Sir Rowland Lenthall

The estate was originally formed by the merging of the manors of Hampton Richard and Hampton Mappenor, and was granted by Henry IV to Sir Rowland Lenthall at the time of his marriage to Margaret Fitzalan, daughter of the Earl of Arundel, a cousin of the King. He built the manor house in 1427 and was granted a licence to crenellate the house by Henry V in 1434.
Sir Rowland’s daughter took over the manor, along with her husband the Baron of Burford, and their daughter married the fourth Earl of Essex – it was their son, George Capel Coningsby who sold the court in 1810 to Richard Arkwright.

Richard Arkwright

In the early 19th century, Hampton Court Castle was bought by Richard Arkwright, born 1755, who was the son of Sir Richard Arkwright (born 1732) – the celebrated inventor who is often erroneously credited with inventing the Spinning Jenny. It was actually a man called James Hargreaves who did this, but Arkwright did patent some improvements which produced a stronger yarn and needed less labour, although even these were claimed to have been copies of someone else’s work and the patents were later revoked. What is undisputed is that he was the first to make a horse driven spinning mill at Preston, and he greatly improved the efficiency of mills thereby increasing profits for the owners.

John Arkwright

John Arkwright set about rejigging the Court, he certainly had the money to do so as he was believed to be the most wealthy commoner in the whole of Europe. One of his sons, John, took over the Court and he too made huge changes and renovations – mainly to accommodate his twelve children – but the alterations changed Hampton Court to such an extent that the original medieval appearance was lost. He spent more than £46,000, an absolutely massive amount at the time, but by all accounts rather regretted it.

Johnny Arkwright

One of John Arkwright’s twelve children was Johnny, who at the age of 24 inherited the Castle and set about increasing the estate to a vast ten and a half thousand acres. He was something of a character, and lived life to the full but sadly fortunes failed, and after his death his son was forced to sell the Castle in 1912.

Mrs. Nancy Burrell

Nancy Burrell who hailed from Northumberland purchased Hampton Court Castle from the Arkwrights, running it as a hospital during WW1. She not only lost her husband during the war, but also lost her baby boy, and in 1924 she sold the Court on to the Devereux family who kept it until 1972. Unfortunately by this time the years had taken their toll and the whole house was in dire need of repair.

It still is – but a succession of owners have done their best to raise funds to enable vital work to be carried out, and it remains a hugely impressive and beautiful house.

Chapel

All  pictures on this page are shown with the permission of the current owners of Hampton Court Castle.

The Chapel is one of the oldest parts of Hampton Court, and was originally built as a private Roman Catholic chapel for the family’s use. It is now used for civil weddings and cermemonies.

Wall mounted candles, a later addition, showing the coat of arms of the Coningsby family

Household and servants 1841 Census

 Household and servants 1851 census

Household and servants 1861 census

Household and servants 1871 census

Household and servants 1901 census

In 1911 Arthur Charles Arkwright aged 68 and his wife Agnes Mary aged 67 were residing at Hatfield Place, Hatfield Peverel, Essex, along with their servants:

Churches of Hope Under Dinmore

• St. Mary the Virgin Church - Hope Under Dinmore

  The church of St. Mary the Virgin dates mostly from the late 19th century, although there was originally a Norman Church.

  

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Buildings in Hope Under Dinmore

• Hampton Court Castle History

  Hampton Court Castle in Herefordshire is not only exceptionally beautiful and well maintained, but also boasts history dating back to the 15th century, and is set in over 1000 acres of parkland, woodlands and pasture, with the river Lugg running close by.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Sir Rowland Lenthall

  The estate was originally formed by the merging of the manors of Hampton Richard and Hampton Mappenor, and was granted by Henry IV to Sir Rowland Lenthall at the time of his marriage to Margaret Fitzalan, daughter of the Earl of Arundel, a cousin of the King. He built the manor house in 1427 and was granted a licence to crenellate the house by Henry V in 1434.
  Sir Rowland’s daughter took over the manor, along with her husband the Baron of Burford, and their daughter married the fourth Earl of Essex – it was their son, George Capel Coningsby who sold the court in 1810 to Richard Arkwright.

  Richard Arkwright

  In the early 19th century, Hampton Court Castle was bought by Richard Arkwright, born 1755, who was the son of Sir Richard Arkwright (born 1732) – the celebrated inventor who is often erroneously credited with inventing the Spinning Jenny. It was actually a man called James Hargreaves who did this, but Arkwright did patent some improvements which produced a stronger yarn and needed less labour, although even these were claimed to have been copies of someone else’s work and the patents were later revoked. What is undisputed is that he was the first to make a horse driven spinning mill at Preston, and he greatly improved the efficiency of mills thereby increasing profits for the owners.

