Wick Bristol

Word document created by Penny Mulchinock posted in Facebook Group 'wick Bristol as it was' on 08/02/2022

An Ancient History of Wick The first signs of habitation in Wick are the two standing stones, which were part of a Neolithic/bronze age Long Barrow or burial chamber off Oldbury lane near Wick Football Club (1). This is reflected in the name of the lane leading up the hill – Barrow Hill. In the field next to the stones, a Roman Villa was also excavated in the nineteenth Century. This villa was quite extensive and 13 to 14 floors were discovered, the finds being in the Museum of Bath.(2). During the Saxon period the area was covered by forest covering about 18 square miles, from Bristol in the west, to the Sodbury Hills in the North-East, and from Lansdown across the River Avon to Filwod in Somerset in the South. This was a Royal forest called Kingswood and belonged to neither County nor Diocese (3). In 946 King Edmund was assassinated at the royal Palace at Pucklechurch, and he was buried at Glastonbury. This led to Pucklechurch, which then included Wick and Abson, being granted to the Abbot of Glastonbury (4). In the Saxon period land was divided into "Tithings" each Tithing being probably regarded as sufficient for ten households and ten tithings forming a "Hundred". At the time of the Domesday Book in 1086, the Pucklechurch Hundred comprised of 53 households(5). The area covered Wick, Pucklechurch, Abson, Cold Ashton and Westerleigh. In 1228 Henry III granted Charters of Disafforestation allowing tracts of land within the Kingswood Forest bounds to be converted into common land or land held in common, by the various inhabitants of the surrounding area (6). In April 1275 the Pope gave permission for the Abbot Glastonbury to dissolve the union with the See of Bath and Wells, giving the latter the manor of Pucklechurch, amongst others: “Accord between R. bishop of Bath and Wells on the one part and John abbot of Glastonbury and the convent on the other, namely that whereas Robert late abbot of Glastonbury and the convent quitclaimed to Walter late bishop of Bath and Wells and his successors and to his churches of Bath and Wells the manor and advowson of Pokeleschyrch county Gloucester, …..” (7). The population in Europe exploded during the thirteenth century, but in 1315-17 there was terrible weather causing The Great Famine which led to social unrest. The first mention of Wick as a village comes in 1327 in the Gloucestershire Lay Subsidy Roll, which was a list of people who could pay tax: In “Wyk Hamel” there are 11 names: Thomas Uppehalle, John Bot (elier?), John Turner, John Walmer, Edith Greneway, William atte Beche, Robert Uppehay, Robert Berdsey, William Carpenter, John de La Pleystude, John atte Forde. In “Adhuc to Wyk Hamel” (or near Wick) there are 8 names: William Newman, William Blakpol, Robert Colswayn, William de Horston, William Cl’ico, John Russel, Robert in the Wolde, Robert Randolph(8). The roof of the Old Manor Farmhouse, Manor Road, has been dated using Dendrochronology (tree ring dating) to 1327 (9), with a mixture of Arabic and Roman Carpenters marks suggesting royal, ecclesiastical or manorial patronage, employing a carpenter with a degree of education; arabic carpenters marks are quite rare, having only been found in about 29 other properties in the UK currently, the ones in the Old Manor Farmhouse are most similar to those found in Wells priory built just before, suggesting the same craftsman(10). It would seem at this period, land in Wick was becoming more valuable as another entry shows: “May 19th 1330 Pardon to John de Sancto Nicholao for acquiring, for life, from John de Drokenesford, late bishop of Bath and Wells, two messuages and two virgates of land in Pokelchirche and Wike, held in chief, and entering thereon without licence; and restitution of the same, which are now in the king's hands by reason of the trespass(11).” I cannot find the respective record in John de Drokensford’s calender, although there is a possible reference to pasture from the “waste of Manor of Pucklechurch” being granted to a Sir Walter G (Gascelyn maybe whose brother held Sheldon Manor, Chippenham – links with Berkeleys) in 1317. (12) Wick also seems to have started to have been known by various names such as Bedewyke and Beardwick; associated hamlets were known as Churcheley or Churchly, Holy brook and Breachyate. A significant land owner at this time was William de Chiltenham, who started as a retainer for the influential Berkeley family but ended up as an MP for Gloucestershire. He was predeceased by his son and used his wealth to create a Chantry in Pucklechurch for his soul (13). On December 18th 1337 the following record is given: “Licence for the alienation in mortmain by William de Chiltenham of two messuages, a virgate and 8 acres of land, 3 acres of meadow and 10 acres of pasture, in Pokelchurch, Bedewyk and Churcheleye, to a chaplain to celebrate divine service daily in the church of St. Andrew, Pokelchurch, in honor of the Virgin Mary, for the soul of the said William. By p.s., and by fine of ½ mark. Gloucester. “(14) And a few years later, although it doesn’t specify Wick:

