided between four fpears or: Harbin.*
There was this infcription on the eaft window of the chapel:
" ©rate pro anima IRofterti marrc, armigeri, Domini De ^eficrcomlie.'
Richard Warre died 11 Edw. VI. being at that time feized among other lands of
Grenvillefw'ke and Bickleigh, in this county, held of Cecily duchefs of York, mother
to Edw. IV.; Wellysford, of William Vernay; and Crafte -Warre, of Sir William
Poulet, knt. Upon the death of this Richard, his heir was found to be
Richard the fon of John Warre of Chipleigh, younger brother to John who married
the daughter and heir of Combe of Dalwood. Robert Warre, fecond fon to Richard
and Joan daughter of Atwood, married Thomafine fole daughter and heir of Thomas
Chipleigh, of Chipleigh in this county, a family that had long been lords of that
cftate. His fon and heir John married Joan daughter of Philip Mawbanck or Malbank,
a houfe of great antiquity in Dorlet; by her he had Richard Warre of Chipleigh,
who at the age of fifteen inherited the lands of the above-mentioned Richard Warre of
Heftercombe.
This Richard Warre was created knight of tlie Bath, at the marriage of Piincc
Arthur, A. D. 1501. In 1530, 22 Henry VIII. he was appointed a commiffioner,
together with Sir William Poulet, Sir Nicholas Wadham, and William Portman, to
make enquiry into the lands of Cardinal Wolfey in Somerfetfhire. And 3 1 Hen. VIII.
he was fhcriff of this county and knight of the fliire^ He married two wives, the firft
was Margaret daughter to John Brockman, of Witham in the county of Eflfex. His
fecond wife was Joan daughter of Sir John Hody, chief baron of the exchequer.
To his eldeft: fon by this laft lady he gave Chipleigh, Tolland, Milverton, and Love-
linch; which manors continued in that branch of the Warre family a few generations,
till the daughter and heir of Warre of Chipleigh brought them by marriage to William
Lottiftiam, whofe daughter and heir (dying without ilTue) gave Chipleigh to Mr.
Clarke, fon to her hufband of that name by his former wife, in which name it ftill
continues. Sir Richard Warre died '^^ Henry VIII. feized of the manors of Hele»
Chipleigh, Tolland, Milverton, Hinton-Crafte, Grenevylefwyke, Brufhford, Banwell,
Lovelinch, &c. all which lands (excepting thofe abovenamed given to his eldeft fon
by his fecond wife) defcended to Thomas Warre his eldeft fon by his firft wife.
« The arms of Bamp^'lde are Or, on a bend guUi three mullets argent.
Thomas^
262 KINGSTON. [Caunton^Dcan.
Thomas Warre mairied Joan daughter of William Malet, of Enmore, by wlMm
he had iflue Richard, John, William, Henry, Thomas, Edward; Joanna, married to
Thomas Michel), efq; of Cannington, and Mary, married to George Sydenham, of
Chilworthy; alfo Alicia. He died foon after his father 34 Henry VIII. and added the
manor of Pulton in Wilts to his eftate.
Richard Warre, his eldeft fon and heir, married Catharine daughter of Sir Roger
Blewett, of Holcombe-Rogus in the county of Devon, lord of North-Petherton,
which eminent family terminated in daughters married to Wallop, now Lord Lyming-
ton of Hampfhire, Stonehoufe of Berkfhire, &c. Ele died 44 Eliz. and left iflue
Roger Warre.
Which Roger married Eleanor daughter of Sir John Popham, chief juftice of the
Queen's -Bench. By her he had twelve fons, viz. Richard, John, Thomas, Francis,
George, Alexander, Edward, Roger, Robert, W illiam, John, Amice, and two daughters,
Anne and Eleanor. He died 14 Jac. I. and left Richard his eldeft fon and heir.
Richard Warre married the daughter and heir of Thomas St. Barbe, ofWhite-
parifh in the county of Wilts, by whom he had two fons, Roger and Thomas. From
Thomas the fecond fon is defcended Richard Warre, lately firft clerk to one of the
fccretaries of ftate's office. Thomas Warre purchafed the manor of Middlezoy in
1615, and the manor of Weft-Monkton in 16 16.
Roger eldeft fon of Richard married Anne daughter of Sir Thomas Wyndham df
Kentsford, and by her had John, and one daughter.
John Warre was knighted by King Charles II. foon after his reftoration, in memory
of his fidelity to him in his troubles. In the Dutch war he raifed a troop of horfe in
the Duke of Richmond's regiment, and ferved in parliament as knight of the Ihire for
Somerfet. He married Unton daughter of Sir Francis Hawley, bart. of Buckland-
Sororum, afterwards Baron Hawley of the kingdom of Ireland; defcended by his
mother and grandmother from the Portmans of Orchard-Portman, and the Lords
Poulet of Hinton St. George. This lady had been before married to John Malet
of Enmore, by whom flie had iflue an only daughter and heir, Elizabeth, married to
John Wilmot earl of Rochefter. Sir John Warre died A. D. 1669, and left iflTue by
the faid Unton an only fon Francis.
Which Francis Warre was raifed to the dignity of a baronet id of June 1673. He
married to his firft wife Anne daughter and heir to Robert CufFe, of Creech St. Michael,
efq; by whom he had one fon, who ferved as a captain in the regiment of dragoons
commanded by lieutenant-general Rofs. He died at Glient in Flanders in the 33d
year of his age. His fecond wife was Margaret daughter of John Harbin, of the
city of London, merchant, of a family of that name near Yeovil in this county; by her
he had Margaret his only daughter and heir, and Wilham, who died an infant. The
faid Sir Francis Warre in his early years was a captain in the Duke of Monmouth's
own regiment, with many other gentlemen of high birth and diftinftion. Upon his
marriage he retired, and was colonel of the Taunton regiment, vice-admiral of Somer-
fetlhire and the port of Briftol, deputy-lieutenant, and juftice of the peace. In all
which
caunton=2:)can.] Kingston. 263
which employments he acquitted himfclf with honour and integrity, profcfling a dutiful
regard to the true interefl: of the church, crown, and counay. He reprefcnted the
boroughs of Bridgwater and Taunton in various parliaments to the year 17 16. He
died I Dec. 17 18 and is buried with his anceftorsin the family vault at Kingfton. He
was heir to Kentifbere, Meriet, Atwood, Percehaye, Clavile, Combe, Chipleigh, St.
Barbe, and Cuffe, whofe arms he quartered with his own.
Margaret daughter and heir of the faid Sir Francis Warre married John Bampfylde,
efq; brother to Sir Copleftone Warwick Bampfylde, of Poltimore in the county of
Devon, bart. by which match Heftercombe and many other eftates came into that
family. The faid John Bampfylde reprefented the city of Exeter, and afterwards the
county of Devon in parliament, and died 17 Sept. 1750, in the 60th year of his
age, and was buried at Kingfton. By the faid Margaret his wife he left ifilie Copleftone
Warre Bampfylde, the prefent owner of Heftercombe j Margaretta the wife of John
Tyndale, of the city of Briftol, efqj and Elizabeth: He had alfo one fon and fix
daughters, who all died infants, except Frances. Margaretta has ifflie by John Tyndale,
efq; Margaretta the wife of Charles Hill, of the city of Briftol, efq; John and Elizabeth
born twins; Charlotte, married to Thomas Eagles, of Briftol, efq; and Thomas
Bampfylde Tyndale, an ofEcer in the 14th regiment of foot.
Copleftone Warre Bampfylde, efq; the prefent pofleflbr of Heftercombe, married
Mary fecond daughter of Edward Knight, of Wolverley in the county of Worcefter,
efq. He was colonel of the Somerfet regiment of militia feveral years.
There is alfo a manor called Volis, or Volesse, now the inheritance of Copleftone
Warre Bampfylde, efq; from the family of Warre.
The living of Kingfton is vicarial, in the deanery of Taunton, and in the gift of tlic
Dean and Chapter of Briftol; the Rev. James Brown is the prefent incumbent. It
was anciently appropriated to the priory of St. Peter and Paul in Taunton, and with
Cothelftone (to which it was the mother-church) was rated in 1292 at twenty marks.*
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a handfome Gothick edifice, eighty-
fix feet in length, and forty-eight in breadth, confifting of a nave, chancel, north and
fouth ailcs, the whole covered with tile. At the weft end is a well-built and elegant
tower, feventy feet high, adorned with fculpture, and crowned with twenty-four pin-
nacles. This tower has a clock and fix bells.
On the fouth fide of the chancel is a noble old monumental tomb of the Warres of
Heftercombe, round the fides of which were painted their arms, and thole of tlieir
matches; but moftof them are defaced. There ftill remain. Ermine, acrofs engrailed
guks; and j^rgent, acrofs moline gules, in the dexter chief a chefs- rook. The marble
flab that covers this tomb is ten feet long, and four feet and a half broad, and is a fort
of grey granite. It is not known who it was of the Warres that eredted this fine
monument.
In the fouth window of the chancel were painted in glafs the arms of Warre, impaled
with others; in the north window were the coats of Kentjftjere, Scourton, &c. all more
" Taxat. Spiritual.
ancient
264. KINGSTON. [Caunton=13ean»
ancient than their matches with Hody; alfo Ermine, three lions' heads jeffant-de-lis
azure: with the arms of Stawel, viz. Gules, a crofs lozengy argent: and thofe of
Columbers, Bendy azure and argent i and Argent a chevron or between three bezants.
Henry James, D. D. late niafter of Queen's-coUege, Cambridge, who died in 17 17,
aged 75, by his will gave one hundred pounds to this parilhj and the late Thomas
Dyke, efq; of Tcttonin this parifh, who died in 1721, aged 61, in his life-time gave
one hundred and fix pounds, and with which the above legacy, and one year's interefl:
thereof, (being in the whole 21 il.) fome lands were purchafed in the parifh of Halfe,
now let for lol. 15s. a year. I'he deed bears date the 17th of Sept. 1721, and in the
church-book is the following copy of an order of the Bifliop of Bath and Wells:
*' Whereas Henry James, D. D. late mafter of Queen's-college ia Cambridge, did
by his laft will give unto the parilh of Kingfton near Taunton in the county of So-
merfet, the fum of one hundred pounds, by which fome lands have been purchafed,
and by deeds of conveyance fettled in truftees : and wliereas by the faid will the prefent
Lord Bifhop of Bath and Wells, or his fucceffor, is defired to determine and appoint
the difpofal of it to the beft advantage for the faid parifh, whether in keeping a charity-
fchool, or in any other way he fhall think fit: I do hereby, in profecution of the pious
intention of the faid teftator, direft, that the annual fum arifing from thefe lands be
employed in fetting up and maintaining one fchool for the education of the poor chil-
dren of the faid parifh. And I do alfo hereby direft, that the place where the fchool is
to be kept, and the nomination of the mafter, fhall be in the joint confent of the vicar
and veftry; and that the nomination of the children be made by the vicar and church-
wardens. And I further direft, that if any difference arife between the vicar and veftry,
it be determined by the Archdeacon perfonally, or by two or three by him fpecially
appointed: And that if any difference fhall be between the vicar and churchwardens,
it fhall be determined by the archdeacon or his furrogate. In teftimony of all which,
I have hereunto fet my hand and feal manual, this 29th day of September 1725.
" George Bath & Wells."
Here is alfo a charity of feven pounds per annum payable for ever out of the parfon-
age of Kings-Brompton, given by one of the family of the Dykes: — Two pounds per
annum given by a Mrs. Bult, payable out of the eftate where Mr. Thomas Sminney
Bult now lives: — And the intereft of one hundred pounds, given by the late Mr. Coles
of this parifli, is given annually to the fecond poor on St. Thomas's-day. — There is
alfo a donation of fifty fhillings per annum, payable out of another eftate, now the
property of Mr. William Williams.
LYDIARD-
Caunton*H^enn.] [ 265 ]
LYDIARD ST. LAURENCE.
THIS paiifli is fituated eight miles northweft from Taunton, in a valley about a
mile northeaftward from the high road thence to Dunfter. A fine fpring rifing
in a field near the church emits a rivulet, which falls into the Tone below Bifhop's-
Lydiard: this water has been found ferviceable in fcrophuloiis diforders. Another
ftream rifing at Tolland runs alfo through a part of this parilh.
It contains a number of little villages and hamlets, viz,
1. Westowe, a little northweft from the church, in which are three farms, and one
cottage. 36 Henry VIII. the lordfhip or manor of Weflowe, with a wood called
Middiffcrd-Woody and other lands and hereditaments in Laurence-Lydiard, were granted
to Joan Sidenham, widow."
2. HoLFORD, two miles northeaft, three farms.
3. CoRSLEY, one mile eaft, two farms and one cottage.
4. Nethercot, a mile and a half nearly eaft, two farms and one grift-mill. The
two laft-mentioned villages belonged formerly to the family of Malet.
5. Pyleigh, one mile fouth, three farms and eight cottages. This village belonged
to the family of Flory, whence It was fometimes called Leigh-Flory. It pafled from
that family to the Meriets and the Beaumonts."
6. Chipleigh, two miles fouth, where formerly was a chapel, four farms, and
two cottages.
7. Deane, three miles fouth, one farm and one cottage.
8. HocKHAM, two miles and a half fouth, three farms, four cottages, and a grift-mill,
9. West-Leigh, one mile and a quarter Ibuth, three farms and three cottages.
10. Tarr, two miles fouthweft, three farms and one cottage.
About the church are eight farms and twelve cottages. In all leventy houfes, and
about three hundred and fifty inhabitants.
A fair is held here Aug. i o, formerly for cattle, now only for pedlary ware.
It was in this parifli that, A. D. 1666, one of thofe immenfe pitchers teeming witii
Roman coins was found, which gave birth to a curious difcourfe on the antiquities of
this diftrift, wliere it is fuppofed the Romans completed the conqueft of this country,'
It was held at the Conqueft by William de Mohun:
" William himfelf holds Lidiard. Alric held it in the time of King Edward, and
*' gelded for two hides. The arable is fix canicates. In demefne is one carucate, and
" four fervants, and ten villanes, and fix cottagers, witla one plough. There is a mill
** of eight fliillings rent, and fifteen acres of meadow, and ten acres of pafture, and
*' twenty acres of wood. It was and is worth feven pounds."*
• Pat. 36 Hen. VIII. p. 6. " Efc. ' See vol. ii. p. 493. " Lib. Domefday.
Vol. III. Mm The
266 LYDIARD ST. LAURENCE. [CauntOtvDcam
The records are not explicit with regard to the fubfeqiient defcent of this manor.
In the time of Edw. IV. it was held of the family of Fraunceis of Combe-Flory. 12th
of that reign Elizabeth the widow of Richard Whiteley hejd at her death the manor
of Lydiard St. Laurence, together with the advowfon of the parifli-church there, of
Nicholas Fraunceis, efq; as of his manor of Combe-Fioryj and one burgage in Bridg-
water of George Darell: John Seymour her fon and heir of the age of twenty-one years."
It afterwards belonged to Edward duke of Somerfet the Proteftor, and is valued in the
Ichedule of his eftates at lol. i6s. 6d. per annum.*^ It is now the property of Meffrs,
Philip and Robert Hancock, whofe father purchafed it of the Sellecke family.
A branch of the family of Coker long refided in this parifh.
The church, valued in 1292 at fourteen marks,^was appropriated to the priory of
Taunton, and the prior of that houfe had a particular yearly penfion from the fame of
two marks.*" An eftate here belonging to the fame foundation was in 1293 valued at
twenty fliillings.'
It is a reftory in the deanery of Taunton, and in the patronage of Henry William
Portman, efq. The Rev. Charles Ruffell is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Laurence, fecond archbifliop of Canterbury, and fuc-
celTor to St. Auguftine, A. D. 604, from whom this parilh had its additional title. It
ftands on a rifing ground at the fouth end of the village, and confifts of a nave, chancel,
and north aile. At the weft end is an embattled tower feventy feet high, with eight
pinnacles, a turret at one corner, a clock, and five bells.
In the fouth wall of the chancel is a ftone feat with three niches, divided by round
ftone columns.
On the north fide of the chancel is an ancient tomb, the memorial thereof effaced ;
and above it a fmall monument infcribed to the memory of the Rev. John Goodwin,
D. D. reftor of this church, who died Jan. 14, 1628.
In the floor is a memorial to the Rev. Thomas Brickenden, B.D. reftor of Corton-
Dinham in this county, and canon of the church of Wells, who died July 17, 1700,'
aged 75.
The intereft of 5I. per annum was left to the poor of this parifli by Mrs. Colbey a
clergyman's widow, to be diftributed on Chriftmas-day.
The chriftenings in this parifh are annually on the ufual average 21, the burials only 9.
' Efc. ' MS. Valor. « Taxat. Spiritual. •■ Ibid. ' Taxat. Temporal.
NINEHEAD-
Caunton'a:)ean.] [ 267 ]
NINEHEAD-FLOR Y, anciently NICHEHEDE,
IS a fmall parifh in the extreme angle of this hundred towards the fouthweft, being
fituated betwixt Milverton and Wellington, from which laft parifh it is divided by
the river Tone.
A mile eaftward from the church is East-Ninehead, or Ninehead-Monks, or
Monkton; and about half a mile north is the hamlet of Upcot.
In this parifh is alfo Chipleigh-House, the ancient eftate of the Warre family,
now of Edward Clarke, efq.'
The manor of Ninehead is included in the Conqueror's furvey in the number of
thofe lands which owed fervice to the Bifhop of Winchefler's court at Taunton, and
has been always held under that great lordfhip. In the time of Henry I. and King
Stephen, it was the pofTefTion of Ranalph de Fluri, who in allufion to his name bore on
his feal a chevron between three crofTes flory,*" which arms with a little variation of the
crofTes were afterwards ufed by the family of de Wyke, who it feems by fome inter-
marriage with the Floris became pofTefTed of the manor of Ninehead. To the faid
Ranalph de Fluri fucceeded Robert and Hugh de Fluri, both of whom were living in
the time of Henry 11." John de Wyke was lord of this manor in the time of King
Edw. I. whom he attended in an expedition againfl the Scots,'' and was fucceeded by
another John de Wyke," and he by Philip de Wyke, who held this manor, and that of
Withiel-Flory 13 Edw. II.' He had two fons, Walter and John, of whom the latter
inherited this manor, and was living in the time of Edw. III. having ilTue a fon of the
fame name, who was refident at Ninehead 13 Ric. II. He married Catharine daughter
of Sir William Bonville, knt. and relift of Sir John Cobham, knt.^ in whofe right he
had the manor of Yeovilton in this county for his life.* He died 12 Henry IV. feized
of that manor, and the manor of Ninehead-Flory, as alfo a moiety of the manor of
Lillifdon, leaving Robert his fon and heir then of the age of nineteen years.' This
Robert was father of John Wyke, who was of Ninehead in the time of Edw. IV. and
died the loth of that reign, feized of the manors of Ninehead-Flory, Withiel, Uphill,
and Oldmixon, leaving Richard his brother and heir of the age of fixty years.'' Which
Richard Wyke (or Wykes, as he is called in the inquifition) died i Ric. III. feized of
the manors of Ninehead and Withiel-Flory, held by knight's fervice of the Bifhop of
Wincheflerj the fourth part of the manors of Uphill and Chriflov, held of Thomas
lord Stanley, as of his manor of Blagdon; and four mefliiages, eighty acres of arable
land, twenty acres of meadow, and forty acres of pafture in Oldmixon, held of John
Arthur. John his fon and heir was then of the age of forty years.' The faid John
Wyke, fon and heir of Richard, was a knight of the Bath at the marriage of Arthur
fon of Henry VII. with the Princefs Catharine of Spain,"" and was fucceeded in the
• See page 15 of this vol. ^ Seals from ancient deeds. * Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 69. '' Harl. MS. 1192.
• Efc. ' Fin. 13 Ed. II. Somf. n. 8. ' Cooke's Vifitation of Somerfetfhiie. " Efc. ' Ibid.
Mbid. 'Ibid. ■» Harl.MS. 6j66, fol. 101.
M m a pofiefTion
%
26S N I N E H E A D. [Caimton^DeaiT,
pofleffion of this manor by Richard Wyke, who held it with Withiel of the Eifhop of
Winchefter, the latter end of the reign of Henry VII." He married Eleanor Hadley
of Withycombe, by whom he had iflue Richard Wyke of Ninehead, who married
Margaret daughter of George Rollcj of Stevenftone in the county of Devon, efq; by
whom he had a numerous offspring, and dying in 1590, was buried in the parifli-
church of Ninehead.
There was a branch of this fame family feated at Court de JVick, in the parilh of
Yatton, in the hundred of Winterftoke, which eftate paffed to the Chedders, Kens,
and Poulets. '^
At Eaft or Monks-Ninehead was an eftate belonging to the monks of the priory of
Taunton, (whence its name) which in 1293 was valued at twenty-five fhillings."
The reftory of Ninehead, valued in 1292 at fix marks and a half,"" was appropriated
to the fame mcnaftery, and the prior and convent had alfo the advowfon of the vicar-
age, the patronage of which is now in the crown, and the Rev. Dr. Bovett the prefent
incumbent.
The church is dedicated to All-Saints, and is a fmall ftrudure, confifting of a nave,
chancel, and two fide alles. At the weft end is an embattled tower, containing five-
bells. The north aile belongs to the family of Acland.
Againft the north wall of the chancel there is a plain ftone monument, infcribed,—
" Heere liethe interred Richard Wike, ofNinhed in the county of Somerfet, efquier,
who died June 17, 1590, being then of the age of 6;^ years; and Margaret his wif,
daughter of Georg Role, of Stevenfton in the county of Devon, efquier, who died
Aug. 12, 1578, being then of the age of 41 years, and parents of 17 children, vid.
fix fonns, and 1 1 daughters." Arms, Argent, a chevron gules between three crofles
moline Jabk.
On the fouth wall of the chancel is a monument of black and white marble, with
this infcription: " Near this place lyeth the body of William Sanford, of Ninehead-
Court, efq; who married Anne the daughter of Edward Clark, of Chiply, efq; by whom
he had three Ibns, two only furviving him, viz. William and John, infants. He died
Feb. 9, 17 1 8, aged 23' His death was much lamented by all, he having lived the
fincereft friend, the moft affeftionate huft)and, the tendereft of fathers, and beft of
mafters. Anne his widow thus perpetuates his memory, Dec. 27, 1720." Arms,
Jzure, three bars wavy argent-, Sanford: impaling, Or, two bars azure, in chief three
efcallop fhells gules ; Clarke,
Ninehead has been the refidence of the family of Sanford for feveral generations,
whofe prefent reprefentative is Henry William Sanford, efq.
At the foutheaft corner of the fouth aile is a grand mural monument of ftone, on the
bafe of which are the effigies of a man and woman kneeling on a cufliion, with a reading
ftand and two books open before them. The man is in black, with a long flowing
cloak; the woman in a black gown, the tail of which is tucked behind, and tied to her
waift ; the fleeves are large, fliort, and tied clofe round the arms above the elbow, with
» Efc. 19 Hen, VII, * Taxat. Temporal, » Taxat. Spiritual.
fliort
Cauntott'Dean.] N i N E H E A D. 269
fliort ruffles below; fhe has a black hood tied clofe under her chin. On the tablet is
this infcription: — " To the memory of Elizabeth wife of Edward Clarke, of Chiplcy,
efqj eldeft daughter and heire of William Lottifham, efq; and Mary his wife, who was
daughter and coheire of Edward Warre, of Chipley, efq. She dyed the 1 5 of March
1667, aetat. fuas 42.
" This happy foul exchang'd by her deceafe
The lands of Warre into the fields of peace.
Whither in triumph by her virtues led,
Grace hath advanc'd, and glory crown'd her head.
As fire and grandfire's heire, fhe here pofTefti
But knowing heaven's inheritance is befl,
She parted hence to be a facrifice,
Whofe afhes fall, and fpirit in flames doe rife,
Bleftfoul!
My fad attendance and thefe trophies fhew
The dear affecftion to your worth I owe :
Your virtues bid me not approach the urne,
Unlefswith groanes and teares your lofs I mourne> ^
Which griefe in vaine lamenteth ; for withftand
None can the force of the Almigh tie's hand.
The comfort left me is, I trufl to view
And fhortly fliare eternal joys with you."
Arms, I. Clarke. 2. Gules, ciaifuly fitchee argent, a lion rampant of the lafl, Warre:
impaling, argent, three bulls' heads cabofTed ya^/^ armed or. 3. Clarke, impaUng
argent, on a bend double cotifed/a^/^ five bezants.
On a fmall mural monument of marble:' " Near this place lyeth the body of
Guftavus Venner, of Fitzhead in this county, efq; who died April 28, 1717, aged 46.
To whofe memory this monument was erefted by his executor Samuel, younger fon of
Edward Clarke, efq; of Chipley in this parifh, 17 16." Arms, Gules, on a fefTe or,
three efcallopsy^/J/^; Venner: impaling, argent, on a fclTe gules, between three crofTes
Jable, as many martlets of the firft.
In the fouth wall of the fouth aile is a memorial to Richard Wyatt, efq; who died
1693, and Alice his wife, daughter of Edward Thurfton, of Buckland, efq; who died
April 18, 1732, aged 70. Arms, Sahle, a fefTe dauncettee argent, between three eagles
difplayed or; Wyatt: impaling, yai-/^, three bugle-horns ftringed or, garnifhed azure-,
Thurflon.
In the chancel floor: " 1643. Here lieth the body of Martin Sanford, of
Ninhed in the county of Somerfet, efquier, who died the 20th of Sept. aged 68.
Epitaphe.
" Under this polifli'd flonc inhum'd doth reft
' The country's patriot huddled up in duft;
Had worth and wifdom, true religion, zeale,
Prov'U fovreigne antidotes againft death's ill*
^ He
I
270 N I N E H E A D. [Caunton»Oean.
He had not dy'd ; no privilege wee fee :
The law innmortal made man mortal bee.
Yet in defpight of fate, his virtues Ihall
To future times furvive his funerall.
Vivit poft funera virtus.
" Here aifo lyeth Sufannah his wife, who died March 17, 1661."
" Here lyeth the body of Henry Sanford, of Ninhcad in the county of Somerfet, efq;
who was buried the 9th of February 1 644. Alfo Mary his wife, daughter of Henry
Afhford, of Afhford in the county of Devon, efq; who was buried the 3d of Sept. 1662.
" Two Fords conjoyn'd incorporate,
A hufband and his fpoufed mate.
Make one fair ftreame whofc very name
Might give to heraldry a theme.
But as propenfe all rivers runne
Into the ocean whence they come 5
Soe they to earth their tending have.
Both here concenter in the grave."
" Here lyes the body of William the fonn of William Sanford, of Ninhead, efq; and
Ann his wife, who died Aug. 19, 1715.
" Subtus bene requiefcunt ofla Annas Sanford, Gulielmi Sanford^ armigeri viduas,
qus obiit 6° die Aprilis anno falutis 1777, astatis 59."
Againfl; the eaft wall of the fouth aile is a plain black monument, with the following
infcription, without name or date :
" A little booke and taper's light
Did folace me in my laft night ;
My taper fpent, booke clos'd I late.
In bed thereon to meditate :
With what improvment thinke — I know
Then volumes more, or funne can fhow."
NORTON-
Caunton'a;)ean.] [271 ]
NORTON- FITZWAR REN
LIES four miles weft from Taunton, in the turnpike-road from that town to Mil-
verton; the parifli is compofed of the following tithingsand hamlets, viz.
1. Norton Tithing.
2. Fenhampton Tithing, fituated a mile weftward, and containing three farms
and one cottage.
3. Langford Tithing, half a mile northward, three farms and ten cottages.
4. FiTzoy, a mile and a quarter north, one farm and three cottages.
5. Ford, half a mile weft, three farms. The reft of the houfes, which are forty-
eight in number, form a ftraggling ftreet along the road near the parifli-church. The
fituation is woody, and the lands are rich, and watered by feveral rivulets, the chief
iburce of which is in Brendon-hill.
