Source: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol9/pp186-205
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 01:09:37+00:00

Document:
Wootton Bassett lies about 5¾ miles south-west of the centre of Swindon. The parish is roughly triangular in shape and covers some 5,106 a. of land. (fn. 1) From the base of the triangle to its tip in the north is about 3½ miles and the distance along the base is approximately three miles. The northern part of the parish lies on the Oxford Clay and the southern on the Kimmeridge Clay. Through the middle, dividing the clays, runs the Corallian ridge, which extends from Wheatley, near Oxford, in the east, almost to Calne, in the west. (fn. 2) In the north and south of the parish, therefore, the ground is fairly flat and low-lying with good pasture suitable for dairy farming. But from the Oxford Clay in the north the land rises steeply up the side of the ridge, which on its crest is some 400 ft. above sea level. Towards the south the drop from the ridge to the Kimmeridge Clay is more gradual. Along the top of the ridge Wootton Bassett high street runs for nearly a mile. Immediately south-west of the town the ridge narrows and dips where the Brinkworth Brook cuts through and on the high ground beyond this dip Gilbert Basset built his great house of Vastern in the 13th century. Numerous wells and springs occur along the length of the ridge and the frequent exposures of Coral Rag have led in the past to the quarrying of stone for use locally for roads and building.
Two mineral springs in the parish have attracted some attention. (fn. 3) One on the land of Whitehill Farm, just south of the railway line, is probably the one claimed by John Aubrey c. 1670 to produce 'petrifying water'. It drew a certain number of visitors in the later 19th century. There is also a chalybeate well near Hunt's Mill, which is reputed to turn leaves red.
The southern part of the parish is roughly divided into two by the Brinkworth Brook, which is one of the headwaters of the Bristol Avon, and rises further south at the foot of the chalk escarpment. Having penetrated the Corallian ridge at its narrowest point, just south-west of Wootton Bassett town, the stream flows out of the parish in a north-westerly direction. Another stream, flowing in the same direction, and eventually joining the Brinkworth Brook, forms the western boundary of the parish for about 3 miles. Two other streams, one of which is the Thunder Brook, flow westward through the northern part of the parish and likewise join the Brinkworth Brook.
Apart from the town the only other centres of settlement within the parish were those at Vastern, at Hunt's Mill and the farmsteads around Greenhill Common, and around the other commons of Dunnington, Nore Marsh, and Woodshaw, all in the southern half of the parish. Vastern, as is shown below, was once the administrative centre of the whole parish. (fn. 24) At Hunt's Mill a kiln of Norman date was discovered c. 1893, which may have supplied pottery over quite a wide area locally. (fn. 25) At all the commons there were farm-houses and a map of 1773 shows a few other small houses around the edges. (fn. 26) In 1967 the farm-houses remained, although those at Dunnington and Nore Marsh were almost engulfed by the housing development on that side of the town. Greenhill Common Farm, probably dating from the 17th century, once had an imposing entrance through stone gateposts with ball finials, but was deserted and ruinous in 1967. Nore Marsh House, outwardly of the earlier 18th century, has a projecting porch and gateposts with ball finials. According to tradition wool for spinning was once stored in its attics. (fn. 27) Upper Woodshaw was burnt down in the 20th century. Lower Woodshaw and Harriscroft have timber framing and date from the 17th century. In the northern half of the parish, which for so long was covered by Vastern Park, there were no similar settlements, although after the break-up of the park in the 17th century several quite large farms, such as Whitehill Farm, Park Ground Farm, and Callow Hill Farm were developed.
The plan of Wootton Bassett with its long, straight street, flanked by plots of burgage character, suggests a town that was at some time deliberately planted, presumably as an extension to a small settlement around the church, which lies towards the south-western end of the street. It seems reasonable to suggest that this may have been done in the 13th century, perhaps to meet the needs of the rural community on the estate the Bassets were developing at Vastern. (fn. 36) According to tradition the priory, founded by Sir Philip Basset in 1266, stood just to the north of the church, and so would have been situated in what was the nucleus of the town. No trace of the priory, which only survived until c. 1406, (fn. 37) remains above ground, but a house in Wood Street, probably of the 17th century, is called Priory Cottage and is thought to adjoin the site.
Shops in the town are mentioned in account rolls of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. (fn. 38) One was in a house called the House of St. Mary (domus beate Marie). (fn. 39) By the same time there were several plots in the middle of the street for which rents were paid. (fn. 40) These may have been connected with the market, which, so far as is known, was always held in the street, and for which at some time shambles were built. In 1773 these stood in the street immediately west of the Town Hall. They were removed in 1813. (fn. 41) On the other side of the Town Hall there was a pond, which is shown in a print of 1808, but was filled in in 1836. (fn. 42) The Town Hall, which stands in the middle of the street, is traditionally said to have been provided by Lawrence Hyde in 1700. (fn. 43) It was extensively restored by Sir Henry Meux in 1889, and presented by Lady Meux to the town in 1906. (fn. 44) The mayor and aldermen held their petty sessional courts in it until 1886 and it subsequently has been used to house the property of the Town Trust and a branch of the County Library. (fn. 45) It is a small half-timbered building supported on 15 stone columns and reached by an open staircase. Under the staircase there was, until the restoration of the hall, a lock-up or blind house. Beneath the hall in 1967 stood a pair of stocks and an ancient fire engine.
The wide high street extends for about ½ mile and is closely lined on both sides by houses fronting directly upon the pavement. Most of the houses are of red brick from the local brickyards with stone roofs and appear to date from the 18th and early 19th centuries. One or two timber-framed houses, however, survive at the western end of the street. For the most part the 18th-and early-19th-century houses are modest buildings of two stories with attics and many have had shop fronts inserted on the ground floor. On the south-east side, however, there are two more substantial houses. No. 141 dates from the early 18th century. It is thought to have belonged to the Maskelyne family in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and housed a bank and the offices of Messrs. Bevir and Sons, solicitors, from 1867 onwards. The bank closed in 1930. (fn. 48) It is a stone house of seven bays with several distinguished features, notably the shell hood on carved brackets above the central doorway. Within is the original staircase. No. 137 is of brick and has five bays. It also dates from the 18th century and has some architectural distinction, including a broken pediment with urn above its front door. Lime Kiln House at the east end of the town is another fairly substantial house of the early 18th century. It was for a time the home of the Bevir family.
