John Coke

John Coke built the original Hall Court at Kynaston, Much Marcle in the early 1600s, almost certainly on or near the site of an earlier building.

This is just a brief outline of John Coke’s life, but any amount of detailed information on his political journey can easily be found online.
John Coke was born in 1563, his father being a rather wealthy lawyer, and was educated first at Westminster before attending Trinity college, Cambridge in 1576. He gained a scholarship in 1580 going on to take his BA. On the death of his father, his time at Cambridge might have been curtailed, but with the generous help of his brother he managed to finish his studies; he was to later return as a lecturer.
John Coke became friends with Fulke Greville, and worked with him for some time, gaining a reputation for being trustworthy and capable. The pair enjoyed a rise in office in both Parliament and Royal circles, but also fell hard after Queen Elizabeth’s death.

There was a rather unpleasant side to John Coke, in that during the war of the 1620s he managed to avoid using any of his own money to help with the cost of military action, whilst others around him were digging deeply into their pockets. He used  money gained from his office to buy estates.
Ironically, during his time as chief Clerk to Greville, treasurer of the navy, he found out that many naval officials were only concerned with lining their own pockets, and he and Greville did their best to bring about reforms. Unfortunately Greville was forced to resign and Coke went too.
At this time he was 40 and with time on his hands he married Marie Powell in Herefordshire; they lived with her father for a while whilst Hall Court was being built.
It wasn’t too long though before he and Greville were on the rise again and he became very well thought of and respected, being elected MP for Warwick in 1621 – it seems that he and his wife then spent little time at Hall Court and it was put out for rent.
John Coke died in 1644 in Tottenham

Hall Court becomes a Rental Property

In 1781 Hall Court was advertised for let – boasting orcharding, meadow pasture and arable land amounting to two hundred and forty acres, together with another adjoining farm called The Porch.

For many years, Hall Court was tenanted by William Smith, a man who on his death aged in 1861 aged 71 was described as highly respected.
Shortly afterwards, an auction was arranged to sell all William’s farming stock and implements, all the household furniture and livestock.

1841 – Hall Court Household

1861 – Hall Court Household

1881 – Hall Court Household

1901 – Hall Court Household

1911 – Hall Court Household

Homme House has been owned since the 17^th century by the Kyrle family,  but during the second World War was used as a hospital.

In 1674  John Ernle of Burytown, Wiltshire, son of Sir John Ernle who was a Privy Councillor and also Chancellor of the Exchequeir between 1676 and 1689. married Vincentia Kyrle of Much Marcle in Herefordshire and this united the names – their daughter Constantia married but had no children, so she gave her estates to the son of her cousin, James Money.

James Money became Major in the Army, and eventually gained the post of Lieutenant Colonel;  he married Eugenia Stoughton.  Of their children, only one, William Money, survived and he married Mary Webster – they went on to have a whopping family of 13 children, only losing two along the way!  Of these children, the eldest son James Money took over the estates in 1808.  He followed the family tradition and went into the army, eventually becoming Major

Major General Sir James Money Kyrle

James was born in 1775, the son of William Money and Mary Webster;  he was given the name James Money at birth but in 1809 this was changed to James Money Kyrle by Royal Licence.  He succeeded to his father’s estates in 1808 and married in 1811, and in the same year gained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  James went on to become Colonel in 1825 and Major General in 1838 before his death in 1843.  His marriage was childless, and  so the estates passed to his brother William.

William Money Kyrle

William Money was born in 1776 and his birth name was changed to William Money Kyrle by Royal Licence in 1844.  He was ordained as Deacon in 1799, and priest in 1801.  He and his wife Emma had 8 children

William Money Kyrle

William Money Kyrle was born in 1801 at Homme House, and was the son of Reverend William Money Kyrle and Emma Down;  he was admitted to the Inner Temple and entitled to practice as a barrister, but suffered from constant ill health and was possibly a hypochondriac.  Although born William Money, he changed his name by Royal Lincence in 1843 to William Money Kyrle.  He never married and died in 1868.

John Ernle Money Kyrle

John Ernle Money Kyrle was born in 1812, the son of Reverend William Money Kyre and Emma Down and was given the name John Ernle Money at birth, this was changed to John Ernle Money Kyrle by Royal Licence.    He married twice – first Harriet Louisa Sutton in 1842 and secondly Ada Frances Simons in 1865, and eventually gained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as well as holding the office of Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire.

The Sudden Death of Colonel John Money Kyrle

In 1894 82 year old Colonel John Money Kyrle collapsed and died whilst dressing one Monday morning.

He had just come back from a holiday at the seaside with his family, and everyone thought that his previously poor health and greatly improved, but just before his death he once again complained of feeling unwell.

Heart disease was determined as the cause of death.

He had been a county magistrate for many years and was also Deputy Lieutenant for Herefordshire;  he was strongly Conservative in his politics and was well respected by friends and tenants alike.  He married twice, and had children by both marriages, with his son Major Audley Walter Washbourne Money Kyrle inheriting the estate.

Audley Walter Washbourne Money-Kyrle

In 1905 Major Audley Money Kyrle rented Homme House to the Dowager Lady Beauchamp for many years, and she stayed there with her two daughters, Lady Agnes and Lady Maud Lygon;  she herself was the sister of Lord Manvers.

Three years later the Major was in Much Marcle, and took the opportunity to join a shooting party at Homme House, where he unfortunately fell down dead.  He was fifty five, and left a widow and four children.

