Notes on Victoria History of Gloucestershire (Vol. 7)

Brightswell Barrow and Rapsgate Hundred

* A series of books on history of Gloucestershire was published in 1980s, a copy is in UWO London Ontario library. These notes are taken from that work. They are included in order to provide background information about the early times in which Eacott ancestors lived. Detailed references which may provide more detailed information are given in [ ]. These need to be researched.

Eycot Manor was located in Rapsgate Hundred but was legally a part of Bibury Hundred which was absorbed into Brightwells Barrow Hundred. Later Eycot was absorbed into Rendcomb parish and manor.

Bibury Hundred

In 1086 Bibury manor included Aldsworth, Barnsley, Arlington, Ablington, Bibury and the more distant Eycot. It was assayed at 40 hides (5000 acres). In 1221 these places became part of Brightwells Barrow Hundred [ Pleas of the crown for Gloucester., ed Maitland 1884]. Eycot was included until the 14th century. [ record of Gloucester Subsidy Rolls for 1327, 14]

[ Exchequer, Kings Rememberances E 179-113-131a r 4 ]

A separate frankpledge continued for Bibury Hundred under jurisdiction of the Bishop of Worcester.

Brightwells Barrow Hundred was one of the seven hundreds of Cirencester given in 1189 to the church by the king.

[V.C.H. of Gloucester Vol XI pp 152-53]

A biannual hundred view of frankpledge (a meeting of citizens with the lord to settle local matters) was held at the junction of Droitwich Lechlade Saltway and a route from Fairford in the early 15th century.

The church at Bibury was established not far from the site of a Roman villa before 899 AD. The Bishop of Worcester had an estate of 15 Cassati ( ) by the river Coln and in 718-45 bishop Wilfrith leased 5 cassati to his daughter.

The next section deals with local government matters.

Bibury Hundred was placed under the lordship of Brightwells Barrow Hundred at the order of the court on a request from the vills including those of Eycot. The bishop however kept many liberties and a period of legal wrangling took place after 1276 about who could pass ordinances about bread and ale assize, view frankpledge, and regulate tenants. The duty of a free tenant to attend court was commuted (ended) in 1399. Edward II confirmed the rights of the bishop of Worcester to pass these rules. The Abbot of Cirencester complained about this decision. [Court Roles for Bibury survive for 1270, 1382-90, 1432-77, 1496-8 and later. Some may deal with Eycot.] The court was the court leet for tithings of Bibury and Eycot. It dealt with assize (standard sizes for bread, ale, pleas of debt, bloodshed, hue and cry, sale of meat, fishing, maintenance of roads and ditches, and tenurial matters. after 1626 fence viewers and sheep cleaners were appointed by this court.

After 1151 the bishop of Worcester permitted Oseney Abbey to act and benefit on his behalf. The association of Eycote with Bibury fades away with the meshing of Eycot with Rendcomb. Thus from early times until after 1442 legal proceedings for Eycot are with the Bibury records.

The Churl who owned Eycote before Domesday had a hide of land (40 to 120 acres depending on the value) which before the Norman invasion classed him as a small free landholder. To qualify as a thane or lord he needed five hides.

Rapsgate Hundred

Rapsgate Hundred in 1086 consisted of Brimpsfield, Chedworth, North Cerney, Colesbourne, Cowley, Elkstone, Rendcomb, Syde, Coberley, and part of Duntisbourne. In all 78 hides, and 1 yardland. Rapsgate was also one of the 7 hundreds of Cirencester given in 1189. An exemption from frankpledge for Rendcomb was secured by the abbey in the 13th century. Thereafter the earls of Gloucester held a court which also included Calmsden and Woodmancote tithings.

The biannual view of frankpledge was held at Rapsgate on the ancient Cirencester Colesbourne road in the south of Colesbourne. Marsden had a separate frankpledge. Among other duties the tithings were liable for wardstaff which was replaced by a 3 shilling wake. Johannes Eycote is named in respect of this duty in the 1300s.

