Longdon has an area of 3,941 acres, of which about three-fourths is pasture. Wheat, barley and beans are the chief crops grown. The soil is marl and sandy loam and the subsoil Keuper Marls. Longdon Marsh, the western part of the parish, is low-lying; to the north and east the land rises to 100 ft. and more above the ordnance datum. The marsh is a large flat, and is said to be the last remains of the great tidal estuary of the Severn above Gloucester. It was formerly about 10,000 acres in extent; the question of draining it was agitated nearly two centuries ago. In 1763 Brindley, the celebrated engineer, made a survey, and another was made in 1788 by a Mr. Hall, but nothing came of it. Between 1861 and 1866 drainage operations were carried on under the Land Drainage Act, but the machinery entirely broke down in 1866. In 1868 operations had ceased. The marsh was inclosed in 1872, and later drained.
On the south the parish is bounded by the high road from Ledbury to Tewkesbury, which is also the county boundary. At Long Green it is crossed by another high road running north from Gloucester to Upton upon Severn. On the latter road are Buckberry (formerly the manor of Bugbury) and Chambers Court, the residence of Colonel Ellis C. Fletcher Holland, R.A. East of Buckberry is Aggberrow Wood, while part of Pull Court Park is in this parish. To the west of Buckberry is Hill Court, now a farmhouse. At Robertsend Farm near Hill Court is a square timber framed dovecote, restored by Mr. Dowdeswell about fifty years ago. Near Chambers Court is a pound.
The parish is drained by a winding brook which flows north through Longdon Marsh, and, turning east near the village, empties itself into the Severn beyond Pull Court. North of the village the brook is crossed by Yard Bridge, which was rebuilt in 1855, and for purposes of drainage placed on a different site from the older bridge, perhaps the bridge of Longdon near the marshes mentioned in 1241, 132930 and again in 1554. Some distance past the bridge is Eastington Hall, a picturesque brick and timber gabled house of two stories, erected probably by William Bridges c. 1500. It is now used as a farm-house. The front, which is very irregular in outline and about 76ft. in length, faces almost due north and the plan follows the usual arrangement of central hall and end wings, the latter running back a considerable distance and forming the east and west sides of a quadrangle open on the south.
This is probably the manor of Mote or le Motte which was conveyed by Henry Toney and Thomas Parsons in 1602 to Richard Wheeler and Thomas Parker (Feet of F. Worcs. Mich. 44 & 45 Eliz.). In a survey of Longdon Manor made in 1757 the Mote estate in the tenure of Nicholas Faiting is mentioned (Deeds of D. and C. of Westm. no. 21341).
Longdon village stands on the Gloucester high road. It contains the church and vicarage, Churchend Farm, Manor Farm and the Moat House, the latter being partly surrounded by a moat. Many of the women were formerly employed as glove sewers. In the 17th century the people of Longdon held May games and sports on summer Sundays. They appear to have been stopped because of the riotous conduct of the players. The common lands in Longdon parish were inclosed by a general Inclosure Act of 1836, the award being made in 1845. The following place-names occur: Wildresmareys, Gilberdeshimming, Baxteres Ruding, Tranerestret, Bukebaristret, Akeberg (Aggberrow), La Hurste, La Stonyendinge, La Ruhehelde, Calfrecrofte, Lunelesruding, Est Feldeshale (xiii cent.); Gippeplace, Horsull, Le Pulle, Hokheye, Longdonsbrigg (xiv cent.); Bastrudyng, Asshefeld, Le Merche (xv cent.); Ibbylcroft, Pollebroke (xvi cent.); Marshfurlong (xvii cent.); The Lynch, Pyecroft, Brookefield, Monmedow (xviii cent.).
Thirty manses in LONGDON were confirmed to the abbey of Pershore by a charter said to have been given by King Edgar in 972. The abbey was despoiled of many of its lands by Delfer, whose heir, Earl Odda, in the time of Edward the Confessor, held the manor of Longdon. Odda died in 1056, leaving no heir, and in 1086 Longdon formed part of the manor of Pershore and belonged to the abbey of Westminster, having probably been given with Pershore to the abbey by Edward; it was a large estate of 30 hides, 11 of which were held in demesne. Eighteene hides had been held in King Edward's time by nine freemen 'who used to mow in the meadows of their lord for a day, and do such service as was commanded.' Their names were Elric, Reinbald, Elward, Brictric, Alfric, Godric cloch, Godric, Alwi and Alwi blac.