Unsolved Child Murder at Homme House

In 1863 some workmen spotted something floating in the pond at Homme House, and on investigation they discovered a baby boy.  The inquest revealed that the child was about two weeks old and had been born alive;  he seemed of healthy appearance and had been in the water some ten days, but it was strange that no effort had been made to weigh the child down.  A verdict of wilful murder was returned against some person or persons unknown.

Fatal Burning at Homme House

Agnes Jones, a 16 year old kitchen maid at Homme House was at work when a cinder feel from the range and landed on her clothing which immediately caught fire.  She immediately ran in a panic out into the hall, and Colonel Money Kyrle tried to help her by throwing her to the floor and smothering the flames.

Medical help was called for, but she was so severely burned that she was take to Ledbury Cottage Hospital, where she died from her injuries

1851 – Homme House Household

Ten years later, it was the Butler who was in charge on census day, and there are some anomalies…….Elizabeth Dew for example was 35 in 1851, and 36 in 1861;  this could have been the fault of the enumerator.   Although her place of birth appears to vary, the area is the same, as is the case with Sophia Schurven.

1861 – Homme House Household

1871 – Homme House Household

1881 – Homme House Household

1891 – Homme House Household

1901 – Homme House Household

1911 – Homme House Household

1921 – Homme House Household

Many of the 17th and 18th century farm building still survive, as do several cottages. Rising up from the village is a hill known as Marcle Ridge, and it was here that on 17th February 1575 a hefty landslip occurred – trees and animals were carried down the hill and deposited at the bottom – this event became known as “The Wonder” and in Victorian times people travelled from far and wide to view it, but for villagers at the time it must have been very frightening indeed.

An old pack horse route descending steeply from the top of Marcle Ridge has some old lime kilns, in fairly good order, set alongside the path.

There was also a castle within the parish, Mortimers Castle – now all that remains is the motte and a ditch, which is just about visible next to the village primary school.

Churches of Much Marcle

• St. Bartholomew's Church - Much Marcle

  The church is huge for the size of the village population, and just outside the main door is a famous yew tree which is estimated to be at least 1200 years old. Unfortunately it is now slightly worse for wear, which is not surprising given it’s age and the fact that visitors cannot resist sitting inside it.

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Blanch Mortimer

  Within the church is the tomb of Blanche Mortimer b. c. 1316, the youngest daughter of notorious Sir Roger who ousted King Edward 11 and ruled England for three years.

  During 2013, restoration work began on this tomb, and workers were amazed to discover a lead lined coffin within the tomb within which are believed to be the remains of Blanche. If this is indeed the case then it is most unusual as bodies were buried in the ground beneath the tombs normally.

  Blanche’s likeness is carved out of Painswick limestone, and her delicate hands cradle a rosary whilst she wears a loose fitting gown and headdress.

  Although the coffin has undergone endoscopic examination, it will never be opened due to the Church of England policy of not interfering with human remains – a policy with which I wholeheartedly agree.

   

  Font

  Mid 12th century font

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  The Grandison tomb, exquisite European Renaissance carving, but sadly damaged by damp and even more sadly, by vandalism

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Effigy of Walter de Helyon

  Walter de Helyon was part of a noble family who owned  the Manor in the village of Much Marcle, now know as Hellens.

  He died in the mid 14th century, and this effigy is gloriously colourful, being made of painted oak.  The paint was restored in 1971 due to damage by damp.

   

   

   

  

  Read More >

Buildings of Much Marcle

• Homme House History

  Set in the lovely countryside on the edge of Much Marcle, Homme house in its original state was built of stone, but all that remains now of that building is the tower.  A devastating fire resulted in the house being rebuilt in the early 17^th century, and it was further altered in the 19^th century.  Today it is mainly red brick.

  Homme House has been owned since the 17^th century by the Kyrle family,  but during the second World War was used as a hospital.

  In 1674  John Ernle of Burytown, Wiltshire, son of Sir John Ernle who was a Privy Councillor and also Chancellor of the Exchequeir between 1676 and 1689. married Vincentia Kyrle of Much Marcle in Herefordshire and this united the names – their daughter Constantia married but had no children, so she gave her estates to the son of her cousin, James Money.

  James Money became Major in the Army, and eventually gained the post of Lieutenant Colonel;  he married Eugenia Stoughton.  Of their children, only one, William Money, survived and he married Mary Webster – they went on to have a whopping family of 13 children, only losing two along the way!  Of these children, the eldest son James Money took over the estates in 1808.  He followed the family tradition and went into the army, eventually becoming Major

  Major General Sir James Money Kyrle

  James was born in 1775, the son of William Money and Mary Webster;  he was given the name James Money at birth but in 1809 this was changed to James Money Kyrle by Royal Licence.  He succeeded to his father’s estates in 1808 and married in 1811, and in the same year gained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  James went on to become Colonel in 1825 and Major General in 1838 before his death in 1843.  His marriage was childless, and  so the estates passed to his brother William.

  William Money Kyrle

  William Money was born in 1776 and his birth name was changed to William Money Kyrle by Royal Licence in 1844.  He was ordained as Deacon in 1799, and priest in 1801.  He and his wife Emma had 8 children

  William Money Kyrle

  William Money Kyrle was born in 1801 at Homme House, and was the son of Reverend William Money Kyrle and Emma Down;  he was admitted to the Inner Temple and entitled to practice as a barrister, but suffered from constant ill health and was possibly a hypochondriac.  Although born William Money, he changed his name by Royal Lincence in 1843 to William Money Kyrle.  He never married and died in 1868.

