The 21st meeting at the Nog Inn on 23rd June 2011

The Nog Inn hosted us for a very good chin wag over a pint! That pint was the undoing of me, I think!!!! Losing my notes and being rather muddled.

Bill informed us he is ready to carve the names of the WW1 soldiers, the lych gate is their memorial but does not carry any names, thanks to Bill this omission will be put right. David and Geoff have researched the names and, I hope Bill now has the list to enable him to start.

Graeme Smith has confirmed he will join us in The Nog for a talk on his metal detecting finds, he has chosen the 15^th Sept 2011 at 8:00pm.

We had discussions on local brick making, Miller and Lilley closed the Talewater yard in 1919, and the Ottery Brickworks tried to purchase it. M & L had depots at Feniton, Whimple and Ottery. There are some 20 fields in  the Ottery area known as Brickfields. Thanks to Chris for theses snippets.

Brenda told us about the duel between Murry and Stares in 1814, then illegal in this country. We wait to hear more as Brenda’s research progresses. The Murry family were school teachers in Thorn Cottage.

The history of Feniton House was a query in an email from John Lewis of New Zealand. I am working on this, along with Feniton Court. Will have more to tell when we next meet.

The origins of the name of Spence Cross, this was the name used before the cross road was named after Bishop Patteson and the monument erected. The land owner in area of the cross roads on the tithe map was W. Warren. So we have a task here to see if more can be gleaned. I had an email asking about the Spence and Patteson family, David is looking into this.

Jenny has written a book on the Prayer Book Rebellion, copies are on sale in the Church.

Pam has asked to see the tithe maps to look at the land owned by the parish. I will bring these along to the next meeting.

Alan had us all laughing with his dialect sayings, “dashels”, meaning thistles. A general discussion on dialects then followed.  It seems we may loose many of our regional accents as schools encourage proper pronunciation.

Talk given by Rohan Brown and Dr. Christina Welch 2nd Jun 2011

We were told that the name of our tomb should be a “Transi Tomb” and not a Memento Mori Tomb. This is because a depiction of a rotting cadaver in art is called a transias opposed to a skeleton tomb.

 Memento mori can be freely translated as “Remember you are Mortal” or “Remember your Death”

Rohan Brown, who has shown great interest in our figure has found, what she believes to be the complete list of these tombs and there are only approximately 37 known in the UK and not 150 as other authors describe, the others being shroud tombs, which is a very different style.

A large number were destroyed during the reformation and again in the Victorian times when tombs were moved as part of a “restoration” project.

The one in our church is amongst those recorded in the UK and also one of the finest.

The fashion for this type of memorial came from France and was popular from the middle of the C14 and into the C15, but mainly 1420 to 1480. Rohan believes ours could perhaps date from the 1480s to 90s, the time of the last two William Malherbes.

It was in circa 1493 that  "John Babingtone & William Malherbe / hathe a warraunt to the Custumers of the Custumes & subsides in the poorte of Excestre & Dertmouth to pay unto theim xi marc / which the king (Richard III) hath geven unto them towardes theire Ramison / late taken upone the see by brytaygnes". Somewhere else I have seen "fell into the hands of his countries foes and was taken on the sea by Brytagnes". Another report suggests the ransom was for 40 marks.

There is a difference of opinion as to whom this memorial is dedicated too, some say either Sir William Fry or Sir John Fry, whilst others say William Malherbe (d 1493) but I favour the last William Malherbe.

In Watson’s book “A Devonshire Village in the Olden Days” he suggests it to be William Malherbe and if you look closely above the tomb and above the window, in the centre is a crest which bears a strong relationship to that of the Malherbes. Ms Brown suggests that 90% of these tombs had coats of arms and identification, commonly lost in the Victorian restoration of medieval churches.

Who ever it was would have been a person of high position, firstly to be able to afford the memorial , which Dr. Welch considers it may have cost, even in those days £500, and secondly to be influential enough to warrant an allotted place inside the Altar rails. Again Dr. Welch believes it would have not been inside the altar rails at all but facing north / south in the main body of the church where it was looked at by those attending the services.

This casts in doubt that originally this memorial was on the south side of the sanctuary and was moved in 1877 when there was a major refurbishment of the Church. Previously it may have stood on an altar tomb.

Things to note about the emaciated figure in his winding sheet, are the tonsure haircut and if you feel his left shoulder you will find a large piece missing. It has been suggested that this was the result of a sword injury from a right-handed swordsman but on closer examination there is a round object inside this injury and of a different colour stone which could be a missile of some sort. The left leg also appears to be swollen and the left foot differs from the right.

Rohan informs us that that these effigies can bear the marks of injuries and ailments from life. Arundel Castle apparently has a figure of John Fitzalan with one leg missing after he was shot in the foot and had it amputated. 