Before the Norman invafion one Ofmund held this manor; but King William
gave it to the Earl of Morton, under a certain acknowledgment to the biftioprick of
Winchefter:
" Alured holds of the Earl, Nortone. Ofmund held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for five hides. The arable is ten carucates. In demefne arc
" three carucates, and fix fervants, and thirteen villancs, and eight cottagers, with
*' eight ploughs. There are two mills of eleven fliillings and three-pence rent, and
" twenty-five acres of meadow, arid forty acres of wood. It was worth eight pounds,
" now fifteen pounds."*
The Fitzwarrens, who adjoined the diftindlion to this place, were a family defcended
from Guarine de Meez, one of the houfe of Loraine, who was ftierifF of Shropftiire in
the time of William the Conqueror, and one of the chief counfellors to Roger dc
Montgomery earl of Shrewft)ury.'' To him fucceeded Fulke his fon, who called him-
iHf Fitz-Guarine, the fon of Guarine, which title degenerating into Fitzwarren, was
ever after ufed by his defendants. There were nine of this nam.e of Fulke Fitzwarren
in regular fuccefTion, all of them perfons of note in the feveral reigns wherein they lived,
and chiefly concerned in matters of the crown. The laft Fulke lord Fitzwarren died
in his minority 8 Henry V. and Elizabeth his only fifter, the wife of Richard Hankford,
cfq; became heir to his eftates, which defcended to her fole daughter by the faid
Hankford, Thomafine, married to Sir William Bourchier.. knt. who was afterwards
fummoned to parliament by the tide of Lord Fitzwarren. Fulke Bourclaier lord
Fitzwarren, fon of this WiUiam, died 1 9 Edw. IV. feized of the manor of Norton juxta
Taunton, held of the heir of Sir Thomas St, Lo, knt.; the manor of Novington, held
of the Biihop of Bath and Wells; nine mefluages, eight gardens, ten acres of meadow,
and twenty acres of pafture, in Pyntenay and Taunton, of the Bifliop of Winchefter in
free burgage; the manor of Huntfpill, of the King; the manor of Hunftile, of the Biihop
? Lib. Domefday. * Dugd. Bar. i. 44;.
of
272 NORTON-FITZWARREN. [CauntomDcam
orWinchefter; and the manor of Wigboroiigh, of William Berkeley; leaving Jo hnhis
fon and heir of the age of nineteen years/ And after his deceafe both title and manor
merged in the Earl of Bath.
But there was another manor in Norton, which was anciently diftinguiflied by the
name of Norton-Veel, by which family it was held under the lords of Chiffelborough.
17 Edw. III. Peter de la Veel poffelTed it, and tranfmitted it to Peter his fon and heir."
Which Peter de la Veel was a knight, and a perfon of great account in the time of
Edw. III. and Ric. II. In the 9th year of the laft-mentioned reign he granted to
Hugh Berd, clerk, and John Guft, all his manor of Norton juxta Taunton,' and the
year following configned to the King and others in truft an acre of land within his faid
lordlhip, called fVicklond, together with the advowfon of the church of Norton.^ The
fame year the faid Hugh Berd and John Guft releafcd to the King and John Lufcote
prior of the monaftery of the Salutation of the Mother of our Lord, of the Carthufian
order near London, all their right in the land and advowfon aforefaid.^ Which property
came afterwards to Hankford, and thus became incorporated with the polTeffions of
Fitzwarren. The manor of Norton now belongs to William Hawker and Thomas
Wclman, efqrs.
The hamlet of Fenhampton was held 1 6 Edw. III. by John de Stapleton and Cecilia
his wife, of Walter Meriet, by the rent of 20s. and id. per annum.""
The living is a redory in the deanery of Taunton, and in the gift of William
Hawker, efq. The Rev. James Minifie is the prefent incumbent. In 1292 it was
valued at twenty-nine marks eight fhillings and four-pence. The prior of Montacute
had out of it an annual penfion of five fhillings."'
. The church, which is dedicated to All-Saints, ftands on a fmall eminence northweft
from the ftreet, and is compofed of a nave, chancel, north aile, and tower. Between
the nave and the aile ftand two large clumfy Saxon oftangular pillars, fix feet round,
and feven and a half high to the fpring of the arches which they fupport. The chancel
is divided from the nave by an ancient open work fcreen of fix arches, over which is a
gallery-now clofed up. This fcreen has a curious cornice richly carved and gilt, and
ornamented with a row of grotefque figures of men and animals. Among tJie reft are
three oxen fingly drawing a very antique plough, held by a man in a ftooping pofture,
■while another inclines over the fore part of the beam. Behind is a man fowing, and
ftill farther backwards an aUigator tearing out the bowels of a man. Near the end
of it is the name of the churchwarden in the year of its ere£1:ion, cut in wood, viz.
mapfje Jpaitis, C. Wi.
On the fouth fide of the. nave is a ftately monument of marble, infcribed to the me-
mory of James Prowfe, efq; who died Dec. 1 1, 1672, aged 35.
The average annual chriftenings in this parifh are eleven; the burials fix.
' Efc. " Ibid. ' Rot. Claus. 9 Ric. II. ' Ibid, 10 Ric. II. * Ibid.
" Efc. ! Taxat. Spiritual,
OAKE.
I
I
Caunton=Dcan.] [ 273 ]
O A K E.
THERE are at leaft three places in this county, which derive their Gmple and
uncompounded appellations from the fort of wood with which they heretofore
relpeftively abounded; viz. Elm, in the hundred of Frome; yip, in that of Kingfbury;
and Oak, which wc are now (peaking of, a village fituated to the north of Ninehead,
and to the weft from Taunton (being diftant thence five miles) in a flat woody country,
traverfed by deep miry roads overhung with hedges. Its ancient names were Sc,
Acha, and Ache, all fignifying an oak. tree, and derived from the ancient Belgick
(2B^ClkC> and the place was one of the many appendages to the Bifhop of Winchefter's
manor of Taunton, being held at the Conqueft by Roger de Curcelle, and under h\n\
,by Goisfrid:
" Goisfrid holds of Roger, Ache. Domno held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for three hides and a half. The arable is fix carucates. In demefne are.
*' two carucates, and four fervants, and fourteen villanes, and fourteen cottagers, having
" three carucates and a half. There is a mill of four Ihillings rent, and feventcen acres
" of meadow, and fifteen acres of pafture, and ten acres of wood. In Milvertone, a
*' houfe pays eleven-pence. The whole is worth four pounds. When he received it,
" it was worth fifty fliiUings.'"
The Malets of Enmore were anciently enfeoffed of this manor, and made feveral
grants thereof to divers perfons to hold for life. Sir Baldwin Malet, by his deed dated
at Oke, 48 Edw. III. grants the reverfion of this manor after the death of Sir John
Trivet, on whom he had fettled it for life, to William Coker and his heirs. The wit-
neffes to this deed were Sir Richard de Afton, Sir Hugh Durborough, Sir Matthew
Stawel, knts. and others.'' By an inquifition taken at Bridgwater 26 Odt. a Hen. VIII.
it was found that William Malet, efq; died feized of the manor of Oake among many
others, Sept. 7, a Henry VIII. leaving Baldwin his fon and heir of the age of fourteen
years. Oake was then held of the manor of Compton-Dunden."
The living is redlorial in the deanery of Taunton, and was valued in 1292 at lOOs.*
The Rev. William Slocombe is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Bartholomew, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and
fouth aile, at the weft end of which is a tower with four bells.
On grave-ftones within the chancel rails are thefe infcriptions :
" The remains of Mrs. Mary Galhampron, daughter of John Colfbrd, of Bromfield,
efq; and Mary his wife, firft married to Alexander Webber, M. A. and redbor of this
parifli; afterwards married to Oliver dalhampton, M. A. and reftor of Enmore. She
was a perfon of excellent natural and acquired parts, and what crowns all, of more extra-
ordinary piety. Buried Odl. 3*1, 1699, aged 76."
• Lib. Domefdajr, ' Sir William Pole's Book of Charters. ' Coles's Efc. * Tax»t. Spiritual.
Vol. III. Nn « "The
274 o A K E. [Cauntou'Dean*
" The body of Mrs. Mary Prowde, wife of Francis Prowde, clerke, M. A. reftor
and patron of this parifli, daughter of Alexander Webber and Mary his v/ife, buried
June 16, 17 13, aged C^."
« Hie fubtus jacet Francifcus Prowde, hujus ecclefife nuper reftor, qui obiit 17° die
Septembris, Anno Dooiini 1722, aetat. 70.'*
In the floor of the aile: " Hie jacet corpus Samuelis Raymond, de Oake,
magiftri in artibus et medicinse profefforis, qui obiit decimo prime die Martii, A. D.
i662j astat. 46," Arms, Argent, three h^rs Jabk.
Here is a fmall free-fchool endowed with thirty fhillings a year, for teaching poor
children belonging to the parifh.
The births are annually fivej the burials three.
ORCHARD-PORTMAN,
ABOUT two miles nearly fouth from Taunton ftands Orchard, which belonged
anciently to a family of its name. The firft of this family of whom we have any
account was James the fon of Baldwyn le Orchard, who 25 Henry III. levied a
fine of this and other eftates to the ufe of his fon Emerick; from whom it defcended
3 Edw. I. to James the fon of Emerick. It pafTed from him in lineal defcent for
feveral generations to William Orchard, who lived about the time of Henry VI. and
dying without ifl"ue male, left it to his only daughter Chriftian, the wife of Walter
Portman, efq; whofe fon inherited the property of Orchard,' in right of his mother.
Walter died 14 Edw. IV.
- The name of Orchard-Portman was from that time given to this feat and eftate, to
diftinguilh it from Orchard-Wyndham, an eftate in this county which alfo formerly
belonged to the Orchards, from whom it defcended to the family of Sydenham, an
heirefs of whom marrying a Wyndham, it devolved to that family, in which it has ever
fmce continued, and now belongs to Wyndham earl of Egremont.
The Portmans appear to have been a family of note in this county in the reign of
Edw. I. at which time lived Thomas Portman, whofe grandfather bore the prefent
arms of Portman.*" His lineal defcendant William Portman appears to have been
fettled at or near Taunton 8 Henry IV. and gave lands to the priory of that place,
where he was buried, ad orandum pro animd Jud.
The fon of William was Walter, who married the heirefs of Orchard, as mentioned
above. His grandfon Sir William Portman, knt. was ferjeant at law to Henry VIII.
\ 1 he arms of Orchard were. Azure, a chevron argent between three pears or,
\ The arras of Portman are. Or, a fleur-de-lis a%ure.
one
Caunton^Oean.] orchard-portman. 275
one of the juftices of the common-pleas, and afterwards lord chief jufticc of Englandi,
in which fituation he diftingiiilhed himfelf by difplaying a degree of integrity and inde-
pendence very unufual among the judges of thofe arbitrary and defpotick times. He
died in the year 1555, 3 Phil, and Mary, and was buried in St. Dunftan's church,
London, where a monument is eredted to his memory.
John Portman, his grandfon, was created 'a baronet 25 Nov. 161 2. He married
Anne daughter of Sir Henry Gifford, knt. of Hampfhire, and left iflue four fons, viz.
Sir Henry Portman, knt. and bart. who married Anne only daughter of William earl
of Derby, and died without ififue 1621; Sir John and Sir Hugh, who both died un-
married; and Sir William, who married Anne daughter, and coheir of John Colles, of
Barton in this count)', efq; by his wife Elizabeth, daughter and fole heir of Humphrey
Wyndham, of Wivelifcombe, efq; and four daughters, viz. Joan, who married George
Speke, of Whitelackington, efq; Anne, married to Sir Edward Seymour, of Bury-
Pomeroy caftle, (anceftor of the prefent Duke of Somerfet) Elizabeth, married to John
Bluet, of Holcombe, efq; and Grace, who died unmarried.
Sir William Portman, bart. fon of Sir William, was created a knt. of the Bath by
King Charles II. He married three wives, viz. i. Elizabeth, daughter and hcirefs of
Sir John Cutler, bart. 2. Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Southcote, knt. 3. Mary,
daughter and heirefs of Sir John Holman, bart. But having no ifllie by either of them,
the title became cxtindl. By a releafe dated Feb. 26, 1689, he devifed Orchard-
Portman, together with other eftates to a great amount, to his coufin Henry Seymour,
efq; (fifth fon of Sir Edward Seymour abovementioned) who affumed the name and
arras of Portman. He married, firft, Penelope daughter of Sir William Haflewood, of
Maidwell in Northamptonfhire; fecondly, Meliora, daughter of William Fitch, of
High-hall in the county of Dorfet, efq; but dying without ifTue, his property devolved
by a further limitation in the will of Sir W^illiam Portman to William Berkeley, of Pill
in this county, efq; who by an ad of parliament 9 Geo. II. was enabled to take the
name and bear the arms of Portman.
The family of Berkeley take their name from the caftle of Berkeley' in Gloucefter-
Ihire, which at the time of die Conqueft was pofTefTed by Roger a Saxon nobleman,
who, following the cuftom introduced by the Normans, aflumed the furname of Berkeley;
but becoming a monk in the priory of Stanley St. Leonard in 109 1, it devolved to his
nephew William de Berkeley, whofe grandfon Roger, lord of Berkeley and Durfiey,
having taken part with King Stephen againfl: the Emprefs Maud, was difpofTefled of his
barony and lands of Berkeley, in favour of Sir Robert Fitzharding, from whom the
families of Berkeley are lineally defcended. The father of Sir Robert Fitzharding was
Harding a fon of a king of Denmark, who accompanied Duke W^illiam from Nor-
mandy, and was with+iim at the battle of Haftings, when the death of Harold decided
the fate of the kingdom in favour of the Normans. He refided at Briftol, of which he
was governor, and poirefied great wealth and large eftates both in Somerfet and Glou-
ceflcrflaire. He married Lyveda, a woman of noble birth, by whom he had five fons
' This word is derived from the two Saxon words Bipc, a birch uee, (with wiiich thatpatt of Gloua^tr-
fhirc abounds} and Lty, a paflare.
N n 2 wd
#
?
'f
276 ORCHARD-PORTMAN. [Cauntoit^Oean*
and three daughters. He lived during the reigns of William the Conqueror, William
Rufus, and Henry I. and died in 1 1 15.
Sir Robert Fitzharding his fon was alfo governor of Briftol, and by the fupplies both
of money and troops which he afforded to King Henry II, was principally inftrumental
in recovering the throne from the ufurper Stephen i but Roger lord of Berkeley and
Durfley, having born arms in fupport of Stephen, his eftates of Berkeley were con-
fifcatcd, and conferred as a reward on Robert Fitzharding, when the viftorious Henry
diftated the terms of peace to his rival. From this time a violent hatred fubfifted be-
tween the two barons, which proceeded to fuch lengths that both Stephen and Henry
interpofed, and after having obliged both parties to enter into covenants of pacifica-
tion, made a counter-marriage between Maurice fon of the Lord Berkeley, and Alice
a daughter of the Lord Durfley j and alfo between Robert the fon and heir of the Lord
Durfley, and Helena daughter of the Lord Berkeley. Thefe marriages were cele-
brated at Briftol with great fplendor and magnificence in the prefence both of Stephen
and Henry.
Robert lord of Berkeley founded the'monaftery of St. Auguftine'' in Briftol, (now
the cathedral) in the year 1146,° and afterwards became a canon thereinj he alfo
repaired and enlarged the caftle of Berkeley, which in the records of thofe times is
ftiled the honour of Berkeley, and is faid to be the only caftle in England, except that
of Arundel, which ftill retains its feudal privileges. He took his feat as peer i Henry II.
He married Eve (the daughter of de Eftmond, and of Godiva fitter of William
the Conqueror) by whom he had four fons and two daughters; he died 1 170, aged 75.
Maurice his fecond fon and fucceflTor gave a thoufand marks to the King as a fine for
the confirmation of his right to the honour of Berkeley. He was the ftrft who took
the name of Berkeley, and laid afide that of Harding. He founded the hofpital of
Lowring, and that of the Holy Trinity at Longbridge in Gloucefterfliire. He died
I Ric. I. 1 189, and was buried at Branford (Brentford) in Middlefex, leaving fix fons,
Robert,' Thomas,* Maurice, William, Henry, and Richard; the two youngeft of whom
accompanied William King of Scotland on his return into that country after his im-
. prifonment in England, and became the anceftors of many eminent families in Scotland,
Ireland, and France.
" Over the College gate at Briftol is the following infcription: " Kfp J;enrtctts! ^ecmiDuiS » 23n« JRoiettH^
fill' S,)ct5i»njji filii Regis 23acit ^iil' inonaftctii ptimi fimtiatotes) tjctitttunt."
' He began the biulding A.D. 1140, and ended the fame 1146; Robert bifliop of Worcefter, Boniface bifliop
of Exeter, Nicholas bilhop of LlandafF, and Gregory bifliop of St. Afaph, dedicated the faid monaftery. In
it the founder was buried between the abbot and prior's cell at the entrance of the choir.
• ' This Robert lord Berkeley was a great benefaftor to the monaftery of St. Auguftine. He alfo founded the
hofpital of St. Catherine in Bedminfter near Briftol, and lies buried in the fecond arch of the north aile in St.
Auguftjne's. Thomas lord Berkeley, his brother, was alfo a great benefaftor to the faid hofpital of St. Cathe-
rine, and did many great works of charity; he lies buried in the arch next the Rood altar, in the fouth mle-of
St. Auguftine's.
'This faid Thc.mas lord Berkeley was the firft of the family that charged his coat with the ten croffes, whereas
before they bore only the chevron, as appears at St. Auguftine's over the vcftry door.
Robert
cauntoivDcan.] orchard- portman. 277
Robert the eldeft fon fucceeded his father, and attended King John in his wars in
France; but when that King by his exaftions and oppreflions drove the nobles into
rebellion, he joined the other great barons of the realm, who took up arms, and extorted
a confirmation of their rights and privileges by compelling John to fign that charter
which laid the firft foundation of our civil liberty. When the King afterwards over-
powered the barons, he was among thofe whofe eftates were forfeited to the crown,
which he did not recover till the fubfequent reign, when in i Henry III. the whole
was reftored to him, except his caftle of Berkeley, on his paying a fine of 966I. He
married Juliana daughter of William de Portlarch, and niece to the Earl of Pembroke,
proteftor to Henry III. but died without iffue 4 Henry III. 1220, and was fucceeded
by his brother Thomas lord Berkeley, to whom the caftle was reftored 8 Henry III.
From the augmentation in the arms of this lord, it feems probable that he was infefted
with the fuperftitious heroifm which prevailed in that age of carrying arms againft the
infidels of the Holy Land : and this is the more probable, as one of his fons was a
knight-templar. He married Joan daughter of Ralph de Somery lord of Campden,
and dying 28 Henry III. 1243, was fucceeded by his fon Maurice"" lord Berkeley, who
was at that time attending the King in the wars of Gafcony. This Lord entertained
King Henry III. at the caftle of Berkeley, and attended the King in his wars againft
Llewellin ap Griffin prince of Wales; he^ alfo ferved fixteen times in perfon in the
King's wars. He married Ifabel daughter of Edmund earl of Cornwall, fon of Richard
earl of Poidou and Cornwall, King of the Romans and Emperor eleft, who was
brother of Henry III. King of England; but this alliance did not reftrain him from
joining the other barons in their rebellion againft the King, for which his lands were
feized, but they were reftored to him 55 Henry III. and he held them by the fervice
of three knights' fees. This lord, like moft of his anceftors, enriched the monaftery of
St. Auguftine with great benefaftions. He died 4 April 1281, 9 Edw. I. and was
buried in that church. His eldeft fon Maurice being flain in a tournament at Kenel-
worth, his property devolved on Thomas his fecond fon, who did homage to the King,
and had livery of his lands the fame year. This lord was one of the greateft noblemen
and braveft foldier of his time; he lived in his caftle of Berkeley with a princely mag-
nificence, and had two hundred perfons in his train, under the different titles of knights,
efquires,' yeomen, grooms, and pages. He was a principal aftor in moft of the battles
in the reign of Edw. I. and for his fervices under his grandfather Edmund earl of Corn-
wall againft the Welch, had a fpecial grant to hunt in the King's foreft of Mendip, and
the chace of Kingfwood, and was acquitted of an hundred marks due to the King as a
relief of his barony. In the year 1292, 20 Edw. I. he was appointed one of the com-
miffioners at the famous convention at Norham in Northumberland, to decide on the
claims of the different competitors for the crown of Scodand; under the fandion of
■which, the ftiadow of royalty was conferred by the ambitious Edward on the unfortunate
John Baliol, and the independence of Scotland was from that inftant annihilated.
'' This Maurice lord Berkeley in the life-time of his father fealed with the ten crofl°es, with a file of three
points, by the name of Maurice fonne of Thomas lord Berkeley.
' The pay of an efquire at that period was three-pence-halfpenny per diem> a horfe and two fuits of furr'd
clothes, and three halfpence per diem for a boy to attend him.
In
278
ORCHARD-PORTMAN. [Caunton=2:)can,
In the year 1292 Lord Berkeley was appointed embaflador to treat of a truce
with the King of France, and the year following was made conftable of England.
35 Edv/. I. he went embaflador to the Pope, i Edvv. II. he marched againft Robert
Bruce, who taking advantage of the King's imbecility, and of the diflentions of the
barons, had afllimed the title of King of Scotland j and in 13 14 he was fummoned to
join the whole military force of England to the number of one hundred thoufand men,
which Edward led in perfon to the frontiers of Scotland, where Robert Bruce, with
an army confifting of only thirty thoufand, marched out to oppofe them, and totally
defeated the Englifh army in the fatal batde of Bannockburn. According to the Scots
hiflorians fifty thoufand men were left dead on the field of battle, among whom was
the Duke of Gloucefter nephew to the King, with many other great lords, and feven
hundred knights. The Lord Berkeley was among the prifoners, and found in Robert
a generous and humane conqueror. After a Ihort time he was reftored to his liberty
on paying a confiderable fine for his ranfom. In 1321 he joined with the other great
lords of the kingdom in their oppofition to the unfortunate and mifguided Edward,
but died on the 23d of July in that year, and was buried in the abbey of St. Auguftine,
to which, and to the monks of Kingfwood, he had been a great benefactor. He mar-
ried Joan the daughter of William de Ferrers earl of Derby. From his fecond fon Sir
Thomas Berkeley are defcended the Berkeleys'' of Wymondham in Leicefterlhire.
His fucceflbr Maurice had been fummoned as a baron to parliament in his father's
life-time; he had alfo been appointed governor of Gloucefter, and was governor of
Berwick in the 8th of Edw. II. when the fuperiority of the Scots made that command
tiie moft dangerous and difficult of any in the kingdom. He raifed in his own neigh-
bourhood, and in South-Wales, of which he was jufticiary, thirteen hundred men for
the King's fervice, commanded by his two fons Thomas and Maurice. At the time of
his fither's death herefided in the dutchy of Aquitaine, of which he was high fteward,'
and on his return joined with the other barons in a confpiracy to overthrow the Spencers,
(the favourites of Edward) whofe lands they laid wafte, and in the enfuing parliament
procured a fentence of perpetual exile and forfeiture againft them. But the year fol-
lowing, the King, having gained an advantage over the barons, recalled the Spencers,
and declared their opponents traitors. The Lord Berkeley was feized, all his eftates
confifcated, and himfelf committed a prifoner to the caftle of Wallingford, where he
died, and was buried 19 Edw. II. 1326; but his body was removed to St. Auguftine's
abbey on the reftoration of his family. He married Eve daughter of Eudo lord le
Zouch, by whom he had ifllie Thomas, Maurice, John," Eudo, and Peter, who were
both in orders. By his fecond wife Ifabel, daughter of Gilbert de Clare earl of Glou-
cefter and Hertford^ he had no ilTue.
Thomas his eldeft fon was imprifoned together with his father, and was not releafed
till the fortunes of the King funk before the forces of the Queen and Mortimer. His
' The Berkeleys of Wymondham bore cinquefoils in their arms inftead of croffes.
' He was appoiuted high fteward of Aquitaine by the title of the King's heloiied Kinfman. He was fecond
coufm to the King.
" From Sir John Berkeley are defcended the Berkeleys of Shropshire.
lands
Caunton=2?can.] orchard-portman. 279
Jands were reflorcd to him in the firfl: year of King Edw. III. and the depofed King
was committed prifoner to his cuftody, but being ru(pe«5l:ed of treating him with more
gentlenefs than was agreeable to the favage mind of the Queen and her paramour,
and not deemed an inllrument fit to be tiufted with the bloody purpofe they medi-
tated; he was commanded to deliver up the cuftody of his caftle and royal prifoner to
John lord Maltravers and Thomas Gournay, by whom the murder was perpetrated
with circumftances of the moft horrid cruelty.
This lord lived with greater magnificence than any of his anceftors; he attended
Edw. III. in moft of his wars, was prefent at the battle of Crefly, and at the taking of
Ca;lais, and was one of the chief commanders at the glor'ious battle of Poifliers, where
he took fo many prifoners, that with their ranfom he built the caftle of Beverftone. He
died J5 Edw. III. 1361, and was buried at Berkeley. His firft wife was Margaret
daughter of Roger Mortimer earl of March. He left feveral fons, from the eldeft of
whom, Maurice, the prefent Earl of Berkeley is defcended.
Sir Maurice Berkeley, the fecond" fon of the laft Lord Maurice, took part with his
father and elder brother againft the Spencers, and during his father's imprilbnment
ravaged their lands, for which his property was feized by Edw. II. but was reftored by
hitfucceflbr, who rewarded him with a grant of Stoke-Gifixjrd, and feveral other ma-
nors in the counties of Gloucefter, Wilts, and Somerfet, which had been forfeited by tiie
rebellion of John Giftbrd, and the next year la Edw. III. the King conferred on him
the caftle and manor of Brimpsfield forfeited by the attainder of John de Maltravers,
He was a partaker with Edward the Black Prince in moft of the victories in France ;
nor was he fatisfied with the fame of a warrior alone, but diftinguifhed himfclf by his
fkill and pre-eminence in thofe martial pageants which conftituted the gallantly, and
tended to the refinement, of the age in which he lived.
15 Edw. III. a tournament was proclaimed by the King to celebrate tlie birth of
his fon Edmund of Langley, in which the Earl of Hainault and feveral other foreign
noblemen entered the lifts, and Sir Maurice diftinguiftied himfelf there fo much for his
prowefs and valour, that Edward conferred on him the dignity of a knight banneret,
the moft honourable badge of military merit.
He was two years afterwards joined in commiftion with the Earl of Lancafter, to
treat with the commiflioners of the King of France, touching Edward's right to the
I crown of that realm, which was debated in the prefence of the Pope and feveral
Cardinals at Avignon. But Edward put an end to the treaty by breaking the truce,
to which the necelTity of his affairs had obliged him to fubmit; and the battle of
Crefly, in which Maurice" had a command, crowned his arms with viftory. His next
exploit was an attack upon Calais, where the length of the fiege proved fatal to many
officers of diftinftion, and among others to Sir Maurice Berkeley, who ended his life
" He bore ermine on his chevron for diftinflion.
" This Maurice had in his train 6 knights, 32 efquires, 30 archers on horfeback, and 200 on foot. The pny
of a knight banneret in thofe days was 4s. per diem, of a knight 2s, ofanefquire is. and of an archer for himfelf
and his horfe 6d.
in
8o ORCHARD-PORTMAN. [Caunton^2:)eam
2bO
in the camp before that place, on the iith of 'Feb. 1347. Edward, ever ready to
reward merit, and fenfible of the fervices of the father, conferred on his fon Sir Thomas
Berkeley (who though very young, was prefent at the fiege) a grant of the profits of
his wardlhip, and of his lands and marriage ; and this he did on the third day after his
father's death.
Sir Thomas Berkeley of Stoke ferved under Edward the Black Prince, and fought
by his fide at the memorable battle of Poiftiers. 31 Edw. III. he was returned
knight of the (hire for the county of Gloucefter, and died 35 Edw. III. at the age of
thirty, leaving his fon Maurice an infant. He married Catherine daughter and coheir
of John the fecond Lord Botetourt, whofc grandfather was fummoned to parliament
23 Edw, I.
Maurice ferved in the French wars under John duke of Britanny, on which account
he was knighted by Ric. II. and reprefented the county of Gloucefl:er in the parliament
held 15 of that King. He died a Henry IV. 1401, leaving his wife Joan, daughter
of Sir John Dinham, pregnant with a fon, of which fhe was afterwards delivered, whofe
name was alfo Maurice.