In Rapsgate Hundred we are interested in Eycot manor, Rendcomb, North Cerney and Woodmancote. It is here where the earliest records of the Eacotts exist.

North Cerney Parish and Manor

North Cerney parish has boundaries which existed in 852 AD [Saxon Charters and Field Names of Gloucester., G.B. Grundy 1935]

Gilbert, son of Turold owned the manor in 1086. At that time the woodlands were in the northwest of the parish by Woodmancote. Old Park was created later by the owners of Rendcomb.

In 852 Beorhtwulf, king of the Mercians granted Alfeah 12 hides in Cerney and Calmsden. The Manor of North Cerney was held by the bishop of York from 1086 to 1545 when it was exchanged to the crown. (Henry VIIIs dissolution) It was then sold in 1552 to Sir Thomas Chamberlayne, resold to William Partridge in 1578 in whose family it remained until 1620-30 when William Poole purchased the manor. The Pooles owned it into 1700s.

Church records for North Cerney exist from 1568.

The population for North Cerney hamlet was 36+ in 1086. In 1327 twenty six were assessed for the subsidy. In 1381 forty five were listed for poll tax. In 1551 there were 145 communicants in the church and in 1563 there were 18 households. By 1603 there were only 110 communicants. In 1650 there were forty families. In 1710 190 inhabitants and 42 houses. Currently there are 600 persons.

Sir Thomas Vyner 1588-1665 who became Lord Mayor of .London was born at North Cerney. His mother was an Eycot. Thomas Vyner was a brother and uncle to Eycotts whose second wife was Anne Eycott was father of Sir Thomas Lord mayor in 1653. (See Will of Thomas Ekott 1583) He was knighted by Oliver Cromwell. Sir Tomas (b. 15 dec 1588 - d. 1665) was a goldsmith of London and Comptroller of the Mint. He married Anne daughter of Richard Parsons, Honor, daughter of George Humble and in 1661 Alice Bat. He had four daughters by Ann and 2 sons with Honor. His sister Mary was wife of Samuel Moore, goldsmith of London and his brother William Vyner of East Coope, Warwickshire, was father of Sir Robert Vyner (1631- 1688) who died at Windsor Castle. He was knighted at Whitehall in 1665, made baronet in 1666. He was sheriff of London at the time of the fire 1666. With his great wealth he bought the crown jewels of Charles II and furnished 300 000 pounds to the Restoration Navy.

The manor house at North Cerney was usually rented before 1500. Another part of the property, 7 hides, was rented for two marks and journey service to the king by the thegns, Eliaf and his brother in 1086. The lordship was held by Gilbert, son of Turold who subsequently passed it along with Rendcomb, Calmsden, Woodmancote to the earls of Gloucester. Most of the land of Woodmancote, Calmsden and Rendcomb was subleased to the De La Mares. By the early 1500s North Cerney and Woodmancote were regarded as separate manors.

[ Inquisitions Post Mortems series II, C 142/80 no. 23 i - located in Gloucester record office].

Woodmancote Manors

Woodmancote began in the 1200's, in 1327 it had 7 taxpayers [Gloucester Subsidy Roll 1327, 10, list for Rencomb includes Woodmancote] [Ancient and Present State of Gloucester 1712, R. Atkyns]. By 1710 there were recorded a medieval chapel, 13 houses and two Woodmancote manors.

Woodmancote manor was sold to Thomas Taylor in 1566 but Mary, widow of Edward Stafford was named lady of the hamlet in 1608. [ Smith, Men and Armour - Names of all able bodied men fit for service in his majesties service in war in Gloucester compiled by John Smith in 1608, reprint 1902 - Complete Peerage XII (I) 184-5 ]

Later Woodmancote figures in with Rendcomb and North Cerney manors litigation between the Pooles and Guises.