Lying along an important highway and having been the site of a weekly market, the high street is well supplied with inns. One or two were clearly quite substantial coaching inns in the 18th century and these are among the street's more prosperouslooking buildings. The Angel Hotel, on the northwest wide, is of chequered brick and has six bays and two stories. On the other side of the road the Crown Hotel has a parapet with ball finials and central doorway with fanlight, pilasters, and pediment. The 'Crosskeys', nearby, is dated 1742 but incorporates earlier building. It has a central arched entrance for carriages. Among the more modest inns were two older buildings at the west end of the street, namely the 'Waggon and Horses' and the 'Curriers Arms', both of which had parts dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. The 'Currier's Arms' was rebuilt in 1953. (fn. 49) The coming of the canal and the railway added at least two more inns, namely the Bridge Inn, standing where the Marlborough road crosses the canal, and the Railway Hotel at the bottom of Station Road. The Bridge Inn was closed in 1956. (fn. 50) A new hotel was built in the high street on the site of an earlier one in c. 1864. (fn. 51) This was the 'Royal Oak' built for Sir Henry Meux by Thomas Barratt of Swindon. (fn. 52) It served the neighbourhood as a hunting inn for some years but was closed in c. 1910. (fn. 53) In 1967 it housed a branch of the Midland Bank.
The expansion of the town began in a very small way with the coming of the railway in the 1840s. The canal, which came earlier, passed so far south, that it made no changes in the appearance of the town. But some cottages were built for the wharf at Vastern about a mile away. There was some early 19th-century building in the high street, mostly of smaller houses. A row of 15 cottages, called Victory Row, at the end of Wood Street is said locally to have been built in c. 1817 by William Cripps to celebrate a Whig victory. But it seems more likely that it was to celebrate the victory over France. The building of the station nearly ¾ mile from the high street in 1841 prepared the way for the building up of Station Road, formerly the northern end of the Marlborough road. The National Schools and the vicarage were built here in the 1860s. The Beaufort Brewery, near the station, was built in c. 1886. (fn. 54) There was also some late-19th-century building or rebuilding in the high street, notably the large house at the north-east end, once known as Troy House, later the Manor House, and in 1967 the offices of the Cricklade and Wootton Bassett R.D.C.
The opening of the Dairy Supply Company's factory near the station in 1908, resulted in a little more building in this direction. The R.D.C.'s first council houses were built in Station Road in 1921 and others were added in the same neighbourhood before the Second World War. (fn. 55) But Wootton Bassett's greatest expansion has taken place since the early 1950s when it has to some extent become a dormitory town for Swindon and a place of residence for personnel from the R.A.F. station at Lyneham. Almost all this new building, both private and council, has been to the south of the town, although in 1967 new estates were being laid out on either side of the Swindon road.
Vastern Park. The park of Vastern, which at its greatest extent covered virtually the whole of the north-western half of the parish, has been treated elsewhere in the History. (fn. 56) It will, therefore, only be touched upon briefly here.
The two woods inclosed in 1229 may have retained their separate identity and have been regarded as forming two parks. More than one park is mentioned in 1267 when Philip Basset was permitted to inclose a further 50 a. (fn. 61) This was then called the New Park of Wootton and was described as lying beneath the town of Wootton, while the Old Park of Vastern apparently lay under the manor of Vastern. (fn. 62) Old Park Farm, still so called in the 20th century, presumably indicates roughly where the Old Park lay. It is thought to have included also land later belonging to Whitehill Farm, Hart's Farm, and Hunt's Mill Farm. (fn. 63) The exact location of the New Park is not known. In 1271 and 1281 there were said to be three parks, and at the earlier date there was said to be a 'foreign' wood as well, which presumably lay outside the confines of the parks. (fn. 64) But finally two parks emerge, namely the Great and the Little Park of Vastern. Assuming that the present (1967) Little Park estate represents approximately the region of the Little Park of Vastern, the Great Park occupied the most northerly parts of the parish.
Under Hugh le Despenser the parks were further enlarged. A large extension was made in 1320 when some 600 a. were taken from the manor of Midgehall (in Lydiard Tregoze) in the north and the manor of Brinkworth in the west. (fn. 65) Another enlargement took place in 1363 when 120 a. were taken in and as late as the earlier 15th century 54 a. were added. (fn. 66) By this date the park must have reached its greatest extent. A survey made in 1602, by which time the disparkment of the park had begun, but based on an earlier perambulation, shows the park to have covered almost all the land of the parish north-west of the present main road to Chippenham, coming right up to the western outskirts of the town. (fn. 67) It must also at one time have extended south of the road where Little Park lay. The disparkment of Vastern began, as is shown below, soon after the middle of the 16th century when the manor belonged to the Englefields.
Before tracing the descent of the manor some explanation of the manorial structure and changes of name seems necessary. Until the earlier 13th century there is firm evidence for only a single estate. (fn. 68) By 1210, as the manor of WOOTTON, this was held by Alan Basset. During the earlier 13th century, however, the Bassets, with royal consent, created the park of Vastern and by 1269 another manor, called VASTERN emerges. (fn. 69) By 1281 this was the main manor in the parish with the manor of Wootton described as one of its members. The two were for a time administered as separate manors but were always held of the same lord. Then towards the end of the 15th century the two manors were merged to form the manor of Wootton, and the name Vastern is applied only to the manor-house and its associated buildings and to the adjoining park. At roughly the same time the town or borough of Wootton begins to be distinguished in conveyances as a separate place and, to differentiate the manor from the town, the manor is usually called OLD WOOTTON, although occasionally the borough is also so called. At the beginning of the 16th century the name of Old Wootton is gradually replaced by the name WOOTTON BASSETT.
In 1338 Gilbert of Berwick, who in 1331–2 accounted as bailiff for both Wootton and Vastern, (fn. 118) held both manors at farm of Queen Isabel. (fn. 119) In 1369 the two manors were leased for 10 years to William Wroughton. (fn. 120) By the mid 15th century there was a considerable amount of leasing of the manorial lands, including parts of the demesne. Vasternclose, which represented the site of manor, including its buildings and a certain amount of land, was among the holdings leased out. (fn. 121) When the manor was in the hands of Katharine Parr, Vastern was leased to Sir Henry Long, who surrendered his lease when the estate passed to the Duke of Somerset in 1555. (fn. 122) By 1573 a house called the Gatehouse, apparently the manor-house, was leased to Richard Rowsewell. (fn. 123) In 1587 the Gatehouse, some associated buildings, and about 112 a. of land were leased to John Rowsewell for 21 years. (fn. 124) In c. 1641 Thomas Jacobs occupied the manor-house and was styled of Vastern. (fn. 125) In 1664–5 the capital messuage, site, and manor-house of Vastern were in the tenure of Thomas Brinsden, who probably still held them in 1670. (fn. 126) In 1674 the manor-house was in the hands of the lord of the manor, Sir Robert Howard, who may have occupied it for a time. (fn. 127) Under the earls of Clarendon Vastern was occupied as a farm-house by members of the Franklyn family. (fn. 128) After the restorations of Sir Henry Meux (see below) the house again became a more sophisticated residence. In 1967 it belonged to Mr. E. Le Q. Herbert.