1342 Oct. 22.. “Licence, after inquisition ad quod damnum taken before Simon Basset, escheator in the county of Gloucester, for Ralph, bishop of Bath and Wells, to grant in fee to William de Chiltenham 20 acres of land in Pokelchurche, parcel of the manor of Pokelchurche, which is held in chief by a service of half a knight's fee, and of the value of 40d. yearly, in exchange for an equivalent of land in the same town, held of the bishop by a service of 2s. yearly, to be granted by the said William to the bishop and his successors. By the Keeper and by fine of ½ mark. Gloucester.” (15)

In 1348 the Black Death arrived; Bristol as the second largest city in England and a major sea port was particularly badly afflicted. During the latter half of the fourteenth century there were four successive waves of major disease with some villages being wiped out entirely. This perhaps explains the lack of records during the early 1400’s.

In 1502 records seem to start again, with the first reference to Wick as a distinct Manor: “May 4.—Confirmed a grant by the bishop to William Wodde and Agnes his wife and Richard their son, of a close called Brereruding, containing 34 acres, lying within the manor of Wyke near Pokluchurch, co. Gloucester, for their lives and that of the survivor.—ƒo. 90d.”(16)

And by 1488, an entry from 1506 shows William Llewelyn, alongside the Bishop of Bath and Wells had become a significant landowners: “(1) William Lewlyn, gent.; grant to John Gunthorpe, dean, and the chapter of Wells, of a yearly rent of 100!s., for 5 years from the date thereof, to be received out of all his messuages, mills, lands, etc., in Churchelegh, and Berdwyke, co. Gloucester; to be paid yearly at the four usual terms; power of distress if in arrear for one month; penalty of 10s. if any part in arrear for 2 months, and so often as it shall so happen. Witnesses: John Seyntlo, John Chocke, knts., Thomas Champeneys, esq., and Humfrey Hervy, gent. Dated June 12, 10 Hen. VII. (2) Bond from Roger Amyse, Thomas Jonys, Richard Gregory and William Poleyn of Berdeweke, co. Gloucester, husbandmen, to John Gunthorpe, dean, and the chapter of Wells, in 5l., to be paid at Lady Day, 1489. Dated at Pokilchurche, Aug. 8, 1 Hen. VII.—ƒo. 133d. (3) Bond from the same to the same, in 5l., to be paid at Lady Day, 1488. Dated as last. (4) Bond from the same to the same, in 5l., to be paid at Michaelmas, 1408 [sic; sc. 1488]. Dated as No. 2.—ƒo. 134. (5) Bond from the same to the same, in 5l., to be paid at Lady Day, 1491. Dated as No. 2. (6) Bond from the same to the same, in 5l., to be paid at Michaelmas, 1490. Dated as No. 2.—ƒo. 134d. (7) Bond from the same to the same, in 5l., to be paid at Michaelmas, 1491. Dated as No. 2. (8) Bond from the same to the same, in 5l., to be paid at Lady Day, 1490. Dated as No. 2.—ƒo. 135. ¶(9) To Gelys Peny in Strand Inne in London, survey[or] to the cathedral churche of Welles. The londes wherof the annuite of vli. shal go out, been fee symple londe unto me, beyng in no hondez of any othre for terme of lyve, of yeres, or othrewyse than by copy made in myne owne name. And for the knowlage therof, I wryte this with myne awne haunde. And as for the copy holders, if it be thougth necessarye they shal surender, etc., and then the said annuite shal be graunt, etc., and after that there copyes newe made, etc. William Lewelyn. The londez afore rehersed bene all my londes in Churchlegh and Berdeweke in the county of Gloucester; the yerly value of the said londes unto me is vijli. and more, etc., all charges borne, etc.—ƒo. 135d. (10) Rental of the tenants of William Lewelyn, gent., in Chirchley and Berdwyke.—ƒo. 136 (17)

In 1522 Henry VIII raised more tax and assessed military preparedness by the completion of a military survey. This gave the names of about 35 men and their various weapons and suchlike. In Wick, William Tracey is listed as the biggest taxpayer at that time, alongside Giles Bassett, Lancelot Lyke, Humphrey Lewlyn and Master Norres (18)