  John Arkwright

  John Arkwright set about rejigging the Court, he certainly had the money to do so as he was believed to be the most wealthy commoner in the whole of Europe. One of his sons, John, took over the Court and he too made huge changes and renovations – mainly to accommodate his twelve children – but the alterations changed Hampton Court to such an extent that the original medieval appearance was lost. He spent more than £46,000, an absolutely massive amount at the time, but by all accounts rather regretted it.

  Johnny Arkwright

  One of John Arkwright’s twelve children was Johnny, who at the age of 24 inherited the Castle and set about increasing the estate to a vast ten and a half thousand acres. He was something of a character, and lived life to the full but sadly fortunes failed, and after his death his son was forced to sell the Castle in 1912.

  Mrs. Nancy Burrell

  Nancy Burrell who hailed from Northumberland purchased Hampton Court Castle from the Arkwrights, running it as a hospital during WW1. She not only lost her husband during the war, but also lost her baby boy, and in 1924 she sold the Court on to the Devereux family who kept it until 1972. Unfortunately by this time the years had taken their toll and the whole house was in dire need of repair.

  It still is – but a succession of owners have done their best to raise funds to enable vital work to be carried out, and it remains a hugely impressive and beautiful house.

  Chapel

  All  pictures on this page are shown with the permission of the current owners of Hampton Court Castle.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  The Chapel is one of the oldest parts of Hampton Court, and was originally built as a private Roman Catholic chapel for the family’s use. It is now used for civil weddings and cermemonies.

   

  Wall mounted candles, a later addition, showing the coat of arms of the Coningsby family

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Household and servants 1841 Census

  John Arkwright	55	Landowner
  Sarah Arkwright	33	Wife
  Caroline Arkwright	10	Daughter
  Mary Arkwright	9	Daughter
  John Arkwright	7	Son
  Richard Arkwright	6	Son
  George Arkwright	4	Son
  Henry Arkwright	3	Son
  Edwyn Arkwright	2	Son
  Hungerford Hoskyn	35
  James Milbank	35
  Mary Nichols	47
  Charlotte Evans	30
  Eliza Morgan	20
  Jane Jones	24
  Sarah Williams	22
  Mary Parry	19
  Eliza Hall	26
  Mary Jones	21
  Margaret Evans	23
  Harriett Williams	16
  William Dean	26
  Lazarus Fenton	18

   Household and servants 1851 census

  John Arkwright	65	Magistrate b. Bakewell, Derbyshire
  Caroline Sarah Arkwright	20	Daughter b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Mary Arkwright	18	Daughter, b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Frances Catherine Arkwright	9	Daughter b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Arthur Chandos Arkwright	8	Son, b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Emily Sophia Arkwright	6	Daughter, b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Charles Leigh Arkwright	4	Son, b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Alice Arkwright	2	Daughter, b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Eliza Ward	36	Governess b. Blackfriars, Middlesex
  Harriette Cabron	41	Housekeeper b. London
  Mary Tugman	35	Cook b. Dorking, Surrey
  Elizabeth Watts	55	Nurse b. Devon
  Mary Jones	30	Laundry Maid b. Dormington, Herefordshire
  Catherine Taylor	34	Lady’s Maid b. Herefordshire
  Harriet Jackson	26	Housemaid b. Wellington Heath, Herefordshire
  Sarah Bryen	26	Nurse b. Herefordshire
  Mary Wargent	24	Housemaid b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth ?	45	Kitchenmaid b. Herefordshire
  Margaret Grainger	19	Housemaid b. Herefordshire
  Eliza Grainger	23	Laundry Maid b. Herefordshire
  Charlotte Williams	23	Kitchenmaid b. Weobley, Herefordshire
  James Tallon	38	Butler b. Derbyshire
  Mary Ann Elsden	16	Kitchenmaid b. Essex
  Thomas Chandler	35	Coachman b. Eastington, Gloucestershire
  William Gann	22	Footman b. Kent