This Maurice was knighted when he came of age, and fued out livery of his lands
in fix counties, in the firft year of Henry VI. after a wardfliip of twenty-one years. He
afterwards ferved under the Duke of Bedford regent of France ; he alfo reprefented
Gloucefterfhire, and inherited the cafl:le of Weley from the Lord Botetourt. He died
4 Edw. IV. leaving ifTue, by Helena daughter of Sir William Montford, Catherine,
married to the fon of Maurice lord Berkeley; and William, who was made a knight of
the Bath at the coronation of Ric. III. This Sir William was adively concerned in
the various events of thofe turbulent times, and having fought on the fide of Richard
at the battle of Bofworth-field, he was attainted i Henry VII. but was reftored the
nth, and died the i6th of Henry VII. He married Anne daughter of Humphrey
Stafford. His fon Richard fucceeded to his fortune; he died 5 Henry VIII. having
married Elizabeth the daughter of Sir Humphrey Coningfby, knt. (one of the juftices
of the King's-bench) by whom he had ilTue Sir John and Sir Maurice Berkeley.
From Sir John Berkeley was defcended Norborne Berkeley, efq; of Stoke-Gifford,
who 4 Geo. III. claimed the barony of Botetourt, as heir to his ancefl:or John lord
Botetourt, which claim was allowed by parliament, and he took his feat in 1764; but
dying without iflue in 1776, the name of Berkeley became extindl in that branch, and
the barony defcended to his fifter Elizabeth Duchefs dowager of Beaufort.
Sir Maurice Berkeley, the fecond fon, was ftandard-bearer to Henry VIII. Edw. VI.
and Queen Elizabeth. His laft will bears date at Brewton on the loth of Feb. 1581,
in which he bequeaths to Elizabeth his fecond wife, daughter of Anthony Sandys of
Kent, efq; his manor of Brewton for life, and makes his eldeft fon fole executor. His
firft wife was Catherine daughter of William Blount lord Montjoy, and fole heirefs of
Charles Blount the laft Lord Montjoy, created Earl of Devonfhire in 1603. He was
fucceeded by his eldeft fon Sir Henry Berkeley, of Brewton, knighted by Queen
Elizabeth in 1585, who married Margaret daughter of William Liggon, of StafFordfhire,
efqj
CauntomDeanO orchard-portman.
281
efq; by whom he had three fons, viz. Sir Maurice, Sir Henry, (from whom defccnded
the Berkeleys of Yarlington, which branch is now extinft) and Sir Edward Berkeley.
Sir Maurice, who was knighted by the Earl of EfTex in the expedition againft Cadiz,
died in 1617, and by his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Killigrew, left five fons,
all knights, the eldeft of whom. Sir Charles, was on the King's reftoration fworn of the
privy council, and made treafurer of the houflioldj and on the death of his fecond fon
Charles, (who, for his great fervices to the King during his exile, was created Baron
Berkeley of Rathdown, and Vifcount Fitzharding, and afterwards Baron Botetourt and
Earl of Falmouth) he became Baron Berkeley and Vifcount Fitzharding, according to
a limitation in the patent of creation, which titles defcended to his fons Maurice and
John in fucceflion, who both died without iffue male.
Charles Berkeley, earl of Falmouth, was keeper of the privy purfe, and colonel of a
regiment of guards. He fought on board the Duke of York's (hip in that bloody
engagement which happened in 1665, and was killed by his fide. His death is fup-
pofed by Bifliop Burnet to have ftruck James with a panick, which faved the Dutch
fleet, and left the vifbory undecided. He and his two brothers all dying without ifiue
male, their property reverted to their uncle Sir John Berkeley, (for an account of
whofe life the reader is referred to Lord Clarendon and the other authors who have
written the hiftory of the rebellion, in which he ferved his royal mafter with courage,
honour, and integrity. The defence of the Weft was committed to him, together with
the Marquis of Hertford, and Sir Ralph (afterwards Lord) Hopton; and it was owing
to their exertions that the King's caufe was fupported in the Weft, after he had been
abandoned by all other parts of the kingdom. Nor would the King have ever fallen
into the hands of his enemies, had not the rafhnefs of Mr. Aftiburnham defeated the
plan which Sir John Berkeley had laid for his efcape. Charles IL rewarded his fer-
vices by creating him Baron Berkeley"" of Stratton, (from the battle of Stratton-Moor,
which he had gained over the rebels) by letters patent dated at Bruxelles, May 1 9,
1658. In 1669, he went as Lord Lieutenant to Ireland; in 1675 '^^^ ambaflador to
France, and died in 1678. From this Lord was defcended the laft Lord Berkeley of
Stratton, who, dying without iflue, left the abbey of Brewton and a great part of his
property to the Earl Berkeley, in order (as he exprefled it) to fupport the ancient
Itock of the family.
From Sir Edward Berkeley, uncle of Sir John, and third fon of Sir Henry, is de-
fcended the only remaining branch of the Berkeleys of Brewton, of which we are now
about to fpeak.
Sir Edward married Margaret daughter of John Holland, of Suflex, efq; whofe
anceftor Thomas Holland earl of Kent married Joan the fair, grandaughter of Edw. I.
f It is curious to obferve the different charaflers given of this nobletnan by Lord Clarendon and Bifhop Barnct;
the former, (whofe veracity and candour have been acknowledged by his greateft enemies) though profeffedly at
variance with Lord Berkeley, does him that juftice which his fervices and abilities defervcd ; while the latter,
whofe judgment was always biaffed by his political prejudices, and whofe credit as an hiiforian does not ftand
nnimpeached, takes every occafion of fpeaking ill of him, and of putting a bad conllruilion on all his aftions ;
and is abfurd enough in his rancour even to refufe him the credit of being well defcended ; nor does he coufine
his cenfures to this Lord Berkeley, but vilifies with equal fplcen all of that nlune who appear iq his hiftory.
Vol. III. O o and
282 ORCHARD^PORTMAN. [CauntomSDean.
and afterwards wife of Edward the Black Prince. He was knighted in the firft year of
Cha. I. 1625. He built the manfion-houfe of Pylle in this county, where he refided,
and poffeflfed a confiderable property. He died in 1654.
His fon Edward Berkeley, of Pylle, efq; married Philippa daughter of George Speke,
efqj of Whitelackington, and, died in 1669, leaving iffue Edward, who married
Elizabeth daughter of John Ryves, of Ranfton in Dorfet, efq; by whom he had iffue
two fons, Maurice and William.
Maurice commanded a regiment of the militia of this county at the battle of King's-
Sedgmoor, when the Duke of Monmouth was defeated. He died without iffue in
1717, and devifed his eftates by will to his brother William Berkeley, of Pylle, who
fucceeded afterwards to the fortune, and took the name of Portman, as was before
related. He refided alternately at his three feats of Orchard-Portman, Pylle, (at which
he died in 1737) and Bryanfton. On the 8th of Jan. 1708, he married Anne only
daughter of Sir Edward Seymour, of Bury-Pomeroy, bart. by whom he had iffue
Henry-William Berkeley Portman, who inherited the Portman property; Edward
Berkeley, who took the Berkeley eftates, and married Anne daughter of Thomas Ryves,
of Ranfton, efq; by whom he had two daughters; and Lsetitia (who held the Berkeley
eftates and the manfion-houfe at Pylle for her life after the death of Edward in 1774)
married to the Hon. Sir John Burland, knt.' of Steyning in this county, one of the
barons of the exchequer, by whom Ilie had one fon.
Sir Edward Seymour' their maternal anceftor was Ipeaker of the Houfe of Commons,
and cotnptroller of the houftiold to Queen Anne, and was one of the principal inftru-
ments of the revolution. He was the eldeft male defcendant of Edward Seymour the
firft Duke of Somerfet, (lord proteftor of England, and uncle to Edward VI.) whofe
honours being fettled on the iffue of his fecond wife, continued in that branch of the
family until the year 1749, when by the death of Algernon duke of Somerfet' without
iffue male, the titles of Duke of Somerfet and Baron Seymour devolved, by virtue of
the remainder in the original patent, on Sir Edward Seymour, bart. grandfon of the
above Sir Edward, whofe fon now enjoys them.
The above Sir Edward Seymour married for his fecond wife Lastitia daughter of
Alexander Popham, of Littlecot, efq; by whom he had Mrs. Berkeley Portman, and
Francis, created Baron Conway by Queen Anne in 1702, father of the prefent Earl
of Hertford.
Henry William, eldeft fon of William Berkeley Portman, efq; married Anne
daughter of Thomas Fytche, of High-Hall in Dorfetfhire, efq; who died and was buried
at Bryanfton in 176 1, aged 52.
« For an account of whofe family fee Steyning in Stoke-Courcy, vol. i. p. ;z^6, 257.
' He brought the habeas corpus aft into the Houfe of Commons.
' Charles Seymour duke of Somerfet, father of Algernon, married the heirefs of Jocelyn Percy the laft Earl
of Northumberland; in whofe right he inherited the Baronies of Percy, Lucy, Poynings, Fitz-Payne, Bryan,
and Latimer, which on the death of Algernon defcended to his daughter Elizabeth, married to Sir Hugh
Smythfon, created Duke of Northumberland.
He
Cauntott'Dcan.]
ORCHARD-PORTMAN.
283
He was fucceeded by his only fon Henry William Berkeley Portman, cfq; born in
1738, who now refides at Bryanfton in Dorfetdiire. He inherited the Portman eftatei'
from his father, and fucceeded to the family eftate of Pylle on the death of his aunt
Lady Burland. He married Anne daughter of William Wyndham, of Dinton, in
the county of Wilts, efqj by whom he has ifllie two fons, Henry William, now on his
travels abroad, Edward Berkeley, a fellow commoner of St. John's college, Cam-
bridge, and three daughters, Anne, Harriot, and Wyndham, all living.
The family of Berkeley is defcended from the blood-royal of Denmark, by Harding
their firft anceftor ; from the Dukes of Normandy, by Eve wife of Robert Fitzhardingj
from the ancient Saxons, by Alice daughter of the Lord of Durfley; and from the
Kings of England, by Ifabel daughter of Edmund earl of Cornwall.
Southeaftward from Orchard ftands the hamlet of Heale.
The benefice of Orchard-Portman is reftorial in the deanery of Taunton, and in
the patronage of Henry William Portman, efq. The Rev. William Draper is the
prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and confifts of a nave, chancel, fouth aile,
and an embattled tower containing four bells.
The chriftenings in this parilh are annually four, the burials two.
O T
R
O R D
LIES at the very fouthernmoft extremity of the hundred, under the flope of Black-
down, on the borders of Devonlhire. The country here is rough and hilly, but
has fome good land, which is moftly arable. A great deal is common land, covered
with furze and heath, and full of coarfe yellow and reddifh flints. In fome parts which
are boggy are found curious mofTes. On the north fide of the parifli, from the brow
of Blackdown, is an extenfive profpeft over the whole of Taunton-Dean, the country
as far as Dunfter, the Quantock-hills, the moors round Bridgwater, the Welch moun-
tains, and the inland parts eaftward up to Glaftonbury, bounded by the Mendip hills.
The number of houfes in this parifla is forty (moft of them fmall farms) and of
inhabitants about two hundred. The houfes are meanly built, and ftand fingly about
the parifh.
The river Oter or Otter, rifing in this parifh, gives its name thereto, and traverfing
the county of Devon, difcharges its waters at Ottermouth into the Britifh fea. The
more ancient name of the village was fimply Ford, and there was a family thus called,
who were formerly tenants under the biflioprick of Winchefter, to which the manor
of Otterford, unnoted in the Norman furvey, ftill belongs.
The living is a curacy in the deanery of Taunton; it was foi-merly appropriated to
the priory there.
O 2 The
284 o T T E R F O R D. [Cauntort'lDean.
The church is dedicated to St. Leonatd, and is a fmall building of one pace, with a
tower at the weft end containing four bells.
" Mr. John Books, of this parilh, who died Feb. 2, 1769, gave 50I. to the minifter,
churchwardens, and overfeers for the time being, that they and their fucceflbrs might
apply the intereft thereof every year to the teaching fix poor children of fix poor fami-
lies of the fame parifh to read.
PITMINSTER, anciently PIPEMINSTRE,
IS fituated northward from Otterford towards Taunton, and comprifes the following
hamlets, viz.
1. Blagdon, in which are forty- feven houfes.
2. Leigh, fifty-feven houfes.
3. Fulford, twenty-three houfes.
4. Trendle, thirty houfes.
5. DuDDLESTONE, twcnty-cight houfes.
In the village of Pitminfter are thirty-eight houles.
In the whole about two hundred and forty dwellings, and one thoufand and thirty-
fix inhabitants.
This manor, known by the name of PippefmCnlJtC, was given by King Hardicnutc
to the church of Winchefter.*
" The fame Bilhop holds Pipeminstre. Stigand held it, and gelded for fifteen
" hides. The arable is twenty carucates. Thereof are in demefiie five hides, and
" there are two carucates, and feventeen villanes, and eight cottagers, with twelve
" ploughs. There are fix acres of meadow, and four hundred acres of pafture, and as
*' many acres of wood. It was worth thirteen pounds, now fixteen pounds."''
The manor ftill continues in the bifhoprick.
Blagdon, or Blackdown, was alfo parcel of the pofiieffions of the church of Win-
chefter, and is thus defcribed in the Norman furvey:
** The fame Bifliop holds Bledone. It was formerly and is now applied to the ufe
" of the refeftory of the monaftery. In the time of King Edward it gelded for fifteen
" hides. The arable is feventeen carucates. Thereof are in demefne ten hides, and
" there are three carucates, and eight fervants, and fixteen villanes, and ten cottagers,
" with eleven ploughs. There are fifty acres of meadow, and pafture one mile long,
" and half a mile broad. It was and is worth fifteen pounds.
* Mon. AngI, i. 979. i* Lib. Domefday.
"Of
Caunton<E)eanO
PITMINSTER.
285
" Of thefe ten hides Saulf holds of the Bifhop one hide, and has there one plough,
** with one fervant, and one cottager, and fixteen acres of meadow, and one acre of
*' coppice-wood. It is worth twenty fhillings.'"
It continued in the biflioprick till the time of Henry I. when Bi(hop William Giffard
gave it to the priory of Taunton. The priors had a feat here, and a park which ftill
retains their name. There is alfo on the flope of the hill a wood, of nearly one hun-
dred and twenty acres, called Prior's Park Woody in which are a great number of very
fine large oaks. After the diflbUition of that monaftery the manor of Blagdon, the
grange of Barton, the reflory and advowfon of Pitminfter, Corfe, and Trull ; the manor
of Middlecot, and parcels of land in Orchard, Trull, Pitminfter, and Corfe, and tene-
ments in Cachanger in the parifh of Stoke-Courcy, all belonging to the faid priory,
were granted by Henry VIII. in the 34th year of his reign to Humphrey Colles, efq.*
This gentleman nriade Barton his principal feat, and ferved the office of Ilieriff for tiiis
county 4 and 5 Phil, and Mary. He was fuccceded by John Colles, cfqj who married
Anne the daughter of Sir John Thynne, knt. and had ifllie John Colles, efq; who was
flieriff of this county 21 Eliz. He married Elizabeth daughter and heir of Humphrey
Wyndham, efq; by whom he left three daughters, his coheirs, viz. Anne wife of .Sir
"William Portman, Margaret wife of Sir Gerard Napier, of Middlemarlh in the county
of Dorfet; and Elizabeth the wife of John Coventry, efq; eldeft fon of Thomas lord
Coventry, lord keeper of the great feal of England in the time of Cha. I. by Elizabeth
his fecond wife, daughter of John Alderfey, of Spurftow in the county of Chefter, efq.
This eftate of Barton became the purparty of the ^faid John Coventry, who added to,
or built a noble feat here. It afterwards became the property of Smart Goodenough,
elq; who was fheriff for this county, and Uved here with great honour and reputation
both to himfelf and his country many years. He died about the year lyio, when this
eftate came to W^illiam Earle, efq; ferjeant at law, who married a daughter and coheir
of the faid Mr. Goodenough, and who at his death left this manor of Blagdon, Barton,
or grange of Barton, and other eftates in Pitminfter, to his fon Goodenough Earle,
efq; in which name it ftill continues.
Divers other families of note have their refidence in this parilh, as William Hawker,
Thomas Welman, and John Mallack, efqrs.
PouNDiSFORD is One of the five fubdivifions of the hundred of Taunton-Dean.
Here was a chapel, as there was alfo at Trendle."
The church of Pitminfter was appropriated to the priory of Taunton by Henry de
Bloisbiftiop of Winchefter in the time of King Stephen, and in 1292 was valued at
thirty-two marks.' The prior and convent prefented alfo to the vicarage, which was
at the fame time valued at fix marks and a half.^ The living is a vicarage in the
deanery of Taunton, and in the gift of Goodenough Earle, efq. The Rev. Thomas
Wyndham Goodwyn is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Andrew, and St. Maiy, and is a light handfome
Gothick ftrufture, eighty-eight feet long, and forty feet wide, confifting of a nave^
chancel, and two fide ailes. At the weft end is a tower of an odtagonal form, fur-
• Lib. Domefday. " Pat. 34 Hen. VIII. p. 11. 'See page 237. ' Taxat. Spiritual. » Ibid.
mounted
286 p I T M I N S T E R. [Caunton^Dcait*
mounted by a neat fpire. Tlie prefent church is not ancient, having been raifed on
the ruins of a very old one fuppofed to have been built in Saxon times, the name of the
village indicating fuchkn edifice exifting at that early period.
At the eaft end of the chancel is a large handfome tomb of alabafter, having a cir^
cular arched canopy divided into fquare compartments, coloured blue, with gilt rofes
in the centres. On this tomb lies a man in compleat armour, with his lady by his
fide. On the front are three boys and three girls kneeling on cufhions, and between
them is a black tablet with this infcription:
" Johanni Coles, armigero, pacis confervatori integerrimo, ac in agro Somerfetenfi
loci tenentis deputato celeberrimoj viro ornatiffimo; ac Anns uxori fuae pijffims pla-
cidiflims; Johannis Thynne, de prenobili ftirpe Botevillorum, equitis aurati illuftrif-
fimi, filise: parentibus chariffimis hie infimul confopitis. Johannes Coles, armiger,
corporum, virtutum ac terrarum, hasres masftiflimus, hoc qualecunqj amoris ergo (proK
<k)lor) pofuit.
" To earth and ftones confinde, cache by cache other.
Lies here a hufband, father, wife, and motherj
Yet all but one, as man and wife are one.
Hymen and love make perfedl union.
They ly vde, they lovde, they dyed, and nowe behold !
One' tombe holdes both, whom erft one bedd did hold.
Tho' men imagine they are dead and gone.
They fhall out-live this monument of ftone.
Eternal night, fliort daye, fliort night, and then
Eternal daye fhutts in the courfe of men.
Whoe from vafte nothinge, as from death proceedinge,
Live, die, and live, and death and life fucceedinge.
Before, in after time, our richeft treafure
Are uniformde in number, weight, and meafure.
Thus God hath man and all man's changes framde
By juft proportion lawe eternall namde.
Yet this the bodye only comprehends,
Whofe weaker fabricke both begins and ends.
The divine foul's refultinge fubftance flies
On angel's wings to heav'n and never dies.
On the fouth fide of the chancel is another large and handfome tomb of alabafl:er, on
which are the effigies of a man in armour, and his lady by his fide. On the fide of the
tomb are four children kneeling on cufliions. Above is this infcription:
" Be wee followers of John Colles, of Barton in the countie of Somerfet, efqj and in
commiffion for the peace there; whoe by his wife Elizabeth, daughter and heyre to
Humferie Windham, efq; had ifllie one fonne, John, (who dyed an infant) and fower
<iaughters, Elizabeth, Margeret, Anne, and Dorothie. He died aged forty-five yeers,
S^pt. 3, A. bom. 1627.
« This
cauntott'Dean.]
PITMINSTER.
287
*< This Holy Goofte tempel, refolved to dufte,
Shewes whither all human perfedlion muft.
Hee that refolv'd it will thefe ruins rayfe
To far more beauty and eternal dayes. ,
This ftru6lure fhewes the model of much grace,
"Which the architect did in that fair pile place.
The tenant fowle dwells with her landlord, till
He reare her howfe, and covenants all fullfill.
The quenched Colles Ihall quenchlefs heate refume.
To rayfe from love's incenfe prayfe's perfume."
On another tablet:
*• Artd view the excellences of the faid Elizabeth the only wife and wife only of the
faid John Colles, who living his forrowful widdow feaven yeares, and having carefully
and plentifully provided for all her daughters, (whereof the youngeft cut off her mo-
therly intentions in her untimely death) living a fit example of virtuous and conftant
piety, with the fame fame departed, aged 48, A. D. 1634.
" The mirror of her fex throughout her life.
Borne a rich Jicire, a mayd admired, a wife
Beyond example; in her children bleft.
Who fucking goodnefs from her virtuous breftj
Spake her ajoyous mother; pyetie
Gave inward beauty, to her charitye
An outward luftre j mind and body faire
Made in this happy faint a glorious paire.
This monument her fame, this ground her duft
Prefervesj her foule 's enthron'd among the juft."
On the fame fide of the chancel is another tomb, with an effigy of a man lying
thereon.
One of the ailes in this church is called Pomidisford die, and was the burial-place of
the family of Hill, who had that manor during its fequeftration from the bifhoprick
of Winchefter.
RIMPTON,
[ 288 ] [Caunton^Dean*
R I M P T O N.
THIS parlfli lies detached, and at a great diftance from the other parts of the hun-
dred, being fix miles northeaft from Yeovil, and about two northweft from
Sherborne in Dorfetfhire. The reafon of this fpot being annexed to the hundred of
Taunton, is, that the manor has been from very ancient time part of the eftate of the
bifhoprick of Winchefter, and the tenants were formerly bound to do their fuit at the
Bifhop's court in Taunton. It has this defcription in the Norman record:
" The fame Bifliop holds Rintone. Stigand held it in the time of King Edward,
** and gelded for five hides. The arable is five carucates. Thereof are in demefne
" two hides, and one virgate and a half of land, and there are three carucates, and two
" fervants, and eight villanes, and feven cottagers, with three ploughs. There are ten
" acres of meadow. Wood four furlongs long, and one furlong broad. It was and is
** worth feven pounds.'"
In which bifhoprick of Winchefter does this manor remain vefted to this day.
The benefice, which is reftorial and in the deanery of Marfton, was valued in 1 292
at eighteen marks.** The Bifhop of Winchefter is patron, and the Rev. Francis Crane
Parfons the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a fmall Gothick ftrufture, confifting
of a nave, chancel, and fouth aile; at the weft end is an embattled tower containing
three bells.
This parifh has five donations of 5I. each, the intereft of which is annually paid to
the fecond poor, at the difcretion of the minifter, churchwardens and overfeers.
The annual average of chriftenings is fix, the burials three.
There is a fmall hamlet in this parifh called Woodhouse, confifting of three houfes,
• Lib. Domefday. » Taxat. Spiritual.
R U I S H T O N, or R I S T O N,
IS three miles eaft from Taunton, on the river Tone which divides this parifh from
Monkton and Creech St. Michael, and has over it a county bridge. The whole
parifli contains about one thoufand acres, and the lands are nearly equally divided
betMcen pafture and tillage.
A mile foutheaft of the church is the tithing of Henlade, in which is the feat of
Robert Proftor Anderdon, efq; very pleafantly fituated near the turnpike-road from
Taunton to London, by way of Salifbury.
The
Caunton^Dean.]
R U I S H T O N.
289
The parilh of Ruifliton is part of the manor of Taunton-Dean, being cuftomary lands
of inheritance held under the Bi(hop of Winchefter; on which account it is not parti-
cularly noted in the Conqueror's fui-vey.
With regard to ecclefiaftical matters, ic was anciently dependant on the church of St.
Mary Magdalen in Taunton; but is now a curacy, of wliich the Rev. George Davis is
the prefent incumbent.
The church (dedicated to St. George) is a fmall, but venerable ancient edifice, con-
fiding of a nave, chancel, and fouth aile, all covered with tile. At tiie weft end is an
old tower fifty-fix feet high, embellifhed with many Gothick pinnacles at the angles ;
but the top is quite plain, and apparently never finifhed according to the original plan.
This tower contains a clock and three bells. The font is very ancient, lined with lead^
and fiipported by five Gothick pillars. The fouth aile is die property of Robert Prodor
Anderdon, eli^.
This church contains no infcriptions of any confequence; but in the church-prd are
two tombs and a head-ftone to the memory of many branches of the family of Proftor,.
the oldeft infcription being to the memory of John Prodor, who died June 21, 162 1,.
Near the tombs is the family vault.
Here are the remains of an old ftone crols.
STAPLEGROVE.
THIS alfo is a member of die manor of Taunton, and was a chapelry thereto, til!
erefled into a diftinft parifli in the year 1554. It is fituated on the weft fide of
Taunton, and is divided into two tithings, Staplegrove and Whitemore, the laft
being a hamlet half a mile eaftward from the parifti church, containing five houfes.
A mile towards the northeaft is Filly-Street, another hamlet, containing 1 1 houfes.
In Staplegrove are two mills, one of which is turned by a ftream which has its rife at
Crowcombe, and after pafiing through this parifti, falls into the river Tone. This
ftream parts the parifli of Staplegrove from that of Norton-Fitzwarren, and crofies the
turnpike-road to Milverton, under a ftone bridge of two arches. Another rivulet rifing
at Heftercombe turns the other mill here, and empties itfelf into the Tone near Taunton
bridge. A confiderable quantity of flax is raifed in this parifti, and the lands are chiefly
arable. Here is a great deal of white popple, and brown grit ftone, and this part of
the country abounds alfo with a coarfe brown agate.
The priors of Taunton had in this place a fmall grange with a cell or oratory, which.-
laft is ftill ftanding at the fouthweft corner of the church-yard.
To the northeaft of Staplegrove, but in the parifti of Taunton St. James, is
Pyrland, the feat of Sir William Yea, brat, who is defcended from David Yea, of
Vol. III. P p Sturminfter-
290 s T A P L E G R o V E. ICauntoivDcan.
Sturminfter-Marflial in the county of Dorfet, efq; who married Urfula daughter of
Edward Hobbes, of Bronapton-Ralph and Stoke-Courcy in this county, efq; by whom
he had iffue one fon,
David Yea, of Oakhampton and Brompton-Ralph, efqj who was high-fherifF for this
«c6unty. ' He married Dorothy, youngeft daughter and coheir of William Lacy, of
Hartrow and Elworthy,'efq; and had iflue one fon, David, and three daughters, Mary,
Jenny, and Dorothy.
David only fon of the faid David Yea, efq; ferved the office of high-fherifF for this
county, and was one of his Majefty's juflices of the peace for the fame. He married
Joan daughter and heir of Nathaniel Brewer, of Tolland, efq; defccnded from the
Brewers of Chard in this county. They had ifTue four fons and five daughters, viz,
David, the eldefl, who died in December 1758; Thomas, the fecond, who died un-
married; William, the third, who fucceeded to the eflate; and Robert, who died an
infant. The daughters' names were, Mary, Dorothy, Jenny, Betty, and Sally.
William, the third and only furviving fon of David Yea, efq; was created a baronet
June i3, 1759, 33 Geo. II. he ferved the office of high-fherifF in 1760, and is one of his
Majefly's juflices of the peace for this county. He married Julia eldefl daughter of
Sir George Trevelyan, of Nettlecombe, bart. by whom he has feveral children. His
arms are. Quarterly, i. Fert, arampafTant, argent. 1. Gules y two rams wavy ermine.
3. Gules, two bends wavy or, a chief vaire. 4. As the firfl.
The living is a reflory in the deanery of Taunton. The late Rev. James Minifie
•was both patron and incumbent.
The church confifls of a nave, chancel, and two fide ailes, with a fmall plain tower at
the wefl end of the fouth aile containing five bells. This aile and tower feem to havfe
been the original church, the other part being in a different ftile of building, and
evidently more modern.