  John Ernle Money Kyrle

  John Ernle Money Kyrle was born in 1812, the son of Reverend William Money Kyre and Emma Down and was given the name John Ernle Money at birth, this was changed to John Ernle Money Kyrle by Royal Licence.    He married twice – first Harriet Louisa Sutton in 1842 and secondly Ada Frances Simons in 1865, and eventually gained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel as well as holding the office of Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire.

   

  The Sudden Death of Colonel John Money Kyrle

  In 1894 82 year old Colonel John Money Kyrle collapsed and died whilst dressing one Monday morning.

  He had just come back from a holiday at the seaside with his family, and everyone thought that his previously poor health and greatly improved, but just before his death he once again complained of feeling unwell.

  Heart disease was determined as the cause of death.

  He had been a county magistrate for many years and was also Deputy Lieutenant for Herefordshire;  he was strongly Conservative in his politics and was well respected by friends and tenants alike.  He married twice, and had children by both marriages, with his son Major Audley Walter Washbourne Money Kyrle inheriting the estate.

  Audley Walter Washbourne Money-Kyrle

  In 1905 Major Audley Money Kyrle rented Homme House to the Dowager Lady Beauchamp for many years, and she stayed there with her two daughters, Lady Agnes and Lady Maud Lygon;  she herself was the sister of Lord Manvers.

  Three years later the Major was in Much Marcle, and took the opportunity to join a shooting party at Homme House, where he unfortunately fell down dead.  He was fifty five, and left a widow and four children.

   

  Unsolved Child Murder at Homme House

  In 1863 some workmen spotted something floating in the pond at Homme House, and on investigation they discovered a baby boy.  The inquest revealed that the child was about two weeks old and had been born alive;  he seemed of healthy appearance and had been in the water some ten days, but it was strange that no effort had been made to weigh the child down.  A verdict of wilful murder was returned against some person or persons unknown.

   

  Fatal Burning at Homme House

  Agnes Jones, a 16 year old kitchen maid at Homme House was at work when a cinder feel from the range and landed on her clothing which immediately caught fire.  She immediately ran in a panic out into the hall, and Colonel Money Kyrle tried to help her by throwing her to the floor and smothering the flames.

  Medical help was called for, but she was so severely burned that she was take to Ledbury Cottage Hospital, where she died from her injuries

   

   

   

   

  1851 – Homme House Household

  William Money Kyrle	42	Magistrate for the County of Hereford	b. Exmouth
  G. Money Kyrle	35	Brother, fellow of Kings College, Cambridge	b. Wiltshire
  John Tyler	36	Butler	b. Dormington, Herefordshire
  Henry Robertson	22	Footman	b. Scotland
  George Parker	39	Coachman	b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Dew	35	Housekeeper	b. Goodrich, Herefordshire
  Ann Bayley	29	Housemaid	b. Mordiford, Herefordshire
  Sophia Schurven	38	Dairy Maid	B. Ayleton, Herefordshire

   

   

   

   

  Ten years later, it was the Butler who was in charge on census day, and there are some anomalies…….Elizabeth Dew for example was 35 in 1851, and 36 in 1861;  this could have been the fault of the enumerator.   Although her place of birth appears to vary, the area is the same, as is the case with Sophia Schurven.

   

  1861 – Homme House Household

  John Tyler	46	Butler	b. Dormington, Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Dew	36	Cook	b. Pencraig, Herefordshire
  Anne Bailey	40	Housemaid	b. Mordiford, Herefordshire
  Sophia Schurven	49	Dairy Maid	b. Yatton, Herefordshire

  1871 – Homme House Household

  John Ernle Money Kyrle	59	Lt. Colonel in the Army	b. Clifton, Somerset
  Ada Frances Money Kyrle	30	Wife, Homekeeper	b. Hampstead, Middlesex
  Harriet Mary Money Kyrle	22	Daughter	b. Tupsley, Herefordshire
  Alice Eleanor Money Kyrle	18	Daughter	b. Tupsley, Herefordshire
  Eugenia Emma Money Kyrle	16	Daughter	b. Tupsley, Herefordshire
  Rowland Lacy Money Kyrle	4	Son	b. Tupsley, Herefordshire
  Cecil Leigh Money Kyrle	3	Son	b. Tupsley, Herefordshire
  Bertha Reuscher	30	Governess	b. Prussia
  Eleanor Dyott	64	Visitor	b. London, Middlesex
  Caroline Doidge (?)	27	Visitor’s Lady’s Maid	b. Cornwall
  Mary Powell	51	Cook	b. Canon Pyon, Herefordshire
  Mary Anne Lucy Evans	27	Nurse	b. Crickhowell, Breconshire
  Mary Anne Morris	27	Upper Housemaid	b. Wellington, Herefordshire
  Harriet Tommey	24	Laundry Maid	b. Herefordshire
  Ellen Freer	20	Under Nursemaid	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Lydia Ellen Drew	20	Under Housemaid	b. Linton, Herefordshire
  Mary Anne Burnett	20	Kitchen Maid	b. Bromyard, Herefordshire
  James John Morris	38	Butler	b. Worcestershire
  George Frederick Hedger	19	Footman	b. Arundel, Sussex
  William Meek	28	Coachman	b. Herefordshire