  Household and servants 1861 census

  John H. Arkwright	27	Landowner and J.P. b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Sarah Arkwright	52	Mother b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Mary Arkwright	28	Sister b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Fanny C. Arkwright	19	Sister b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Emily S. Arkwright	16	Sister b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Alice E. Arkwright	12	Sister b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Richard Arkwright	26	Brother, Barrister in Practice b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Edwyn Arkwright	21	Brother, Undergraduate at Oxford b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Arthur C. Arkwright	18	Brother, Scholar at Eton, b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Charles L. Arkwright	14	Brother, Scholar at Harrow b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Eliza J. Ward	45	Governess b. London
  Sarah Yates	49	Housekeeper b. Stoke, Staffordshire
  Mary Ann Briscoe	57	Nurse b. Suffolk
  Susan Newman	39	Lady’s Maid b. Southminster, Essex
  Eliza Preece	24	Housemaid b. Withington, Herefordshire
  Mary Morgan	26	Laundry Maid b. St. Martins Herefordshire
  Eliza Matthews	17	Housemaid b. Monkland, Herefordshire
  Mary Ann Herbert	19	Nursemaid b. Crickhowell, Brecon
  Fanny Stevens	18	Laundry Maid b. Herefordshire
  Martha Price	20	Kitchenmaid b. Crickhowell, Brecon
  Ann Watson	19	Still Maid b. Cheshire
  Charlotte Rogers	16	Scullery Maid b. Kington, Herefordshire
  James Tatlow	48	Butler b. Derbyshire
  Alfred Howells	30	Valet b. Calne, Wiltshire
  Joseph Morrell	25	Footman b. Derbyshire
  Charles H. Footitt	23	Footman b. Nottinghamshire
  William Woolnough	30	Coachman b. Carlton, Suffolk
  Thomas Chapman	22	Groom b. Suffolk
  Charles Coward	21	Groom b. Bristol

  Household and servants 1871 census

  John H. Arkwright	37	J.P. b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Charlotte L. Arkwright	30	b. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
  Caroline Tulitt	46	Housekeeper b. Brighton, Sussex
  Annie Childs	24	Lady’s Maid b. Eversholt, Bedfordshire
  Priscilla Phillips	27	Cook b. Pimlico, Middlesex
  Priscilla Dakin	27	Laundry Maid b. Elton, Derbyshire
  Rosabel Turner	29	Housemaid b. Surrey
  Alice M. Clewes	22	Still Room Maid b. Birmingham
  Elizabeth Pugh	20	Housemaid b. Whitney, Herefordshire
  Caroline Hillier	17	Laundry Maid b. Wiltshire
  Mary A. Dean	18	Housemaid b. Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
  Sophia Diplock	23	Kitchenmaid b. Sussex
  Helen Hill	17	Scullery Maid b. Richards Castle, Shropshire
  Thomas Shephard	35	Butler b. Garforth, Yorkshire
  Richard Palmer	28	Valet b. Weymouth, Dorset
  Colin McColl	22	Footman b. Scotland
  Joseph T. Collins	23	Footman b. Dorset
  Alfred Gilbert	23	Coachman b. Stamford, Northampton

  Household and servants 1901 census

  John H. Arkwright	67	b. Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
  Charlotte L. Arkwright	60	Wife b. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
  Geraldine M. Arkwright	25	Daughter b. London
  Evelyn Arkwright	24	Daughter b. London
  Olive M.R. Arkwright	18	Daughter b. London
  Jane Edwards	49	Cook/Housekeeper b. Anglesea, North Wales
  Annie Reay	38	Lady’s Maid b. Cumberland
  Georgina A. Webb	24	Lady’s Maid b. Poonah, India
  Elizabeth Hobday	34	Housemaid b. Battle, Sussex
  Laura Griffiths	22	Housemaid b. Monmouthshire
  Gertrude M. Smith	18	Housemaid, b. Gloucestershire
  Ellen E. Apperley	17	Kitchenmaid b. Kington, Herefordshire
  Jerusa Picfinch	15	Scullery Maid b. Yarpole, Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Gatehouse	19	Laundrymaid b. Ivinghoe, Herefordshire
  William Childs	55	Butler b. Dorset
  William Paul	27	Footman b. Lyme Regis, Devon
  John Ree	16	Hall Boy b. Newtown, Herefordshire
  Charles F. Chilman	34	Coachman b. Northamptonshire

   

  In 1911 Arthur Charles Arkwright aged 68 and his wife Agnes Mary aged 67 were residing at Hatfield Place, Hatfield Peverel, Essex, along with their servants:

   

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News from the Past Hope Under Dinmore

• Hope Under Dinmore News from the Past

  Theft, death and hairless horses

  1789 – Theft from Parish Church

  The parish church of Hope under Dinmore was broken into by way of one of the windows, and the communion plate was stolen.