In 1539 the Bishop, perhaps knowing what was to come, rented out land to his brother, ‘reversion’ meaning that the brother would inherit them on the Bishop’s death:

“Grant by the bishop to his brother, Thomas Clerke, and his daughter Alice, of the reversion of a close in Wells, called the West Garden, with the adjacent garden place, and of lands in Westbury, Congresbury, Wellyngton and Wyke-by-Pockelchurch, for 80 years, at a rent of Gl. 7s. 4d. Dated at Chewe.” (19)

Henry the Eighth dissolved the monasteries between 1536 and 1541, taking their lands for the crown, the formal record of this for Wick is in 1545:

“June 2 - Grant by the bishop to the king of the manor of Wyke in Gloucestershire, certis de causis et consideracionibus me ad presens specialiter moventibus. Dated at Wyveliscombe.”(20)

The King almost immediately gave the lands to John Wynter (Wintour) (c1503- c1545) (21). John Wynter was an influential Bristol sea merchant who was friends with both Thomas Cromwell and Cardinal Wolsey; indeed, it is alleged that John was the Uncle to the Cardinal’s illegitimate son (22).

His second son, Sir William Wynter (c1521 – 1589) who inherited Wick Manor, was quite swashbuckling and was involved in just about every naval escapade of the time fighting both the Spanish and the French. William bought the manor of Lydney in Gloucestershire in 1561 and was still building it at the time of his death in approximately 1589 (23) William’s brother was Sir George Wynter (1520 – 1581) who bought Dyrham in 1571.

Sir Edward Wynter (1556-1619), who was William’s eldest son, was possibly even more swashbuckling, commanded the Aid with Drake in 1585-6, and fought against the Armada in 1588, probably as a volunteer in the Vanguard, represented Gloucestershire in the parliaments of 1589 and 1601, was knighted in 1595, and was sheriff in 1598-9. (22)(24)

In 1581 the taxable people in Wick were given as follows, although no Wynters were given as residing there: (25) Wick Paid all Land Goods Assessment Arthur PLAYER £10 16 8 Robert FARNOLL £7 11 8 John POWELL £6 10 0 John LONGE £5 8 4 Thomas MORFORD £5 8 4 Humphrey DIMOCKE £5 8 4 John GREGORY £5 8 4 Richard GREGORY £5 8 4 Edward WARD £5 8 4 Richard APRICHARDES £3 5 0 Alice WILLIAMS 20s 2 8

Sir John Wintour (c1602 – 1685), Edward’s eldest son, was also a risk taker, being a Roman Catholic Royalist under Charles I. He was also a poor environmentalist – firstly enclosing parts of the Forest of Dean then later stripping it of timber and creating ironworks. At one point he was the second greatest iron producer in the UK; it is a fair assumption that he followed the same policies in Wick. He started in London in the protestant James I court, then used his money and influence to finance Charles I, subsequently becoming the Queens private secretary. He fought the Roundheads from his manor in Gloucester and then Chepstow; however, after the Civil War Parliament rescinded his estates and took away his ironworks. When Charles II came to the throne, his manor at Lydney and other lands and ironwork contracts were restored to him but due to his abuse of the wood in the Forest of Dean by 1668 his contracts were terminated. He died of ‘low and mean estate’. (26)

In 1642 the Gloucestershire Hearth Tax records of Wick and Abson show about 47 houses (with about 151 hearths including some entries that might have comprised of more than one dwelling) that were taxable. Notably the Wynters name is still missing although Mr Stevens (see last paragraph) is present. (27) In 1642 the Wynter family mortgaged the Wick estate to Sir Charles Harbord and others (32), presumably in order raise funds. However, Sir Charles Harbord had to leave the country when Oliver Cromwell came into power (1653-1658) and hence leased and sold the lands on to Thomas Rodbourne (33), Thomas Stevens (34) Sir John Winter sold his estate in Wick to Thomas Haynes in about 1665. Rodbourne also sold his lands to Haynes in 1661 (35). It then descended through six generations of the Haynes family until 1856 when Richard Haynes sold it.(28) I have discovered some loose ends during my research, William Tracey was the wealthiest landowner in Wick in 1522, and records (29) refer to the Manor of Southwood, some researchers (30) believe this to be situated close to Tracey Park. The Parish and Manor boundaries seem to have been flexible over the years - Tracey Park and Bury Manor both being part of Wick or Doynton at varying times. I could find no evidence as to the building of Wick Court but as the Wynter family seem to have been based in Lydney or off fighting wars most of the time, the Haynes family seem the most probable. Although a third figure may be Alderman Steevens who appeared to own a manor house in Wick in between the Wynters and Haynes in 1642 (31). , however, the fields specified in the deed appear to relate to field names in Abson according to the 1842 tithe map