   

  1881 – Homme House Household

  John Ernle Money Kyrle	69	Retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, Magistrate for County of Hereford	b. Clifton, Somerset
  Ada F. Money Kyrle	39	Wife	b. Hampstead, Middlesex
  Alice E. Money Kyrle	28	Daughter	b. Hampton Bishop, Herefordshire
  Eugenia E. Money Kyrle	26	Daughter	b. Hampton Bishop, Herefordshire
  Violet E. A. Money Kyrle	2 months	Daughter	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Harriet M.E. Pope	32	Daughter	b. Hampton Bishop, Herefordshire
  Sybill M.F. Pope	5	Grand Daughter	b. Blakemere, Herefordshire
  Andrew W.E. Pope	2	Grandson	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Eugena J. Pope	6 months	Grand Daughter	b. Preston on Wye, Herefordshire
  Sarah A. Holmes	32	Cook	b. Lincolnshire
  Mary A.L. Evans	36	Lady’s Maid	b. Crickhowell, Brecon
  Ruth Watkins	27	Housemaid	b. Talgarth, Brecon
  Fanny Robinson	26	Laundry Maid	b. Shropshire
  Elizabeth Morgan	20	Housemaid	b. Brecknockshire
  Rosa E. Kleiser	20	Kitchenmaid	b. Herefordshire
  Marian Cross	17	Nursery Maid	b. Madley, Herefordshire
  Ellen Williams	25	Nurse	b. Clapham, Surrey
  Agnes Williams	15	Nursery Maid	b. Mordiford, Herefordshire
  William Bettington	33	Butler	b. Bosbury, Herefordshire
  Alfred Morgan	19	Footman	b. Bridstow, Herefordshire
  Thomas Stephens	24	Coachman	b. Bromsberrow, Herefordshire
  Thomas Lucas	22	Groom	b. Radnorshire

   

  1891 – Homme House Household

  John E. Money Kyrle	79	Lieutenant Colonel in the Army, JP for Herefordshire	b. Clifton, Somerset
  Ada Money Kyrle	49	Wife	b. Middlesex
  Cecil L. Money Kyrle	23	Son, Theological student, BA Oxford	b. Tupsley, Herefordshire
  Eugenia Money Kyrle	36	Daughter	b. Hampton Bishop, Herefordshire
  Violet A. Money Kyrle	10	Daughter	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Arthur Money Kyrle	9	Cousin	b. India
  Nina Money Kyrle	8	Cousin	b. India
  Ernle W. Money Kyrle	6		b. Aberystwith, Wales
  Bertha Henshaw	22	Governess	b. Essex
  Albert Collet	38	Butler	b. Worcester
  Joseph Burford	17	Footman	b. Redmarley, Gloucestershire
  James Rowberry	31	Coachman	b. Lugwardine, Herefordshire
  George Forty	20	Groom	b. Putley, Herefordshire
  Susan Bengough	50	Cook/Housekeeper	b. Stoke Prior, Herefordshire
  Mary Evans	46	Lady’s Maid	b. Crickhowell, Brecon
  Eliza England	35	Housemaid	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Ann Counsell	18	Housemaid	b. Peterstow, Herefordshire
  Louisa Ellis	19	Kitchen Maid	b. Kings Pyon, Herefordshire
  Winifred Morris	18	Lady’s Maid	b. Malvern Link, Worcestershire
  Mary Hill	19	Nurse	b. Munsley, Herefordshire

  1901 – Homme House Household

  Ann Poppitt	47	Housekeeper in Charge	b. Bishops Frome, Herefordshire
  Celia Edwards	16	Housemaid	b. Dymock, Gloucestershire
  Beatrice Poppitt	15	Kitchen Maid	b. Ludlow, Shropshire

  1911 – Homme House Household

  Louisa Jones

  41

  Caretaker

  b. Sollers Hope, Herefordshire

  1921 – Homme House Household

  Eliza Mary Wilcholt	b. Victoria, Australia 1880	Wife
  Faith Wilcholt	b. Queensland, Australia 1909	Daughter
  Ann Mary Wilcholt	b. Llanwarne, Herefordshire 1912	Daughter
  Minnie Madeleine Christie	b. Ballymena, Ireland 1885	Governess
  Jane Smith	b. Worcestershire 1903	Under Parlourmaid
  Leslie Frank Beard	b. Upton on Severn,  Gloucestershire 1901	Chauffeur
  Amy Charles	b. Wormbridge, Herefordshire 1889	Cook
  Hilda Jane Fawks	b. Much Marcle,  Herefordshire 1896	Head Housemaid
  Irene May Baker	b. Woolhope,  Herefordshire 1904	Kitchen Maid
  Edith Mary Evans	b. Canon Frome, Herefordshire 1906	Under Housemaid
  Mary Elise Lewis	b. Little Dewchurch 1893	Parlourmaid

  Read More >
• Hall Court History

  Hall Court at Kynaston, Much Marcle is a handsome timber framed building, which has mostly been used as a farm house down the years. It is thought that the gardens and orchards were laid out by John Coke who built the house, and who was keen on kitchen gardening as well as exotic or little known plants.

  John Coke

  John Coke built the original Hall Court at Kynaston, Much Marcle in the early 1600s, almost certainly on or near the site of an earlier building.