  This was the second theft from a church in the area within a week.

  1792 – Death of Anne Cave at Hope Under Dinmore

  Mrs Anne Cave, wife of Edward Cave, late of Buckland, died at Hope Under Dinmore “after a long and painful illness which she bore with the greatest fortitude and resignation”.

  1842 – Smallpox at Hope Under Dinmore

  In October at Hope Under Dinmore, Sarah Watkins aged 72 died of Smallpox.

  In the same week, Charles, son of John and Martha Lane died aged just 5, and Mrs. Ann Meredith aged 76 died after suffering a long and painful illness.

  1845 – Wilful Damage of Apple Trees Earns a Whipping

  Late at night, Robert Lane aged 16 entered an orchard belonging to John Arkwright at Hope Under Dinmore, and broke down some trees.

  He was caught in the act and was found guilty at court, where he was sentenced to six months imprisonment an an immediate whipping.

  1849 – Horses have their Manes and Tails Cut Off

  Some nasty ne’er do well went into the stables of Mr. Carpenter of Hope Under Dinmore and cut off the manes and tails of four of his horses.

  It was stressed that one of the horses was a grey, although why this should make a difference I don’t know.

  P.C. Ball was on the case, and he searched the bag of a travelling man in Hereford, but had no luck in finding anything.

  1851 – Fatal Accident at Railway Works on Dinmore Hill

  In May 1851 a number of men were working in the cuttings when there was a sudden landslide of rock and earth which completely engulfed three men. Rescue attempts were immediate, but when the debris had been cleared away it was discovered that two of the men were dead.  The third had a miraculous escape due to the fact that he was next to a wheelbarrow, which shielded him and gave him enough air to survive, although he did have serious injuries.

  Mr. Fieldhouse who was in charge of the workings, was severely reprimanded by the Coroner for not taking any precautions, such as shoring up the sides of the cutting, in order to protect the men.

  The two unfortunate dead men were William Allen and Joseph Chance and the jury at the inquest returned a verdict of accidental death, but also said that great blame was attributable to Francis Fieldhouse the contractor for not protecting his workmen from danger.

  1859 – Best Cottagers’ Gardens

  In early October, the Leominster Agricultural Association held their annual meeting, which encompassed livestock;  labourers with the greatest number of children;  servants who had served the longest etc. etc.

  The category for the best Cottagers’ Gardens was won by William Norman of Dinmore Hill in Hope Under Dinmore

  1860 – Did Lovers’ Tiff leads to Suicide?

  William Fletcher was a 21 year old man who  worked as a brakesman on the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway line,  and who lived with his mother Sophia Jenkins (she had remarried) at Hope Under Dinmore.

  Shortly before Christmas one night in 1860, William was down by the line, and a witness tried to talk to him but couldn’t hear his reply because of the noise of moving trucks.  The next thing she saw was William taking his cap off then kneeling down and putting his head on the rails just before the goods train ran over him.  Her screams alerted railway workers and the train was halted but it was too late and William was dead.

  William was said to have normally been an even tempered and happy chap, but he had begun to seem a little miserable, and rumours were rife about an argument he had had  with his girlfriend, Eliza Rogers,  who worked at the Grapes Tavern in Hereford as a domestic servant.  However, she flatly denied at the inquest that there had been any row.

  In the absence of any reason for William’s unhappiness, and by the statements made that he had deliberately placed his head on the rails and not just fallen over, the jury had no choice but to return a verdict of suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.

  1867 – Heavy Snow and rain Causes Flooding

  Melting snow and torrential rain caused devastating floods in Herefordshire in March 1867, and in Hope Under Dinmore water poured off the Dinmore and Winsley hills.

  The village was flooded and Mr. Poulton’s grocery shop was under water so that he and his wife were forced to retreat upstairs where they stayed for some time until the water subsided.

  The force of the water was such that a huge hole was opened up in the road, and it took seven cart loads of brick bats to fill it in.

  1867 – Woman steals Bread and Bacon

  Rebecca Folley aged 54 broke into the house of William Barber at Hope Under Dinmore on 19th February 1867 and stole a piece of bacon and two loaves of bread.

  In court she said that she was so poor that she had to do it;  she had been caught stealing some eleven years previously, but the court was lenient in that they “only” gave her 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.  They said that she had one more chance to reform her conduct……presumably next time she would face deportation.

