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Garnstone Castle – History

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Background – before Garnstone Castle was built.

In the mid 16th century the Garnstone estate was granted to trustees by James Tomkyns for his own use along with his wife Margery, and his descendants remained there until 1661.  At this time it became part of the settlement made upon Anne Tomkyns on her marriage to Roger Vaughan, and it was sold to Colonel Birch, a successful officer in Cromwell’s army.

Colonel Birch was originally a pack horse driver, travelling and trading his own goods, and he was so… Continue reading

Bollitree Castle – History

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Herefordshire is rich with glorious castles, some of which admittedly are in ruins, but Bollitree Castle cannot be counted among their number as it is more of a house masquerading as a castle;   it never had anything to do with defence and was a mere folly which was added on to a Queen Anne mansion.  The stable block however has always been considered to be rather splendid, and is now Grade 11 listed. Continue reading

Farm Bailiff

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The Farm Bailiff was employed by an estate owner, and his main task was to oversee the tenant farmers making sure that rent was paid and farms were well looked after – so basically a farm manager, and he did have the power to evict any tenants that were not up to the mark. Continue reading

Pembridge Castle – History

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Pembridge Castle, originally called Newland Castle sits on the Welsh border and was thought by some to have been built by Matilda de Valery, wife of William Braose, in the late 12th century or early 13th. However, others say that the castle was built by Ralph de Pembridge in 1135. Whatever the truth, the Pembridge family were in residence in 1208 and it was probably at this time that the name changed from Newlands to Pembridge. Continue reading

News from the Past – Bredwardine

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1905 – Bredwardine Vicarage

Described as charmingly situated on the right bank of the River Wye, with a glorious view of the countryside including a stretch of the river spanned by the Bredwardine Bridge.

In moonlight, this scene was said to be enchanting.

The grounds abounded with wonderful trees, including Pinus Cephalonica;  Adiantifolia;  Salisburia;  Magnolia and a weeping oak.

The Cedar of Lebanon at Bredwardine Vicarage

In 1821 the Rev. N.D.H. Newton came to Bredwardine as curate;  he was a wealthy man who loved trees and… Continue reading

Lady’s Maid

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The Lady’s Maid was one of the most important servants in the household, at least as far as the Lady herself was concerned! It seems that some ladies were incapable of dressing or undressing themselves without help – but that might be a rather unfair comment given the complicated nature of some of the gowns. Continue reading

Elton Hall History

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Elton Hall was rebuilt in the mid 18th century, although it kept the bones of an earlier half timbered house, and Elton estate was in the occupation of Thomas Andrew Knight, who was an important agricultural and horticulture developer. At Elton he created a walled garden where he performed some of his many experiments with fruit trees etc. More about Thomas Andrew Knight can be found here at Downton Castle. Continue reading

Aramstone Court History

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The original Aramstone House dated back to the early 17th century, when it was owned by the Marrett family, then it passed to the Woodhouse family through marriage.  Francis Woodhouse rebuilt the house in around 1730 and it stood in gorgeous grounds close to the River Wye.  Outside features included an ice house;  a cold bath, glasshouses and a dovecote. Continue reading

Philpot

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The Philpot Family

(Variously recorded as Fellpotts; Felpot; Phellpots; Phillpotts; Philpotts; Philpot; Philpots and Phillpot.)

Whilst there are snippets of information about the Philpot family in historical records, there is no indication that anyone has studied this family in any great detail, despite their role in local and national politics, and their links to those who feature prominently in the County’s history. Continue reading

Colwall – News from the Past

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Death of youth at Colwall

1842 – Unfortunate Death at Colwall

George Freeman, a sixteen year old lad was out with a friend,  when they came across a large butt of a tree which had been sawn off and was left lying on a steep bank.

George decided to roll the butt down the bank and managed to get it started, but in doing so his “frock” caught onto the butt and he was drawn over it and rolled down the bank.

The butt crushed George as it rolled… Continue reading

The Grange (Grange Farm) History

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The Grange dates back to the 15th century although not in its present form, and was owned by James Halfhide (or Hawfield) before being passed to Anthony Hawfield, Richard Hawfield and John Hawfield successively. More Hawfields followed, but in 1749 Richard Hardwicke owned the Grange and by 1802 the house was tenanted to Robert Drew who eventually bought it.
Robert Drew remained on the estate until 1818. Continue reading

Gatley Park

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Gatley Park along with the manor of Leinthall Starkes were originally owned by the Crown and the park itself goes back to the Middle Ages, but at the beginning of Elizabeth l reign they were given to one William Home; from him through the Croft family until they were conveyed in 1633 to Sir Sampson Eure, a President of the Coucil in the Marches. Continue reading