  This is just a brief outline of John Coke’s life, but any amount of detailed information on his political journey can easily be found online.
  John Coke was born in 1563, his father being a rather wealthy lawyer, and was educated first at Westminster before attending Trinity college, Cambridge in 1576. He gained a scholarship in 1580 going on to take his BA. On the death of his father, his time at Cambridge might have been curtailed, but with the generous help of his brother he managed to finish his studies; he was to later return as a lecturer.
  John Coke became friends with Fulke Greville, and worked with him for some time, gaining a reputation for being trustworthy and capable. The pair enjoyed a rise in office in both Parliament and Royal circles, but also fell hard after Queen Elizabeth’s death.

  There was a rather unpleasant side to John Coke, in that during the war of the 1620s he managed to avoid using any of his own money to help with the cost of military action, whilst others around him were digging deeply into their pockets. He used  money gained from his office to buy estates.
  Ironically, during his time as chief Clerk to Greville, treasurer of the navy, he found out that many naval officials were only concerned with lining their own pockets, and he and Greville did their best to bring about reforms. Unfortunately Greville was forced to resign and Coke went too.
  At this time he was 40 and with time on his hands he married Marie Powell in Herefordshire; they lived with her father for a while whilst Hall Court was being built.
  It wasn’t too long though before he and Greville were on the rise again and he became very well thought of and respected, being elected MP for Warwick in 1621 – it seems that he and his wife then spent little time at Hall Court and it was put out for rent.
  John Coke died in 1644 in Tottenham

  Hall Court becomes a Rental Property

  In 1781 Hall Court was advertised for let – boasting orcharding, meadow pasture and arable land amounting to two hundred and forty acres, together with another adjoining farm called The Porch.

  For many years, Hall Court was tenanted by William Smith, a man who on his death aged in 1861 aged 71 was described as highly respected.
  Shortly afterwards, an auction was arranged to sell all William’s farming stock and implements, all the household furniture and livestock.

   

  1841 – Hall Court Household

  Louisa Smith	40
  Elizabeth Smith	15	b. Herefordshire
  Louisa Smith	14	b. Herefordshire
  Sarah Smith	11	b. Herefordshire
  Thomas Smith	8	b. Herefordshire
  George Smith	7	b. Herefordshire
  Mary Smith	3	b. Herefordshire
  James Smith	baby	b. Herefordshire
  William Smith	20	b. Herefordshire
  Reuben Jones	15	b. Herefordshire
  John Gladden	14	b. Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Gibbons	20	b. Herefordshire
  Ellen Toms	15	b. Herefordshire

  1861 – Hall Court Household

  William Smith	71	Farmer of 300 acres	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Louisa Smith	62	Wife	b. Brixton, London
  Sarah Ann Smith	25	Daughter	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Mary Emma Smith	21	Daughter	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  George J. Smith	23	Son	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  James M. Smith	20	Son	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Hannah Baker	16	House Servant	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  William Prichard	15	All works	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  John Simpkins	11	Carters Boy	b. Hentland, Herefordshire

  1881 – Hall Court Household

  Joseph William Pope	22	Farmer of 311 Acres	b. Welland, Worcestershire
  Catherine Mary Pope	22	Wife	b. Leigh Sinton, Worcestershire
  Percy Essex	18	Brother in Law, farmer’s son	b. Leigh Sinton, Worcestershire
  Louisa Hillox	16	Domestic Servant	b. Broadheath, Worcestershire

  1901 – Hall Court Household

  Thomas J. Powell	55	Farmer	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Alice A. Powell	45	Wife	b. Little Marcle, Herefordshire
  James J.S. Powell	23	Son	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Beatrice M. Powell	16	Daughter	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Rodney W. Powell	14	Son	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Harold S. Powell	11	Son	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Violet M. Powell	9	Daughter	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Lily E. Powell	9	Daughter	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  William S. Powell	7	Son	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Rupert A. Powell	3	Son	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire

   

  1911 – Hall Court Household

  James John Stedman Powell	33	Farmer	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Rodney William Powell	24	Brother	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Harold S. Powell	21	Brother	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  William Shephard Powell	17	Brother	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Beatrice Madaline Powell	26	Sister	b. Much Marcle, Herefordshire
  Elizabeth Kings	20	Domestic Servant	b. Aylton, Herefordshire

  Read More >

News from the Past Much Marcle

• Much Marcle News from the Past

  Murder, drunks and a cracking good shot

  I lived at Much Marcle for a great many years, and both myself and my husband always thought it to be a dark village in many ways – putting aside more recent events which I have no intention of recording here, our feelings have been born out by research into the past.

  Truly, no other village has revealed such a horrid history!

  1794 – Murder of New Born Child

  Elizabeth Mercer was committed to Hereford Gaol charged with the wilful murder of her new born child at Much Marcle.

  1832 – House of Ill Repute

  In October 1832, Mary Bosley was charged with keeping a house of “ill fame” at Much Marcle.

  1838 – Rabies in Much Marcle

  A 12 year old girl living in Much Marcle, was repeatedly bitten on the legs by a large and powerful dog, which was rabid.

  A surgeon was immediately sent for, but it was found to be impractical to extirpate the wounds as there were so many of them, and everyone, including the surgeon, recommended amputation of both legs to stop the infection spreading.