| At a very early date, probably before 1166, the Abbot of Westminster granted the manor of Longdon at fee farm to the Folliotts, William Folliott in 1166 holding a knight's fee in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire under the abbot. He had a charter from Henry II granting to him and his heirs in hereditary fee all his assarts in Worcestershire, whatever he and his father occupied 'after justice was done with regard to the moneyers of Marlborough.' In 11756 William Folliott of Worcestershire paid 10 marks surety money to the Treasury. He was the son of Sir Richard Folliott of Bickmarsh in Warwickshire and married first Audrey daughter of Peter de Saltmarsh, and secondly Cecily widow of William de Staunton. He was alive in 1189 90. His heir Reynold Folliott died before 1208, in which yeare Robert Folliott gave 50 marks and a palfrey for the lands of his brother Reynold. |
Robert married Emma daughter of William and Cecily de Staunton, and confirmed to her a grant made by his father of all his new assarts in Longdon. Robert was apparently succeeded early in the 13th century by his son Reynold, who confirmed the manor of Longdon to his mother Emma as dower. Reynold Folliott was parson of the church of Longdon, and died without issue, when this inheritance passed to his four aunts, Agnes, Avice, Amphyllis and Akyna, sisters of Robert Folliott. Agnes may have predeceased Reynold, as her grandson Philip, son of William de Colevill, dealt with her share. In 1235 Philip, Avice and Amphyllis took steps to convey their shares of the manor of Longdon to the Abbot of Gloucester, but this was forbidden by the king, as it would do injury to the abbey of Westminster. In the same yeare Philip and Avice granted their two shares to the Abbot of Westminster, the chief messuage being in the gift of Philip. In 12389 Philip's grant was confirmed by Philip de Colevill, possibly his son. Another account states that Edward I granted Longdon Manor to Westminster Abbey for endowing the anniversary of Eleanor the late queen. Amphyllis married William de Saltmarsh, and the fourth sister Akyna married into the Muchgros family. In 1241 Richard de Muchgros and William de Saltmarsh, husband or son of Amphyllis, each held the reversion of quarter of the manor of Longdon after the death of Agnes and Emma, widows of Reynold and Robert Folliott respectively, who held as dower.
In 1291 the Abbot of Westminster was seised of 4 carucates of land in Longdon and its members. His successors continued to hold half the manor till the Dissolution, when their holding in Longdon was valued at £19 9s. 3d. It was given by Henry VIII in 1542 to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. In 1556 Queen Mary granted it to the restored monastery. It was regranted to the dean and chapter in 1560, and their successors are lords of the manor at the present time.
The Saltmarsh share of the manor was held by Peter son of William de Saltmarsh on his death shortly before 1316. His son John left a daughter and heir Joan. She married Henry Grendour, and after her death in 1395 the Grendour lands in Longdon appear to have been sold to the Abbot of Westminster in 1397. 'The manor of Longdon Grendour' had certainly passed to the abbey by 14634 and henceforward descended with the abbey lands.
The part of the manor which passed to the Muchgros family became known in the 15th century as the manor of MUGHGROS (Mochgros, xvi cent.). Richard de Muchgros, the owner in 1241, left two sons John and Nicholas, who in 12778 dealt with lands in Longdon. They both held land in Longdon in 1276. In 1310 an inquiry was held into the waste committed by Joan widow of John de Muchgros on the inheritance of his son James in Longdon. James was alive in 1327 and in 1339 had been succeeded by his son John. There is no further mention of the Muchgros family in connexion with this parish, but in 14767 the manor of Muchgros in Longdon was conveyed with Hill Court (see below) to Sir Richard Croft. In the 16th century Muchgros was in the hands of the Toney family, Robert Toney in 1555 granting the manor of 'Mouchegreues' in Longdon to his son Henry. Robert died in 15567, and in 1577 Muchgros Manor was conveyed by Henry Toney and Agnes his wife to John Bridges and Thomas Wrenford. It was held about the middle of the 17th century by William Parsons, said to be a Muchgros descendant. Nash suggests that Muchgros was probably the name of the estate of Mr. Parker, 'now called which he sold a few years ago to Mr. Thomas Wrenford and which is still known by the name of Parson's Land.' In 1757 Edward Bartlett held 'Parson's' in Longdon Hill End.