A great house at Vastern is first heard of in 1233 when, because of Gilbert Basset's part in the rebellion against him, Henry III ordered it to be demolished. (fn. 132) The house, as its name implies, was almost certainly fortified. (fn. 133) Consideration of the site indeed confirms this supposition, for the house stood aloft on the limestone ridge in an excellent defensive position, with the land falling away not only to the north and south, but also to the east where the ridge dips suddenly before climbing again to the town of Wootton Bassett. How far the demolition ordered in 1233 was carried out is not known for in the following year Gilbert Basset was restored to favour. (fn. 134) But the Constable of St. Briavels (Glos.) was ordered to send 10 workmen to undertake the task and the Sheriff of Wiltshire was commanded to pay and provide them with the necessary tools. (fn. 135) If demolished, Vastern was quickly rebuilt and became and always remained the manor-house of the combined estate which came to be called the manor of Wootton (see above).
By 1501–2 there were on the site of the manor a great barn and an outer court, in which were a granary and another barn. (fn. 141) In 1573 the manorhouse was evidently represented by a house known as the Gatehouse, (fn. 142) which may have evolved from the great gate of the manor mentioned in 1369 (see above). In 1587 besides the Gatehouse, there was a building called the 'Garnerhouse' with a small stable adjoining, and a granary (horreum) of 5 bays (spacii), to which was annexed a building, or perhaps a piece of ground, called the 'cutting'. There were also an orchard, a garden, called the courtgarden, of 3 a., as well as fields and pastures adjoining the site of the manor. (fn. 143) A rental of 1674, made for Sir Robert Howard, estimates that the manor-house, with its outbuildings and gardens, including bowling greens and wildernesses, covered 10 a. of ground. (fn. 144) The bowling green at Vastern was evidently a meeting-place for the local gentry in the 18th century, who gathered there to play for money prizes. (fn. 145) The Wilderness, a wooded area to the east of the manor-house and comprising c. 5 a., is marked on a map of 1773 (fn. 146) and is still marked on maps of the 20th century.
Little is known of the plan or appearance of the early manor-house at Vastern, beyond the fact that it was extensive. Since there was a great gate, the buildings were probably contained within a surrounding wall and it is known that there was a prison there in the earlier 14th century. (fn. 147) James Waylen, visiting in 1840, speaks of foundations of large proportions, still to be seen at the rear of the house, but by then nearly destroyed. The house of 1840 he surmised, was 'but a shadow of its former self'. (fn. 148) In 1967 there was no trace of these foundations, although the irregular levels of the ground round about, and especially to the north-east, made it possible to guess at their whereabouts. The central block of the present house, which is built of stone, is apparently of medieval origin and may perhaps once have formed part of the gatehouse mentioned in documents from the 14th to 16th centuries. Its position, a little below the crest of the ridge where the rest of the buildings probably stood, lends weight to this suggestion. The block has a rectangular plan and is of two stories. A projection at the south-west angle may represent the remains of a small turret or of a garderobe. Internally one of the two ground-floor rooms has heavily moulded ceiling beams with a foliage boss of late medieval date at their intersection. The house, or gatehouse, was evidently remodelled in the later 16th century when it was given a Tudor-arched doorway on its west side. The massive stone chimney in the centre of the rear wall may also have been added. A carved stone chimney-piece of this period carries the arms of the Englefields, who acquired Vastern in 1555. It is believed that the chimneypiece was originally on the upper floor, where there may have been a single lofty room. (fn. 149) The addition of small wings on the north, east, and west sides of the building probably took place in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Under Sir Henry Meux the house was much restored and certain additions were made to the back premises. At this period a 15th-century doorway and a single-light window were brought from Berwick Bassett Manor House and inserted in the south-west wing. (fn. 150) The drive leading up to the house was in 1967 flanked by a tall clipped hedge, mainly of box, but containing also a few ancient yew trees.
Although for much of its history Wootton Bassett has been the site of a weekly market it has never been other than a town on the smallest scale. The cloth industry of the 16th and 17th centuries made almost no impression upon it and until the 20th century the main occupation of its inhabitants was agriculture. The failure to develop any truly urban characteristics may always have been due to the proximity of Swindon with its more important market. Since the later 19th century the expansion of Swindon has certainly determined the course of Wootton Bassett's development.
The arrangements for common field cultivation and for grazing on both manors were clearly considerably affected by the development of the park, which eventually covered most of the northern half of the parish. In 1363 Park Field, containing 120 a. of arable, meadow, and pasture, which belonged to the manor of Wootton, and was let to tenants there, was inclosed and taken into the park. (fn. 197) Vastern manor had meadows both inside and outside the park. One of these, called 'Titele', lay uninclosed within the park in 1369 and was grazed in common by tenants of that manor. (fn. 198) The inhabitants of the town had grazing rights for their beasts like the rest of the manorial community. In 1562–3 these lay within the park and comprised 100 a. at Wootton Lawn and a parcel of ground towards the park's east boundary. (fn. 199) But in the later 16th century, when the Englefields began to inclose the park, the townspeople were deprived of all but their rights in Wootton Lawn. (fn. 200) New arrangements for commoning were made, allotting to every householder a specified amount of grazing in the limited area available. (fn. 201) But this in turn was taken from them in the earlier 17th century when the Englefields were stocking the Lawn with their own beasts and acquiring releases of common rights. (fn. 202) A full account of the townspeople's grievances is contained in a petition they addressed to Parliament in c. 1632. (fn. 203) By then, however, they were left with only the commons in the southern part of the parish.
The coming of the Wilts. and Berks. Canal in 1801 probably made little difference to the economic life of the parish, although coal for the surrounding countryside was unloaded at Vastern wharf. (fn. 242) Likewise the coming of the G.W.R. line with a station at Wootton Bassett seems to have made no very striking change, but by giving easy access to Swindon it opened up new possibilities for employment in that rapidly expanding town. After 1845 special early morning workmen's trains were run from the station. (fn. 243) Throughout the 19th century, however, agriculture remained the main occupation of the parish.
In the later 19th century there were two or three small breweries in the town. (fn. 244) The largest was that started by Howard Horsell in c. 1878, for which the Beaufort Brewery in Railway Road was built in the 1880s. (fn. 245) There was also a brickmaking business belonging to a family called Boulter in Church Street, which had three brickyards and continued into the early years of the 20th century. (fn. 246) Charles Rouse was making ropes in the town in 1890 (fn. 247) and the family hardware business survived in 1967. The first substantial business, apart from the earlier cloth trade, to come to the town was the Dairy Supply Company, which opened a factory in c. 1908 and acquired as part of its premises the former Beaufort Brewery. (fn. 248) This company was taken over in 1915 by United Dairies Ltd., which merged in 1959 with the Cow & Gate Company to form Unigate Creameries Ltd. (fn. 249) For a time the Wootton Bassett depot specialized in the production of dried milk. (fn. 250) In 1967 a fleet of milk-tankers was operated from the depot, which employed about 175 people. (fn. 251) A new industry came to the town in 1962 when BlanchLely Ltd. of Crudwell, makers of agricultural machinery, built a factory in Whitehill Lane. (fn. 252) In 1967 this covered some 12 a., on which stood the shops for assembling parts made in Crudwell. There was also accommodation for a development section and drawing office. About 100 persons were employed. (fn. 253) In 1967 a timber-yard at Vastern employed a small number of men making coffin-boards.