  However, the family refused to allow this, and treatment included “cupping glasses, thorough ablution, caustic dipping etc.”  For a couple of weeks, the child appeared to be doing well until suddenly the terrible symptoms of rabies began, and two days later after terrible suffering, she died.

  1842 – Mother Murders Child at Much Marcle

  Milborough Trilloe, a 30 year old widow described as “poor looking”, was indicted for the murder of her baby girl on 24th June 1842.

  She already had three children and lived alone, but became pregnant by a man from Ross on Wye.  She told a friend that she believed the child would not live because it was so restless inside her, and this friend never saw her making clothes in preparation even though she was not far from giving birth.

  Trilloe gave birth alone, then told this friend that although the baby was fine and healthy when born, it was now dead and buried.

  The baby was eventually found by police in the garden of a neighbour, belonging to James Taylor, and at the time Trilloe told him that it was indeed her child and that had made the hole and buried it herself.  Later, she denied saying this, and in fact she also began to deny that she had even given birth even though many people knew that she had.

  The medical examiner’s opinion was that the baby had been strangled, and Trilloe’s reply to this was that she had caught hold of the child around the neck whilst she was in dreadful pain.  The post mortem revealed that death was indeed by strangulation, or by something pressed against the windpipe for so long and with such force that even after death it didn’t resume its natural shape.

  It was clear to everyone from a long and convoluted trial which showed Trilloe to have lied and lied again, that she was rather a strange woman to put it mildly.  The jury took an hour and a half to return a verdict of Guilty.

  Trilloe went nuts – eventually passing out, and Dr. Bull who happened to be in court administered aid, and brought her back to consciousness.

  His Lordship then donned the black cap and passed sentence:

  “Milborough Trilloe, you have been convicted of the wilful murder of your own child………there only remains for a duty to pass upon you the sentence which the law awards for your offence.”

  He told her to prepare her soul to meet her Maker, and said that she would be taken to the place from where she came and from there to a place of execution to be hung by the neck until dead.  Her body was to be buried within the precincts of the gaol.

  This was the first sentence of death for ten years in Hereford, and execution in this case was stayed until 25th November – indeed, as can be seen below Milborough Trilloe was not executed in the end but was transported to Tasmania.

  New Information on Milborough Trilloe

  Now – something has come to light which casts some doubt on some of what I have written above with respect to Milborough’s character, (all of which was from rewspaper reports at the time) and which perhaps provides an insight into why she did what she did.

  A descendant of The Trilloe family, Malcolm Evans,  has sent me the following:

  “My Grandmother was a Trillo ( Trilloe in alternative spelling)

  I thought I would add some info on Milborough who killed her newborn daughter in Much Marcle.

  Milborough had a pretty horrible time – 3 children, no money, working the fields for a pittance – pregnant by her landlord (probably) – had to leave 3 children in Much Marcle to go to the ends of the earth and never return.

  Two years ago I visited Tasmania and the Launceston Female Factory where she ended up after her sentence. She found some happiness on 4. 4. 1846 when she married Thomas Parsons in Morven (now Evandale). This happiness was short lived when he fell out of the back of a bullock cart on 2.4.1852 and the wheel went over his head and he died. I visited his grave site with no headstone, but was unable to find out what happened to Milborough after she was pardoned on 25.9.1852.”

   

  1846 – Amazing Shot by Gamekeeper

  In the Spring of 1846, Mr. Benksin, steward and gamekeeper to Rev Money Kyrle of Homme House, Much Marcle, killed four large snakes with one single shot.

  Apparently they were all lying together, coiled into a ball in Queen’s Wood but there is no mention of what type of snakes they were.

  1847 – Drunken Behaviour

  In May 1847, James Preece of Much Marcle, described as a “rough headed looking fellow”, was charged with getting drunk on the fair day.

  Apparently he got himself into many a fight, and hit several people whilst behaving rather badly in general.

  He was fined 5s plus costs.

  1851 – Man falls into Furnace

  Joseph Yeldon, an 18 year old from Much Marcle, was working for Messrs. Joseph and Benjamin Turnock, brewers of Ross.

  One evening Joseph Yeldon was using a ladle to empty a furnace containing boiling wort, when he lost his balance and fell into the boiling liquid.

  James Hiles saw Joseph fall and rushed to help, succeeding in lifting him out before he was boiled to death;  however, he was so badly scalded that despite medical attention he died after a few hours.

  1854 – Brutal Assault by Husband on Wife

  Sarah Masters Berrow was perhaps a little indiscrete when chatting to a neighbour, and told her things about her marriage – namely that her husband was violent towards her, and perhaps was “taking liberties” with their daughter; she did actually have a witness to her husband having intercourse with her daughter.  Indiscretion maybe, but we all need someone to talk to!!

  Her husband George Berrow, a Mason of Much Marcle, was of large build (and had a moustache, not that that has anything to do with it), and somehow he got to hear of his wife’s conversation.  He was furious, and (it was said) wanted to put a stop to scandal which in rural villages can run out of control very quickly.  He thought that a severe beating would do the trick.

  He hit his wife Sarah in the face, causing a huge bruise, whereupon she ran from the house.  He followed, and hit her again – so hard that she fell into the hedge;  she managed to get up and started to run but he caught her and hit her again.

  Sarah pleaded for forgiveness, and fortunately for her, at this point people had been alerted to the disturbance and she was taken into the care of others.

  George Berrow was sentenced to six months hard labour.