On the north fide of the nave is a neat mural monument of white marble infcribed, —
"Propter hunc parietem cineres reponuntur Jacobi Minifie, hujus parochise olim
mercatoris. Uxorcm duxjt Mariam, fiham unicam Gulielmi Morfe, de Norton-
Fitzwarren, generofi; ex qua reliftis tribus pofl fe liberis, obijt anno aetatis 69, falutis
1725." Arms, Vert, a chevron or, between three annulets argent; impaling argent, a
i)ugle-horn/«^/(f in bafe, in chief three yew-trees proper.
STOKE
Caumon-'Dean.] [ 291 ]
STOKES T. MARY.
THIS fmall parifli lies three miles nearly foiith from Taunton, in a very pleafant
fituation, under the weftern ridge of a confiderable hill clothed with a fine wood.
There are two hamlets, viz.
1. Stoke-Hill, containing fix houfes,
2. Broughton, one mile and a half fouthweft from the church, in which are
three houfes.
This place was anciently written Stocha, and it was one of thofe which did all the
cuftomary fervices to the manor of Taunton, which are recited in the account of that
extenfive lordfiiip, except that of fending men to the army with the vaflTals of the
Bifliopof Winchefter. Why it was exempt from this fervice does not appear; per-
haps the place was nearly in a manner depopulated at that period j. and the lofs of a
few men- might have been materially felt in the cultivation of the lands of the village.
It would be tedious and unneceflary to refurvey the Wintonian hiftory of Taunton
In the account of the feveral villages, which did anciently and do now compofe that
manor; becaufe moft of the circumftances which refpedt one are equally applicable to
all. It may however be obferved that the Bifhops of Winchefter had a charter of
free-warren, and all other manerial privileges within their territories, which, with very
little alienation, have defcended through the feveral prelates of that fee from a very
early date before the Norman invafion to the prefent day, in the fame extended right
of pofi*effion.
The benefices of this parifh and Thurlbury are an united redory in the gift of Henry
William Portman, efq. The Rev. Charles Ruffell is the prefent incumbent.
The church is a fmall ftrudture of one pace, with a tower at the weft end containing-
three bells. On the floor is this infcription:
" Here lyeth the body of Mary the wife of William Doble, gent, who died Od. 25,
'673, aged 41. Alfo of William Doble, gent, who died May 9, 1687, aged 63.
Alfo of Philip Doble their fon, who died July 14, 1708, aged 54." Arms, Sable, a.
doe paffant between three bells argent.
Stoke-House is the feat of William Doble Burridge, efq.
P p 2 TOLLAND
[ 292 ] i^mmon-'lDmh
TOLLAND
IS fituated at the northwcft angle of the hundred, towards that of Williton-Free-
manors, and a mile fouthward from the turnpike -road leading from Taunton to
Dunfter. It ftands in a rich, woody, and well- watered vale, furrounded with hills finely
cultivated. Eaftward from the church is a fine hanging wood which clothes the fteep
flope of a pretty high hill, and has a pleafing appearance. This whole parifh is rented
at about five hundred pounds per annum, and confifts of only twelve houfesj four of
which are in the hamlet of East-Toll an d. The lands are moftly arable ; the general
crops wheat, barley, peas, and fome flax. A fpring rifing at North-Combe in the
parifh of Brompton-Ralph, runs through and turns a grift-mill in this parifli, whence
it pafles through Lydiard St. Laurence, and empties itfelf into the Tone. The crofs
roads here are very deep, narrow, precipitous, and overhung with hedges.
The manor of Tolland, anciently written Taland and Talanda, was held of the
bifhoprick of Winchefter by the families of Gaunt and Luttrell, lords of Eaft-Quan-
tockfhead, and was given in the time of Henry III. by Andrew Luttrell, together
with the manors of Quantock, Bagborough, and Begarn-Huilh, to Alexander his
younger fon." Since which it has had a variety of poflelTors, and now belongs to the
executors of th^ late Lady Horner, of Mclls, who gave it in truft for the augmentation
of fmall livings.
Garldon, or Garmilden, an ancient manor in Tolland, belonged 7 Eliz. to
Francis Southwell, elq.**
Ralph Briwere, the fon of William Briwere, gave the church of Tolland to the
priory of Buckland," and in 1335 the faid church was rated at three marks.*" It is a
reftory in the deanery of Dunfter, and in the gift of the crown. The Rev. Edward
Crofle is the prefect incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptift, and is a fmall building, confifting
of a nave, chancel, and a fmall aile on the north fide. At the weft end is a cl«mfy
cmbatded tower thirty feet high, containing three fmall bells.
In the church-yard are the remains of an old ftone crofs.
•MS. Palmer. 'MS. Carew. • Mon. Angl.ii. 55:1. " Excerpt, c Regift. Wellen.
TRULL.
J
Caimton'aDcatt.]
[ 293 ]
R
u
L
L.
THIS village is fituated two miles fouth from Taunton, and betwixt that town and
Pitminfter, towards the Blackdown-hills. The parifh is woody, and rather flat,
the foil rich, well watered, and abounding with fine elm. It contains about one hundred
houfes, mofl of which are fcattered round the church.
In this place was born, A. D. 1588, George Bond, fon of Robert Bond, who by
great induftry in trade, and confiderable talents, amafled a large fortune, was made a
knight, and lord-mayor of the city of London j to which he became afterwards a great
benefadlor. Dyonifia, daughter and coheir of this Sir George, was married to Sir
Henry Winfton, of Standifli in the county of Gloucefter, and had by him Sarah her
daughter and coheir, married to John Churchill, of Mintern in the county of Dorfet,
efq; father of Winfton Churchill, and grandfatlier of John Churchill the great Duke
of Marlborough.
The following authentick account of a remarkable inftance of longevity in this
parifli is extrafted from the Bath Chronicle.
** Being laft fummer in the parifli of Trull, near Taunton, curiofity led me to vifit
an ancient woman who is now in the 115th year of her age. Her name is Elizabeth
Broadmead, (formerly Rottenborough) and the daughter of a little farmer who bore
arms at the battle of Sedgmoor, when the Duke of Monmouth's army was defeated
there in 1683; at which time flie was 15 years old, and left by her father at home to
take care of the family, and bring the produce of the farm to the camp or Taunton
market. To this account of her age the parifli regifter gives indubitable teftimony.
About four years fince flie became incapable of walking, and loft the ufe of her right
arm ; fbon after this ftie loft her fight, and became too deaf to hear and underftand,
unlefs fpoken to very near, and with a confiderable exertion of voice. She is about
the middle ftature, and has ftrong features. Her nofe has been large, and projeds con-
fiderably at the end; and her voice, though now reduced to a trc'ble, has been ftrongi
harfli, and mafculine. Till within five or fix years her memory has been tolerably good,
and enabled her to relate the particulars of many events within her own knowledge,
at, and even before, the time of Monmouth's defeat. Being blind, fhe did not perceive
my entering the room, and for a while I refrained from fpeaking, that I might fee her
free from all reftraint. It was her dinner timej and flie was fitting by the fire with a
fmall table before her, on which was an earthen pan with fome cut pieces of boiled
meat and bread in it. This flie ate with an apparently good appetite, feeding herfelf
with her left hand. Though her teeth were gone, fhe chewed her food a little, and
fwallowed it pretty quick. When flie opened her lips to take a morfel, I obferved her
tongue wouW frequently fall out, and feemed very thick, and too big for her mouth.
Her complexion was rather dark, her eyes languid, but the lines of feature were ftill
ftrong; and 1 fliould not, from her countenance merely, have fuppofed her more than
70, or at moft 80 years old. She often complains of being in pain, and wiihes for
death.
294
R u L L. l^mntovi'lDun,
death. She frequently groans, but it appears to be more from habit than any other
caufe. She has a daughter living with her, who is between 70 and 80 years of age.
After fbme little converfation, the old woman fung us a ftanza of a fong made in her
youthj but very juftly obferved, as an apology for herfelf, that herfmging days were now
over. Although in very indigent circumftances, Ihe is decently fupported with every
neceffary, by Henry Whitmarlh, efqj (a gentleman who lives near her) and fome
other kind neighbours; and there appears no figns of a fpeedy diffolution.'"
The living of Trull is an impropriate curacy in the gift of Goodenough Earle, efq.
The Rev. Michael Dickfon is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to All-Saints. It is a neat building, compofedof a nave,,
chancel, fide ailes, and tower with five bells. The pulpit, which is of wood, is half a
pentagon, each fide being a nich embellifhed with Gothick ornaments, and filled with a
ftatue; and above, and between thefe are fourteen fmaller ftatues, curioufly carved. la
the eaft window are thefe arms, Argent, a fefl"e between three torteaux.
• She died a few months after this account.
WILTON
FORMS a confiderable fuburb to Taunton on the fouth, and comprifes the hamlets of
I. G ANTON, fituated half a mile fouthweft from the church, and containing three
farms and two cottages.
2. Sherford, the fame diftance fouth, in which are twenty dwellings; with the feats
of Sir Benjamin Hamett, knt. and Welman, efq.
Two fmall ftreams traverfe this parilb, one rifing in Pitminfter, and the other near
Buckland, towards their influx into the river Tone. The ftone raifed here is a coarfe
brown agate, variegated with rufl-coloured veins, and is of great hardnefs. The lands
are rich and fertile, and all the environs of the town of Taunton feem profufely fijr-
nilhed with the munificence of nature. A manufacture of duroys, druggets. &c.
employs a confiderable number of the inhabitants. The county gaol was eredted here
A.D. 1755.
The church is a fmall Gothick edifice, dedicated to the honour of St. George, to
whom a remarkable well in this village was anciently dedicated, and vifited by devotees
and pilgrims from diftant parts, who received their entertainment at an holpital built
here for that purpofe by one of the Bifhops of Winchefter. From which well this
fpot originally derived the names of Welton and "Wilton, [Saxon, Fell-ron] and Fons-
SanEii Georgii. A number of other fountains in this county were patronifed by the
fame Saint, at which, according to the cuftom of fuperftitious ages, oblations and
religious honours were paid, and miracles performed. This Saint was a native of
Cappadocia,
CauntomDcan.] w i L T o N. 295
Cappadocia, and fuffered martyrdom in defence of the Chriftlan religion under the
Emperor Dioclefian, A. D. 290. According to the Romifh legends, when Robert
Duke of Normandy, fon of William the Conqueror, in the profecution of his viftories
againft the Turks, was laying fiege to the city of Antioch, in which many of our
Englilh heroes were engaged j and when, after feveral unfuccefsful attacks, the united
forces of the Chriftians received a fudden damp from the news of the approiich of a
large body of the Saracens on their march to relieve the citadel; the vifion of this
Saint fuddenly appeared, attended by an innumerable army on the hills, arrayed in
white, and wearing a red crofs upon his banner, to reinforce the army of the faithfulj
who, animated with the fight, and confident of fuccefs, renewed their afl"ault with frefh
vigour, and made themfelves mafters of the town. Hence accrued that honour with
which Britifli militants in all ages have aggrandized this Saint, as their chief patron,
the patron of Chriftianity, who by his powerful influence could thus fignally detrude
and trample on the enemies of Chrift's religion.
The chapel of Wilton was formerly ferved by the vicar of the church of St. Mary
Magdalen in Taunton; but. the place being in latter times erefted into a parifh, the
living has become a curacy, of which the Rev. Michael Dickfon is the prefent
incumbent.
The church is fmall, confifting of a nave, chancel, fide ailes, and tower at the weft
end, containing five bells; and is only remarkable for a fine altar-piece, reprefenting
our Saviour bleffing the bread and wine, which was prefented to the church by Sir
Benjamin Hammett, knt. one of the reprefentatives in parliament for the borough
of Taunton.
I
WITHIEL-FLORY.
THE laft parifh in this hundred is Withiel-Flory, fituated in a flat under Brendon-
Hill, at a very confiderable diftance from the other component parts thereof,
being entirely infulated by the hundreds of Williton-Freemanors and Carhampton ;
but anciently attached to this by its lords the Floris, of Combe and Ninehead. Of
this family, as well as that of the Wykes, their fucceflTors, and the fubfequent owners
of this parifli, notice has already been taken in the account of Ninehead, where, and
in this place, they alternately had their refidence. The prefent lord of this manor is
Sir James Langham, bart.
A very neat houfe and gardens in this parifli belong to Thomas Stawel, efq.
The church was anciently appropriated to the priory of Taunton, and was in 1 292
rated at five marks.' It is a curacy in the deanery of Dunfter, and in the gift of the
family of Bryant. The Rev. Samuel Knight is the prefent incumbent.
• Taxat. Spiritual.
The
296
WITHIEL-FLORY.
[Caunton^Dean*
The church, which is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, is a fmall ftrufture, fituated
on an eminence, and nearly furrounded by trees. It is of a fingle aile fixty-two feet
long, and fourteen widci at the weft end is a tower with three bells.
Ao-ainft the north wall of the chancel is a neat marble monument, infcribed,— —
" Nwr this place lyeth the body of James Bryant, gent, who died Od. 30, 1733,
aged 77. And alfo the body of Jane his wife, wl>o died the aSth of Dec. 1729,
aged 45."
THE
[ ^97 ]
*%'^^*^*^>*<^^^^-^'^*^'>^^M^^y^,^^^^^^^^
THE HUNDRED
O F
TINTINHULL
Is fituated between the hundred of Somerton on the north, and the hundreds of
Houndfborough, Berwick, and Coker, on the fouth. It had its name from an
eminence anciently called rutendk, now TintinhiU, where the courts were
formerly held. This name is itfelf derived from the Saxon Cotran, which
fignifies to examine or fpeculate, and is ftUl preferved in many eminences' in this
county, as Cleve-root in the pari(h of Yatton, and Fairy-Toot in the parifh of Nemnet,
&c. thofe being confpicuous elevations, whence in times of war furvey was wont to be
taken of diftant parts, in order to a defence againfl: an approaching enemy.
This whole hundred (which 14 Henry II. was fined forty /hillings for a murder")
including the village of its name, was given by WiUiam earl of Morton to the monks
of Montacute.
• M»g. Rot. 14 Hen. II. Rot. 10. b.
IVELCHESTER.
'T^HIS very ancient town, which has fcarcely left above ground fufEcient veftlges to
JL teftify its former greatnefs, is fituated in a flat luxuriant foil upon the river IveJ,
the ancient Velox of Ravennas, at the diftance of eighteen miles fouth from the city of
Wells, and twelve north from the town of Crewkerne. It is indifi^erently built, and ia
compofedoffourftreets,viz. Alms-houfeor Foffe-ftreet, Church-ftreet, Back-Lane,
and Borough-Green. The river bounds it on die north, and has over it a ftone bridge
of two large arches. The old bridge was conltruftcd of icvcn arches,*
Vol. III.
* Lei. Itin. ii. 90;
The
298 I V E L c H E s T E R, [C(mm!)un»
The Britifh name of this place, according to Nennius,*" was Ca(t#enfatlClCOit,
which fignifies the city at the head of the river's mouth in the wood, whence the
Greeks called it I(r;^jaX<?, and it is ranked by Ptolemy, in his geography of Britain,' the
firft town in the territory of the Belgas:
Toii St AcCavoTs, BEAFAI, zcti •jroXa?,
Toocrcc ^sp[A,oc,
Its Roman name was Ifchalis, and it was one of the mofl eminent ftations that people
pofleffed in all thefe parts. It was by them environed with a ftrong wall and deep
ditch, which originally was filled with water from the river. Its form was an oblong
Iquare, Handing upon the oblique points of the compafs, the Fofle-road pafllng through
it from northeaft to fouthweft. The veftiges both of the wall and the ditch are in
piany places ftill difcernible, the former being regularly compofed of ftone and brick-
work intermingled. The ditch on the northweft fide forms a road anciently called
Zercle, now Yard-lane, whence it runs through the Friary garden, and turning the
anole, crofles the Foffe and the gardens at the back part of the town, where the wall is
frequently difcovered by the gardeners. Near it and within its whole enceinte have
been found in almoft every period Roman hypocaufts and baths; gold, filver, and
copper coins, particularly of Antoninus Pius, (on the reverie of fome of which is
Britannia fitting on a rock) of Trajan and Vefpafian; urns, lachrymals, teflelated
pavements, (one of them preferved in the garden of the late Thomas Lockyer, efq;"*)
fibulas, bracelets, pateras, and almoft every other relique of Romanity. Vaft arches,
and immenfe foundations of ancient buildings lie beneath the furface of the ground,
and the entire fcite of the old city is filled with fubterraneous ruins. There exifts a
tradition that it owed its demolition to fire, by matches tied to the tails of Ijjarrows,
let fly from Stannard Crofs-hill. The FofiTe-road was here paved with large fiag-ftones>
fome of which are ftill vifible in the old ford through the river near the bridge.
The Saxons denominated the place Cipelecej-cjie, or the fortified city upon the Ivel,
and the Roman works not being totally erafed, ferved them in their rencounters with,
the Britons and the Danes. At the coming in of the Normans it was a city offuch
confiderable note as to contain within its walls one hundred and feven burgefl"es, who
ftood at a yearly rent to the king of twenty ftiillings. There was alfo a marker, the
revenue whereof with its appertenances was eleven pounds per annum; and of the third
penny or part of the fines and other profits and emoluments arifing from the county
courts, the fum of fix pounds was accounted for to the crown for this borough.*
About this time Ivelchefter feems to have retained its original ftrength and confequence
' Hiftoria Britonum, Havniae, p. 144, « Book ii. chap. 3. tab. i..
* The houfe Ltely inhabited by this gentleman is an ancient ftruilure ftanding upon fubterraneous arches^
»nd has very lofty cylindrical chimnies of excellent mafonry.
'. Lib, Domefday.
in
CiiUinljuU.]
IVELCHESTER.
299
in point of military concerns, having round it ftrong walls and large fortifications.
For here it was that A. D. 1088, the forces of Geffrey biihop of Coutances, and
William de Ewe, who had joined with Odo bifliop of BayeuXj Euftace count of Bou-
logne, Robert earl of Morton, and other confederate barons, to depofe King William
Rufus, and in his ftead to place his brother Robert duke of Normandy upon the
throne, after having ravaged the counties of Wilts and Gloucefter witJi unimpeded
fuccefs, received fuch an effectual check from the bravery of the befieged inhabitants,
as threw a fatal damp on all their future enterprifes. From which time and circum-
ftance the town of Ivelchefter may perhaps date the asra of its provincial aggrandife-
ment. In the year 1203, King John granted to the burgeffes the whole borough, with
all its appendages and privileges; the hundred of Stone, and the villages oi Hewardf-
wyke and Hycinge, in confideration of a fee-farm rent of thiity pounds per annum/
This rent being by them confidered as exorbitant, in regard they had been abridged of
ibme part of their ancient pofle(nons,'was in procefs of time reduced to the fiim of
20I. 15s. 6d. and granted at different times as a gratuity to various branches and fa-
vourites of the crown.'' A. D. 13 14, 8 Edw. II. the burgeffes preferred a petition to
parliament that the county meetings might he held in their town, according to the
ancient ufage, and not in Somerton, where they were then held to the difparagement of
this ancient place.'' This petition does not appear to have been then granted; but in
the enfuing reign, 40 Edw. III. a patent was iffued for the holding the county courts
and the county affizes here, and in no other place within the county whatfoever;' as
alfo for the repairing the ftreets and highways in and about the town of Ivelchefter/ In
this and the two preceding reigns the town returned members to parliament, com-
jnencing to do fo 26 Edw. I. but 34 Edw. III. this privilege was refcinded, nor
reftored till 12 Edw. IV. when, after partaking a fmall fliare of parliamentary affairs,
it again intermitted till the year 1621, and was then by James I. re-admitted to this
honour. The natives at large paying fcot and lot are the eleftors; the number of
voters is about two hundred and fifty. The corporation confifts of a bailiff, twelve
burgeffes, a conftable, and fub-bailiff. The ftaft'or mace is a very curious piece of
antiquity, the head being of brafs gilt, adorned with the images of two kings, a queen,
and an angel. Round the bafe is this poefie in old French :
3i€^0 ^<B DiRe <ZE1R3I€,
;*. e. I Jesus was of God, notwithstanding the gift vtas ill received.
The arms of the town are, in a crefcent an etoile of fixteen points.
The market here (though of which there are now but fmall remains) has exifted
ever fince the Conqueft, being kept on the Wednefday; and there were three fairs,' viz.
on St. John's day, St. Mary Magdalen's day, and the Monday before Palm-Sunday.
A fair is now held on March 25, for horfes, horned cattle, and Iheep. The original
' Cart. Antiq. ' Ibid. * Petit, in Parliament. ' Pat. 40 Ed. III. p. 1 . m. 29 in dors.
* Ibid. m. 14 in dors, ' Cotton MS. Julius F. vi.
Q^q2
manufadure
300 I V E L C H E S T E R. [CintinfeuU^
manufadure of this town was thread lace, which of late years has greatly deelined. A
filk manufadure has recently been introduced with fome profpeft of fuccefs.
The publick buildings of this town are but few. The hall, wherein the county
court is held, is a good building with a council-chamber. The original county gaol is
faid to have ftood near the old town-wall eaftward from the church, which being de-
ftroyed, another was eresfled near the bridge, on the fcite (as tradition affirms) of an
ancient caftle built to guard the pafs through the river Ivel. This is now fuperftded
by a new gaol built upon the modern improved plan. 45 Edw. III. the cuftody 6f
the old gaol was granted for life to Richard Porter."" Other grants of this kind were
made 1 and 13 Henry IV,"
Over againft the gaol, on the other fide of the river, fland the ruins of the ancient
hofpital of White-hall, de Alba Aula, or Blaunchfak, founded to the honour of the Holy
Trinity about A. D. 1226, by William Dacus or Dennis, and endowed with lands and
tenements in Ivelchefter, Sock-Dennis, and Taunton, for the entertainment of pilgrims
and poor travellers. In 1241, Bifhop Joceline appropriated to this hofpital the church
of St. Mary Minor in this town, with the confent of the redlor and the abbot and con-
vent of Cerne in Dorfetfhire, who were patrons of that church." Soon after which this
houfe was converted into a nunnery, (ftill however retaining a hall, chapel, and other
diftinft accommodations for pilgrims) and was governed by a priorefs, ftiled PrioriJJa de
.Alba Atda, and PrioriJJa de Blaunchfale, in Ivelchefter. By an inquifition taken fo early
as 9 Edw. I. it was found that the priorefs and nuns of Blaunchfale were poflefled of
two melTuages and four acres of land in Ivelchefter.''
Of this houfe Alicia de Zerde ]Tard in Ivelchefter] was priorefs in the years 1315
and 1 3 1 6 J and Walter de Wobourne was then warden of the hofpital.*
Alicia de Chilthorne was expelled in 1 325. Sir Nicholas de Bonville was then patron,
Cecilia de Draycot was priorefs Aug. 7, 1335.
Soon after this it became a free chapel, and was ftiled Libera Capella de Whitehall, ta
■which King Henry VI. Nov. 29, 1485, prefented William Ellyot, a clerk iachancery,
upon the death of John Banys.'
March 10, 1497, Biftiop Oliver King collated to it by kpfe»
■A-ug. 30j I5i9> Richard biftiop of London, Edmund biftiop of Sarum, Sir John.
Fineux, knt. chief juftice of the common-pleas, Sir John Nevil, knt. lord of Aberga-
venny, and Sir Robert Poyntz, knt. feoffees of Henry Stafford earl of Wilts,, prefented
to this chapel, as they did again in 1525.'
In 1534, it was valued at 16I. 9s. 9^d.' The laft incumbent thereof was George
Carewe, who in 1 553 had a penfion on account of it of 61. 1 3s. 4d.'* 42 Eliz, the free
"■ Pat. 45 Ed. III. p. 2. m. 38. - Pat. 1 Hen. IV. p. 4. m. 5. Pat. 13 Hen. IV. m. 12,
' . ° Archer from the Regifters of Wells, p Efc. 9 Ed. I.
of*Ch *' ^ ^^' ^^' ^' ^' "*■ ''• ^^^ ™^"°'' «f Y A R D in Ivelchefter was part of the eftate of the Lords Bonville
'Archer. 'Ibid. 'Ibid. " Willis's Hifl. of Abbies, ii, 202.
chapel
CintfntJUU.] I V E L C H E S T E R. jof
chapel of Whitehall, and the free chapel of tJie Holy Trinity of Whitehall, with lands
and tenements in Ivelchefter, Northover, Taunton, and Limington, were granted to
Sir Michael Stanhope and his heirs, to be held of Eaft-Greenwich in free foccage."
The houfe is now converted into a weaving fhop.
Not far from it ftood a houfe of lepers, with a chapel adjoining to it, to which Hugh
bilhop of Lincoln, in his will made A.D. 121 1, left three marks/
At the extremity of the Fofle-ftreet, and at the fouthweft angle of the city wall, are
the remains of the Friary, or houfe of black friars, founded about the year 1 270. This
building was in its original ftate large and handfome. The north tranfept of the
church is Handing, and now ufed as a fpinning-houfc for the filk manufafture. In a
parallel building in the Friary-court is an arched way, now nearly filled up, leading to a
fubterraneous paflage betwixt this houfe and the Whitehall nunnery. This paflage is
in many parts broken dirough, but in thofe that remain entire the vault is high enough
for a man to walk upright in: there are niches or refting-places in the walls, and the
floor is well paved with flag-ftones, 28 Henry VIII. Robert Sandwiche was prior
of this houfe, which 37 Henry VIII. was granted to William Hodges.
Oppofite to it is an almshoufe for fix poor men, and a woman to take care of the
dwelling. They have two fhillings a week each, and new clothing annually.
There have been a great number of churches in the town of Ivelchefter, of which
we can recover the following names, viz. St. Andrew, St. Michael, St. Peter, St.
Mary Major, St. Mary Minor, and St. John. The firft of thefe exifted before the
time of the Norman invafion, and was held by Bri<5lric, a Saxon prelate, in the time of
Edward the Confeflbr. But when William the Conqueror came to the crown, he be-
ftowed all its lands and revenues upon his chaplain and chancellor Maurice, who was
afterwards promoted to the fee of London. In the record of that age we have a minute
account of its pofleffions.
" Maurice the bifhop holds the church of St. Andrew of Givelcestre, with three
*» hides of land of the King. This Bridtric held, in the time of King Edward, of the
" church of Glaftingberie, and it could not be feparated from it.'"
" Bilhop Maurice holds of the King the church of St. Andrew. Briftric held it in
** the time of King Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable is three carucates.
*' In demefne are two carucates, and three fervants, and one villane, and fix cottagers,
" with one plough. There is a mill of twenty fhillings rent, and thirty acres of
*' meadow. It was and is worth one hundred fhillings."''
The abbot -and convent of Athelney were patrons of the church of St. Michael,''
which was a very ancient building, having under it a ftone gate arched and vaulted."
St. Peter was a chapel to St. John, in which parifh the abbot of Muchelncy had a
yearly revenue of 6s. the abbot of Sherborne 6s. and the prior of Montacute is.""
» Pat. 42 Eliz. p. 19. > See the Wiliin vol. ii. p. 310.
* Lib. Domefday. • Ibid. ' Regift. Abbat. de Athelney. ' Lcl. Ion. ii. 91 . " Taxat. Temporal.
The
302 I V E L C H E S T E R. [CintinbuU,
The church or chapel of St. Mary Minor flood upon the bridge. Aug. 20, 1502,
the'parifh-churches of St. Mary Minor, and St. John the Baptift, were united and
annexed to the church of St. Mary Major, the profits and revenues of thofe feveral
churches being found inadequate to the decent fupport of refpedive minifters at each.
John Chaundeler was then reftor of St. John's."*
The benefice of Ivelchefter is reftorial, in the deanery of its own denomination.
The patronage is in the Bilhop of Bath and Wells, and the Rev. Mr. Davis is the
prefcnt incumbent.
Tlie only church now remalmng is dedicated to St. Mary,* and confifts of a nave,
chancel, and north aile or chapel. At the weft end ftands an oftagonal tower of fifty
feet high, containing a clock, and five bells. This tower is conftrufted of Roman ftone.