It was not, however, the arrival of new industry which accounted for the town's marked physical expansion in the 1960s. This was due in large measure to the huge development of Swindon only 6 miles away and the need for housing for personnel employed at the R.A.F. station at Lyneham about 4 miles away. The proximity of Swindon also meant that while extensive housing estates increased the size of Wootton Bassett, there was little corresponding development as a shopping or commercial centre.
Markets and Fairs. A weekly market on Fridays in his township (villa) of Wootton was granted to Alan Basset in 1219. (fn. 254) The tolls from this, valued at 50s., were reckoned among the profits of the manor of Wootton in 1271, (fn. 255) and in 1281 tolls of market and fairs together were estimated at 30s. and were again included among the profits of the manor. (fn. 256) This manorial market may have played an important part in the development of Wootton Bassett in the 13th century. But it possibly did not flourish for very long. Nothing more is known of it during the Middle Ages.
The franchise, depending upon residence and contribution to municipal expenses, resulted in an electorate of about 250. (fn. 300) The corporation, and particularly the mayor, who was returning officer, wielded very considerable power at elections. It was because the St. John family usually had control over the corporation that their influence was on the whole greater than that of the Hydes, in spite of the fact that Lawrence Hyde acquired the lordship of the manor for the family in 1676 and bestowed several generous gifts upon the town. (fn. 301) Wootton Bassett was not the most corrupt of the Wiltshire parliamentary boroughs, although there were some particularly bad cases of bribery during the 18th century. (fn. 302) Probably the most dramatic attempt at corruption occurred in the early 1750s when Robert Neale was seeking election with the support of the Hyde interest. (fn. 303) Neale succeeded in appointing himself deputy town clerk and gaining possession of all the corporation records. His efforts to win over the mayor, William Hollister, and 'pack' the corporation with his supporters did not, however, succeed. Hollister, who was seven times mayor, remained loyal to the St. John candidates, who were said to have bought 135 votes at over 30 guineas a head and to have incurred bills at 11 public houses amounting to over £1,000. Neale claimed to have spent over £1,800 and his fellow candidate probably not much less. 'We hear from Wootton Bassett' reported a contemporary newspaper 'that there has been such rioting about the election as never was known in so small a town . . . there were guns, pistols and swords on both sides, but nobody was murdered. Eight men are already in Salisbury jail'.
The town's insignia comprises two maces and a sword. (fn. 370) The maces are not an exact pair. They are of silver with iron cores and bear no hall-marks. One is 15 in. long, the other 141/8 in. On the caps are engraved plain shields of the royal arms as borne by James I and above the shield is the date 1603. Both maces have the initials 'R.S.' on the under part of the bowl of the head.
The sword was presented by John Attersol, one of the members for the borough in 1812. It is 45½ in. in length. On the scabbard is a coat of arms, reputedly those of the borough, the arms of John Attersol, and those of James Kibblewhite, the other member for Wootton Bassett in 1812. At the same time as Attersol presented the sword, Kibblewhite gave robes to the mayor, aldermen, and burgesses. Each gift is said to have cost 100 guineas. There is also a wooden constable's staff 4 ft. 10 in. long. The initials 'C.R.' and date '1678' appear on the head which is of gilt.
In 1894 the borough seals were said to have disappeared, although known to have been in existence within living memory. In 1893 one seal came up for sale locally and was bought by E. C. Trepplin. It was described as slightly oval in shape, 1 in. x 7/8 in. in diameter, with an ivory moulded handle 2¾ in. high. It bore the 'spurious arms' and the legend: minor sigillum wootton bassett alias wootton vetus On the neck of the head was the inscription 'Ex dono Prenobil. L. Comitis Rochester 1682'. An endorsing stamp has the same arms with a buckled band inscribed 'Borough of Wootton Bassett'.
In 1721 William Pleydell sold the great tithes due from Little Park and Brinsden's Farm to William Bartlett and Francis Broome respectively and there were subsequent sales of these tithes. (fn. 393) Other of the great tithes must have been sold at unknown dates and in 1842 there were 5 impropriators. (fn. 394) The Earl of Clarendon (lord of the manor) had the great tithes from 3,400 a. which were commuted that year for an annual rent-charge of £439; Robert Hughes of Woodford from 675 a. (commuted for rent-charge of £130); Sir John Jacob Buxton from 240 a. (commuted for rent-charge of £12); Jasper Warman and Elizabeth his wife of Purton from 32 a. (commuted for rent-charge of £4), and the executor of Thomas Ripley, Vicar of Wootton Bassett (d. 1804) from 1 a. (commuted for rent-charge of 10s.). The Earl of Radnor (d. 1869) had a life estate in the great tithes from Little Park and these were extinguished by the Tithe Award.
The church of ST. BARTHOLOMEW AND ALL SAINTS was extensively restored in 1870–1 by G. E. Street at the expense of Sir Henry Meux. (fn. 412) It is of stone and comprises chancel, nave of 5 bays, north and south aisles, south porch, and embattled west tower. The first impression on entering is of loftiness. Before restoration, it consisted of 2 naves only, of equal length and height, divided by an arcade of 8 pointed arches on circular piers, running the entire length of the church. Sir Stephen Glynne describing the church some time in the 19th century remarked that the east end presented a rather unusual aspect, having two east windows of the same size 'in one gable'. (fn. 413) There was a low west tower and a south porch with parvis above. The building was apparently entirely of the 15th century, except for an early-14th-century window in the easternmost end of the north wall. (fn. 414) There was evidently a screen with rood loft above, for the staircase leading to the loft survives in the south wall.
Edward VI's commissioners left the church a chalice of 8 oz. and took 13½ oz. for the king. (fn. 420) Among the plate is a large chalice of silver gilt the stem and base of which are ornamented with rich mouldings. Engraved on the bowl is a shield of arms of the Bakers' Company of Exeter. An inscription records that it was given to the church by William Joburn in 1631. There are two patens, one of which was given by William Pleydell, vicar (d. 1724). An elaborately ornamented communion set was given in c. 1871 in memory of Thomas Hyde Ripley, vicar for 52 years, and of his daughter Caroline. The registers begin in 1584. They are complete except for a gap between 1700 and 1720 in the register of baptisms.