  1861 – Hefty Sentence for Minor Theft

  Thomas Preece, a lad of Much Marcle, was charged with stealing four eggs from Mr. Smith of Bodenham in the same parish, on 15th June.

  James Preece, his father, was also charged with receiving the eggs knowing them to have been stolen, but he absconded and a warrant was out for his arrest.

  The lad Thomas had no defence, and was sent to gaol for seven day’s hard labour.

  1863 – Man Dies on Way Home from Fair

  60 year old John Clinton of Puckmoors,  Much Marcle was on his way home with another man after a night at the Ledbury fair, when a horse and gig came along the road.

  Each man went to opposite sides of the road to allow the gig passage, but once it had gone, John was lying in the road unconscious.  His friend rushed to John’s house, some two miles along the road, and procured a horse and cart which he took back to where he left John.  He took him home, and he was put to bed – still unconscious.

  He died the next morning, but no post mortem was carried out as Mr. Griffin, the medical gentleman, was of the opinion that John had died from apoplexy.  There were some murmerings about neglect, because no medical assistance had been called for John when he was first taken home.

  He left a wife and family.

  1863 – Child Murder at Much Marcle

  Two carpenters were on their way to work one morning when they noticed something floating in a pond near to Homme House, Much Marcle, the home of Money Kyrle Esq.

  They managed to get it out of the water, and discovered that it was a new born baby sewn into a piece of calico.  The men immediately told the police.

  Further evidence was sketchy – Dr. Griffin who examined the body stated that the child was some two weeks old, and had been born alive and healthy.  The body had been in the water for about ten days.

  A verdict of wilful murder against some person unknown was returned, and it was remarked that it was strange that the perpetrator had not taken the precaution of using a weight of some kind to sink the poor child.

   

   

  Read More >

I lived at Much Marcle for a great many years, and both myself and my husband always thought it to be a dark village in many ways – putting aside more recent events which I have no intention of recording here, our feelings have been born out by research into the past.

Truly, no other village has revealed such a horrid history!

1794 – Murder of New Born Child

Elizabeth Mercer was committed to Hereford Gaol charged with the wilful murder of her new born child at Much Marcle.

1832 – House of Ill Repute

In October 1832, Mary Bosley was charged with keeping a house of “ill fame” at Much Marcle.

1838 – Rabies in Much Marcle

A 12 year old girl living in Much Marcle, was repeatedly bitten on the legs by a large and powerful dog, which was rabid.

A surgeon was immediately sent for, but it was found to be impractical to extirpate the wounds as there were so many of them, and everyone, including the surgeon, recommended amputation of both legs to stop the infection spreading.

However, the family refused to allow this, and treatment included “cupping glasses, thorough ablution, caustic dipping etc.”  For a couple of weeks, the child appeared to be doing well until suddenly the terrible symptoms of rabies began, and two days later after terrible suffering, she died.

1842 – Mother Murders Child at Much Marcle

Milborough Trilloe, a 30 year old widow described as “poor looking”, was indicted for the murder of her baby girl on 24th June 1842.

She already had three children and lived alone, but became pregnant by a man from Ross on Wye.  She told a friend that she believed the child would not live because it was so restless inside her, and this friend never saw her making clothes in preparation even though she was not far from giving birth.

Trilloe gave birth alone, then told this friend that although the baby was fine and healthy when born, it was now dead and buried.

The baby was eventually found by police in the garden of a neighbour, belonging to James Taylor, and at the time Trilloe told him that it was indeed her child and that had made the hole and buried it herself.  Later, she denied saying this, and in fact she also began to deny that she had even given birth even though many people knew that she had.

The medical examiner’s opinion was that the baby had been strangled, and Trilloe’s reply to this was that she had caught hold of the child around the neck whilst she was in dreadful pain.  The post mortem revealed that death was indeed by strangulation, or by something pressed against the windpipe for so long and with such force that even after death it didn’t resume its natural shape.

It was clear to everyone from a long and convoluted trial which showed Trilloe to have lied and lied again, that she was rather a strange woman to put it mildly.  The jury took an hour and a half to return a verdict of Guilty.

Trilloe went nuts – eventually passing out, and Dr. Bull who happened to be in court administered aid, and brought her back to consciousness.

His Lordship then donned the black cap and passed sentence:

“Milborough Trilloe, you have been convicted of the wilful murder of your own child………there only remains for a duty to pass upon you the sentence which the law awards for your offence.”

He told her to prepare her soul to meet her Maker, and said that she would be taken to the place from where she came and from there to a place of execution to be hung by the neck until dead.  Her body was to be buried within the precincts of the gaol.

This was the first sentence of death for ten years in Hereford, and execution in this case was stayed until 25th November – indeed, as can be seen below Milborough Trilloe was not executed in the end but was transported to Tasmania.

New Information on Milborough Trilloe

Now – something has come to light which casts some doubt on some of what I have written above with respect to Milborough’s character, (all of which was from rewspaper reports at the time) and which perhaps provides an insight into why she did what she did.

A descendant of The Trilloe family, Malcolm Evans,  has sent me the following:

“My Grandmother was a Trillo ( Trilloe in alternative spelling)

I thought I would add some info on Milborough who killed her newborn daughter in Much Marcle.

Milborough had a pretty horrible time – 3 children, no money, working the fields for a pittance – pregnant by her landlord (probably) – had to leave 3 children in Much Marcle to go to the ends of the earth and never return.