Againft the fouth wall of the chancel is a ftone monument with this infcription :-- —
« Neare this place lyeth buried the body of Mary Raymond, the late wife of William
Raymond, deceafed, of this towne of Ivelchefter, and daughter of John Every, efq;
fervant to King Henry the Vlllth, and fervant to Edward the Vlth, and fervant to
Qiieene Mary, and ferjant at armes to Queene Elizabeth. Shee dyed the 2d day of
Sept. An" i)ni 1639. Mors mihi lucrum eft." Arms, Or, four chevronels gules.
On a fmall ftone againft the north wall of the nave " Neere to this place lyeth
buried the body of William Raymond, of Ivelchefter, gent, who departed this life the
loth day of September A° Dni 1625, being the 56th yeare of his age. In whofe
memory Mary his wife, the daughter of John Every, of Charcomb in the county of
Somerfet, efqj fergeant at armes, hath ereded this monument."
« Mr. John Hodges, of Eaft-Quantockftiead in the county of Somerfet, gave to the
poor of rfiis parifti and Nether-Stowey, the yearly profits of two tenements called
Morejhead and Pophani^s-Hurft, both in Cannington, for all the refidue of the feveral
terms mentioned in the leafes, to be diftributed yearly by the minifter and fix honeft
and fubftantial men of each parifli, on the 20th day of December, between twelve poor
perfons of each parjfti, as do not receive relief of their faid parifti, in fuch manner and
proportion as they fhall think fit."
Of the fuburbs of Ivelchefter, fome notice muft now be taken.
Without the walls, towards Montacute, was an ancient village called Brook, or
the ^rco/^,- whence a family of great antiquity derived the name o( At- Brook, and ^/tf
la Brooke, this being the place of their ufual refidence. There are fome faint men-
tions of this family in times approaching very near towards the Norman invafion ; but
in the time of Henry IIL and Edw. I. we can fpeak with certainty of the owners
of this place, who had tlierein manerial rights under the commonalty of the town of
Ivelchefter. In thofe reigns lived William de la Brook, lord of the manor of the Brook
juxta Ivelchefter, and had iflue Henry de la Brook, who married Nichola, the daughter
pf Bryan Gonvile/ by whom he had iflue Henry de la Brook, whofe fon Henry died
E. Regiftro Oliveri King. ' Efton fays St. John.
^ Caftrated fheets of Holinlheds' Chronicle, reprinted 1723.
18 Edw.
CintinfjuU.] IVELCHESTER. 303
18 Edw. II. leaving ifllie by Elizabeth his wife John de la Brook lord of this manor.
Which John is fometimes called At-Brook, and is certified to hold at his death
22 Edw. III. a mefluage with a curtillage and garden, and one carucate of land at the
Brook without the walls of the town of Ivelcheller, of the commonalty of that town;
and alfo lands in Sock-Dennis, Bifliopfton, and Kingfton,* He married Joan the
daughter of Sir John Bardftone, knt. by whom he had iffue Sir Thomas Brook, knt.
who 31 Edw. III. granted to Thomas Waryn and liis heirs a certain yearly rent of 20I.
payable out of his lands and tenements in la Broke juxta Ivelchcfter, and in the town of
Ivekhefter.*" He married Conftance the daughter of one Markensfeld, and dying
41 Edw. III. left iflue by her Sir Thomas Brook his fon and heir. Which Sir Thomas
married Joan fecond daughter and one of the heirs of Simon Hanape of Gloucefterlhire,
and .widow of Robert Chedder, of the city of Briftol, efq. The faid Joan died
15 Henry VI. feized of twenty manors in this county, befides feveral advowfons of
churches, and large eftates which fhe had in dower from her former hufband.' By her
fecond hufband fhe had iffue two fons. Sir Thomas Brook, and Michael: fhe lies buried
with her faid hufband Sir Thomas Brook in the parifh-church of Thorncombe in the
county of Devon, A. D. 1437.'' Sir Thomas Brook, eldeft fon of the lafl-mentioned
Sir Thomas, married Joan the daughter of Sir Reginald Braybrook, knt. in whofe
right he was by King Henry VI. created Lord Cobham, of Cobliam in Kent. By
which Joan he had iffue eight fons, viz. Sir Edward Brook lord Cobham, who fuc-
ceeded him, Thomas, John, Robert, and Peter, who all died without iffue, Reginald
Brook of Apfale, Morgan Brook, who alfo died iffuelefs, and Hugh Brook; as alfo
four daughters, viz. Elizabeth the wife of Sir John St. Maur, knt. Joan, married to
John Carent, fon and heir of William Carent, efq; Margaret and Chriflian, who died
without iffue.' Edward Brook lord Cobham, fon of the above-mentioned Thomas
Brook lord Cobham, was a rigid Yorkifl, and was in 1454 at the firfl battle of St.
Albans, and commanded the left wing of the York forces at the battle of Northampton,
July 10, 1460. He died in 1464, 4 Edw. IV. feized of the manors of Brook-
Ivelchefler, Lufton, Sewardfwicke, and Grubbefwick; and alfo of lands and tenements
in Sevenhampton, Brook-Montacute, and Chard, leaving John Brook lord Cobham
his fon and heir." Which John ferved Edw. IV. Ric. III. and Henry VII. in feveral
military expeditions, and died 2a Henry VII. He married Margaret daughter of
Edward Neville lord Abergavenny," by whom he had iffue Thomas Brook lord
Cobham, who 5 Henry VIII. attended that King at the fiege of Tournay in France.
He died in 1529, and was buried with his father in the collegiate church of Cobham in
the county of Kent." By Dorothy his wife, the daughter of Sir Henry Heydon, knt.
he had iffue George Brook lord Cobham, who was a knight of the garter in the time
of Edw. VI. and dying 1558, left iffue eight fons, viz. Sir William Brook, knr.
George, Thomas, John, Henry, Thomas the younger, Edmund, and Edward; and
two daughters, Elizabeth fecond wife of William Parr marquis of Northampton, and
Catherine. William Brook lord Cobham, fon of George, was embaffador to the
King of Spain in the firfl year of Queen Elizabeth, and was alfo a knight of the garter.
• Efc. - Rot. Claus. 31 Ed. III. ' Efc. » Holinmed ut fupra. ' ]bid.
" Efc. ° Dugd. Bar. ii. 28a. " Weever's Funeral Monuments, 122.
Mc
504 IVELCHESTER. [Cintin&un*
He is faid to have fometime refided at Brook's-Court near Ivelchefter, and died feized
of that manor 39 Eliz."" leaving iflue Henry Brook lord Cobham his heir and fucceflbr
both to tide and eftate. Which Henry was warden of the Cinque Ports, and a perfon
eminent in his days; but being found guilty of raifing a confpiracy againft King
James I. in conjun(5tion with the Lord Grey of Wilton, and Sir Walter Raleigh, he
became attainted, forfeited eftates to the amount of 7000I. per annum, and died in
1 6 1 9 in great poverty. After his death William Brook, fon of his brother George,
(who was beheaded for the Ihare which he bore in the infurreftion abovementioned)
tvas found to be his next heir, and was reftored in blood, but not permitted to enjoy the
title of Lord Cobham, without the King's fpecial grace.' In the next reign the title
was renewed in the perfon of Sir John Brook, of Hekington in the county of Lincoln,
but became extind at his death A. D. 1651.
In the friary of Ivelchefter was born A. D. 1214, that celebrated philofopher Roger
Bacon, who was juftly accounted the wonder of his age. His youthful education was
had at Oxford, from which univerfity he returned to Ivelchefter with great acquifitions
of claffical knowledge, and there took the habit of a Francifcan friar. He then applied
himfelf to the ftudy of philofophy, in which he made fo great a proficiency that he was
invited over to Paris to afTift in the tranfaftions of that univerfity. Here he was
admired and envied, and known too much in an invidious and vulgar age to profper.
The occult fciences to which he applied drew the attention of thofe who had not the
underftanding to weigh uncommon afpeftions in the true fcale of reafon and philofophy,
and they accufed him of dealing with the devil. His own fi-aternity alfo caballed
againft him, and he was fometime confined in prifon as a magician and forcerer.
When thence relieved he returned to Oxford, and there in the college of Francifcans
Ipent the remainder of his days in ftudy, and the writing the following books, fome of
which have been printed, others tranflated, and the reft remain in manufcript in the
publick libraries, viz,
De Logica
Commentaria in Librum Avicennas de Anima
De Septem Experimentis
De Secretis
Epiftola inftar Libelli ad Clementem Pontificem Romanunn
De Utilitate Lin^arum
De Scientia Perlpeftiva
De Fluxu et Refluxu Maris Britannici
De Rebus Metallicis
De Utilitate Aftronomias
De Coelo et Mundo
De Impedimentis Sapientiae
Commentarii in Libros Sententiarum
Super Pfalterjum.
»Efc < Bar. ut fupra.
De
Ctntml)un.]
IVELCHESTER.
305
Dc Afpeftibus Lunas ad alias Planetas
De Operibus non occultis
De Vidtoria Chrifti contra Antichriftum
De Copias vel Inopise Caufis
De Retardatione Senc(5l:utis
Antidotarium
Dc Gradibus Medicinalibus
Dc Locis
De Aite Memorativa
De Centris Gravium vel Planis
Parabolx de Quadratura
De Rebus Alchymicis, alias Speculum Alchymia:
De Communibus Naturalibus, lib. 4.
Dc Speciebus & Legibus Multiplicationum
De Forma in fpeculo refukante
De Vita Edmundi, Archiepifcopi Cantuarienfis/
The extent of this man's learning may be gathered from the foregoing catalogue.
The fubftance of his writings evince it to have been far fuperior to that of all his
cotemporaries. He was well Ikilled in the Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Chaldaick
languages J nor lefs in geography, chronology, and the belles lettresj but philofophy was
the line in which he particularly fhone. He was the firft perfon that introduced
chemiftry into Europe. With regard to mechanicks he has been ftiled the fecond
Archimedes; and in opticks was fo well verfed as to be generally allowed the firft in-
ventor of the telefcope. In the unenlightened age in which he lived he was confidered
as a magician J in the prefent as a perfon wonderfully clear in his underftanding, un-
bigotted in his principles, a friend to Chriftianity, and, by the freedom wherewith he
imparted his difcoveries, a well-wiflier to his fellow-creatures. He died A. D. 1294,
and was buried in the houfe of the Grey Friars at Oxford, in which city a tower of
no mean nor modern conftruftion till of late years flood diftinguiflied by his name,
wherein it is faid he held his private lucubrations.
Of Mrs. Elizabeth Rowe, a celebrated modern writer, born in this place A.D. 1674,
notice has elfewhere been taken.'
Stephen Fox was created Lord Ilchefter May 11, 1741, and Earl of Ilchefter
June 5, 1756.
» Leland. de Scriptoribus Britannicis, 258. • Vol. ii. p. 230.
Vol. in.
Rr
NORTHOVER.
t 306 ] ^ [CintinfjulU
NORTHOVER.
THIS village ftands on the Foffe-road, juft without the precinfts of the town of
Ivelchefter northward, being divided from it by the river Ivel. We have
no account of it in the Norman furvey, and but little in the records which relate to
Ivelchefter. '
23 Edw. III. Gilbert d'Umfraville held the fourth part of a knight's fee here/ and
35 Edw, III. Henry duke of Lancafter held half a knight's fee here belonging to the
priory of Bridgwater, a,nd another half fee of Roger de Camel.'' 43 Edw. III. this
hamlet (as it was then called) was held by Sir Hugh de Courtney of the Bilhop of Bath
and Wells, and defcended by his fifter and coheirefs Muriel to Sir John de Dinham,
knt.' whofe defcendant Sir John de Dinham 3 Henry IV. granted the manor for life to
James Aumarle.'' The Dinhams continued in pofleffion of it till the latter end of the
reign of Henry VIII. Sir Thomas Dinham and Sir John Dinham then holding the
fame of the manor of WelUngton." 35 Henry VIII. it was granted with its apperte-
nances to John Leigh and his heirs,' who 36 Plenry VIII. fold it with its appertenances,
and lands called Bough-Hayes, Stamard-Hill, Mead-Hill, Oxen-Leafe, BuW s-CloJe, and
Water-Ham:, to John Soper,^ who 38 Henry VIII. conveyed it to William Lyte,''
whofe defcendant John Lyte, 12 Sept. 8 Eliz. fold the fame with its appertenances and
lands here and in Charlton, Kingfton, and Somerton, to Thomas Raymond, gent.' It
is now by inheritance the poflefiion of Henry Chichefter, efq; whofe houfe adjoins the
church-yard J and near it ftands a remarkable fine old elm, which from its head fends
out feven large arms in nearly a circular diredtion, and fo wide as to admit a large ,
fummer-houfe to be built within it, capable of containing twenty perfons.
7 Edw. IV. Walter Ralegh held at his death eight meffuages, two tofts, forty acres
of meadow, and three hundred acres of arable, in Northover juxta Ivelchefter, of John
.Prior of the houfe and church of St. John Baptift in Bridgwater by fealty.""
The church was appropriated in i a 1 9 by William Bruere to the hofpital of St. John
in Bridgwater, and by an ordination made in 1337, the vicar was afllgned a houfe with
a curtillage, nine acres and a half of arable ground, and two acres of meadow j as alfo
all oblations whencefoever forth-coming, together-with the tithe of hay, and the tithe
of ale, [cervifias] lambs, wool, milk, flax, hemp, pigeons, pigs, geefe, apples, honey,
wax, heifers, chicken, mills, leeks, garlick, and all other fmall tithes, within the faid
parifti whatfoever. The vicar to find proceflional candles, bread and wine for the
celebration of mafs, and incenfe as often as required, and have the church clothes
cleaned at his own expence. The mafter and brethren of the hofpital to fuftain all
other charges-'
• Lib. F^od. Ibid. ' Efc. « Rot. Claus. 3 Hen. IV. ' Efc,
•■ Pat. 35 Hen. VIII. p. 10. » Licence to alienate. ■• Ibid. ' Ibid. " Efc.
' Excerpt, e Regift. Wcllen.
The
Cintin&mi.] N O R T H O V E R. 307
The living is a vicarage in the deanery of Ivelchefter. The lord of the manor is
the patron, and the Rev. Nathaniel Bartlett is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Andrew,Jlands on a little eminence, clofe by
the weftern fide of the Fofie-road, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and tower at the weft
end, containing four bells. It contains no monument, nor infcription of confequence.
Dr. Stukely in his Itinerarium Curiofum,™ makes mention of a greyhound in this
village, through whofe fide a fkewer of wood feven inches long had worked itfelf out from
the ftomach.
" Vol. i. p. r5;.
SOCK-DENNIS.
THIS, now an obliterated place, lies at a fmall diftance fouthward without the
town of Ivelchefter. It was given by William the Conqueror to the Earl of
Morton, being near his demefnes of Bifliopfton.
" Robert holds of the Earl, Soche. Seven thanes held it in the rime of King
" Edward, and gelded- for three hides and a half. The arable is five carucates. In
*' demefne are two carucates, with one fervant, and eight villanes, and two cottagers,
" with two ploughs. There are feventy acres of meadow. It was and is wordi fixty-
« five ftiillings.'"
Whence this manor became attached to the feignory of Morton, and was Held under
it by the barons Beauchamp of Hatch, and under them by the family of Daeus or
Dennis, from whom the place obtained the addition to its original name. In the time
of Henry II. and Ric. I. Oft)ert and William Dacus, or Le Deneys, were keepers of
Petherton-Park in this county;'' the former of whom had ifilie Ralph Dacus, who
12 Henry II. held half a knight's fee of William de Mohun.' In the time of Henry III.
WiUiam Dacus the founder of the hofpital of Whitehall in Ivelchefter, was lord of the
manor of Sooke-Deneys, and was father of Brice he Denneys, who i Edw. I. being in
minority and in ward to the King, the manor was granted by the crown for die faid
term to John de la Lynde, being then held of John de Beauchamp by the fervice of two
knights' fees.* Which Brice Le Denneys was of age before 21 Edw. I. when Robert
Burnell, biftiop of Bath and Wells, held a moiety of this manor under him by the fervice
of a pair of gilt fpurs." The other moiety of the manor was then held by Nicholas de
Bonville, the Beauchamps being always the mefne lords.' And in procefs of time the
whole manor came into the poflcffion of the Bonvilles, and was held of them by the
families of Berkeley and Brook.^
• Lib. Domefday. ' See page 55 of tWs vol. ' Lib. Nig. Scac. i. 92.
JEfc. 'Ibid. 'Ibid. 'Ibid.
R r 2 ' 2 Henry
,q8 s o c k - d e n n I s. [CintinljutU
1 Henry V. John de Sock is recorded as an inhabitant of Sock Dennis.*"
The advowfon of the redory of Sock was in 1294 valued at twenty pounds/
The church has long fince been^^defolated, and the village itfelf, once populous, is
now reduced to a fingle dweUing. The principal farm was long in the pofTeffion of
the family of Phelips of Montacute; it now belongs to Mr. Pliipps, of Weftbury,
Wilts. The other farm and lands belong to Mr. Windham, of Dinton near Sarum,
and are denominated Windham's Sock.''
* Cart. Antiq. ' Efc. 22 Edw. I. " For an account of a Mineral ^ool at Sod, fee page 221 of this vol.
TINT IN HULL.
FURTHER on "towards the fouthweft, and upon the fame Roman FolTe-road, is
the parilli of Tintinhull, giving name to this hundred. This manor, confifting
of five hides, was given by King Edmund the elder to Wulfrick his fervant and
attendant, who conveyed the fame to the abbey of Glaftonbury. At the time of the
Conqueft the abbot exchanged it with the Earl of Morton for the manor of Camerton,'
and it is thus accounted for as his property in the old Norman furvey:
« The Earl himfelf holds Tinteh alle. The church of Glaftingberie held it in the
-" time of King Edward. There are feven hides and one virgate of land, but it gelded
" for five hides [only]. The arable is ten carucates. Thereof are in demefne four
" hides, and there are two carucates, and five fervants, and nineteen villanes, and nine
*' cottagers, with eight ploughs. There is a mill of thirty pence rent, and fixty acres
« of meadow, and two hundred acres of pafture, and fifty-feven acres of wood. It is
" worth fixteen pounds. Drogo [de Montacute] holds of the Earl one virgate ofthe
" fame land, and it is worth one mark of filver.""
From which Robert it defcended to William earl of Morton, who gave it with the
hundred and the advowfon of the church to his monaftery of Montacute, hereafter to
be mentioned. The monks had free-warren here, a market and a fair,' and the eftate
was rated to them in 1293 at 20]." After the diffolution 33 Henry VIII. the manor
was granted to Sir Thomas Wyatt,' and in the time of Queen Elizabeth belonged to
Sir William Petre, knt. who by his will, dated April 1 2, 1 57 1, gave to the poor of this
parifh and that of Montacute the fum of 61. 13s. ^d/ It is now the property of John
Napier, efq; who is defcended from Nicholas Napier, fon of John Napier, and grandfon
of Sir Alexander Napier, of Merchifton in Scotland, knt. by a filler of Robert Stewart
earl of Athol, who came into England in the time of Henry VII. and feated himfelf at
' Lib. Domefday. ' Ibid. ' Cart. 37 Hen. III. ra. 8. " Taxat. Temporal.
' Pat. 33 Hen. VIII. p. 6. ' Collins's Peerage, vii. 32.
Swyre
Cintin&uU.]
T I N T I N II U L L.
309
Swyre in Dorfetfliire, where he was buried. The family arms are, Argent, a faltire
engrailed between four rofes guks, feeded or.
Here was a cell to Montacute priory called Babkw, or Balhozv, the fcite of which in
the time of Edw. VI. belonged to John Lyte, of Lyte's-Cary.
The church, being appropriated to the monaflery of Montacute aforefaid, was in
1 2^2 valued at twenty-four marks.* The prior had an annual penfion of one mark
out of it.*"
The living is an impropriate curacy in the deanery of Ivelcliefter, and in the gift of
the lord of the manor. Ihe Rev. Edward Napier is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Margaret, and confifts of a nave and chancel, having
•in the centre on the north fide a plain tower, with a clock and five bells.
On the north fide of the chancel is a large mural monument infcribed to the memory
of Thomas Napier, gent, great-grandfon of Thomas Napier, and grandfon of Thomas
Napier, and fon of Thomas Napier, fuccefiively owners of this impropriation. And
on the fame wall is another memorial to Thomas Napier, eldefl: fon of Thomas Napier,
by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of John Edwards, of Lyme-R"egis in the county of
Dorfet, efq; and to Sarah his wife, daughter and coheircfs of George Hawker, of Vagg
in this county, efq; which Thomas died Jan. 10, 1760, aged 42, and was owner of this
impropriation.
Taxat. Spiritual.
Ibid.
M O N
A
U
E.
THIS parifh is fituated four miles fouthweft from Ivelchefter, at the foot of a fine
broken ridge of lofty hills to the fouth and wefl:, enriched and beautified with
noble plantations. Thefe hills merit a particular defcription, in regard they aflx>rd
mod confpicuous objefts to the furrounding country, and have been remarkable for
ages; which have fcen, both upon and underneath their fummits, the ferocious tranf-
aftions of war fucceeded by the cool habits of religious peace.
Adjacent to the church-yard rifes that noble mount, called Montacute and St. Mi-
chael's-hill, the bafe of which contains near twenty acres. Its form is conical, and its
afcent very fl:ecp, the top terminating in a flat area of half an acre, whereon ftands a
round tower fixty feet in height, and crowned with an open balluftrade. On this tower
is a flag-ftafF fifty feet high, on which a flag is occafionally difplayed, floating fifty-fix
yards in the air, and exhibiting a grand and pidurefque appearance. The fummit of
this tower being fo highly elevated above the level of the central part of the county,
affords a rich and extenfive profpeft, extending weftward to the hills below Minehcad
and Blackdown in Devonfliire; and northeaftward over Taunton, Quantock-Hills,
Bridgwater
310 MONTACUTE. [Cmtin&uU.
Bridgwater-bay, the Channel, and coaft of Wales. To the north Brent-Knoll, the
whole range of Mendip, the city of Wells, and Glaftonbury-Torr j eaftward Creche
and Knowl-hills, Alfred's-tower at Stourton, and the high lands about Shaftefburyj and
fouthward over the Dorfetfhire hills to Lambert's-caftle near Lyme ; the whole a circle
of above three hundred miles, in which on a clear day eighty churches are diftinguifh-
able. This hill is planted from bottom to top with oaks, elms, firs, and fycamores,
the intermingled foliage of which (efpecially in the autumnal feafon) forms a rich and
beautifully tinted fcenery.
About a quarter of a mile weftward is another conical eminence called Uedgecock-
hill, the "bafe of which is round, and a mile in circumference, and which terminates in
a point at about eight hundred feet in perpendicular height. This hill is faid to have
taken its name from an ancient hedge, which divided it into two parts, the fouth fide
belonging to the parifii of Montacute, and the north to that of Stoke. In the place of
this hedge now ftands a wall; and the hill being planted on the Montacute fide with
firs, and the Stoke fide with alhes from top to bottom, forms a fine deep mafs of Ihade,
and has a noble appearance.
Southwell from this is the high rocky ridge of Hamden-hiWy on which is a notable
Roman encampment, and the moft extenfive the Romans had in this part of England,
being nearly three miles in circuit. The northweft part thereof, which by nature was
the moft difficult of accefs, was fepa rated from the other part by a very ftrong and
lofty rampire of ftone and earth, called the Cornice, the fpace of encampment within
which is more than twenty acres. Many Roman coins have been dug up here, and
the veftiges of diftinft parts of the works remain to this day j fuch as the prsto-
rium, the amphitheatre or bull-ring, and the adytus to the equeftrian camp. The
watering-place was at a fmall diftance in the bottom, and is now become a morafs,
round which, juft under the furface of the earth, are the remains of feveral large
cifterns or water-troughs. The vallum round this camp is almoft entire, the entrench-
ments extending a confiderable way beyond the regular line of fortification.
This hill has been remarkable for many ages for its freeftone quarries,' the produce
of which poflefies the excellent quality of hardening by time, and by that means be-
coming exceedingly durable, retaining for centuries all the acute points and edges of its
workmanfhip. Moft of the churches for many miles round, both in this and the adjacent
counties, are built with this ftone, and are in general efteemed very handfome edifices.
Near this hill is fituated the village of Montacute, which in ancient times was a
borough and a market- town; and of thofe privileges with which it was heretofore
endowed, it ftill retains a court-leet, free-warren, and divers other peculiar franchifes.
Its Roman name is unknown; the Saxons termed it Lejbejiej-bejij, Lobejajiej^bujij,
Lojbejiej-bupj, Lojjajiej^beojij, LojJ^efiepbeofih, Lojfjojiepbufijh, Lojbejiej-bone,''
all which names were derived from Logwor, a pofleflbr of this territory in thofe days,
whofe name was preferved in one of thofe curious pyramids, which ftood before the
cemetery of the monks of Glaftonbury, where he had his burial." He is generally
• See vol. ii. p. 334. » Guilielm. Malmefbur. Ad. de Domer. et Joh. Glafton. Hilt. « Vol. ii. p. 267.
fuppofed
Cintin&uU.] MONTACUTE. 3ir
fuppofed to have been a prelate in the church, and that, becaufe, when tlie ancient
name of Logwors-borough was fomewhat before the time of the Norman Conqueft
difregarded, the town afllimed to itfelf the name oi Bijljopjlony by which the ftreet and
chief tithing remain diftinguifhed to the prefent time. The narne of Montacute was
impofed on this fpot when the great Earl of iVIorton, who at the time of the Conqueft
pofiefled fo many lordfliips in this county, added this alfo to the reft by exchanging
with the abbot and convent of Athelney, the manor of Candcl in Dorfetlhire/ To
which abbot and convent the faid manor had been furreptitioufly conveyed by the
monks of Glaftonbury its pofleflbrs from the year of our Lord 68 1, when Baldrcd King
of Kent gave the fame, confifting of fixteen hides, to abbot' Hemgifel.' The Norman
furvey defcribes the Earl's demefnes in this neighbourhood as follows:
" The Earl himfelf holds in demefne Biscopestone, and there is his caftle which is
" called MoNTAGUD. This manor gelded in the time of King Edward for nine hides,
" and was of the abbey of Adelingi, and for it the Earl gave to the fame church a manor
" which is called Candel. In this manor of Bifcopeftone is arable land to the amount
" of feven carucates. Thereof are in demefne two hides and a half, and there are two
** carucates, and four fervants, and four villanes, and three cottagers, with two ploughs.
" There is a mill of fifty pence rent, and fifteen acres of meadow.
" Of thefe nine hides Alured holds of the Earl one hide and a half. Drogo one
** hide. Bretel one hide. Donecan one hide. There are five carucates, with one fer-
" vant, and nineteen cottagers. This manor is worth to the Earl fix pounds. To
" the knights three pounds and three Ihillings."*^
Thus this Robert earl of Morton, or Mortaigne in Normandy, following the Norman
Duke into England, here fixed his caftle and his refidence, and the acutenefs of the hill
whereon he built, and the circumftance of Drogo de Montagu (a Norman chieftain, fo
furnamed from his anceftors' abode in France) being his confidential friend and afFiftant
in all his enterprifes, as well as firft caftellain of his caftle, determined him to affign to
this fpot the denomination which it ftill preferves. Who this Robert was, has already
in many parts of this work, as in almoft all other provincial hiftories, appeared. He
was in 1091 fucceeded in the earldoms of Mortain in Normandy, and Cornwall in
England, by his fon William, who at the foot of the hill built a religious houfe or
priory of black Cluniac monks, which he dedicated to the honour of St. Peter and St.