A chapel of ease, served from the church of Holy Rood, Swindon, was founded in Wootton Bassett in 1938, and in 1954 the Sacred Heart Church, likewise served from Swindon, was opened. (fn. 427) In 1967 it had a priest residing in Wootton Bassett.
There were reported to be 8 nonconformists in the parish in 1676. (fn. 428) In 1703 the dwelling house of William Norris, known as the 'Sign of the Bear', was registered as a meeting place for Quakers. (fn. 429) But the meeting did not become permanently established and no more is known of the Society of Friends in Wootton Bassett. A meeting-place for Independents was licensed in 1779 (fn. 430) and probably served as a chapel until 1825 when a new chapel was built in Wood Street with aid from the Congregational Association. (fn. 431) In 1851 average attendance was reckoned to be 120 at both morning and evening services. (fn. 432) In 1967 services were still held regularly on Sundays.
Primitive Methodism was brought to Wootton Bassett during the 1820s by preachers from the Brinkworth Circuit. (fn. 433) Meetings were held in various cottages and sometimes at the 'Royal Oak'. In 1831 two cottages were converted to make a chapel and an intensive campaign of house to house visiting was pursued. In 1838 the old chapel was demolished and a new one built on the same site at the western end of the high street. This later became known as the Hillside Chapel. It is a simple building with two large arched windows below a pedimental gable. Hugh Bourne is said to have preached at Wootton Bassett. Schools connected with the chapel were opened next door in 1842. (fn. 434) A town mission was undertaken in 1870 when 4,500 calls were made. On a Sunday in 1851 there were 171 at morning service and 216 in the evening. (fn. 435) In 1967 services were held regularly on Sundays.
During the 17th and 18th centuries several charities for the poor of Wootton Bassett were founded. In 1700 Charles Compton left a third of the residue of his estate to the poor of Wootton Bassett and Lyneham. Land in Badbury (in Chiseldon) was bought with this some years later, and the income from it was distributed equally between the poor of the two parishes. Gifts of £40 from Charles Pynner (Vicar of Wootton Bassett 1584–1619) and of £100 made at an unknown date by Sir Francis Englefield were also used to purchase land in Brinkworth for the benefit of the poor.
Benefactions of £40 made at an unknown date by John Gallimore, of Wootton Bassett, and £200 bequeathed by Lord Clarendon (d. 1786) were invested together in stock. A bequest of £200 in the will of Alice Brothers, proved 1766, to provide bread was also invested in stock, as was one of £100 from Lord Clarendon (d. 1824). By 1903 these seven charities, known as the Second Poor's Money, were all administered together and the income used to provide bread and gifts of money. That year 965 people received help from these combined charities.
John Jacob, by his will proved in 1706, bequeathed £20 for apprenticing 3 poor children born and living in the parish of Wootton Bassett. He also bequeathed £3 to be distributed every winter amongst 12 poor persons of the town and parish, not in receipt of alms. (fn. 469) No more is known of this charity.
William Savage, by his will proved 1882, bequeathed £100 in trust. (fn. 470) The income was to be used to apprentice orphan boys or girls of Wootton Bassett or Liddington, who were to be selected by the Vicar and churchwardens of Wootton Bassett together with two ratepayers elected annually for the purpose. Wootton Bassett was to have the first two appointments and for every child chosen from Liddington, two were to be chosen from Wootton Bassett. If no suitable orphans were forthcoming, the child of a widow, or other poor person, might be considered. If there were no suitable applicants at all, the fund was to be allowed to accumulate. No child was apprenticed until 1903 when a boy of Wootton Bassett was apprenticed to an ironmonger. The charity still existed in 1963 and had an income of about £2 yearly.
By his will, proved 1894, John Wicke (Vicar of Wootton Bassett 1865–80) bequeathed £500 to be invested in stock. (fn. 471) The income was to be used to buy groceries and other provisions for the poor and provide a certain handicapped child with an annuity. In 1903 tickets worth 6s. or 8s. were distributed among the poor. By 1953 money grants were made to a fund for persons aged 65 years or more, to a patient suffering from tuberculosis, and to a coal club in Wootton Bassett. In 1963 the income of the charity was about £12.
1. Maps used include O.S. Map 1/2,500 Wilts. XIV. 7, 8, 11, 12, XV. 5, 9 (1st and later edns.); 6", Wilts. XIV, XV. XXI, XXII (1st and later edns.).
2. For fuller account of the geology of the region, see W. J. Arkell, 'Geology of Corallian Ridge, near Wootton Bassett', W.A.M. liv. 1–18, also Fry, Land Utilization Wilts. 151.
3. J. H. P. Pafford, 'Spas and Mineral Springs of Wilts'. W.A.M. lv. 1–10.
5. W.A.M. xxviii. 173; W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map of Lord Hyde's Estate, 1773.
6. W.A.M. xxviii. 173. It is not clear which duke is meant, but perhaps the Duke of York (d. 1415): see below, p. 191.
9. W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773 and see also Andrews and Dury, Map (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), pl. 14.
10. W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773.
13. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 263.
14. W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773.
15. Ex inf. Mr. W. G. W. Hunt, Wootton Bassett. Thanks are due to Mr. Hunt for much help given.
16. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 273.
17. Charles Hadfield, Canals of S. England, 156–7.
18. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 273.
26. Andrews and Dury, Map (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), pl. 14; W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773.
27. W. F. Parsons in Wootton Bassett Almanack, 1896.
28. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 297.
30. Tax. Lists (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), 21.
32. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 361.
36. See p. 194 and pl. facing p. 193.
37. V.C.H. Wilts. iii. 368–9.
38. S.C. 6/1115/1; S.C. 6/Hen. VII/878.
41. W.R.O. 130/179/89, Map 1773 and see p. 197.
42. W.A.S. Libr., Devizes, Parsons Papers. The print is reproduced in V.C.H. Wilts. v. facing p. 226.
43. E. H. Goddard and W. Gough, Notes on the Town Hall, ii. 8, and see pl. facing p. 193.
48. Ex inf. H. Bevir & Son, Wootton Bassett.
49. Swindon Public Libr., Scrapbk.
51. The earlier one was the 'Old Royal Oak', Pigot, Nat. Com. Dir. (1844).
52. W.A.S. Libr., Devizes, Parsons Papers, newspaper cutting.
53. Ex inf. Mr. F. Blackwall, Wootton Bassett.
54. W.A.S. Libr., Devizes, Parsons Papers, newspaper cutting.
55. Ex inf. Clerk to the R.D.C.
56. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 402–4.
57. Cal. Chart. R. 1226–57, 115.
58. Cal. Pat. 1226–40, 228.
59. Cal. Close, 1231–4, 441.
60. For e.g. ibid. 1234–7, 24; 1237–42, 420.
61. Cal. Pat. 1266–72, 116–17.
64. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 64, 134.