[Gloucester Record Office - Guise family records of Elmore and Rendcomb. D326/L 11-12]

The Guises acquired 500 acres in Woodmancote and owned it as part of Rendcomb Park in 1837

[ Gl. Rec. Off. T10 and Bigland Papers - 3vs 1791-1889.]

Cerney House estate was formed as a new estate from lands leased on long term by Sir Thomas Rich known as Green's and Vyner's. These farms were owned by Woodmancote manors. The Rich family held the land from the early 1600s to 1761 when Thomas Tyndale acquired it. The second Woodmancote manor passed to the De La Mares with Rendcomb before 1200. The land passed to the Leigh family by marriage.

Thomas Rich was the exchequer of Henry VIII.

An agricultural depression in the 1300s resulted in the tenants giving up their plots of land or perishing in the plague. There was a depopulation and drop in used land. In 1341 ten tenants had abandoned tenancies which had existed in 1291. Wool production was off due to Murraine and a shortage of grazing land. All 11 smallholdings had lapsed in rent to North Cerney manor. In 1341 there were 6 yardlanders, 4 half yardlanders, 3 Mondaymen, 4 cottars. Only four tenants leased land. There were 3 freeholders. [ Gl. Rec. Off. D621/M7 - Inquisition Post Mortem No. N rec. com. 409]

Later the lands were grouped into compositions of holdings and by 1713 there were 6 large land holders with 33 to 114 acres who held the land for 3 lives (99 years) and 9 cottages with statutory 4 acre holdings. [ Gl. Rec.Off. North Cerney man 1713-32, leases 1715-89]

The lands of the Earl of Stafford were mostly at Woodmancote with some at Rendcomb and North Cerney. In 1566 all the tenant lands still with the manor lay in four large farms at Woodmancote. [C3/260/29 G.R.O. : D 293/4; Inquisition Post Mortem Gloucester 1625-42, ii, 103-4]

Woodmancote had 4 open fields; Burcomb (west) Morcomb (north) and later 2 fields on the South slopes above the Churn. The meadowland was only 8 acres but was considered very valuable. (six times the value of arable land). Later this river bottom land was considered the best in the county. While sheep raising was important crops brought in more money in 1535. The Tame family of Fairford and Rendcomb and the Pooles were big sheep raisers.

Rendcomb Parish and Manor

Rendcomb, was named after the coomb or three sided valley near the hamlet. It was isolated on the east bank of the Churn until 1824 when a road link was built across the river. Previously it only had a link to the White Way to the east. Rendcomb Park was established in 1544 and by 1676 held 250 acres.

In 1086 there were 39 inhabitants at Rendcomb and Eycot [ Domesday Book Rec. Com. i, 164v, 168v]. In 1327 there were 19 for the subsidy. In 1381 there were 36 for the poll tax.

In 1551 there were 61 communicants in the parish and in 1563 there were 12 households.

In 1650 there were 18 families.

In 1710 a total of 120 inhabitants.

In 1086 two estates at Rendcomb were owned by Gilbert, son of Turold. 5 hides had formerly belonged to Aluric and 3 to Walter, his son-in-law. These estates passed to the earls of Gloucester by the late 12th century, and were subsequently sublet to the De La Mare family. In 1255 Earl Richard de Clare reserved 2 plowlands for himself. That land became Rendcomb manor. From 1387 until 1503 the manor was held by Thomas and Robert De La Mare and their descendants. In 1503 Edmund Tame of Fairford obtained it and by marriage it passed to the Staffords in 1547. Richard Berkely of Stoke Gifford obtained it in 1564. The Guises purchased it in 1635 but a Berkely continued to live there until after 1661. During the period when the Berkely family held it Elizabeth I visited (1592). Sir Thomas Roe lived at Rendcomb during the time his mother Dame Eleanor Berkely owned the Manor (1608). As a rule the Berkely family were only visitors. The De La Mares and the Tames lived at the manor. The Guises built a new house there.

Colesbourne

The parish church was built in the 11th century. In 1569 the rector of the church also held livings (a sum of money from collections, tithes etc.) at Rendcomb and Tetbury. One Rector was Richard Hawker and another was Hunphrey Horton.