Paul, and for the fake of his good cftate during life, and for his Ibul after his deceafe,
as well as for the fouls of Robert his father, and Maud his mother, gave to the
faid priory the borough and market of Montacute, with exemption of toll; and the
caftle and chapel with their appertenances, and with the orchards and the vineyard next
to his demepies, the manor and hundred of Bijhopftone, with the mill there, with other
appendages, and the fair of Hamdsn. The manor alfo of •Tintinhull, with the church,
hundred, mill, fair, and appertenances. The manor of Creech, with Havi, and (2£tCn=
bCtgC, and Jl^igClTlOC, and the church and hundred with their appertenances. The
manor alfo and church of Chimock, and the hundred oi Hotftdjbcrough, and 2xIltttlClfl]?»
with all their appertenances. The manor of Go/worth, the church and mill of the
* Lib. Domefday. ' Joh. Glafton. Hift. 91. ' Lib. Domefday.
fame,
M O N T A C U T E. [Cmtinfjun.
fame and the lands of Melbury, Widcombe, and Ford, and DCnetoOlDClljam, with their
™tenances The manor church, hundred, and mill of Mudford, and the lands of
Td^ZmZ, with their appertenances: and the land of the ^ielle and ^..^
with appertenances; the manor of Leigh, and the church ^"^ hundred of JClfCt) am
Tn Devonfl.ire, and twenty Shillings rent in ®tX^t. I^UUecrOft, and lOtietlap J and
a certain piece of land called IBateSfClD J the church of Gerfic All-Samts, with
appertenances. And in Cornwall, the churches of Lerky, Mremm, Sennet, and 5/
cLntccus, with all their appertenances in lands and tithes. And alfo a ba.hwick called
Pennard, and the church of 2V%/.«, with appertenances; the churches of Bnmpion,
and Odcombe; two parts of the tithes of Ockford, and the tithe of Chnnoch, a moiety
of the tithes of Chijfelborough, Cloford, and Norton juxta Taunton; and the tithes of
Marfton, Creedlingcot, ^eCCCUmbe, Cmdel, Thorp, the three Cernels, Toller, ^nd Hook-
and two parts of the tithes of 15iCl)Ci)UUe, DiCtoitiefiUne, Point Ington, Loder, and
Chilthorne ' The prior's lands in Montacute were valued in 1293 at thirteen pounds.
The monaftick and other records have preferved to us the following names of the fuc-
ceflive prefidents of this houfe:
Walter was the firft prior, in whofe time the lands of the religious were taken away
on account of the founder's rebellion; but were afterwards reftored.
After him came Reginald, chancellor to King Henry I. who enlarged the monaftery
with buildings and poffeOions,^ and converted the remains of the call e on the mount
into a beautiful chapel « rofed all wyth ftone, covered verye artyfycyallye, dedicated o
St. Mychell, vawted within, with ftayres made with ftone from the fote of die hyll to
the toppe."'
Pontius." I Ranulf I Arvald
Guy I Aimer | Durand
Thomas. He was in 1 174 elefted abbot of Hyde in H
William
Joceline
ampfliire.
Huc^h ( Richard 1 Peter | Simon
Vigo I Pontius I Simon | Daniel
Durand. He was expelled for ill-behaviour in iao8," the year before which the
conventual church was deftroyed by fire.°
Marcus Fificus Bonus
Roger Norman occurs about the year 12,60.
Hugh de Noers
Gilbert de BufTa was ele£ted 1266
Guy de Marchaunt fucceeded 1278
Peter Gaudemer was conftituted prior 1289
John de Bello Ramo
Geffrey de la Doufe was elefted 1292
« Mori. Angl. ii. 909, " " Taxat. Temporal. ' Lei. Itin. ii. 92. " IH^.
' Cotton MS. Julius F. vi. "" Willis's Hill, of Abbies, ii. J99. • Mag. Rot. 10 Joh.
• Rot. Pip. 9 Joh. „ ,
Stephen
Cintinf)UU.] MONTACUTE. 3»3
Stephen Paulin, alias Rowlan, 1295.
John, furnamed Caprarius.
Guychard.
John de Port. I.
John de Port. II.
Gerald Roche occurs 1362.
Francis was prior 1384.
William Cryche.
John, was fummoned to the convocation Nov. 9, 141 6.'
John Bennet was fumnnoned to the convocation June 7, 1449.
Robert de Montacute was elefted 1460.
John Watts was prior 1498 and 1509.
Thomas Chard was fummoned to the convocation 15 15.
Robert Cryche fucceeded him.
Robert Whitelocke was the laft prior, who, March 20, 1539, Surrendered his pnory
to the King, (thirteen monks being then prefent) and had a yearly penfion of eighty
pounds allowed him, with a gratuity of twenty pounds, and the capital meffua^ ot
Eaft-Chinnock to live in." In 1553 there remained in charge 4I; ^3^-f' »" *««.
24I. 18s. in annuities, and thefe following penfions, viz. To Robert Warren 12I.
Thomas Taunton 7I. William Draper, John Cribbe, John Webbe, and John Clerk,
61. 13s. 4d. each. William Winter, John Pauley, and John Skyner, 5I. 6s. 8d. each.
William Crefe 5I. and John Rogers 4I. 13s. 4d.'
The monks had free-warren in all or moft of their manors, as well as fock and fack.
toll and theam, infangtheof, and all other liberties and free cuftoms withm their bo-
rough,' and hundreds of Montacute, TintinhuU, Houndfborough, Creech, Leigh, and
Frifeham in Devonlhirej and were exempt from all fecular jurifdiftions, exadions
impofitions, and taxes whatever, throughout England.' That they were favoured and
patronized by feveral Princes of the Houfe of Lancafter, appears by their arms, affixed
to the qrand arch and other remains of the monaftery, ftill exifting near the panlh
church-yard in ancient and venerable magnificence; and the fociety (who having been
originally fubjeft to the monks of Clugny in the diocefe of Mafcon in Normandy
w fe made denifon and enfranchifcd by King Henry IV.") flounn.ed till the ^ra of
the general diflblution of monafteries in this kingdom, when its revenues were rated at
I76H4S. y^d. The fcite, &c. of the priory was granted to Sir William Petre, and
fold by him to Mr. Robert Freke, of whom it was foon after purchafed by the family
of Phelips, who at that time polTefled fome other parts of the manor.
p Archer. 'Ibid. ' Hift. of Abbics, u. 200.
. „ Edw I this borough returned the following niembers to parliament, viz. Andrew lo Bakere and Henry
kPocherman. ^ra/,V. < Mon. Angl. i. 669. • nnrfe.(hire S/
" The following cells were annexed to this priory, viz. Caref^.U in Devonnure. a,b« m Dorfetflure. S/.
Sjriac in Cornwall, and Malj>as in Monmouthlhire. ^j^^
Vol. IIL ^ »
314 MONTACUTE. [CintinljlC
The family of Phelips migrated into this county from Wales, where they were long
anciently eftablifhed, about the time of Edw. I. and were many years refident at
Harrington, a few miles diftant from Montacute. A bfanch of the family fettled at
Corf-Mullen in Dorfet, having received a grant of that manor from King Henry VIII.
and they reprefented the boroughs of Pool and Wareham in feveral parliaments. In
the reign of Queen Elizabeth Sir Edward Phelips, knt. the Queen's ferjeant, and third
fon of Sir Thomas Phelips of Barrington, fettled himfelf at Montacute, where he builc
the large and noble manfion-houfe ftill {landing. This houfe is ninety-two feet in
height, and a remarkable gallery runs the whole length of the building to the extent
of one hundred and eighty-nine feet: it was originally a library; but the books
and furniture were deftroyed in the great rebellion. In the windows of the prefent
library are painted the arms of die family, viz. Argent, a chevron between three rofes
gulesy feeded or, barbed vert; and thofe of mod of the nobility and gentry of the county
in the time of Queen Elizabeth. This building was begun in 1580, and finifhed in
1 60 1, and has been pofiefTed and inhabited by the founder's pofterity ever fince in the
following fucceflion: Sir Edward Phelips, afterwards mafter of the rolls, chancellor to
Henry Prince of Wales, and fpeaker of the Houfe of Commons in the time of Queen
Elizabeth and James I.; Sir Robert Phelips his fon, in the time of James and Cha. I.;
Colonel Edward Phelips, in the time of Charles II.; Sir Edward Phelips, knt. in the
time of James II. and William III.j Edward Phelips, his nephew, in the time of
Queen Anne and Geo. I.; and in Geo. II. and the prefent reign of Geo. III. his fon
Edward, and grandfon of the fame name, both now living.
The parifh of Montacute is divided into three tithings, viz. Bishopston, Hvde,
and WiDcoMEE; befides which there is a fmall hamlet called Thorn. The tithing of
Eifhopfton (ftill retaining its priftine denomination) comprehends the town of Monta-
cute, which confifts of three ftreets, forming nearly the letter H, and wherein are
one hundred and eighty houfes, and nine hundred inhabitants. It had but a poor
market in the time of Leland," and now has none. It was formerly a great mart for
leather. The great and noble family of Montagu are generally (tliough erroneoufly)
fuppofed to have derived their title from this town of Montacute, but the progenitor of
that family came from Montagu in Normandy with William the Conqueror before this
place commuted its appellation.'' They had however pofieffions in this place, and were
always patrons of the priory, as the priors were of the church, which in 129a was
valued at fifteen marks, and the vicarage at one hundred fhillings.'' The living is
vicarial, in the deanery of Ilchefter, and in the gift of Edward Phelips, efq. The Rev.
Henry Rawlins is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Catherine. It confifts of a nave, chancel, and two
fide ailes; at the weft end there is an embatded tower containing a clock and five bells.
In the north aile lie the effigies in ftone of David Phelips, efq; and Anne his wife,
who died in 1484; of Thomas Phelips, efq; in armour, who died 1588; Eliza Phelips,
1598; and of Bridget Phelips 1508. On the eaft wall is a ftately mural monument of
marble, infcribed to the memory of Sir Edward Phelips, knt. who died April 4, 1699,
!Itin. ii. ga. ? Ses p. 4S, &c, of this volume, . ! Taxat. Spiritual.
in
CintinfjUlIO MONTACUTE. 3,^
in the 6 1 ft year of his age, and of Dame Edith Phelips his wife, (daughter and heirefs
of Mr. John Blake of Langport) who died Sept. 28, 1728, aged 66.
On an old monument:
" Thomas Phelips, efq; buried 1588.
Sir Edward Phelips, knt. 1614.
Sir Robert Phelips, knt. 1638.
Edward Phelips, efq; ^679.
Sir Edward Phelips, knt. ^699.
Edward Phelips, efq; — — — . 1734."
At the eaft end of the nave is a memorial to Lady Dorothy Phelips, wife of Sir
Edward Phelips, knt. and daughter of Henry Cheeke, of Weft-Newton in the parifli
of North-Petherton, efq; who died Nov. 19, 1678, and was buried the 6th of De-
cember following."
In the church-yard is an old ftone crofs witli a ftatue in a niche much mutilated.
By Hamden-Hill a Roman vicinal way conducSts us hence to the parifti of Stoke-'
nnder-Hamden.
• By her the manor, farm, and demefnes of West-Newton came to the family of Phelips.
STOKE-UNDER- HAMDEN.
THIS parifh is fituated (as its name implies) under the great encampment upon
Hamden-Hill, weftward from Montacute, being divided into two parts, called
East and West-Stoke.
Before the Norman invafion this territory was poflefled by five Saxon thanes,
whofe tenure was unalienable from the abbey of Glaftonbury.* The Conqueror on his
arrival took it to the crown, and fometime after beftowed it on Robert Earl of Morton.
" Robert holds of the Earl, Stoche. Five thanes held it in the time of King
" Exlward, and gelded for five hides and a half. There remains one virgate of
" land, which in the time of King Edward paid no geld. The arable is eight ca-
" rucates. In demefne are two carucates, and five fervants, and two villanes, and
" fourteen cottagers, with three ploughs. There are two mills of nine Ihillings rent,
*' and twenty-five acres of meadow, and two furlongs of pafture, and three acres of
" wood. It was and is worth feven pounds."''
By the unnatural rebellion of William fon of this Robert earl of Morton, the manor
becoming confifcated to the crown, was granted to the Lords Bcauchamp of Hatch,
of whom fome mention has been made in the former part of this work') and thus
' Lib. Domcfday. '' Ibid. « Vol. L p. 44.
S r 2 became
3i6 STOKE>UNDER-HAMDEN. [CintinM*
became a portion of their great barony of Hatch, where they refided. The firft of the
family that took up his refidence at Stoke was John de Bello Campo, or Beauchamp,
who in the time of Edw. I. ereded here, of ftone brought from the Hamden quarries,
a laro-e and noble manfion, which he obtained from King Edw. III. a licence to fortify
and embattle after the falhion of thofe turbulent times,'' and in which many of his
pofterity refided.
In this manfion, which thenceforward had the appellation of a caftle, (and even to
this day retains the fame in ruins) there was a free-chapel dedicated to the honour of St.
Nicholas, (bifliopof Myra in Lycia in the time of Conftantine the Great) wherein this
John de Beauchamp, with the confent of Cecily his mother, daughter and coheir of
Maud de Kyme, founded and endowed, A. D. 1304, a college or chantry for five
chaplains (one of them to be named and to aft as a provoft) to fay five mafies, accom-
panied with other offices, every day, and to offer devout prayers for the fouls of Lord
John de Beauchamp his father, Robert de Beauchamp his brother, his progenitors,
fucceflbrs, and all the faithful deceafed; and for the good eftate of Edward King of
England, Walter Hafelfliaw bifhop of Bath and Wells, of the faid Cecilia de Beau-
champ, and of himfelf the faid Lord John de Beauchamp, and of Lady Joan his wife,
and their children, Aleanor and Beatrix his fillers, and alfb of his relations, friends, and
benefadors, during their lives, and for their fouls after their dcceafe.'
In
* Pat. 7 Edw. III. p. 2. m. 2.
• Fundatio Cantarla de Stoke fubter Hamedon.
" Univerfis, &c. Walterus Epifcopus B. W. falutem. Veniens ad nos Johannes de Bellocampo, tanquam mifes
eatholicus & divinitus infpiratus, de confenfu Ceciliae de Bellocampo matris fuae, petijt humiliter, quod nos de terris
fruftibus & obventionibus omnibus fpedlantibus ad liberam capellam fuam (in honore Sanfti Nicholai in curia
fua de Stoke fub Hamedon conftruftam) tunc vacantem per refignationem Henrici de Wyk reftoris ejufmodi;
necnon & de uno meffuagio ac 4 virgatis terrae cum pertinentijs fuis in difto manerio fuo de Stoke unacum advo-
catione ecdefia: parochialis ejufdem villze, cujus diftus Johannes verus patronus exiftit, de licentia Regis ad fuften-
tationem 5 capellanorum qui in perpetuum teneantur in difta capella fingulis diebus 5 miffas cum officijs debit)*
celebrare, & fundere preces devotas pro animabus domini Johannisde Bellocampo patris fui, Robertide Bello-
campo fratris fui, progenitorum, et fuccefTorum, omniumq; iidelium defunitorum; & pro falubri ftatu E. Regis
Anglia:, W. de Hafelfchaw Epifcopi B. W. difbe Ceciiiae de Bellocampo, diftique domini Johannis, et domina?
Johannx confortis fuse, liberorumq; fuorum Alienor* et Beatricis fororum ejus, necnon parentum, amicorura,.
fidelium, familiarium & benefaftorum ejus dum vixerint, & pro animabus cum ab hac luce fubftradli fuerint,
ordinare curaremus. Nos traflatu habito cum capitulis noftris B. & W. ordinamus, — 5 capellanos — fcil. domi-
num Reginaldum de Moncketon, dominum Hen. Cros, dominum Tho. de Attebere, dominum Joh. Champion,
& dominum Will, de Schipton, quos diftus dominus Joh. de Bellocampo nobis prsefentavit — admilimus, et
diiSum Dominum Reginaldum diftae capella; Sanfti Nicholai, & csteris 4 praifecimus capellanis, ita quod ipfe Re-
ginaldus fit diftorum 4 prelbiterorum prsepofitus & tali nomine in poftcrum nuncupetur. Alios autem 4adjungentes
eidem tamquam focios & confodales, ac facerdotes minores, qui fibi in mandatis canonicis tanquam fuo prae-
pofito intendent & obedient ficut decet. Diftus praepofitus & confocij fui ibidem refidentiam faciant con-
tinuam, fimulque morentur, & in una dome fimul comedant atque bibant, jaceantque in una camera nifi infirmitas
vel alia caufa rationabilis fubfit. In eundo ad capellam, & redeundo, & intra praefatam capellam de Stoke, dum
fuum faciunt fervicium in fuperpellicijs albis atque honeftis, & defuper nigris capis terram tangentibus, more
canor.icornm, fmt induti. Salvo tamen quod praepofitus utatur amucia more canonicorum Well. & confodales
fai facerdotes amucijs more vicariorum utantur, & infra fcepta domus fu^e & extra habebunt veftes unius ejufdem
coloris ac pr.»tij talaris, cum albis mantellis & cruce indea in parte finiftra, fcutp de armis difti dcraini Johannis
defuper confuto, feu capa rotunda ejufdem 'coloris cum figno prenotato. Ita quod pretium ulnae panni quo
veftientur 20 den. non excedat. Pra:pofitus infuper & caeteri facerdotes miniftrique fui horas canonicas & officium
mortuoxum cum nota qualibet die dicent, fecundum diveriitatem temporis anni, & miffas celebrabunt temporibus
opportunis.
rfntinl)UU.j STOKE-UNDER-HAMDEN. 317
In the time of Henry VIII. this chantry was upon tlie decline, and Lcland informs
us, that when he vifited the place there was mals performed here only three times a
week.
opportunis. Ita quod nifi impedimentum occurrat legicimum, j tnidx fmgulis diebus celebrentur ibidem, quarum
I' celcbrabitur circa ortum folis, de Sanfto Spiritu, fincnoca, profalubri ftatuantediitorumdum vixerint, &cum
ab hoc luce fubftraAi fuerint, pro animabus eorum: et in die annivcriiario domini Johannis pacris & Roberti
fratris, domin*: Cedlii, dominique Johannis & Johanna, folemne fervicium facient fpeciatiter pro eifdeni, ac dif-
iribuent annis fmgulis pauperibus in pane duas marcas pro animabus ipforum, viz. pro Johanne patre, Cecilia
matre, & Johanne filio 20s. pro rata portione: & pro Roberto fratre, & Johanna uxore difti domini Johannis
dimidium marca; pro portione aiquali. 2'. Mifla celcbrabitur pro antediftis & omnibus alijs fidelibus defunftia
fine DOta. 3'. In honore Sanits Maria; cum nota pro vivis & defunftis. 4*. De die cum nota celebretur.
Et 5'. Erit pro difpofitione pra;pofui. Ordinamus etiam quod praipofitus antediflus habeat & percipiat ad
fuftentationem et habitationem fuam, et 4 fociorum fuorura ac minillrorurn eifdem fervientium in futurum, mef-
fuagium illud cum pertincntijs quod reftor hujus capelia: prius habuit, necnon & omnes terras, prata & decimas
tarn majores tata minores, obventioncs, oblationes, & proventus, qua; ad diftam capellam prius fpedabant, qua:
certis defignationibus, ad omne dubium toliendum in pofterum, prxfentibus duximus exprimenda, viz. Medietatem
decimarum provenientium de 6 acris & dimidio in parochia de Schipton-Beauchamp, in campo qui vocatur
Stanclyve, & de 3 acris fuper la Hulle; et de 2 acris in Babbeclyve, et etiam de omnibus antiquis dominicis
Domini de Schipton. Praedida tarn in terris in excambium datis, & ad redditum traditis, quam de aliis terris
de antique dominico, hoc exccpto, quod de 5 acris qua;funt inter terram domini de Schipton, in campo, qui vocatur
Middel Forlong, & de 3 acris qua; funt in campo qui Nethermede Forlong & jacent juxta foflatum de Compton,
& de 3 acris quae funt in campo qui vocatur f rogmere ; et de i dimid. acrae jacente ad caput difti campi de
Frogmere, Praopofitus prsefats capclla: nihil omnino percipiet ; fed reftor ecclefix de Schipton, omnes decimas
provenientcs de diftis terris percipiet, unacum alia mcdietate decimarum provenientium dc antiquis dominicis
de Schipton. Percipiet etiam prxpofitus d'lAx capellx medietatem omnium decimarum provenientium de curia
domini de Schipton, & de animalibus cotariorum qus nutriuntur in domibus fuis, vel extra in campis de Schipton,
infra tenements antiqua dominici de Schipton. Percipiet etiam pr.-ediftus pra;pofitus diiSs capellx Chirchcftun,
nomine fuo Sc capellx fua; pra;diftx, fcil. [de 8 viris quorum nomina rccenfentur] de quolibet eorum 4 bufs.
filiginis per annum ad feftum Sanfti Martini, et fic percipiet de tencmentis eorum ad quorumcunque manus
hujusmodi tenementa devenerint in futurum. Percipiet etiam idem prspofitus de Stoke Chircheftun de [8 viris
quorum nomina recenfentur] viz. dc quolibet eorum 2 dcnar. per annum, ad feftum prxdiftum, & fic percipiet de
tenementis prxdiftorum, ad quorumcunque manus devenerint in futurum. Habebit etiam diftus prxpofitus &
cxteri prefbiteri ad fuftentationem fuam communem totum illud mefluagium cum terra quod Roger Oliver ali-
quandotenuitin Stoke cum omnibus pertincntijs fuis, et advocationem parochialis ecclefix diftx villx de Stoke,
qux diftus dominus Johannes de Bellocampo de novocontulit ad fuftentationem diftorum5 capellanorum : ordi-
navimus etiam quod mortem prxpofiti confocij fignificent Johanni de Bellocampo vel hxrcdibus fuis, infra
menfem, & fi patronus non prxfentaverit alium infra 4 menfes, liceat domino epifcopo ifta vice dare & inftituere.
Mortem cujuslibet alii facerdotis prxpofitus infra menfem fignificabit patrono, qui fi intra 2 menfcs alium non
prxfentaverit, liceat prxpofito de confenfu fociorum fuorum .alium eligere. Inhibemus etiam prxpofito & cxtcris
confocijs fuis fub pxna amiffionis flatus fui ne quis eorum rccipiat annualia tritennalia, vel pecuniam quamcunque
ab alijs pro miffis celebrandis, occafione cujus fervicio fuo in capclla de Stoke poffit fraus vel fubftraftio fieri in
futurum. Nee licebit difto domino Johanni vel hxrcdibus fuis, equos, canes, vel aves mittere ad diftum prxpo-
Titum et focios fuos, ut ibidem nutriantur et perhendinent contra voluntatem ipforgm, nee eis gravamen inferre,
fi recufent talia rccipere fi mittantur. Statuimus etiam quod cedente vel decedente domino Roberto de
Bellocampo, nunc reftore diftx ecclefi.x de Stoke 2 partes omnium decimarum, proventuum Sc obventionum
fpeftantium ad ecclefiam parochialem prxdidiam de Stoke cedant in ufus proprios prxdiftorum prxpofiti & foci-
orum in augmentum fuftentationis eorundem. Tertia vero pars didarum decimarum, omniumque proventuum
et obventionum, ad diftam ecclefiam fpeftantium, una cum manfo & curtillagio competenti, remanebit aflignanda,
per nos vel fucceffores noftros, in eventum vacationis, ecclefix memoratx vicario, qui diftx ecclefix de Stoke
honefte ferviet, Quem quidem vicarium didlus prxpofitus, de confenfu confociorum fuorum, nobis & fuccefToribus
noftris canonice prxfentabit. Nee licebit prxpofito vel focijs fuis de portionibus aflignatis feu alFignandis vicario
pro fuftentatione ipfius aliquid minuere. Onera quidem cxtraordinaria omnia predidlx ecclefix de Stoke in-
cumbentia pro 2'"" partibus decimarum et obventionum quas diftus prepofitus & confocij fui percipient a difbi
ecclefia fupportabunt atque agnofcent. Et vicarius omnia onera ordinaria tarn epifcopalia quam archidi.iconalia
fupportabit, & ad extraordinaria quidem onera fupportanda pro 3* parte quam percipiet tene.itur. Solvet etiam
idem vicarius & ejus fuccefiTores unam marcara argenti fingulis annis ad fabricam ecclefix Well, ad feftum
Pafch*
3i8 STOICE-UNDER-HAMDEN. [CintinlJUfl,
week/ In the fucceeding reign it was quite diflblved, and all its lands and poffeflions,
of which the following account was returned by the King's commiflioners, were feized
to the ufe of the crown:
" Stoke under Hamden in the countie of Somersett.
*' The furvey of the perticuler and yerely valewe of the college, provoftrie, free-
chappell, and perfonage of Stooke under Hamden, with the chardgis and deduc-
tions going owte of the fame, taken there the a5th daye of Julye in the fecound
yere of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lorde Edwarde the Sixte, by the grace of
God King of Englounde, Fraunce, and Irelond, defendour of the faythc, and of
the churche of Englonde, and alfo of Irelonde, in earthe the fupreame heddj by
Sir Hughe Poulett and Sir Thomas Dier, knights, as well by the perticuler
perufe of the rentts, tithes, and all manner of profitts thereunto belonging, as by
thexamynacon of John Kyte, now fermor there, by a leafe thereof made to hym
by indenture for yeres yet to comyng, as it ftiall hereafter playnely and perticulerly
appeare in either parte upon the depofition of the faide fermor before us in everey
thing touching the fame.
*' The Colkadge, Provoftrie, Freechappell, and Perfonage of Stoke under Hamden, being
of valewe in £. s. d,
" The fcite of the houfe, with the orcharde and other appertenances, 7
conteigning 4 acres. . , , f o 40 o
" A broode cloofe in the moor, conteigning 5 acres — 012 o
" A cloofe of pafture cauled Barmehaye, conteigning i acre and a half 050
" A cloofe of pafture called Clerken-Mede, conteigning 3 acres — 070
" A cloofe of pafture caulled Hare-Haie, conteigning i acre o o 20
" A cloofe of pafture called Sukeman's-Land, conteigning 4 acres — 040
« A cloofe of pafture lying at Yvekheftre on thefter fide of Stooke, con-
teigning by eftimacon 4 acres-, and a cloofe of pafture lying att(
Tvelcheftre called Spttell, conteigning by eftimacon 12 acres, va-(
lewed together at
" Tenne acres and oone half feftre of medow lying at rWf/&f/?r^ o 18 10
Pafcha; in recompenfationem duarum part'ium fequeflri quod ad diaam ecclefiam Well, pertinet tempore vaca-
tionis ecclefis predids de Stoke ; et archidiacono Well. & ejus fucceflbribus dim. marc, ad idem feftum occafionc
fequeftri pra:difti. Si prelbiteri minores deiiquerint infra capellam feu curiam diai domini Johannis de Bellocampo
in maneno fuo de Stoke, feu infra fcepta domuum fuarum, fubjacebunt in hoc correftioni fui prxpofiti, & eos
pumet canon.ce. dum tamcn fit tale deliftum quod abfque auftoiitate epifcopi, feu fui fuperions, legitime poterit
emendari. In alijs autem locis fi quis eorum deliquerit ordinaris fubjaceat poteftati. Prspofitus vero prsdiftus,
per nos, fucceflores noftros, vel aliquem per nos deputatum, femel in anno in ecclefiaparochiali de Stoke vifitavitur:
pra^pofitus etiam prsdiftus res communes & negotia communia cum confilio fociorum fuorum pertraftet, & coram
eifdcm de adrainillratione fua & ftatu bonorum fuorum communium, quolibet anno infra Odab. SandiMichaelis
teneatur reddere rationem, quam nobis vel noftro Commi/Tario oflendet in parochiali ecclefiade Stoke quando
earn fecenmus vifitan, & ipfe fuerit requifitus. In quorum omnium prsmiflbrum tellimonium, huic prafenti
ordmationi noflra; figiUum nollrum duximus apponendum. Dat. apud Banevvell 4 non. Odobris I ^04. Confe-
eratwnis noftrae 2'."^ E Re0ro Johannis de DrokensfirJ, Ep. B. i^ If'ell.
' Itin. ij, 94.
One
O 21 8
3'9
C' S' d.
O O 12
054
050
CintinbuU.] STOKE-UNDER-HAMDEN.