The family of Wrenford was associated with Longdon in early times; mention is made of John de Wrenford and Margery his mother in the reign of Henry III, and in 1321 William son of William Wrenford was released from doing suit at the court of Longdon. William Wrenford occurs in 13756 and in 1402 and Edmund Wrenford was bailiff there in 14967. In 1550 John Wrenford settled the manor of WRENFORD on his son William, who was bailiff of the abbey in 155862, and died in 1570 seised of a messuage in Longdon. He left a son and heir Thomas, against whom in 1572 Joyce widow of William Wrenford and wife of John Nott presented a claim. In 1576 Thomas held the manors of Wrenford, and in 16067 Thomas Wrenford and Dorothy his wife, with others, conveyed the manors of Farend and Wrenford Place to Richard Bartlett. John Wrenford of Longdon is mentioned in 1599, 1602 and 1625, and in 16302 he was fined for not taking knighthood. A Thomas Wrenford seems to have been living here in the 18th century. A tombstone in the church records the death in 1714 of Nicholas Wrenford, at the age of seventy-six. There are many other records of the family among the documents of the dean and chapter, but there is no further mention of this manor after 16067.
In 1339 Robert de Longdon had licence for an oratory in his manor of 'Hulle' or Longdon, afterwards HILL COURT. In 1451 John son of Robert de Longdon gave to Sir Thomas Winslow and his wife Agnes (possibly Agnes de Muchgros) the manor of Hill Court in the vill of Longdon. Sir Thomas Winslow left three daughters Agnes, Elizabeth and Jane, and the manor seems to have passed to Elizabeth, who married a Seymour, for in 14767 Ralph Seymour and Isabel his wife sold Hill Court to Sir Richard Croft. This led to a suit between the Crofts and the heirs of Sir Thomas Winslow, viz., Thomas Giffard, Simon Seymour, Margery wife of Maurice Fillol and Iseult wife of Robert Irissh.
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Croft. Quarterly fessewise indented azure and argent with a leopard or in the quarter. |
The Crofts appear to have kept their interest, for in 1560 Richard Croft and his son Thomas conveyed the manor to John Harley and Robert Mason. The manor of Hill Court was held in 1561 by Sir James Croft, who with Thomas Croft conveyed it in 1562 to John Wetherston. This was confirmed in 1582 by Sir James's son Edward. On John's death in 1596 it passed to his son Thomas, but he died without issue in the following year, when the estate passed to his two sisters, Alice who married first William Messenger, and secondly Richard Nanfan, and Isabel wife of Nicholas Phelps. The manor was divided between them in 1599, Isabel widow of Thomas Wetherston having given up her rights in 1598 in consideration of £470. In 1612 Richard Nanfan and Alice and John Messenger and Mary his wife sold their moiety to Nicholas and Isabel Phelps, who conveyed the whole in 1617 to Henry Smyth, clerk. It was apparently sold by Edward Dineley to John Coulding in 1638. In 1668 the manor of Hill Court was sold by Edward Coulding and his wife Dame Katherine to Richard Dowdeswell, who was to hold it for life with remainder to his son William. In the same yeare Richard Dowdeswell gave his estate in this manor to his son William, in whose family it has since remained, being now in the possession of the Rev. E. R. Dowdeswell of Pull Court. |
Towards the end of the 12th century William Folliott gave to Adam de Longdon the fee which Alured, Adam's ancestor, had held in Longdon, namely, the land of BUCKBERRY (Buccebur, xii cent.; Bugbury, xiii-xvi cent.) and the land of Okhaye (Ocheia). All this land Adam granted to his brother Michael. About 121921 Robert Folliott granted to his wife Emma de Longdon (or Staunton) his lands of Buckberry and Okhaye. She gave to the priory of Little Malvern all her lands in the vill of Longdon. Thus the priory came to hold the manor of Buckberry, which in 1291 consisted of 2 carucates of land and a mill. It, with another estate at Longdon sometimes called a manor, formerly belonging to the priory, was granted in 1537, after the Dissolution, to Richard Bartlett of Castlemorton. He settled it in 1555 on his nephew Richard, who died in 1581, and in 1598 his son Henry Bartlett and others conveyed the manor of Buckberry to Thomas Wrenford, who in turn conveyed it to Richard Bartlett in 1607. It had passed before 1653 to Thomas Lord Coventry, and then followed the descent of Croome D'Abitot until 1831 or later, when it was sold to Mr. Dowdeswell.
Two undated charters relating to Longdon are given in the Beauchamp chartulary, one by which Nicholas le Brun gave to William Beauchamp the homage and service of Robert Fromond in Longdon, and the other by which Matthew son of Robert Fromond gave all his land in Longdon Folet to William Beauchamp (Add. MS. 28024, fol. 182).