Marsden

Once known as Upper Rendcomb, this manor was at one time held by the Berkely family.

Eycot Manor

All the land west of the Churn in Rendcomb made up the ancient manor of Eycot. Today the parish boundary is that of the manor. [ Historia and Cartularium Monasterii Sancti Petri Gloucester. ed. W.H. Hart; Rolls series no. 33 three vols. 1863 - 87 ii 41] There were 8 inhabitants for the 1327 subsidy. [Gloucester Subsidy roll 14]In 1381 there were 12 for the poll tax.[E 179/113/35a r 2a]There were still a few tenants there in 1442. [Gloucester Record Office D678 Sherbourne estate court rolls] No later records have been found.

The manor house was recorded as Eycot farm to 1732 [GRO D326 ]. The farm buildings at Eycotfield were the only buildings on high ground in 1837.[ Gloucester Diocese Record T1/147]. In 1930 a house was built.

In 1096 one hide was held by Ordric (Ordvic) from the bishop of Worcester via Bibury. [Domesday book 164v] an intermediate lordship between the bishop and tenant in demesne was held by Gilbert de Mynors and Roger de Mynors at different times in the 1100's. From Roger it passed to Roger Mucegros [Red Book of Worcester 414-15, 439]. In 1209 and later the land was said to be held directly by the bishop and assessed 1/3 knights fee [Book of Fees i.39, Feudal Aids ii 248] Early holders of the manor were Reynold and Richard of Beckford who made a grant of tithes in Eycot to Gloucester Abbey before 1100. [Gloucester Cathedral Library register Abb Froucester B pp 83-4] [ Hist. & Cart. Mon. of Glou. rolls ii 41 cf. reg. Regnum Anglo Norman ii, 104] At some time in 1100's the manor was held by Robert Russell in the name of his wife Basile and his heir William [Gloucester Cathedral Reg.Abb Froucester B pp 83-84] [Red Book of Worcester 439] This was perhaps William Russel who held Eycot in 1209. His widow, Alice was challenged in ownership by John Russel. Robert Russel got a small estate conveyed to him in 1241. He may have managed to get the manor from her because under law she was entitled to 1/3 of the estate. Her husband had given it all to her.

John Le Brun married Margery, daughter of John Russel and obtained from Walter Wyth ½ a ploughland in nether (lower) Rendcomb, Woodmancote and North Cerney as well as Eycot. This was in 1303. In 1312 his widow Margery granted Eycot to Thomas Neel of Purton. A contingent remainder in the grant was that the manor was for the benefit of John of Burton (Purton ?) and his heirs. One of whom was Thomas Burton who held the manor in 1346.

Thomas Burton died in 1375 leaving his estate to his son Thomas, a minor. William Archibald was made the boys custodian. A description of the property at the time is available. [ Cal. Inq. P.M. XIV pp 94-95] In 1385 John Atwood claimed the manor was his because of a grant made by John Russel to his ancestors Robert and Margery Crook in the reign of Edward II. John Atwood was awarded seisen ( ownership under rightful title) from Burton. The following year the land was granted to John Pouger who died in 1405. In 1410 his son John settled an ownership dispute with John Warre, nephew and heir of the younger Thomas of Burton. The land returned to the Burton heirs. By 1421 the land was in the possession of the Abbey at Winchcombe. Warre's sister Catherine and another Burton heir, Robert Andrew challenged the Abbey who had to settle with them for ownership.

After the dissolution of abbeys by Henry VIII, in 1540's the manor passed into the hands of Edmund Tame whose widow Catherine held it after his death. It then became included with Rendcomb and was owned by the Staffords. It was perhaps included in the sale to Richard Berkely in 1564. They kept Eycot as a residence until about 1690. The capital messuage (main set of buildings or main dwelling) may have been what is now known as Lodge Farm or Rendcomb Farm.