The ancient parish of CORTON DENHAM, formerly Corfetone, north of Sherborne, in South Bovey derives its name from the narrow pass in the north at Whitcomb between Parrock Hill and the Beacon which opens into a valley formed between the dip slope of the Corton ridge on the west and the steep scrap of Corton hill (Inferior Oolite) was recorded in 1627. The additional name Denham, from the Dinham family, patrons of the living 1301-1501, was added in the 1540s. The advowson was held by Sir Joyce Dinham (d. 1301)

The creation of the diocese of Wells out of the diocese of Sherborne in 909 placed Adber, Marston (Magna), Rimpton, Sandford Orcas, and Trent in Somerset. In the 11th century the hundred was known either as Horethorne or Milborne hundred, in 1212 both names were used together, and in 1227 they seem to have been two separate hundreds. Horethorne or la Horethorn was the sole name by the later 13th century. In 1084 the hundred seems to have comprised Abbas and Temple Combe, Charlton (Horethorne), (North) Cheriton, Corton (Denham), Henstridge, Horsington, Milborne Port, Rimpton, and Sandford (Orcas). The holding credited to the count of Mortain was much smaller than his estate at Goathill, Marston (Magna), and Milborne Port in 1086 and estates held in 1084 by William de Lestra and Ralph de Conteville have not been identified.

Corton village lies in the centre of the valley. From there, at Staffords (Stovard) Green and the hamlet Holway and Yeovil sands- limestone beds. The ancient parish measured 1,371 a. South of Corton village from the north-south routes from South Cadbury, two east-west routes continued into Rimpton. One roll of 1637 survives for Whitcomb leet and manor court. That manor had a tithingman and hayward and the same officers may have served Corton. No court rolls have been found for Corton manor but tenants owed suit in the 18th century. In 1526 Philip Champernowne presented on behalf of Lord Dinham's heirs.

The medieval building, evidently dating from the 12th century and dedicated to St Andrew by 1543, comprised an undivided chancel and nave with a north aisle to both and a tower apparently at its west end. There was a Quaker in the parish in 1670. Licences for meeting houses were issued in 1705, 1822, and 1824, the last probably for Wesleyan Methodists and a chapel was built at the west end of the village in 1859. The tower was said to have been rebuilt c. 1685. Two dame schools were held in the late 18th century and The medieval church was galleried in 1773. Some of its 16th-century bench ends including one dated 1541 were removed to Rimpton and its 12th century font was destroyed. The present church of St. Andrew was built by the Portmans. There are five bells, the earliest of c. 1580 probably by William Purdue and one dated 1694 by Thomas Purdue. The plate includes a cup and cover of 1573 by R. Orenge of Sherborne (Dors.) and a paten, dated 1677, given in 1678 by the rector. A gift made by Maurice Gilbert (d. 1608) had been lost by 1824. In the same yeare sums totalling £14 given between 1675 and 1715 by the Revd. Thomas Brickenden, rector 1660-1700, and members of the Bartlett family were still recorded although no distributions had been made for many years.

A Sunday school supported by the curate had 50 pupils in 1818 and 105 in 1825. In 1833 there were three day schools with a total of 29 children, all of whom attended a Sunday school which taught 96 children and a night school then had 32 children on the books. The average attendance at the day school was 42 in 1883 and 44 in 1905. Part of a cross, possibly from the 14th century, was set up in the grounds of the rectory house c. 1870. The church was demolished in 1869 because it was too small and dilapidated. The registers survive from 1538.

 

Thereafter the advowson descended in separate shares although the Queen presented in 1555 during a minority and again in 1557, 1568, and 1575. The rectory house mentioned in 1636, was built of local stone rubble and has a U-plan of two storeys with attics. The main west elevation of 5 bays has a central porch and a parapet. At least two early 14th-century rectors were only in minor orders, and there was a parochial chaplain in 1450. Unspecified lights were recorded in 1501 and an obit in 1548. In 1554 the curate was deprived for marriage. The rector was non-resident in 1557 but others were usually resident although many were pluralists. John Cooth, rector 1630-60, was sequestered from Shepton Mallet but claimed to retain Corton although he lived at Shepton. Roman coins were found in an urn in 1723. The overseers seem to have accounted for highway and some church costs until the late 1730s. From 1775 until 1852 the living was held by members of the Wyndham family. In 1815 the resident rector did not serve and a neighbouring incumbent took services. In 1827 there were four celebrations of communion.

