The name Sollers changed over the centuries from De Soler, to variously Sollers, Sollars, Sellars and Sellers, but it means Gifted.

Sir Henry De Solers was appointed Governor of Hereford Castle by Edward I

Sir Richard De Solers  entered London as part of the entourage of William the Conqueror.

Ansfreid De Cormeilles held Hope in 1086, and from him it passed  to Sir John de Solers Dnus (meaning Lord)  de Solers Hope who was married to Joan Cecil.  This pair had a daughter, Maud, who was the grandmother of Dick Whittington.  (This information was kindly submitted by a descendant – Mary Sollars Duke – who pointed out errors in my previous writing)

The Whittingtons were a poor family but gained wealth and status through this marriage, and a subsequent Whittington was allowed by Edward II to declare himself the heir of Sir John de Solers;  it is thought that Edward was in dire need of supporters as he had killed the barons that opposed him and imprisoned their wives and children.

The Arms of Sir John dnus de Solers Hope were as follows:

A silver chevron with blue between three lions heads erased red.

Dick Whittington’s father was outlawed by the King because he had married without license, and being unable to pay the fine was forced to go into hiding.

Churches of Sollers Hope

• St. Michael's Church - Sollers Hope

  The 14th century church of St. Michael

  Within the church is the tomb and effigy of a medieval knight which is believed to be one of the oldest incised tomb covers in the country.   The knight died around 1125 and his shield bears a fess for Sollars.   During the Henry VIII scourge of all things Catholic the tomb cover was thrown out and more or less broken in half.

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Font

  The font at St. Michael’s church is early Norman, at least 900 years old

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  Rebecca Knowles, wife of thomas, who was daughter of Colonel Pindar of the Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Died 6th June 1753 aged 80

   

   

   

  

  Read More >

News from the Past Sollers Hope

• Sollers Hope News from the Past

  Accidents at Sollers Hope

  1847 – Death of William Dallow

  William Dallow, aged 34, was thatching a rick for Mr. Mailes of Sollers Hope.

  William had put a ladder against the rick, and was standing with one foot on the rick and the other on the top of the ladder – the ladder slipped and he fell heavily to the ground, injuring the top of his spine so severely that he died five days later.

  1864 – Accident to Young Farm Worker

  A lad of only 9 years of age, Charles Williams, was in the employ of Mr. Payne, the Falcon, Sollers Hope and was driving a horse chaff cutting machine.

  He wanted to stop the horses, and had to get off the machine to do so, but caught his foot in one of the cog wheels.

  He was immediately taken to Hereford Infirmary, where they discovered that he had very badly broken bones in his foot, but after skilful treatment by the surgeon he progressed well.

  Read More >

1847 – Death of William Dallow

William Dallow, aged 34, was thatching a rick for Mr. Mailes of Sollers Hope.

William had put a ladder against the rick, and was standing with one foot on the rick and the other on the top of the ladder – the ladder slipped and he fell heavily to the ground, injuring the top of his spine so severely that he died five days later.

1864 – Accident to Young Farm Worker

A lad of only 9 years of age, Charles Williams, was in the employ of Mr. Payne, the Falcon, Sollers Hope and was driving a horse chaff cutting machine.

He wanted to stop the horses, and had to get off the machine to do so, but caught his foot in one of the cog wheels.

He was immediately taken to Hereford Infirmary, where they discovered that he had very badly broken bones in his foot, but after skilful treatment by the surgeon he progressed well.

Within the church is the tomb and effigy of a medieval knight which is believed to be one of the oldest incised tomb covers in the country.   The knight died around 1125 and his shield bears a fess for Sollars.   During the Henry VIII scourge of all things Catholic the tomb cover was thrown out and more or less broken in half.

Font

The font at St. Michael’s church is early Norman, at least 900 years old

Memorials

Rebecca Knowles, wife of thomas, who was daughter of Colonel Pindar of the Stonehouse, Gloucestershire. Died 6th June 1753 aged 80