Nash gives the inscription 'surrounding all' as 'Pray for the souls of William Brugge of Estington, in the county of Worcester, esq., sonne and heir of Thomas Brugge of Dimmocke in the county of Gloucester, esq., and Alice his wyfe daughter and heyr to William Estington esq lord of the manor of Estington in the parish of Longdon. The which William deceased the 29th day of April in the yeare of our Lord God 1523.' In 1543 the manor and parsonage of Longdon were leased for eighty years by the dean and chapter to John Wrenford, their bailiff (Valor Eccl. [Rec. Com.], i, 418; Ct. of Req. bdle. 87, no. 40). The manor of Longdon was sold by the Parliamentary Commissioners in 1650 to William Dowdeswell of Pull Court (Close, 1650, pt. xl, no. 9), and this family held it under leases from the dean and chapter for nearly two centuries, until about 1832, when, on the death of Lady Pepys, sister of John Dowdeswell, it reverted to the dean and chapter (Noake, Guide to Worcs. 254).
The so-called manor of CHAMBERS COURT probably formed part of the estate held by Urse in the manor of Longdon in 1086. It was known as Longdon Osmundi in the 12th century, and was then held by William Beauchamp, Urse's descendant. It may perhaps be identified with the half fee held in 1315 by Robert son of Edmund de Sudley of Guy Earl of Warwick. In another inquisition of about the same date this name is given as Robert son of Edmund de Solveys. In 1321 Edmund son of Edmund Solley (Solneye) was in possession of a manor at Longdon, and later Robert Solley was the Earl of Warwick's tenant at 'Longdon Walteri Barwyn (or Bruin).' In 1346 Robert atte Chamber (or de la Chambre) held of the Earl of Warwick half a fee in Longdon which his ancestor Robert had held, and about 1401 Richard Payne held the estate as successor to Robert Solley.
In 1428 this estate was said to be held by the heir of Robert atte Chamber. In 1556 the manor of Chambers Court was conveyed by Robert Dawes, or Erles, who may have inherited it from his father Thomas in 1553, to William Wrenford and others. In 1601 it was conveyed by James and Mary Gilbert to Thomas and Robert Tuston, but James Gilbert held land at Chambers Court in 1635. Chambers Court afterwards belonged to the family of Turberville, and was purchased in 1779 of George Turberville of Twyning near Tewkesbury by John Stone. His grandson, Captain W. H. Stone, sold the estate in 1913 to a syndicate, and the property has since been divided. Another manor called Longdon, held in the 16th century by the Wye family, was sold in 1596 by Elizabeth Wye to John Throckmorton.
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Bridges. Argent a cross sable charged with a leopard's head or. |
The manor of EASTINGTON (Estinton, xiiixvi cent.; Estington, Essington, xvii-xviii cent.) gave its name to its early holders, of whom William Eastington in 1220 owed half a mark to the Treasury for having a writ of pone against William Bracy for a knight's fee in Eastington. In 12489 William Eastington dealt with lands here. The Eastingtons continued here for many years. William Eastington, the last of the line, was lord of the manor late in the 15th century. His daughter and heir Alice married William Brugge or Bridges, who died in 1523. Alice dealt with the manor in 1527, and left it at her death in 15389 to her younger son Giles. His son John Bridges was living at Eastington in 1601; he sold the manor in 1633 to John Nanfan and Edward Reed. It was held by Edward Earl of Dorset in 1641, and settled by him in 1642 in tail on his second son Edward Sackville on his marriage with Bridget Wray. Edward Sackville died without issue in 1646, and his elder brother Richard Earl of Dorset sold this manor in 16614 to Nicholas Lechmere of Hanley Castle. It passed with Ryall in Ripple to Susan wife of John Glasse, widow of Nicholas Lechmere, who conveyed it in 1817 to her son Edmund Lechmere Charlton. Mr. Berkeley, a tenant, bought this estate from the Lechmeres. It was purchased in 1842 from Anna, George and John Berkeley by Mr. Edward Gresley Stone, whose son Captain W. H. Stone sold it in 1913 to a syndicate, and the property has since been divided. In 12778 there were two mills on the estate held by the Muchgros family in Longdon and Castlemorton. There was a mill at Buckberry in 1291, and a mill in Longdon is mentioned in 1418. A corn-mill is now standing at Eastington. |