" One acre of meede in Eaji-meede at Stoke
« In the comen pafture caUed Rekefden at Stoke, 8 beeftes leas, valued at
" In Marjion in the comen 25 acres of furfey grounde which the tenant"
doth occupye everey thirde yere, and thother 2 yeres itt lycth(
comen to other men, and the tenant dothe take noprofitt thereof,(
which is valewed communibus annis at
"Fyve acres of meede in £)-,?- Af^^J-,? at .S'/*?^/^,? —
« Arrable grounde 1 64I acres at 1 2d. th acre — _ _ 3 4 6
" The (lief and other tithes valued by the othe of John Kyte fermor of?
the fame to be worthe one yere with an other , | Jo o o
£.44 12 O
" Going owte of the Jame in
" Paymentes to the preeft for his ftipende yerelye — 8 o o 7
"Payments to the Bifshopp,Deane, and chapiter of Welles o 36 lol-j 9 ^6 io|
" And fo remayneth cleere l.2>\ 1 5 i-r
« Memorand That there hath been 40s. proffitts commyng oute of Shepton-
Beacham, which hath been withdrawn by the fpace of 15 yeres.
<'Item. Thoblacons of the chappell of Saynte Nycholas of Stoke hathe been worth
by the yere 4I. whiche hath been decayed by the fpace of 12 yeres.
Hugh Poulett,
Thomas Dyer.
" Forafmuche as myLorde Proteftor's graces pleafureis, that Mrs. Elizabeth DarrcII
Ihould have a leafe of the preamifles; make therefore a leafe of the lame for 21 yeres
paying the rentt aforefaid with provifo as is ufed in lyke caafe, and in confideracon of
the difchardge of 300I. which the faide Mrs. Darrell dothe clayme of the Kinoes
majeltie for a dett dewe unto her.*" ^
The provoft of this college had a large houfe in the village of Stoke."
But to return to the family of Beauchamp. Sir John de Beauchamp, the founder of
the aforefaid chapel, died feized of the manor of Stoke-under-Hamden, 10 Edw III
being certified to hold the fame of the King in chief by the fervice of one knight's fee.' '
To whom fucceeded two of his own name, his fon and grandfon, the laft of whom
dying without iflTue male, 35 Edw. III. this eftate came to the family of Meriet by the
marriage of Sir John de Meriet with Eleanor de Beauchamp, his fifter and coheirefsj
whofe fon Sir John de Meriet conveyed this manor to Sir Thomas de Gournay," lord
of Inghfhcombe in this county, who by treafon forfeiting it to the crown, it thence
•Harl.MS.6o6,p.6o. "161.11111.11.94. i Efc. " Of this family fee more in vol. ii. p. 138.
became
320 STOKE-UNDER-HAMDEN. [Cintinfeufl.
became attached to the dutcby of Cornwall, wherein It continues to this day, being the
property of the Prince of Wales.
Sir Matthew de Gournay, fon of the abovementioned Sir Thomas de Gournay, was
one of the moft famous warriors of the age in which he lived; having fignalized
his valour at the battles of Crefiy, Poidiers, and many other great engagements,
in the reigns of Edw. III. and Ric. II. At length retiring to his native manfion at
Stoke-under-Hamden, he there died in peace Sept. 26, 1406, and was buried in the
collegiate chapel abovementioned, where the following infcription round his portraiture,
engraved in brafs, was fixed upon his grave-ftone to his memory :
*' 3(cp gift le noble $ tiaUlant cbitiaUc ^afjcu ue ®umep iaDys fcnefc&al Dc
lanties gt capitain Du cbaftel Daqiies por noftre ^eignov le Hog en la Uiicbc
lie (S5u2ene, que en fa tJie fu a la fiatail De T6eaumarin (j ala apte0 a la fiege
Dalgeiice fur le ^ara^ines, ^ auri a le fiatailles He JLcfclufe, De Creflp, Dc
^ngenelTe, Delpegteceg, De il3a?ara, Dcrjrep, et aplufiurs autreg l)ataille0
et affegeg, en Ics quer il gaina noblcment graunD log ^ honour pec lespace De
xxxxiiij ^ rDj ang, f motul! le xxMi jouc De ©eptemftre Ian noflre ^eignot
3icfu C&rift mcccctin que Dc falme Dieur tit mercj). 3men."
The once noble manfion of the Beauchamps and the Gournays is now in ruins, its
fmall remains being converted into offices for a farm-houfe, and tlic chapel into a cyder-
vault. On the Ibuthweft fide of the chapel lay three effigies in ftone of men in armour,
and two females reprefenting fome of the noble family of Beauchamp, whofe arms,
Valre, argent and azure, were depifted on the tomb and in the windows. There were alfo
in this part of the chapel two altar tombs without effigies. On the north fide of the
body of the chapel was a tomb in the wall; and another having thereon the effigy of one
of the fame family of Beauchamp, charged with a fhield vaire. Sir Matthew de Gournay
lay before the choir door. His arms, paly of fix or and guks, were in the windows.
Another coat in the fame windows was, Gules, femee of crofs-crodets or. At the weft
end of the body of the chapel there was a large fiat ftone without any infcription:'
There is now no trace of any of thefe monuments remaining.
The Norman record takes the following notice of fome other manerial property in
this neighbourhood:
" Malger holds of the Earl [of Morton] Stochet. Alwin held it in the time .of
** King Edward, and gelded for two hides and one virgate and a half of land. The
" arable is three carucates. In demefne are two carucates, and feven fervants, with
" one villane, and one cottager. There is a mill of forty-pence rent, and ten acres of
" meadow. It is worth forty Ibillings.'""
" Robert holds of the Earl, Stochet. Three thanes held it in the time of King
** Edward, and gelded for two hides wanting half a virgate of land. The arable is two
" carucates. There are four cottagers, and ten acres of meadow, and fifteen acres oif
*' pafture, and four acres of wood. It was and is worth forty Ihillings.""
' Le\. Itin. ii. 93, 94. " Lib. Domefday. • Ibid.
Sfoket,
Cintint)uU.]
STOKE-UNDER-HAMDEN.
321
Stokety or EJloket, in the time of Edw. III. belonged to Sir Robert Hull, knt. and
pafled by Catherine his daughter and heir in marriage to Sir Robfert l.atimer, knt.
grandfon of William lord Latimer, baron of Corby in the county of Northampton."
The church of Stoke-under-Hamden was, in 1292 valued at thirty marks.' The
living is a curacy in the deanery of Ilchefter. The Rev. Edward Whitley is the
prefent incumbent.
The church confids of a nave, chancel, and fouth ailej on the north fide of the nave
is a tower containing five bells and a clock.
In the north wall of the chancel, under an arch, lies the effigy of one of the family
of Strode J near it is a monument with this infcription: ■ 1 " Here underneath lies the
body of John Strode, gent, who departed this life Dec. 5, 1725, aged 66. Alfo is
•interred Maiy his wife, who died Nov. 22, 17 12, aged 46."
" Hutchins's Hift. of Dorfet, u. 255.
* Taxat. Spiritual.
U
o
N.
THIS fmall parifh is fituated one mile eaftward from Montacute, and three miles
weftward from Yeovil, at the foutheaft extremity of the hundred we are de-
fcribing. Its ancient names were Lochetone, and LuSlone, under the former of which it
is thus defcribed in the Norman furvey:
" Anfger holds of the Earl [Morton] in Lochetone one hide. Alwin held it in
" the time of King Edward. The arable is one carucate, which is in demefne, and
" [there are] two fcrvants, and three cottagers, and ten acres of meadow. It is worth
*' twenty ftiillings."*
This manor, which in the time of Henry VI. and Edw. IV.'' was held by the family
of Brook, of Brook-Ivelchefter, of whom we have lately fpoken, is now die property of
William Wyndham, efq.
The living is a reftory in the deanery of Ivelchefter, and in the patronage of the
lord of the manor. The Rev. Henry Sampfon is the prefent incumbent.
The church, which is dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is a fmall low edifice of
one aile, with a turret at the weft end containing two fmall bells.
• Lib. Domefday.
•Efc
Vol. III.
Tt
THORN-
[ 3^2 ] [Cintinbull.
THORN-COFFIN
LIES to the north of Lufton, and about three miles fouth from Ivelchefter, in a
pleafant country, well wooded, and varied with fmall vales and eminences j the
foil a lightifh fandy loam.
Its ancient name, which is of Saxon growth, might poflibly have originated from a
fuperabundant quantity of that tree growing in thefe parts j its other name was given
it by a family who poffeffed the manor. The Norman tranfcribers wrote it as they
pronounced it, ^orne, and thus furveyed it as the property of Roger de Curcelle:
" Alric holds "of Roger, Torne. Three thanes held it in the time of King Edward,
" and o-elded for one hide, and three virgates of land. The arable is five carucates,
« In demefne is one carucate, and three fervants, and nine villanes, and five cottagers,
*' with three ploughs. There is a mill of ten fhillings rent, and four acres of meadow,
" and thirty acres of pafture, and eight acres of wood. It was worth twenty fhillings,
«' now forty fhillings.'"
Robert Coffin was living here 13 Edw. II. and bore on his feal three roundels be-
tween five crofs-croflets.'' His lands here were held of the barony of Montacute." In
the time of Edw. III. the manor of Thorn-Coffin belonged to the family of de Clevedon,
from whom it pafled to Hoglhaw, and thence to Bluet.'' 10 Henry VI. three parts of
the manor, with divers tenements in the parifh, were granted to the priory of Stevordale."
John Napier, efq; of Tintinhull, is the prefent lord.
The living is a reftory in the deanery of Ivelchefter, and in the gift of the lord of the
manor. The Rev. Edward Napier is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Andrew, of one pace, forty-one feet long, and fourteen
wide, with a fmall wooden turret at the weft end containing two bells.
■ Lib. Domefday. » Seals from ancient Deeds. ' Lib. Feod. ? Rot. Claus. 15 Ric. !!►
* Pat. 20 Hen. VI. p. i. m. 21.
KINGSTON.
153J.'J
THIS is a disjointed parifti, lying contiguous to Ilminfter in the hundred of Abdick
and Bulftone. It is fituated on rifing ground, with an agreeable variety of fur-
face, and well wooded and watered. The foil is a ftone-rufh, mixed with fand. The
lands nearly equally divided between tillage and dairy. Two hamlets are comprifed
within this parilh, viz.
1. Alownshay, one mile eaftward from the church.
2. LuDNEY, the fame diftance towards the foutheaft,
A. D. 9'40,
Cintinbun.] KINGSTON. 323
A. D. 940, Edmund, brother of King AthelfVan, gave this manor, confiding of eight
hides, to the abbey of Glaftonbury," in which, till the general fubverfion of EnglKh
property by William the Conqueror, it continued; and was then given with the other
adjacent lordfliips to the Earl of Morton.
" Hubert holds of the Earl, Chincestonk. The church of Glaftingbcrie held it
** in the time of King Edward, and gelded for eight hides. The arable is eight caru-
*' cates. Thereof are in demefne four hides, and there are two carucates, and three
" fervants, and eleven villanes, and thirteen cottagers, with five ploughs. There arc
" forty-one acres of meadow. Wood fix furlongs long, and three furlongs broad. It
*' was and is worth nine pounds. The church has no fervice."''
8 Edw. I. John de Burgh held this manor with that o( Jlown/hay," whence it came
to the family of Fitzpaine, and afterwards to the Chidioks of Dorfetfhire.* Earl Poulett
is its prefent poflcflbr.
At Alownfhay, which has been a place of great antiquity, was formerly a church or
chapel. Of this place was Henry Jeanes, fon of Chriftopher Jeanes of Kingfton,
who became a commoner of New-Inn-hall in the univerfity of Oxford in the year
1626, and afterwards, being a learned preacher both in the univerfity and elfewhere,
was in 1635 prefented by Sir John Wyndham to the redlory of Beer-Crocombe and
Capland in this county; foon after which he became vicar of Kingfton; and at length,
upon the change of the times in 1641, he became reftor of the church of Chedzoy in
the room of Dr. Walter Raleigh. He wrote divers books, and was according to the
relation of Wood," a fcholaftical man, a contemner of the world, generous, free-hearted,
jolly, witty, and facetious. He died at Wells A. D. 1662, and was buried in the
cathedral church.
The living is a curacy in the deanery of Crewkerne, and in the gift of the dean and
chapter of Wells. In 1292 it was valued at twenty marks.'
The church confills of a nave and chancel, between which ftands a large embattled.
tower, containing four bells.
* Guiliehn. Malmefbur. de Antiq. Glafton. Ecclef. Ad. de Dom. 72, ' Lib. Domefday.
' Efc. * Jbid. ' Athen. Oxon. ii. 298. ' Taxat. Spiritual,
T 1 1 THE
[ 325 I
THE HUNDRED
O F
W E L L O W
LIES on the fouthern fide of Bath-Forum, and extends noithweftward to that
of Keynfliam. The Roman Fofle-road, entering this diftridl at Odd-Down,
traverfes it obliquely from northeaft to fouthweft, and is in many parts ftill
perfed. The ancient lords of the hundred were the families of Montefort, Berghcrfh,
Hungerford, and Raftings, It now belongs to Thomas Samuel JollifFe, and Samuel
Twyford, efqrs.
W E L L O W.
THIS large parifli is fituated in a delightflil champaign country, five miles fouth-
weft from the city of Bath, in a vale nearly furrounded with hills finely cultivated,
and wooded with elm, afti, oak, and hazel coppices, which in this foil thrive luxuriantly.
This place, lying fo contiguous to the Fofle, and fo near the Aqua Solis of the
Romans, became one of their moft confiderable villas in thefe parts, and the veftiges
of their works are here frequently developed. There is a fpot of ground called IVellow
Hayes, which feems particularly to have been inhabited by that people, there having
been no lefs than four Roman teflelated pavements found here. The firft was in the
year 1685 ;» the others in 1737 and 1739. Thefe pavements werd moft elegantly inlaid
with fmall tejfevie, forming a variety of figures of men, animals, leaves, fquares, and
circles."" At the fame place were alfo difcovered the remains of a Roman fudatory, in
which were the fragments of pateras and other utenfils, and large hewn ftones, fome
round and others fquare, being part of fome very large and noble edifice. In a barrow
* Gale's Antoninus, p. 89. ' Plates of thefe have been publiihed by the Anti<iuarian Society.
alfo
326 w E L L o w. [mmo\a,
alio here were found fomefew years ago feveralftone coffins; but thefe muft have been
depofited by a fubfequent people, probably the Saxons, fome one of whofe chieftains,
according to provincial tradition, having been flain in a bloody battle, lies buried under-
neath an immenfe tumulus, called JVoodborough, at the extremity of the parifli.
The Norman topographers, miflaking the Saxon F,' wrote this place Telwe, and in the
Conqueror's furvey thus defcribe this manor, and the adjoining one of Woodborough:
" Ofbern himfelf holds Telwe. Dono held it in the time of King Edward, and
" gelded for five hides. The arable is four carucates. In demefne is one carucate,
" and two fervants, and three villanes, and four cottagers, with three ploughs. There
" are two mills rented at one hundred pence, and fourteen acres of meadow, and fix-
" teen acres of coppice-wood, and fourteen acres of pafture. It was formerly worth
" three pounds, now four pounds.'"*
" Ofbern himfelf holds Udeberce. Dono held it in the time of King Edward, and
" gelded for one hide. The arable is two carucates. In demefne is one carucate, and
" fix cottagers, with one fervant, and eight acres of meadow. It was formerly worth
" thirty fhillings, now it is worth forty flnllings."*
This Ofbern, who was furnamed Gifard, or Giffard, had by the grant of William
the Conqueror feveral manors in various parts of England, of which Brimpsfield in
Gloucefterfhire was his principal featj but afterwards Winterborn in Wilts became the
head of his barony, and was denominated from him Winterborn-GifFard. He was fuc-
ceeded by Helias GifFard, who was a benefadtor to the abbey of St. Peter at Gloucefter,
as was alfo Helias his fon, who was living in the time of Henry II. and then gave lands
at Aldbourn in the county of Wilts to the knights-templars. This Helias was a monk
of St. Peter's abbey in Gloucefter.' To him fuccecded another Helias, the third
of that name, who 12 Henry II. held nine knights' fees, and gave one hundred marks
fine for lively of his inheritance.' His fucceflbr was Thomas GifFard, who lived in the
time of Ric, I. and was father of another Helias GifFard, who joined with the rebellious
barons againft King John, and thus loft many of his eftates. This manor of Wellow
in the fuccecding reign is found to be held of the honour of Gloucefter by Henry de
Montefort,'' whofe defcendant Reginald conveyed it 20 Edw. III. to Sir Bartholomew
de Burgherfh,' whence it came to the families of Hungerford, Haftings, and Huntingdon.
1630 Sir Arthur Capel, knt. was lord of this manor. It is now the property of
William Gore Langton, efq.
Lands in Woodborough belonged to the Carthufian monaftery of Hinton." It is
jnow the feat of the family ofLanfdown.
Southward from Wellow, at the diftance of about one mile is the hamlet of Stoney-
LiTTLETON, which before the Norman invafion was the land of three Saxon lords, but
was given by the Conqueror to Roger de Curcelle.
'Many names are mifpek in Pomefday-book, by reafon of the tranfcribers not underftanding the Saxon cha-
rafters, or to coj-y them from the pronunciation of the natives. ;
' Lib. Domefday. 'Ibid. ' Dugd. Bar. i. 500. « Rot. Pip. 12 Hen. II.
* Lib. f eod. ' Rot. Claus, 20 Ed. III. •■ Pat. 36 Ed. Uh
*' Norman
I
melloto.] W E L L O W. 327
" Norman holds of Roger, Liteltone. Almar and Ofbern and Godric held it for
*' three manors in the time of King Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable
*• is four carucates. In demefne are two carucates, and three fervants, and four vil-
** lanes, and three cottagers, with one plough. There are forty acres of meadow, and
" as many of coppice-wood. It was and is worth forty fliillings."' v
The lords of Wellow were aftei-wards the chief lords of this manor, under whom
it was fometime held by the family of Brook. 5 Henry V. Sir Thomas Brook, knt.
held the manor of Littleton, with lands and tenements, in Wellow, Pekeliniche, or
Peglinch, Harferig, now called Haflage, fVoodborough, Sbenigscomb, now Shafcomb, and
Camely, of Sir Walter Hungerford, knt." The manor is now the property of John
Smith, efq.
Another adjacent hamlet is called Beggeridge, which formerly gave name to a family.
24 Edw. I. Gilbert de Baggerugge held part of a knight's fee here of the honour of
Gloucefter." The abbot and convent of St. Auguftine's in Briftol had alfo pofleflions
in this hamlet, which 32 Henry VIII. were granted to tfte Earl of Hertford." 7 Edw.
VI. the manor of Beggeridge was the property of William Crowche, efq."*
Weftward from Wellow is the ancient village of Whiteoxmead, which in the Con-
queror's time was called Witochefmedey probably from fome Saxon lord, and was then
held by Roger de Curcelle:
" Robert holds of Roger, Witochesmede. Two thanes held it in the time of
*' King Edward, and gelded for one hide. The arable is two carucates, which are in
*• demefne, with one fervant, and fix cottagers. There are three acres of meadow, and
♦* thirty acres of wood. It was and is worth three pounds.'"*
This place alfo gave name to a family, of whom John Wittokefmede occurs witnefs
to a certificate from the rolls of a court of piepowder 35 Henry VI. he was then bailiff"
to Richard Beauchamp bilhop of Sali/bury. 9 Edw. II. Joan Atte-chambre held at
Whiteoxmead one mefluage, ten acres of meadow, eight acres of arable, and two acres
of wood, of Sir Elias Cottel, knt. by fervice of fuit at the three week court of the faid
Elias at Camerton.' 23 Edw. III. the heir of the faid Sir Elias Cottel held the eighth
part of a knight's fee in Whiteoxmead, and Richard de Rodney the fame, of Hugli le
Delpenfer.' The priors of Hinton had tenements in this hamlet, as they had alfo in
Peglinch, another neighbouring vill, written in ancient times Puchekge, and Poke-
lincbe. This was another of the manors of Roger de Curcelle, as we learn from the
following extraft:
" Goisfrid holds of Roger, Puchelege. Almar held it in the time of King Edward,
** and gelded for one hide. The arable is four carucates. In demefne are two caru-
" cates, and five fervants, and two villanes, and four cottagers, with two ploughs.
*' There are fix acres of meadow, and fix acres of pafl:ure. It was and is worth forty
« Ihillings.'"
• Lib. Domefday. » Efc. - Lib. Feod.
• Pat. 32 Hen. VIII. p. 6. The abbot's lands m Wellow were in 1293 valued at loos. Taxat; Timporal.
» Ter. Sydenham. ' Lib. Domefday. ' Efc. ' Lib. Food. « Lib. Domefday.
The
328 W E L L O W. [mz\lo\X>,
The manor became afterwards the property of the families of Montfort, and Rodney.
25 Edw. III. Sir Walter de Rodney, knt. gave this manor, with a carucate and two
yard-lands in Woodborough, Ekewike or Eaft-Wick, and Whiteoxmead, to the prior
and convent of Hinton," in which it continued till the difTolution of monafteries, when,
36 Henry VIII. the manor of Peglinch, and the hamlet of Chefcombe or Shascombe
in this parifh, Eaft-Wick, and Whiteoxmead j as alfo lands and tenements in Peglinch,
Shefcombe, Whiteoxmead, Woodborough, Eaft-Wick, Wellow, and Camerton, were
granted to John Biffe and his heirs, tenable of the King in chief by the fervice of the
twentieth part of a knight's fee." The manor is now the property of Walter Long,
of Wraxall in the county of Wilts, efq.
TwiNNEY, or TwYNiHo, a hamlet northeaftward from Wellow, imparted its name
to a family of repute, who were originally feated here, but afterwards removed to
Cayford and other parts.'' This eftate belonged fometlme to the family of Hungerford,
and other lands were held here by the abbot and convent of Muchelney.'' It was an-
y ciently written Tornie, and Ticfiie, and was at the Conqueft (as we ihall fee hereafter)
a member of the manor of Comb-Hay.
Of the hamlets of Shascombe and Hassage, little occurs memorable. The former
is the eftate of Walter Long, efq.
The abbot and convent of Cirencefter in the county of Gloucefter, were patrons of
», the church of Wellow, which was given to them by their founder King Henry I. A. D.
1 133." The redtory was in 1292 valued at twenty-four pounds; the vicarage at
thirteen marks.*"
The living is vicarial, in the deanery of Frome, and in die patronage of the Rev,
Edmund Gardiner. The Rev. William Devey is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to St. Julian. It was built at the expence of Sir Walter
Hungerford about A. D. 1372, and is a handfome edifice, confifting of a nave, chancel,
t\*o fide ailes, and tower at the weft end, cfontaining a clock and eight bells.
In the chancel is an ancient ftone monument, whereon lies the effigy of a woman
drefled in a clofe-bodied gown, with a large ruff, and in the lower part of the front of
the tomb the effigies of feveral children, two of whom are lying fwathed on fmall
tombs. On a tablet is this infcription:
" Epitaphium in mortem Dorothea; Popham, fideliffimje conjugis Edwardi Popham,
armigeri; obijt Anno Chrifti incarnati 16 14, primo Decembris die, anno aetatis 26.
" Alma parens, mater virtutis, Candida conjux — '
Hasc tria cum parvo corpore magna jacent,
Degit cafta viro, virtuti vixit alumna:
(Quid magis optandum) pauperibufque parens.
Vir virtus: Populi damnum deplangite veftrum —
En miferi! tumulo cundla fepulta jacent."
Arms: yfr^^/, on a chief |;«/<?j two bucks' heads cabofled cr^
" Inq. ad quod Damn. " Pat. 36 Hen. VIII. » See vol; ii. p. 189. ' Efc.
* Excerpt, e Regift. Wellen. * Taxat. Spiritual.
Near
(DUcUoto.] W E L L O W. 329
Near the above is a finall mural (lone, infcribed, " Here lyeth the body of Giles
Hiingerford, gent, who departed this liFe the 14th ofOdt. in the yeare of our Lord 1638."
On another is a brafs-plate with this infcription : " Here lyeth the body of M"'
VrfulaHungerford, fccond daughter of Mr. John Hungerford, of North-Standing in the
county of Wilts, who departed this life the i6th day of Oftober, anno Dom. 1645."
Againft the fouth wall of the chancel is a ftone,. infcribed, " Here lyeth the body
of Richard Landfdowne, efq; who departed this life the 9th of January 1694. Here
alfo lyeth the body of Dorothy the wife of Richard Landfdowne, who was daughter of
Alexander Thilllethwayte, of Winterflow in the county of Wilts, efq. She dyed
July 17, 1717."
Againft one of the pillars in the nave, — " This in memory of Thomas Scudamore,
gent, of Whiteoxmead in tliis parifh, who lies interred near this pillar. He departed
this life July 5, Anno Dom. 1718, astat. 79."
In the fouth aile is a mural monument of black and white marble, with the following
infcription: " Near this place lyeth the body of the Rev. Mr. John Hodfon,
minifter of this place many years, who died March nth, 17 18, aged 75. As alfo the
body of his fon Edwrn Hodfon, late member of the corporation of Bath, who died
May the i8th, 1735, aged 40. And alfo the body of Mrs. Sarah Bletchly, of Bath,
who died July 21, 1741, aged 57; at whofe expence this monument was eredled to the
memory of the abovefaid Mr. Edwin Hodfon."
CAMERTON.
THIS parifh is fituated fouthweft from Wellow, near the Fofle road, fix miles from
the city of Bath. That part of it which was in ancient times moftly inhabited,
was (as it is faid) its weftern and foudiweftern extremity, where large foundations of
buildings have been feen. Near the Fofie were heretofore found fome large bones, and
part of a teffclated pavement. A fmall brooli", called the Cam, rifing at Camtly, and
giving name to that, as well as this village, waflies the valley, and pafllng by Dunkerton,
Combe-Hay, and Midford, difcharges its waters into the river Avon.
In the year of our Lord 954, Alfred, with the confent of King Edred, gave this manor
of Camerton, tlien written Camelartcne, to the monks of Glaftonbury.' Its contents
were at that period certified to be five hides, or about fix hundred acres of land. When
William the Conqueror came to the crown, he feized the eftate, and beftowed it upon
his fiivourite the Earl of Morton, who fliortly after exchanged it with the abbey for the
manor of Tintinliull ; by thofe means reinftating the monks in their former pofTcflion.
Thefe negociations appear from the furvey of that age:
• Guilielm, Malmefbur.ap. Ad.de Doraerham, i. 76. * Ibid.
Vol. III. U u " The
330 C A xM E R T O N. [mzlim,
"The Church itfelf holds Camelertone. Edmer held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for ten hides. The arable is ten carucates. Thereof are iri
" demefne feven hides, and there are two carucates, and eight fervants, and fix villanes,
" and fix cottagers, with two ploughs. There are two mills of five fhillings rent, and
" fourfcore acres of meadow, and twenty acres of pafture, and forty acres of wood. It
" is worth feven pounds.
" Of this land of this manor Roger holds of the Abbot one hide, and has there one
*' plough, with one fervant, and one cottager. There are ten acres of meadow, and fix
" acres of wood. It is worth ten Ihilhngs.
" This manor Earl Moriton gave to the abbot for Tutenelle in exchange."'
In the time of Henry I. Abbot Herlewin, whofe extravagance and profufe liberality
involved his church in many difficulties and much difgrace, gave the manor of Cu-
merton, then called Camekrton, to one Sir Robert de Cotele, knt. his favourite, who,
at Herlewin's death in 1120, entered on this cftate, and many others which he had
obtained by the fame abbot's indifcretion.*" He died himfclf foon after, and Sigfrid,
fucceeding to the abbacy, fet about proving his right to this manor, which, in the time
of his fiicceflbr Henry de Blois, was peaceably ceded to the abbey." Notwithftanding
which the feme family of Cotele continued for a long fucceffion tenants under the
relpeftive abbots of Glaftonbury. In the aid levied for marrying the King's daughter
1 2 Henry II. Richard Cotele is certified to hold twenty pounds worth of land, which
formerly belonged to the demefnes and refedtory of the monks, and was exempt from
doing any fervice for the fame/ perhaps through an indulgence to the children of Sir
Robert de Cotele, who claimed this manor by virtue of the grant made by Abbot
Herlewin.