   

   

   

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1789 – Theft from Parish Church

The parish church of Hope under Dinmore was broken into by way of one of the windows, and the communion plate was stolen.

This was the second theft from a church in the area within a week.

1792 – Death of Anne Cave at Hope Under Dinmore

Mrs Anne Cave, wife of Edward Cave, late of Buckland, died at Hope Under Dinmore “after a long and painful illness which she bore with the greatest fortitude and resignation”.

1842 – Smallpox at Hope Under Dinmore

In October at Hope Under Dinmore, Sarah Watkins aged 72 died of Smallpox.

In the same week, Charles, son of John and Martha Lane died aged just 5, and Mrs. Ann Meredith aged 76 died after suffering a long and painful illness.

1845 – Wilful Damage of Apple Trees Earns a Whipping

Late at night, Robert Lane aged 16 entered an orchard belonging to John Arkwright at Hope Under Dinmore, and broke down some trees.

He was caught in the act and was found guilty at court, where he was sentenced to six months imprisonment an an immediate whipping.

1849 – Horses have their Manes and Tails Cut Off

Some nasty ne’er do well went into the stables of Mr. Carpenter of Hope Under Dinmore and cut off the manes and tails of four of his horses.

It was stressed that one of the horses was a grey, although why this should make a difference I don’t know.

P.C. Ball was on the case, and he searched the bag of a travelling man in Hereford, but had no luck in finding anything.

1851 – Fatal Accident at Railway Works on Dinmore Hill

In May 1851 a number of men were working in the cuttings when there was a sudden landslide of rock and earth which completely engulfed three men. Rescue attempts were immediate, but when the debris had been cleared away it was discovered that two of the men were dead.  The third had a miraculous escape due to the fact that he was next to a wheelbarrow, which shielded him and gave him enough air to survive, although he did have serious injuries.

Mr. Fieldhouse who was in charge of the workings, was severely reprimanded by the Coroner for not taking any precautions, such as shoring up the sides of the cutting, in order to protect the men.

The two unfortunate dead men were William Allen and Joseph Chance and the jury at the inquest returned a verdict of accidental death, but also said that great blame was attributable to Francis Fieldhouse the contractor for not protecting his workmen from danger.

1859 – Best Cottagers’ Gardens

In early October, the Leominster Agricultural Association held their annual meeting, which encompassed livestock;  labourers with the greatest number of children;  servants who had served the longest etc. etc.

The category for the best Cottagers’ Gardens was won by William Norman of Dinmore Hill in Hope Under Dinmore

1860 – Did Lovers’ Tiff leads to Suicide?

William Fletcher was a 21 year old man who  worked as a brakesman on the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway line,  and who lived with his mother Sophia Jenkins (she had remarried) at Hope Under Dinmore.

Shortly before Christmas one night in 1860, William was down by the line, and a witness tried to talk to him but couldn’t hear his reply because of the noise of moving trucks.  The next thing she saw was William taking his cap off then kneeling down and putting his head on the rails just before the goods train ran over him.  Her screams alerted railway workers and the train was halted but it was too late and William was dead.

William was said to have normally been an even tempered and happy chap, but he had begun to seem a little miserable, and rumours were rife about an argument he had had  with his girlfriend, Eliza Rogers,  who worked at the Grapes Tavern in Hereford as a domestic servant.  However, she flatly denied at the inquest that there had been any row.

In the absence of any reason for William’s unhappiness, and by the statements made that he had deliberately placed his head on the rails and not just fallen over, the jury had no choice but to return a verdict of suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity.

1867 – Heavy Snow and rain Causes Flooding

Melting snow and torrential rain caused devastating floods in Herefordshire in March 1867, and in Hope Under Dinmore water poured off the Dinmore and Winsley hills.

The village was flooded and Mr. Poulton’s grocery shop was under water so that he and his wife were forced to retreat upstairs where they stayed for some time until the water subsided.

The force of the water was such that a huge hole was opened up in the road, and it took seven cart loads of brick bats to fill it in.

1867 – Woman steals Bread and Bacon

Rebecca Folley aged 54 broke into the house of William Barber at Hope Under Dinmore on 19th February 1867 and stole a piece of bacon and two loaves of bread.

In court she said that she was so poor that she had to do it;  she had been caught stealing some eleven years previously, but the court was lenient in that they “only” gave her 12 months imprisonment with hard labour.  They said that she had one more chance to reform her conduct……presumably next time she would face deportation.