Two years ago I visited Tasmania and the Launceston Female Factory where she ended up after her sentence. She found some happiness on 4. 4. 1846 when she married Thomas Parsons in Morven (now Evandale). This happiness was short lived when he fell out of the back of a bullock cart on 2.4.1852 and the wheel went over his head and he died. I visited his grave site with no headstone, but was unable to find out what happened to Milborough after she was pardoned on 25.9.1852.”

1846 – Amazing Shot by Gamekeeper

In the Spring of 1846, Mr. Benksin, steward and gamekeeper to Rev Money Kyrle of Homme House, Much Marcle, killed four large snakes with one single shot.

Apparently they were all lying together, coiled into a ball in Queen’s Wood but there is no mention of what type of snakes they were.

1847 – Drunken Behaviour

In May 1847, James Preece of Much Marcle, described as a “rough headed looking fellow”, was charged with getting drunk on the fair day.

Apparently he got himself into many a fight, and hit several people whilst behaving rather badly in general.

He was fined 5s plus costs.

1851 – Man falls into Furnace

Joseph Yeldon, an 18 year old from Much Marcle, was working for Messrs. Joseph and Benjamin Turnock, brewers of Ross.

One evening Joseph Yeldon was using a ladle to empty a furnace containing boiling wort, when he lost his balance and fell into the boiling liquid.

James Hiles saw Joseph fall and rushed to help, succeeding in lifting him out before he was boiled to death;  however, he was so badly scalded that despite medical attention he died after a few hours.

1854 – Brutal Assault by Husband on Wife

Sarah Masters Berrow was perhaps a little indiscrete when chatting to a neighbour, and told her things about her marriage – namely that her husband was violent towards her, and perhaps was “taking liberties” with their daughter; she did actually have a witness to her husband having intercourse with her daughter.  Indiscretion maybe, but we all need someone to talk to!!

Her husband George Berrow, a Mason of Much Marcle, was of large build (and had a moustache, not that that has anything to do with it), and somehow he got to hear of his wife’s conversation.  He was furious, and (it was said) wanted to put a stop to scandal which in rural villages can run out of control very quickly.  He thought that a severe beating would do the trick.

He hit his wife Sarah in the face, causing a huge bruise, whereupon she ran from the house.  He followed, and hit her again – so hard that she fell into the hedge;  she managed to get up and started to run but he caught her and hit her again.

Sarah pleaded for forgiveness, and fortunately for her, at this point people had been alerted to the disturbance and she was taken into the care of others.

George Berrow was sentenced to six months hard labour.

1861 – Hefty Sentence for Minor Theft

Thomas Preece, a lad of Much Marcle, was charged with stealing four eggs from Mr. Smith of Bodenham in the same parish, on 15th June.

James Preece, his father, was also charged with receiving the eggs knowing them to have been stolen, but he absconded and a warrant was out for his arrest.

The lad Thomas had no defence, and was sent to gaol for seven day’s hard labour.

1863 – Man Dies on Way Home from Fair

60 year old John Clinton of Puckmoors,  Much Marcle was on his way home with another man after a night at the Ledbury fair, when a horse and gig came along the road.

Each man went to opposite sides of the road to allow the gig passage, but once it had gone, John was lying in the road unconscious.  His friend rushed to John’s house, some two miles along the road, and procured a horse and cart which he took back to where he left John.  He took him home, and he was put to bed – still unconscious.

He died the next morning, but no post mortem was carried out as Mr. Griffin, the medical gentleman, was of the opinion that John had died from apoplexy.  There were some murmerings about neglect, because no medical assistance had been called for John when he was first taken home.

He left a wife and family.

1863 – Child Murder at Much Marcle

Two carpenters were on their way to work one morning when they noticed something floating in a pond near to Homme House, Much Marcle, the home of Money Kyrle Esq.

They managed to get it out of the water, and discovered that it was a new born baby sewn into a piece of calico.  The men immediately told the police.

Further evidence was sketchy – Dr. Griffin who examined the body stated that the child was some two weeks old, and had been born alive and healthy.  The body had been in the water for about ten days.

A verdict of wilful murder against some person unknown was returned, and it was remarked that it was strange that the perpetrator had not taken the precaution of using a weight of some kind to sink the poor child.

Blanch Mortimer

Within the church is the tomb of Blanche Mortimer b. c. 1316, the youngest daughter of notorious Sir Roger who ousted King Edward 11 and ruled England for three years.

During 2013, restoration work began on this tomb, and workers were amazed to discover a lead lined coffin within the tomb within which are believed to be the remains of Blanche. If this is indeed the case then it is most unusual as bodies were buried in the ground beneath the tombs normally.

Blanche’s likeness is carved out of Painswick limestone, and her delicate hands cradle a rosary whilst she wears a loose fitting gown and headdress.

Although the coffin has undergone endoscopic examination, it will never be opened due to the Church of England policy of not interfering with human remains – a policy with which I wholeheartedly agree.

Font

Mid 12th century font

Memorials

The Grandison tomb, exquisite European Renaissance carving, but sadly damaged by damp and even more sadly, by vandalism

Effigy of Walter de Helyon

Walter de Helyon was part of a noble family who owned  the Manor in the village of Much Marcle, now know as Hellens.

He died in the mid 14th century, and this effigy is gloriously colourful, being made of painted oak.  The paint was restored in 1971 due to damage by damp.