65. Cal. Pat. 1317–21, 431.
66. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 361.
67. W.A.M. xxviii. 173 used with W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773.
68. It has been suggested that one of the many places called Clive in the Wiltshire Domesday may refer to the estate in Wootton which became called Vastern. But this is only conjecture: Dom. Bk. Wilts. ed. Jones, 208.
69. Cal. Pat. 1266–72, 116–17.
70. V.C.H. Wilts. ii, pp. 3, 4, 90.
71. Ibid. p. 90; ibid. iii. 214.
72. Ibid. ii, p. 145.
73. Ibid. pp. 102, 111.
74. For the honor of Wallingford, see V.C.H. Berks. iii. 523–8.
75. Red Bk. Excheq. ii. 485.
76. V.C.H. Bucks. iii. 123; Cal. Lib. 1226–40, 228.
77. V.C.H. Bucks. iii. 123; Cal. Close, 1237–42, 420. For Fulk Basset, see D.N.B.
78. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 64.
79. Ibid.; Complete Peerage, Despenser.
80. Ibid; Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 134.
81. Cal. Chart. R. 1257–1300, 489.
82. Cal. Close, 1318–23, 543; Cal. Pat. 1321–4, 166, 168.
83. Cal. Pat. 1327–30, 67.
84. Cal. Chart. R. 1327–41, 200.
85. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 102; Cal. Pat. 1334–8, 60, 76, 105.
86. Cal. Pat. 1358–61, 238, 472; ibid. 1361–4, 146, 156, 333.
89. Cal. Close, 1402–5, 435.
90. Cal. Pat. 1413–16, 349–50; V.C.H. Northants. ii. 170.
91. C 138/14/27; Cal. Close, 1429–35, 264.
92. Cal. Pat. 1452–61, 574, 575.
95. Rot. Parl. vi. 460, 462.
96. L. & P. Hen. VIII, i (1), p. 49.
97. Ibid. xv, p. 52.
98. Ibid. xvi, p. 240.
99. Ibid. xix (1), p. 83.
100. Cal. Pat. 1547–8, 124.
103. Ibid. 1554–5, 52; W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Abstract of title.
104. For an account of his life, see V.C.H. Berks. iii. 407.
105. Cal. Pat. 1569–72, 194.
106. V.C.H. Berks. iii. 407.
107. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Abstract of title.
109. Ibid. For pedigree of Englefields, see Burke, Commoners, ii. 646; Ext. and Dorm. Baronetcies (1844), 185, and G. E. C. Baronetage, i. 91. These works differ in the date ascribed to death of Francis (III).
110. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Abstract of title; N. & Q. clxxvii. 7; D.N.B.
111. N. & Q. clxxvii. 7; Hist. MSS. Com., Rutland MSS. ii. 29.
112. Hist. MSS. Com. 14th Rep. pt. 6, p. 256; W.R.O. 212A/27/12/1, Deed Englefield to Howard.
113. W.R.O. 212A/27/12/2, Deed Howard to Hyde; Complete Peerage, Rochester, see pl. facing p. 28.
115. Notes from Sale Cat. of Dauntsey Estate (1913).
119. Cal. Pat. 1338–40, 47.
120. Cal. Fine R. viii, pp. 30–31; Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 361.
121. S.C. 6/Hen. VII/878; S.C. 6/Hen. VIII/3803.
124. C 66/1291 mm. 15, 16.
125. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1625–49 (Index Libr.), 321.
126. W.R.O. 212A/37/4, Abstract of title; W.N. & Q. iv. 470.
127. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Rental of 1674; W.A.M. xxiii. 179.
128. 'Diary of Goddard Smith', MS. copy in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes; W.A.M. xxiii. 179.
129. Cat. Anct. D. iii, A 4821.
130. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 134.
131. S.C. 6/1057/3; Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 102–3.
132. Cal. Lib. 1226–40, 228.
133. Probably from OE fœstœrn, meaning stronghold: P.N. Wilts. (E.P.N.S.), 273.
135. Cal. Lib. 1226–40, 228.
136. Cal. Pat. 1354–8, 173.
137. Ibid. 1358–61, 472; 1361–4, 146, 156, 333; 1367–70, 116.
138. Cal. Fine R. 1369–77, 31.
139. S.C. 6/1052/3–9; S.C. 6/1270/9. Sums spent on repairs appear on all the rolls but S.C. 6/1270/9 gives details of expenditure and unless otherwise stated, information in this paragraph comes from it.
143. C 66/1291, mm. 15, 16.
144. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Rental 1674.
145. 'Diary of Goddard Smith', MS. copy in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes.
146. W.R.O. 130/79, Map 1773.
147. Rot. Parl. ii. 416.
148. James Waylen, 'Wilts. during the Civil War', Wilts. Independent, May, 1840 (copy in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes).
150. Pevsner, Wilts. (Bldgs. of Eng.), 532 and see pl. facing p. 192.
152. Ibid. 212B/64/3, and see above p. 191.
159. Burke, Peerage (1959), Radnor.
160. W.A.S. Libr., Devizes, Cuttings, xvi. 380.
161. W.A.M. xliv. 42; W.A.S. Libr. Devizes, Cuttings, xvi.
162. W.A.M. xliv. 41. Francis Moore of Little Park married a daughter of John Dancastle.
163. Cat. Anct. D. iii, A 4812.
165. Ibid. C 3300, C 3703.
166. Ibid. vi, C 4581.
168. Ibid. i, C 858.
170. Cat. Anct. D. i, C 1329.
172. Cal. Close, 1454–61, 10, 11, 315.
173. Cal. Pat. 1476–85, 11; Cat. Anct. D. vi, C 6194.
174. Cat. Anct. D. vi, C 7428, C 7330.
175. Ibid. iii, C 3630.
176. V.C.H. Wilts. ii, p. 145.
178. Cal. Pat. 1266–72, 116–17.
179. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 134–5.
181. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 134–5.
182. E 142/33 m. 5.
183. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 102–4.
185. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 103–4.
188. Cal. Close, 1360–4, 3; Cal. Fine R. vii. 134.
190. Cal. Pat. 1364–7, 235.
194. Leland, Collect. iv. 248.
197. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 361.
198. Cal. Fine R. 1369–77, 30–31.
201. These arrangements are set out in the petition addressed to Parliament by the townspeople in c. 1632, see n. 5.
202. C 2/Jas. I/W30/53. For the releases of common rights see W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Releases of Common Pasture.
203. This exists as a printed broadsheet in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes. There is no record of it ever having been presented. It is printed in Topog. and Geneal. iii. 22–25.
204. Cat. Anct. D. i. C 1205.
205. W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773.
206. Sar. Dioc. R.O., Glebe Terrier.
207. S.C. 6/Hen. VIII/3808; E 178/2395.
208. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Glebe Terriers, 1698, 1671, 1783 and W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773.