References 1. Wick Burial Chamber (Gloucestershire) [Wick and Abson I, Coldharbour Farm] Burial Chamber (Dolmen) : The Megalithic Portal and Megalith Map: 2. Historic England. Monument 204952. Pastscape - Detailed Result: MONUMENT NO. 204952 3. www.gloucestershire.gov.uk. Link: a-guide-to-archive-sources-for-the-history-of-south-gloucestershire-5th-ed-2018-02-28.pdf 4. The history of the county of Gloucester; compressed, and brought down to the year 1803 By Rudge, Thomas, 1754-1825; Atkyns, Robert, Sir, 1647-1711 . The history of the county of Gloucester; compressed, and brought down to the year 1803 .. : Rudge, Thomas, 1754-1825 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive 5. Open domesday.org Pucklechurch | Domesday Book (opendomesday.org) 6. www.gloucestershire.gov.uk. Link: a-guide-to-archive-sources-for-the-history-of-south-gloucestershire-5th-ed-2018-02-28.pdf 7. Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 1. Liber albus I: Fols. 121-40. Pp 158-178. Liber albus I: Fols. 121-40 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) 8. Gloucestershire Subsidy Roll, i Edw. iii, Volume 12, p50. Gloucestershire subsidy roll, i Edw. iii - Gloucestershire subsidy roll - Google Books 9. Dan Miles, Oxford Dendrochronolgy Lab, personal communication. 10. Bill Hardy, personal communication 11. Edward III, Calender of Patent rolls May 30th 1330. Edward III, vol. 1, p. 526 (uiowa.edu) 12. Calender of the Register of John de Drokensford. Fol 151a. p 168. Calendar of the register of John de Drokensford : Bath and Wells (Diocese) Bishop, 1309-1329 (John de Drokensford) [from old catalog] : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive 13. The de Cheltenham Chantry Chapel at Pucklechurch (Gloucestershire) and its Associated Effigies. Sally F Badham. (58) (PDF) The de Cheltenham Chantry Chapel at Pucklechurch (Gloucestershire) and its Associated Effigies | Sally F Badham - Academia.edu 14. Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, Volume 3, 1334-1338 membrane 11. 1337 Dec 18 Westminster. 1337-1338, membranes 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) 15. Calendar of Patent Rolls, Edward III, Volume 5, 1340-1343. Membrane 14. 1342-1343, membranes 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) 16. Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2. 1502 May 4th. Chapter acts: 1501-3 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) 17. Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2. 1506, Oct. 4 Chapter acts: 1506-9 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) 18. GRS-6-Military-Survey-of-Glos-1522-pt1.pdf (bgas.org.uk) 19. Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2.1539, Nov. 10. Chapter acts: 1538-44 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) 20. Calendar of the Manuscripts of the Dean and Chapter of Wells: Volume 2. June 23.ƒo. 116d. Chapter acts: 1544-8 | British History Online (british-history.ac.uk) 21. A New History of Gloucestershire. Samuel Rudder. 1779. Pp272. Samuel_Rudder_A_New_History_of_Gloucestershire_1779.pdf (wikimedia.org) 22. Dictionary of National Biography; 1885-1900, vol. 2. John Knox Laughton. Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Winter, William - Wikisource, the free online library. 23. WYNTER, William (c.1528-89), of Deptford, Kent and Lydney, Glos. | History of Parliament Online 24. Edward Winter (Wynter), MP (1556 - 1619) - Genealogy (geni.com) 25. LAND GOODS ASSESSMENT (bgas.org.uk) 26. SIR JOHN WINTOUR - Featured Articles - Forest of Dean History 27. Gloucestershire Hearth Tax (xmera.co.uk) 28. Country Houses of Gloucestershire, vol one. (1989) Nicholas Kingsley. 29. Gloucester Records Office D6623/3 30. Richard Kent. A history of Tracey Park. An (doyntonvillage.org) 31. Bristol records Office. 12145/55 32. Bristol records Office HA/D/3 33. Bristol records Office HA/D/70 34. Bristol records Office 21245/52 35. Bristol records Office HA/D/46