To this Richard Cotele fucceeded Sir William Cotele, who was a knight in the
time of Henry III. and Edw. I. and left iffue Elias Cotele, who held this manor of the
Bilhop of Bath and Wells, by reafon of an award made in favour of that fee during its
diflTentions with the abbots of Glaftonbury.^ This Elias Cotele prefented to the church
of Camerton 9 Edw. 111.*" and was the laftof the name that had any concern with the
place. For 16 Edw. III. Oliver Dinant, or Dinham, a younger fon of the Dinhams,
barons of Hartland in Devonfhire, and of Buckland in this county, died feized hereof
leaving by his fecond wife Margaret, the daughter of Sir Richard Hydon, three
daughters his coheirs; the eldeft of whom, Margaret, was married to Sir William
Afthorpe, knt. who in her right became pofl^efled of this manor, and held the fame
from 39 Edw. III. to i Henry IV. when he died, and Robert Paulton was found to
be his next heir.' Which Robert Paulton held it but one year, and was fucceeded
therein by Sir William Paulton, knt. his brother and next heir." This Sir William
married Elizabeth daughter of Sir John Wroth; but having no ifi"ue by her, he fettled'
this manor upon the hufbands of his kinfwomen, Joan the wife of John Kelly, and
daughter of Elias Fitzpayn, of Studley in the county of Devon; and Agnes the wife of
' Lib. Domefda/. " Ad. de Domerham. Hift. ii. 312. * Ibid. 313. ' Lib. Nig. Scac. ii. 89.
* Ad. de Domerham. ut fupra, 472. " Excerpt, e Regift, Wellen. ' Efc. " Ibid. ■ MS. Carew.
Nicholas
OlcUoto.] C A M E R T O N. 331
Nicholas St. Lot; who at his death 28 Henry VI. were found to be his next heirs.™
John Kelly died feized of a moiety of this manor 5 Edw. IV. leaving by the faiil
Joan his wife two fons, Tiiomas and William, the firft of whom left one daughter
Edith, the wife of Humphry Calwodelegh; but they having no iffiie, the two daugh-
ters of William, the fecond fon of John Kelly, became veiled with the eftate; the
cldell of whom, Margaret, was married to Michael Kelly, and the other to John
Carew fon of Sir William Carew, of St. Edmundfbury in the county of Suffolk, dc-
fcended from the ancient and eminent family of Carew, of Carew-caftle in the county
of Pembroke." The faid family of Carew became afterwards fblely pofTefTed of tlie
manor of Camerton, and held the fame till about the middle of the prefent century,
when Thomas Carew, efq; fold it to Philip Stephens, efq; father of James Stephens,
efq; the prefent pofTefTor, who has a handfome houfe near the church, with a large
pleafure ground embelliflied with thriving plantations.
In the valley at Rodford is a coal-mine belonging to the fliid James Stephens, efq;
and other gentlemen, which has been worked for fbme years with much fuccefs. In
the ftrata of black flone are a great variety of curious impreffions of ferns, rufhes, and
other plants. In the corn fields of this parifh grows a kind of tithymalus or efula,
fomewhat refembling the fun fpurge; its flalks are reddifh, and the leaves pale green,
or inclining to yellow.
Northward on the hill is the hamlet of Tunly, anciently called Twnbeli. This
eflate belonged in the time of King William the Conqueror to Giflebert Fitz-Turoldj
it is now part of the manor of Camerton.
" Walter holds of Giflebert Tumbeli. Edric held it in the time of King Edward,
" and gelded for five hides. The arable is five carucates. In demelhe is one carucate,
'' and two fervants, and five villanes, and four bordars, and four cottagers, with three
" ploughs. There is a mill of thirty-pence rent, and thirty-five acres of meadow.
" Pafture one mile long, and half a mile broad, and as much of wood. When he re-
«t ceived it, it was worth one hundred fhillings, now the fame.""
Near this flands another ancient village denominated Creedlingcot, fometimes
corruptly Camicut, which in the fame furvey is thus defcribed:
" Richard holds of the Earl [Morton] Credelincote. Godeman held it in the
" time of King Edward, and gelded for three hides and a half. The arable is three
" carucates. In demefne are two carucates, with one fervant, and one villane, and
** three cottagers. There is a mill of five fhillings rent, and ten acres of meadow.
•" It is worth fifty fhillings."''
This manor was afterwards held by the family of Lovel, and under them by others
as of the feignory of Morton. 19 Edw. I. the heirs of Wilham Franceis and Robert
le Harper held one knight's fee de Mortaigne in Cridlincote of Sir Hugh Lovel, knt.**
The family of Bampfylde were its fubfequent lords. The tithes of Creedlingcot were
given by William earl of Morton to the monks of Montacute.'
The ancient vill of Wick is called in the record above quoted Ecewkhe.
" Efc. ■' See Crowcombe in the hundred of Williton-Freemanors. • Lib. Domcfd.iy.
"Ibid. "• Lib. Feod. 'See page 312. " Alurcd
Uu 2
332 C A M E R T O N. [mm\0.
" Alured holds of the Earl, Ecewiche. Aleftan held it in the time of King
" Edward, and gelded for one virgate of land. There is one villane, and one fervant.
" It was and is worth ten (hillings.'"
It was afterwards fometime called EJiwike, and lands here belonged to the monaftery
at Hinton.
There is alfo a hamlet called Medyate, weft from Tunly, containing three houfes,
and another called Lemasfield, northward from Tunly, in which are two houfes.
The living of Camerton is a reflory in the deanery of Frome. and in the gift of the
lord of the manor. The Rev. John Prowfe is the prefent incumbent. In 1292 this
reftory was rated at lol. i8s. 8d. The abbot of Glaftonbury had a penfion from it of
13s. 4d. and the prior of Montacute another of 8s.'
The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and confifts of a nave, chancel, and north
chapel, with a large tower at the weft end.
In the chapel are two large tombs, on the firft of which lie the effigies of Sir John
Carew in armour, and his lady in a clofe-bodied veft; beneath on one fide are the images
of three boys kneeling, and on the other four girls in like pofture, with a little babe
under them fwathed like a mummy, and reclining on two fcuUs. The infcription as fol-
lows: " This monument was eredbed to the memory of John Carew, knight, and Dame
Elizabeth his wife, anno Dom. 1640." At the head of thefe effigies are two erefb
Ihields oppofite each otherj the one bearing Or, three lions palTant in ^s\t fable, armed
and langued gules, Carew. The other. Argent, a chevron gules between three coots fable,
Southcot. At the feet is a large ered ftiield refpefting the figures, and charged as follows:
Quarterly, Firft and fourth, Carew. Second, Argent, a. chevron between three billets
gules, Kelly. Third, Argent, a crofs between four choughs fable: impaling Southcot.
The other tomb fupport the effigies of John Carew, efq; and Dorothy his wife;
he is drefled in a coat refembling leather, with long flit cuffs, and large round buttons
from top to bottom; fix on the flap of each pocket, and fixteen on each fkirt from the
hip to the bottom, trunk hofe, and high-heeled ftioes. She is attired in a black loofe
hood, the lappets of which are tied under her chin, ftays of the prefent fafhion, and a
loofe black coat below. On each fide is the figure of a child formally habited.
" Here lieth the body of John Carew, efq; fecond fon of Sir John Carew, knt. who
dyed the 5th of June 1683. Mrs. Dorothy Carew, wife of John Carew, efq; who
erefted this monument, dyed Jan. 4, 1686." At the weft end of the tomb is this coat.
Quarterly, i. Carew, 2. Argent, a chevron between three leopards' he^ids erafed or,
langued gules, 3. Southcot. 4. Sable, on a bend cotifcd three mullets or.
On the north fide is a handfome mural monument of fine veined marble, on the tablet
of which is this infcription : " Near this place, in the vault underneath, refts the
body of Thomas Carew, efq; who was fon of Thomas Carew, merchant in London,
and grandfon of Thomas Carew, efq; of Studley in the county of Devon, "and great-
grandfon of Sir John Carew, knt. of Carew- caftle^ in the county of Pembroke in the
principality of Wales. He departed this life the 4th day of Sept. in the year 17 19.
' Lib. Domcfday. ' Taxat. Spiritual, J^g
mtWo^^} C A M E R T O N. 333
He married Eliza the eldeft daughter of John Sanford, efq; of Nynehead in this county,
by whom he had Uving at his death four fons, Thomas, John, George, and Henryj
and fix daughters, Eliza, Mary, Penelope, Ann, Lucy, and Amy, all young and un-
married. He was the bed of hufbands, and the beft of fathers, a fincere friend, a good
mafter, a kind neighbour, and charitable to the poor. Here alfo lyeth the body of
Sarah the daughter of Thomas Carew, and Elizabeth his wife, who departed this life
the 4th of April in the year 17 14. In memory of her very loving, and entirely be-
loved hufoand, this monument was erefted by his forrowful relift, A. D. 1721.
*' Here likewifc is depofited the body of Elizabeth the relift of the faid Thomas
Carew, efq; who died 24th of Sept. 1728, aged 56." Arms, i. Carew. 2. Per faltirc
argent and gules. 3. Fert, three fnakes coiled or. 4. Jrgent, three fleurs-de-lis gules.
5. Urgent, i\^ mvWets fal/le, 2i '2-, i. 6. Or, three torceaux. 7. G«/(fj, a fefle lozengy
argent. 8. Argent^ a fefle between three ■^\<g%Jable. Motto, J'ejpere bieti. On another
fmaller fhield, Carew, impaling argent three bars wavy azure.
At the eaft end of the fame aile is an elegant mural monument of black and white
marble, infcribed, " In the vault belonging to the family are depofited the remains
of Elizabeth wife of John Carew, efq; and daughter of John BilHng, efq; once mayor
of the city of Bath: fliedied March the 5th, 1747, aged 42. Alfo the remains of the
above John Carew, efq; who died Dec. 12, 1750, aged 45."
On a tomb in the church-yard, juft railed above the furface, lies reclined with her
right elbow refting on a cufhion or pillow, a female figure cut in ftone, without in-
fcription or other memorial.
The church-yard is one of the prettied in the kingdom, rendered fo by tlie proprietor
of the neighbouring manfion. The tombs are almoft hid by laurels, arbor- vitals, and
rofesj the walls of the church are mantled over with ivy and pyracanthas.
The chriftenings in this parifii from 1751 to 1758, were 60; the burials 42. From
1775 to 178 1, the chriftenings were 75; the burials 50.
COMBE-HAY, alias COMBE-HAWEY,
IS fituated a mile north from Wellow, and three miles nearly fouthweft from Bath,
on the verge of a rich comb or valley. The environs of this village are very beau-
tiful, being thrown into all the varieties of hill and dale, highly cultivated, and adorned
with wood, and neat farms and cottages interfperfed among the deep winding dingles.
Two fprings rifing on the hills conjoin in the ftreet, and form a rivulet which runs
hence to Midford in its way to the river Avon. Betwixt the village and the prefent
road from Bath to Wells, the Roman Fofl^e is feen in its original perfeft form; being
raifed very high, with a deep foffe or ditch on either fide, imparting name to this vene-
rable rclick of antiquity.
Among
334
C O M B E -H A Y. [metioto*
Amon» the many manors which King William the Conqueror beftowed upon his
kinfman Odo bilhop of Bayeiix, there was only one in this county, which was this of
Combe, thus recorded in the grand furvey of that time:
'The Land of the Bipop of Bayeux.
" The Bifliop of Baieux holds Come, and Sanfon of him. Lewin held it in the
" time of King Edward, and gelded for eight hides. The arable is eight carucates.
" Tliereof are in demefne five hides, and there are three carucates, and feven fervants,
« and ten villanes, and fix cottagers, with two ploughs. There are forty acres of
" meadow, and forty acres of pafture, and fixty acres of coppice- wood'. It was and is
" worth ten pounds.
" To this manor are added three virgates of land in Tornie, [i.e. Twinney.] Alward
" held them in the time of King Edward for a manor, and gelded for as much. The
" arable is half a carucate. It was and is worth thirteen Ihillings.'"
This Odo was half brother to the Conqueror by the m.other's fide, Bifliop of Bayeux
in Normandy, and Earl of Kent in England. He was alfo Count Palatine, and Chief
Jufticiary of all England, and was reputed the wifeft and wealthieft man in the realm.
He commanded his brother's armies with much honour and fuccefsj but his extraor-
dinary power and wealth made him forget himfelf, and he became infolent, opprefllve,
and ambitious. Thinking himfelf rich enough 4:0 purchafe the papacy of Rome,
wliich was then filled by Hildebrand, he in the year 1082 coUefted together all his
treafures, and a great band of choice foldiers to attend him into Italy; but King
William, having intelligence of his defign, furprized him in the Ifle of Wight, feized
his peribn and poffefTions, and banifhed him into Normandy.
When upon the death of William the Conqueror, William, furnamed Rufus, fuc-
ceeded to the crown, Odo was retaken into favour and reftored to his earldomof Kent;
but he ftill maintained his ambitious principles, and could not obferve the power of his
new fovereign, without refiefting on the diminution of his own; he therefore incited
the nobility and people of the realm to fet up Robert Curthofe duke of Normandy
on the throne, in the room of Rufus ; but here again his plots were intercepted, and
he was obliged to abjure the realm for ever.
The eftates which this great man pofTefled, were difpofed of by the crown in various
ways to various perfons. What primarily became of this manor does not appear, but
it foon became the pofieffion of the family of Hawey or Hay, who gave it the additional
name, whereby it is to this day diftinguifhed.
There is no doubt that this family were originally of Somerfetfhire; but no perfeft
account of them can be obtained. The manor of Combe continued in their pofieffion
for fcveral generations, (there being the fuccefiive names of William, John, Robert,
John, and Thomas Hawey) till in the time of Edw. I. it pafl^d by the marriage of
Julian, daughter and fole heir of Thomas Hawey, to Sir Peter Stradling, knt. a defen-
dant of the ancient family of Le Efiierlings, who had their habitation in a townfliip of that
name on the Baltick fea. Sir William Le Efterling, the firft who .came into England,
* Lib. Domefday.
was
^aielloto.] C O M B E - H A Y. 335
was one of thofe knights who in 1090 attended Robert Fitz-Hamon earl of Glouceftcr
in his expedition into Wales againft Prince Rhefe, and for his fervices therein obtained
of that prince thecaftlc and manor of St, Donat's in Giamorganfhire, which became the
principal feat of his dcfcendants. Sir John his fon fuccecded iiim, and by Maud his
wife, daughter of Sir Robert Corbet, knt. had ifllie Sir Maurice L'Efterling, who mar-
ried Cecily daughter and heir of Picot de Say. Which Sir Maurice was father of Sir
Robert, who firft wrote his name Stradling; he married Hawife daughter of Sir Hugh
Brin, by wiiom he had ifllie Sir Gilbert Stradling, father of Sir William, grandfather
of Sir John, and great-grandfather of Sir Peter Stradling abovementioned, who mar-
ried the heijefs of Hawey.
1
Which Sir Peter Stradling, lord of the manor of Combe-Hawey in right of Julian
his wife, had ifllie by her Sir Edward Stradling, wlio married Eleanor daughter of Sir
Gilbert Stradling (a younger branch of this family) and was father of anothei- Sir Edward,
who 17 Edw. III. was one of the knights of the fliire for this county, and with his
colleague Sir Henry Power had an allowance of twelve pounds for thirty days attend-
ance on the parliantient, going, ftaying, and returning. He married Wentlian fifler and
heir to Sir Laurence Berkrolls, fon of Sir Roger Berkrolls, by his wife one of the
daughters and coheirs of Pagan de Turberville, lord of Coity in the county of Gla-
morgan, by whom he acquired a very large efl:ate.
Sir William his fon fucceeded him, who 9 Henry IV. was made a knight of the
Holy Sepulchre whilft he was at Jerufalemj his wife was Julian daughter of Sir John
St. Barbe, by whom he had iflue Edward, who was with his father in the Holy Land,
where he had the fame honour of knighthood conferred upon him; and in the begin-
ning of the reign of Henry V. married Jane daughter of Henry Beaufort cardinal and
bifhop of Winchefter, by whom he acquired the manor of Halfway in this county.
Sir Henry, fon of the laft-mentioned Sir Edward, was the next poflTeflTor of this manor;
but his chief refidence was at St. Donat's, in coming from which to his feat in this
county, he was taken by a pirate of Bretagne, and obliged to pay two thoufand two
hundred marks for his ranfom ; which occafioned the fale of two manors in Oxfordlhirc,
and other eftates in different parts. He likewife was knighted at Jerufalem, but died
in his way home at Cyprus, leaving ifllie by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of William
Thomas of Ragland, Thomas Stradhnghis heir and fucceflbr in this eftate.
This Thomas married Jennet daughter of Thomas Matthew, of Rhydor in Glamor-
ganfliire, by whom at his death in 1480 he left iflTue Sir Edward and Henry. Sir
Edward, the eldeft fon, married Elizabeth daughter of Sir Thomas Arundel, of Lan-
hern in the county of Cornwall, and died in T535, leaving ifliie Sir Thomas Stradling,'
whofe wife was Catherine daughter of Sir Thomas Gamage, by whom he was father of
Sir Edward Stradling, who was a grCat fcholar, and author of a Welfh grammar which
he wrote in his travels, and was efteemed in its day a capital performance. He married
Agnes daughter of Sir Edward Gage; but having no ifllie, he gave his eftate to his
kinfman Sir John Stradling, who in the year 161 1 was created a baronet. Which Sir
John married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward, fon of Sir Edward Gage aforcfaid, by
whom he had a numerous iflTue, neither of whom enjoyed this eftate long; for in 1644 it
became
336 COMBE - H A Y. [melloto,
became the poflefllon of Sir Lewis Dyve, lent, from whom it came to George Hufley,
efq; whofe fucceflor fold it to Thomas Bennet, of Steeple-Afliton in the county of
Wilts, efq; who gave it to his fon Thomas Bennet, by whofe fitter and heirefs Mary, it
came in marriage to Robert Smith, efq; anceftor of the prefent proprietor John Smith,
efq; whofe elegant feat, beautifully aided both by art and nature, adjoins the parilh
church-yard.
The living is a refbory in the deanery of Frome, and was valued in 129; at fix
marks three fhillings and four-pence.'' The lord of the manor is the patron, and the
Rev. Francis Merewether the prefent incumbent.
The church is a fmall but handfome edifice, all of it (the tower excepted) having
been rebuilt about thirty years ago. It is of one pace, having a neat tower at the well
end, containing a clock and four bells.
In the chancel are two mural monuments of white and grey marble; the firft of
which is infcribed,' " In memory of John Bennet, efq; of this place, fon of Thomas
Bennet, efq; of Steeple Afhton in the county of Wilts, who died Aug. 12, 17 19, aged
31 years. As alfo of Jane daughter of Thomas Bennet, efq; younger brother of the
above John, who died Feb. 11, 1727, aged 3 months. Thomas, the fourth fon of
Robert Smith, efq; of this place, and Mary his wife, daughter of the above Thomas
Bennet the elder, and heirefs of the family, died June 10, 173 1, aged 1 month." Arms,
Party per feffe crenellee gules and argent, a pale, and three demi-lions rampant, coun-
terchanged, crowned or.
The other has this infcription: " Near this place lies the body of Robert Smith,
efq; L.L.D. who departed this life April 5, 1755, aged 54. Alfo the remains of
Edward Smith, fon of the above Robert Smith, who died December 1757, aged 16.
Likewife an infant daughter, (died July 5, 1758, aged one month) by the Hon"'' Ann
wife of John Smith, efq; heir of the faid Robert Smith, who caufed this monument to
be erefiied 1760." Arms, Gules, on a chevron between three cinquefoils argent, two
leopards' faces gules. On an efcutcheon of pretence, Bennet.
In the floor on a brafs-plate: " Here lyeth the body of Sir Lewis Dyve, of
Bromham in the county of Bedford, knt. only fon of Sir John Dyve, of Bromham,
knt. by Dame Beatrice his wife, daughter of Charles Walcot, of Wajcot in the county
of Salop, efq; who was afterwards married to the Right Hon. John earl of Briftol, by
whom Ihe had ifllie the Right Hon. George now Earl of Briftol. The faid Sir Lewis
Dyve took to wife Howard daughter of Sir John Strangways, of Melbury-Sampford in
the county of Dorfet, knt. and by her had iffue living at the time of his death, three fons,
Francis, Lewis, and John, and one daughter, Grace, who married George HufTey, of
Marnhull in the county of Dorfet, efq. He died April 17, Aiio Dom. 1669."
On another brafs-plate in the chancel floor : " Heere lyeth the body of Robert
Pierce, Bachelor in Divinity, once reftor of this place, who died Apr. 7, 1641, aged 49.
Hee married Elizabeth daughter of Chidiock Tutt,>fq; who (after 16 yeares widow-
hood) died at Chefton in Hartford fhire, Aug. 8, 1657, aged 60." Arms, a bend
raguly between two unicorns; impaling quarterly effaced.
' Taxat. Spiritual. DUNKERTON,
mtWoM [ 337 ]
DUNKERTON.
FOUR miles fouth from Bath, in a deep valley, on the old Foflfe road, ftands Dun-
kerton, the name of which being compounded of Dun, a hill. Cam, a monument
of ftones, and Ton, a town, fignifies the town near the Carnedd mountzini there being
at fome little diftance northeaftward from the church a remarkable eminence tautolo-
gically called Duncorne-HiW, whereon once ftood a Carnedd, or pile of ftones, eredtcd
by our Britilh forefathers to notify fome viftory, or other memorable event, to fuc-
ceeding ages.*
In thofe early days, however, we know but little of this place, or the adjacent country,
nor have the Romans themfelves left us any thing here whereby to record their me-
mory, fave their old road, (in this parifh very confpFcuous) and a few coins and moul-
dering urns. In the Saxon times we find it the eftate of Alwold, a thane, and perfon
of diftinftion, who loft it at the Conqueft, and William gave it to his attendant Turftin,
furnamed Fitz-Rolf; we have the following account of his pofleflions here:
"Bernard holds of Turftin, Duncretone. Alwold held it in the time of King
*' Edward, and gelded for three hides. The arable is eight carucates. In demefne are «
** four carucates, and eiglit fervants, and ten villanes, and fix cottagers, with four
" ploughs. There is a mill of feven fliillings and fix-pence rent, and fix acres of
" meadow. Pafture four furlongs long, and two furlongs broad. It is worth fix
*' pounds. It was formerly worth one hundred {hillings.
*' To this manor is added one virgate of land, and it is worth five ftiillings. Edwi
" held it freely in the time of King Edward."''
This Bernard, tenant of the manor under Turftin, was furnamed Pancewolt, but ^
afterwards aiTumed the appellation of de Novo Mercatu, or Ncwmarch, under which he ' *
occurs witnefs to King William's charter to the monks of Battle in the county of Sufl"ex.=
In the fucceeding reign of William Rufus, when the land was fo profufdy ftocked with
foreigners, that the whole realm became in a manner too little for their appetites, he
according to the cuftom of thofe times, when every man looked upon that as his own ^
which he could at any rate lay hold of, went over into Wales, and conquered all the ^
t.hree cantereds of the province of Brecknock,'! where he feated himfelf, and founded a
priory of Benediftine monks near his caftle."
To him fucceedcd Adam de Newmarch, who was a benefa6lor to the houfe of Auftin
canons at Noftell in the county of York. After him came another Adam de Newmarch,
who had iflTue William de Newmarch, who lo Ric. I. paid one hundred pounds for
livery of his father's lands/ ' ,
* Of a fimilar etymobgy is Dunkery-Beacon in the hundred of Carhampton, (fee vol. li. p. 5.) where pro-
bably once ilood a cam or carnedd. '
'' Lib. Domefday. ' Mon. Angl. i. 317. " Giraldi Cambrenf. Itin. Cambria:, 77.
' Mon. Angl. i. 320. ' Rot. Pip. lo Ric. I',
Vol. III. X X To
i
338 D U N K E R T O N. [©Uenoto.
To which William fucceeded Henry de Newmarch, who, with the confent of his wife
Ifabel, granted to Ralph Luvel, in marriage with his daughter, all thofe lands in Dun-
kerton which were held of him by William Baalun.^ His fon's name was William,
who it feems died in his father's life-time; for James de Newmarch brother of Henry
fucceeded to the eftate, and 6 Joh. gave two hundred marks for livery of his lands.**
He died about 17 Joh. leaving iffue two daughters his heirs, viz. Ifabel the wife of
Ralph Ruffell, and Hawifc, firft married to Sir John de Botreaux, and afterwards to
Sir Nicholas de Moeles.'
Which Sir Nicholas de Moeles in right of his faid wife poflefled the barony of New-
march, of which this manor was a part, and was held under it by various lords by the
fervice of one knight's fee. 9 Edw. II. it was held by Sir Ralph de Gorges, and
II Edw. III. by John de Pederton, of Hardington in this county.'' This John de
Pederton had very confiderable eftates in thefe parts, and at his death left iffue an only
daughter and heir named Agnes, who was married to John Baumfilde, efqj whereby
this manor, with the reft of his lands, came to that family, in which it Hill continues,
being the property of Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde, bart.
The church of Dunkerton was in 1292 rated at twelve marks.' It is a redlory in the
deanery of Frome, and in the patronage of the lord of the manor. The Rev. William
Munton is the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to All-Saints, and is afmall building of one pace, having a
tower at the weft end, in which are five bells. It contains nothing remarkable, fave
the following memorial on a grave-ftone on the altar fteps:
" Hie jacet Reverendus Johannes Dickes, hujus ecclefias reftor, denatus Augufti 4%
1634.° Memoriae ergo.
" Hie, hasc, hoc, hunc, huic, hujus, bonus, optima, clarum,
Fulgor, Fama, Decus, veftit, adhseret, erit.
Mente, anima, oh ! requiem vivens AIOEKAETOS ille,
Carpfit honore facro ; jam fuper aftra manet."
« Cart. Antiq. » Rot. Pip. 6 Joh. ' Of this family fee vol. ii. p. 66. " Lib. Feed.
' Taxat. Spiritual.
INGLISHCOMBE.
mtWo'm,} [ 339 ]
INGLISHCOMBE.
NORTHWARD from Dunkerton, on the fide of one of thofe {helving dingles,
which are fo frequent in this neighbourhood, ftands Ingliihcombe, three miilcs
diftant nearly fouthweft from the city of Bath.
Its name is of uncertain origin; it might have been derived from the Saxon
In^a and Comb, fignifying the paftures in the valley, or from Giijla-Eomb, the valley
of the Englifh, in regard of fome fignal victory obtained in thefe parts by the inha-
bitants of the country over the Danes, or fome other hoftile intruders.
But however uncertain its etymology, and however filent hiftory and oral tradition
are concerning it, there remain the moft evident demonftrations that fome very notable
affairs have been tranfafted in thefe parts in the earliefl: ages of the countiy. That
ftupendous Belgick rampart IVan/dike, crofles tliis parilh in a direction from eaft to
weft, and in the paftures near the church exifts in its original form, compofed of
a deep graff, and elevated vallum on the fouth fide, its top being twelve feet high per-
pendicularly from the bottom of the trench, the breadth of which is in fome places
eight, and in others ten feet. In its way hither it pafles one of the largeft, and moft
remarkable barrows or tumuli in the world, which feems to have been intended as a
monumental ^^r«/«;« for all the adjacent country. This eminence, which has been
called for ages Round-Barrow and Barrow-Hill, although it has generally been con-
fidered a natural mount, ftands on the brow of a high ridge of hills, about half a
mile eaft ward from the village of Inglifhcombe, clofe by the fide of the road from
Briftol to Frome, and commands from its fummit a full view of the city of Bath, the
Wiltfhire hills, Lanfdown, the vale of Avon, and a long traft of Gloucefterfliire be-
yond it, bounded by the Severn and the Cambrian mountains. This tumulus is at its
bafe eight hundred yards in circumference, its apex is thirty-fix yards in diameter from
eaft to weft, and twenty-eight yards from north to fouth. The Hope towards the
eaft is one hundred and four yards ; and the perpendicular height weftward one 
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