209. W.R.O. 529/7/53, Deed Jacob to Jacob.
210. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1327–77 (Index Libr.), 102–4.
212. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Rental 1671.
213. Sar. Dioc. R.O., Glebe Terrier.
214. W.R.O. 529/7/53, Deed Jacob to Jacob.
216. S.C. 6/1115/1; S.C. 6/Hen. VII/878; S.C. 6/Hen. VIII/3803.
217. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Estate Papers.
223. The Times, 3 Feb. 1846.
224. E. H. Goddard and W. Gough, Notes on the Town Hall, ii. 16–17.
225. W.A.S. Libr., Devizes, Sale Cat.
226. Ex inf. Blanch-Lely Ltd.
230. Cat. Anct. D. i, C 1205.
231. Early Stuart Tradesmen (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), 93.
232. G. D. Ramsay, Wilts. Woollen Industry, 86–87.
233. Beauties of Eng. and Wales (1814), xv. 641.
235. Beauties of Eng. and Wales (1814), xv. 641.
236. Pigot, Nat. Com. Dir. (1844).
237. W. N. & Q. i. 568–9.
238. Robson, Wilts. Dir. (1838).
240. W.R.O. Reg. of Alehousekeepers' Recogs.
242. Charles Hadfield, Canals of S. Eng. 156–7.
243. A. L. Baker, 'Life and Work in Wootton Bassett in 19th century', Thesis 1966 for Redland Teachers' Training Coll., Bristol.
244. Kelly's Dirs. Wilts. (1878–90).
245. Owen's Wilts. Dir. (1878) and for date of Beaufort Brewery, see Parsons Papers in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes, Scrapbk. 3.
246. Kelly's Dirs. Wilts. (1880–1911).
248. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 227.
249. Ibid. and ex inf. the Manager, Unigate Creameries Ltd., Wootton Bassett.
250. V.C.H. Wilts. iv. 227 which gives a somewhat fuller account of the Wootton Bassett depot up to 1959.
251. Ex inf. the Manager, Unigate Creameries Ltd., Wootton Bassett.
252. Ex inf. the Works Manager, Blanch-Lely Ltd., Wootton Bassett.
254. Rot. Lit. Claus (Rec. Com.), 385.
255. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 64.
258. Cal. Pat. 1569–72, 235.
260. J. Britton, Beauties of Wilts. iii. 41.
262. Rep. Com. Mrkt. Rights [C 5550], H.C. p. 215 (1888), liii (1).
263. W.R.O. 253/1, Ct. Bk. 1751–2.
264. W.R.O. 253/2, Ct. Bk. 1785–1856.
265. Wilts. Cuttings, xviii. 33.
267. Rep. Com. Mrkt. Rights [C 6268-vi. A], vol. xiii. pt. ii, p. 544, H.C. (1890–1), xl.
268. Endowed Char. Wilts. (1908), p. 10.
269. Wootton Bassett and its Amenities, Guidebk. (n.d.).
270. Letter from W. Gough penes Mr. E. le Q. Herbert, Vastern Manor.
271. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 135.
273. Cal. Pat. 1569–72, 235.
274. Cal. S.P. Dom. 1679–80, 279–80. For transcript of this, see Wilts. Cuttings, xvi. 381.
275. Rep. Com. Mrkt. Rights (1888), 215.
277. Wootton Bassett and its Amenities, Guidebk. (n.d.).
278. Swindon Pub. Libr., Wootton Bassett, Scrapbk. Fair Posters.
279. V.C.H. Wilts. ii, p. 145.
280. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 64.
285. Andrews and Dury, Map (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), pl. 14.
286. Wootton Bassett Almanack, 1896 (copy in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes).
287. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Survey 1674.
288. W.A.S. Libr., Devizes, Sale Cat.
289. Ex inf. Mr. W. Coleman, Wootton Bassett.
290. V.C.H. Wilts. v. 73, 78, 112, 121, 226–7.
292. Wilts. Borough Rec. (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), 103.
293. Oldfield, Hist. of the Boroughs, iii. 201.
294. V.C.H. Wilts. v. 121.
295. J. A. Cannon, 'Wilts. Boroughs 1754–90' (Ph.D. Thesis, Bristol Univ. 1958), 297.
296. V.C.H. Wilts. v. 226.
297. Ibid. 227; Oldfield, Rep. Hist. v. 231.
299. Anon. Key to both Houses of Parl. (1832), 426–7.
300. J. A. Cannon, 'Wilts. Boroughs 1754–90' (Ph.D. Thesis, Bristol Univ. 1958), 310; Namier and Brooke, Hist. Parl. 1754–90, i. 421.
301. Ibid. 309 and see below p. 199.
302. V.C.H. Wilts. v. 226.
303. For a full account of the affair, see J. A. Cannon, 'Wilts. Boroughs 1754–90' (Ph.D. Thesis, Bristol Univ. 1958), 309–21.
304. Rot. Hund. (Rec. Com.), ii (1), 244, and see above p. 190.
305. Rot. Parl. ii. 416.
307. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 134–5.
309. W.R.O. 212A/37/5, Rental 1674.
314. Cal. Close, 1234–7, 223.
315. Wilts. Inq. p.m. 1242–1326 (Index Libr.), 134.
320. Cat. Anct. D. i, C 1205.
321. J. Britton, Beauties of Wilts. iii. 37; Aubrey, Topog. Coll. ed. Jackson, 202–3.
322. W.R.O. 253/4. For further acct. of the borough's charters see Wilts. Borough Rec. (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), 103.
323. There was a similar situation in the borough of Calne: Wilts. Borough Rec. (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), 1.
327. C 66/3209 no. 19.
328. W.A.M. xxiii. 173; xl. 363; Wilts. Borough Rec. (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), 103.
332. J. A. Canon, 'Wilts. Boroughs 1754–90' (Ph.D. Thesis, Bristol Univ. 1958), 310.
334. W.R.O. 253/1, 2, 3.
336. Rep. Com. Munic. Corps. [C 2490–1], H.C. pp. 125–7 (1880), xxxi (ii).
338. Cal. S.P. Dom. 1689–90, 565; 1699–1700, 287; 1700–2, 37.
339. Rep. Com. Munic. Corps. (1880), 125; E. H. Goddard and W. Gough, Notes on the Town Hall, ii. 15.
340. W.R.O. 253/1; Canon, 'Wilts. Boroughs 1754–90' (Ph.D. Thesis Bristol Univ. 1958), 315.
341. Rep. Com. Munic. Corps. (1880), 125–6.
343. Wilts. Borough Rec. (W.A.S. Rec. Brch.), 103.
345. Endowed Char. Wilts. H.C. 273–i, pp. 1032–4 (1908), lxxxi.
347. Char. Com. File 203207/A1.
353. W. F. Parsons, 'Notes on Wootton Bassett', W.A.M. xxix, 196.
354. Such records as survive, were, in 1967, kept in the parish chest in the vicarage. There were some early19th-cent. poor-rate assessment bks., a highway-rate bk. (1833–5), and chwdns.' accts. (1822–70).