On the north-south route, Corton village and the east side of the valley spread from North Town to Dairy House Farm. From Whitcomb in the north, Corton was settled by the eleventh century. In 1086 there were 11 ploughlands in Corton and Whitcomb but only 7 teams. Three teams were in demesne.

An old banner from the Corton Denham club hangs in the parish church near a village reading room. In 1641 there were 166 poll tax and subsidy payers among said sixty houses in the later eighteenth century. In 1801, numbering 377 and peaking in 1831, 494 from where people emigrated to Canada in 1841.

 

Alti or Wulfward White held Corton in 1066 and Wulfward in 1084, but in 1086 it was in the king's hands.
Corton was forfeit in 1204, then held by William de Grenville until 1210.
Thomas Dinham's tenancy of William de Grenville in 1210 and Richard Dinham held of Gunnore de St. Hilary 1227
The Dinham overlordship was recorded in 1285 but it was accepted neither by the terre tenants nor subsequently by the Crown.
In 1239 the Crown agreed to allow Geoffrey Dinham overlordship of Corton for ¼ fee, presumably as successor to Joyce de Dinant, whose daughters Sibyl and Hawise claimed Joyce's estates against Oliver de Dinant.
John Dinham evidently made good his claim in 1353, but in 1366 he was accused of 'scheming to defraud the king'.
1381 Sir John Dinham holding descended to his son Sir John (d.1428), to his grandson Sir John (d. 1458), and to his great grandson Baron John 1466, d. 1501. Elizabeth and Joan, his nephew Edmund Carew, son of his sister Margery, and Sir John Arundel, son of his sister Catherine.
Prior and Abbot of Bruton- William Gilbert, from Whitcomb 1498-1532
Elizabeth Dinham (d. 1516) was succeeded in her quarter by her son Sir John Bourchier, Lord Fitzwaryn
Joan Dinham's quarter was sold in 1533 by her son John, Lord Zouche (d. 1550), to John Ford (d. 1539)

 

 

 

Corton, later Corton Langford or Langfordhear was held by Peter de St. Hilary with Gunnore. In 1229, Gunnore de St. Hilary gave the manor to Henry de. St. Hilary who held until 1244 with his two sisters. In 1246 the king gave the manor to Hugh de Vivonia / Fortibus. Hugh's daughter Sibyl married Anselm Gournay of Beverstone, Gloucester. Anselm died in 1286 and Sibyl held the manor in 1303 of her nieces until she died in 1316... {Cicely de Vivonia b. 1253 in Hatch Beauchamp, Taunton m. John Beauchamp b. 1249 in Hatch, Beauchamp, Taunton... Joan de Vivonia b. 1251 in Curry Mallet, Langport m. Reginald Fitzpiers b. 1215 in Blewleveny, Wales.} Thomas came of age in 1325-1334 and settled Corton on Sir John Inge... {Joan Inge b. abt 1300 m. Lord Euon of Haryngworth, la Zouche}..Agnes Inge's son Tristram Storke d. 1532. The manor passed to his eldest daughter Joan Storke, wife of Richard Compton who was from Brereton and Talbot families. Joan Storke's son James Compton d. 1600 and Elizabeth was succeeded by son, Henry Compton with Mary, then sold it to Sir John Portman in 1609. Anne Portman b. abt 1615 m. Edward Seymour. The manor descended to Viscount Portman.

Dinan, Brittany

Buckland [Dinham] (Som.): held by Dunna, kg.'s thegn, TRE and in 1086 (DB I 99a). The family of Dinan (Dinant, Dynant) possibly descended from Dunna, the DB holder of Buckland; cf. Keynes, 'Giso' p. 243. Geoffrey de Dynant had a royal gr. of market and fair in his manor of Buckland 28 Dec. 1239, Cal. Ch. Rolls I 248. Cf. also Thomas de Dinan, subdean, list 7, and Richard de Dynam, unident. preb., list 67.

 

Dinham church wood in foundation Dinham

Buckland Dinham was made in 1454

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