356. The surviving highway-rate bk. (1833–5) is for Woodshaw tithing.
357. Parish chest, Wootton Bassett vicarage, bill to overseers.
358. V.C.H. Wilts. v. 294, 258.
359. Ex inf. Clerk to the Parish Council.
360. Kelly's Dir. Wilts. (1859).
361. Ex inf. South Western Gas Board.
362. Rep. Com. Munic. Corps. (1880), 125.
363. Ex inf. Clerk to Cricklade and Wootton Bassett R.D.C.
365. Rep. Com. Munic. Corps. (1880), 125.
366. Ex inf. Clerk to Cricklade and Wootton Bassett R.D.C.
367. Ex inf. Clerk to the Parish Council.
368. Ex inf. Clerk to Cricklade and Wootton Bassett R.D.C.
369. V.C.H. Wilts. v. 277, 327, 345.
370. The following paragraphs are based on E. H. Goddard, 'Corporation Plate and Insignia of Wilts.', W.A.M. xxviii. 60–62. Full descriptions are given.
371. Cat. Anct. D. iii. A 4861.
372. Cal. Pat. 1361–4, 334; Cal. Papal Lett. v. 192.
373. Cal. Papal Lett. v. 192.
374. V.C.H. Wilts. iii. 368–9.
375. A. R. J. Horn, Guide to Church (1960), 23.
376. Cat. Anct. D. iii. A 4861.
377. Cal. Pat. 1361–4, 328–9.
378. Horn, Guide to Church, 8.
380. Tax. Eccl. (Rec. Com.), 189.
381. Inq. Non. (Rec. Com.), 162.
383. W.R.O. 212B/64/1. The findings of the enquiry with a copy of the 1467 settlement were apparently recorded in the Chapter Lease Bk. II, 5 Eliz. 1–6 Jas. I, now (1967) missing, but for which there is an index in Sar. Mun. Rm. Press 2, showing what were its contents.
385. Valor Eccl. (Rec. Com.), ii. 114.
386. Cal. Pat. 1560–3, 591.
388. C.P. 25(2)/260/25 Eliz. I Trin.
390. C.P. 43/312 rot. 52.
391. W.R.O. 212A/37/5; C.P. 25(2)803/3 Jas. II Trin.
392. C.P. 25(2)/1078/7 Geo. I Hil.
393. W.A.M. xliv. 35, 36, 40.
395. Valor Eccl. (Rec. Com.), ii. 130.
396. Rep. Com. Eccl. Revs. H.C. 54, p. 855 (15), xxii.
398. W.R.O. 130/79/89, Map 1773.
400. W.R.O. 212B/64/1, and see n. 86 above.
401. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Glebe Terrier, 1671.
403. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Glebe Terrier, 1783.
404. Wootton Bassett Almanack, 1896.
405. Horn, Guide to Church, 24.
406. Cal. Pat. 1563–6, 89.
407. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Vis. Queries, 1783.
410. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Vis. Queries, 1864.
411. Horn, Guide to Church, 23.
414. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Faculty. Plans and drawings by G. E. Street. Also S.E. view painted by John Buckler, 1806, in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes and pl. facing p. 62.
415. Horn, Guide to Church, 11–12.
416. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Faculty particulars.
417. Described in W.A.M. lvii. 377.
418. Horn. op. cit. 21.
419. Walters, Wilts. Bells, 242; Horn, op. cit. 15–17.
420. Nightingale, Wilts. Plate, 145–6; Horn, op. cit. 15.
421. V.C.H. Wilts. iii. 89, and see p. 191.
422. W.N. & Q. iii. 536.
423. W.A.M. xliv. 41–42, and see p. 193.
424. W.A.S. Libr. Devizes, Story Maskelyne MSS.
425. V.C.H. Wilts. iii. 96.
426. Sar. Dioc. R.O. Vis. Queries, 1783.
427. Ex inf. the Very Revd. Canon J.P. Leahy, Swindon.
428. W.N. & Q. iii. 536.
429. W.R.O. Certs. Dissenters' Meeting-Places, 1695–1705.
430. V.C.H. Wilts. iii. 134.
431. Ibid. 140; W.R.O. Retns. of Regns.
433. All information about this denomination, unless otherwise stated, from W. C. Tonks, Victory in the Villages, 128–34.
438. Kelly's Dir. Wilts. (1903).
439. Wootton Bassett Almanack, 1896 (copy in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes).
441. V.C.H. Wilts. iii. 138 n.
443. Wootton Bassett Almanack, 1896.
444. Ex inf. Mr. J. Tugwell.
445. All inf. about this school from Endowed Char. Wilts. (1908), pp. 1–2, 4–6.
446. Char. Com. File 79298.
447. Ex inf. Mr. W. G. W. Hunt, Wootton Bassett.
448. Digest of Returns to Cttee. of Educ. of Poor, H.C. 224, p. 1042 (1819), ix (2).
451. Educ. Enq. Abstract, H.C. 62, p. 123 (1835), xliii.
452. W. C. Tonks, Victory in the Villages, 134.
453. Ibid; Acct. of Wilts. Schools, H.C. 27, p. 115 (1859 Sess. 1), xxi (2).
454. TS notes penes Mr. W. G. W. Hunt, Wootton Bassett.
455. W.R.O. List of Schools, 1902.
456. Ex inf. Mr. W. G. W. Hunt, Wootton Bassett.
457. Acct. of Wilts. Schools (1859 Sess. 1), p. 115.
458. Ibid.; TS notes penes Mr. W. G. W. Hunt, Wootton Bassett.
459. TS notes penes Mr. W. G. W. Hunt, Wootton Bassett.
460. W.R.O. List of Schools, 1902.
461. Ex inf. the head master.
464. Pigot, Nat. Com. Dir. (1844).
465. Acct. of Wilts. Schools (1859 Sess. 1), p. 115.
466. Wootton Bassett Almanack, 1897 in W.A.S. Libr., Devizes.
467. Ex inf. Mr. W. G. W. Hunt, Wootton Bassett. For this house, see above p. 189.
468. For an acct. of the charities known jointly as the Second Poor's Money, see Endowed Char. Wilts. (1908), pp. 1025–6, 1029–31; Char. Com. Files 201408/A1, 203909, 203906, 203908, 203907.
470. Endowed Char. Wilts. (1908), pp. 1034–5; Reg. Educ. Char. Lansdowne House, Berkeley Sq., London, W.1.
471. Endowed Char. Wilts. (1908), pp. 1035–6; Char. Com. File 214295.

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