The absence of the nose could be a result of syphilis or leprosy but it is also likely that damage was done the monument by a latter lord of the manor who also removed the name which could have been where the damage is to the plinth and also the removal of an orb like object which indicated a rank under the right hand. This was to indicate that the previous lord was no more and that times had moved on.

In the question time after the talk it was noted that the church was well funded by priests being paid to pray for the dead to ease them from purgatory to heaven, rather than hell. The church services were read out in Latin and the congregation were unable to understand this, so it is thought that these tombs were a source of learning about the body in death.      David Lanning.

The 20th meeting on 26th May 2011 at the Nog Inn

Yet another lively meeting!

We discussed our plans for the Cadaver Talk. There will be a room raffle, prizes please, proceeds to the Church. Tea, Coffee, and biscuits to be severed after the talk. I will put up the Malherbe display again as it relates to the era of cadaver tombs.

I asked for ideas for where we go next and metal detecting was discussed, and even asking Time Team to come was suggested!! I will ask the local detectors’ to see what they can come up with. The conversation moved on to the  Civil War and various sites though to have links with this time, Skinners Ash Farm was one. Clyst William Farm another.

Then Brenda told us all about her research into the school located in Thorne Cottage in the old village. The mistresses were the Murry sisters, and their pupils went on to be well known in various fields. Homeopathy being one. Look out for the full story in the Parish Magazine.  This was followed by a bit of social history and how it was though unnecessary to educate the working classes and women!

The old school in Feniton was also mentioned, This link tells you more:

http://www.feniton.devon.sch.uk/about/oldschool.html

Reading the second page of this mentions the Murrys and the school ask for more information!! Brenda you may want to help with this?

To access the “Times Newspaper” on line:

You need your Devon Library card and use this link:

http://infotrac.london.galegroup.com/itweb/dls_earl

Alan came back from a meeting in Honiton where the Saxon period after the Romans left was discussed, this may be something we could look at as regards Feniton.

Next meetings, Honiton Museum Tues. 7^th Jun 2011.

Nog Inn 8pm Thur. 23^rd June 2011 

"Arise Noble Weed"

Malherbe Talk 6^th May 2011

The Feniton History Group and Feniton Church hosted a talk on the Malherbe family. This family held the Manor of Feniton from 1146 until 1555. At one time the village was known as Finneton Malherbe.

Our speaker was Professor Gordon Reeves, who after retirement from a career in medicine, took up researching the Malherbes as a hobby.

The illustrated talk entitled  “Arise Noble Weed”   explained the families origins in France, the place names found in France and Britain which had taken the family name, the researching of very old Latin documents to find the details of the early family in Devon, not helped by three generations of William Malherbes each marrying a wife by the name of Joan!

The description of the family was followed by a compilation of the various coats of arms used by the bearers of the name. Feniton and Payhembury Churches both have  pillars on which have the coat of arms of nettles are carved.

Professor Reeves went on to tell us about the other uses of the name, Malherbes being “bad weeds” like the nettle and leadwort and club moss. Some malherbes were used as dyes like Mallow, Woad and Weld. Also he mentioned the word “malady”.  Today the name is used by a vine yard, there are poets, artists and a haulage company!

Professor Reeves, accompanied by his wife was thanked by David Lanning who presented a Honiton Lace paperweight to the couple.

It was a very interesting evening and to have a talk on a medieval family in a medieval church was perfect. The re-ordering of Feniton Church has provided the community with a versatile venue.   Thank you to all who helped make the evening such a success, the sum of £146 was raised for Feniton Church.

The 19th meeting on 21st Apr 2011 at the Nog Inn

Another lively meeting!

We discussed our plans for the Malherbe Talk. Brenda and Chris to man the table at the door. David will be the MC. There will be a room raffle, prizes please, Bill has donated a beautiful wooden platter, many thanks Bill, proceeds to the Church.Tea, Coffee, juice and biscuits to be severed after the talk.

I will be in the Church 10:00 am on Tues. 3^rd May to set up a display, on a medieval theme!! I will try a get some early maps, the Malherbe family tree, the Rectors list, heraldry, and anything you might like to bring along! Difficult period to illustrate.

I became rather excited about early brick making in the village, and from the notes in the Yates files it can be assumed that Sit George Cary was having them made at Colesworthy. I need to do a bit more work on this before I write it up. Alan mentioned the same prefix to Colestock House as Colesworthy, so will explore this.

This was followed by a discussion on various holes to be found the area where brick clay could have been dug. Brian told us about the aggregate from Rockbeare which is thought to be of the finest quality for bridge building. Brian and Maggie also mentioned a “Dark Hole” in a field off Rutts Lane, Alan knows this as the “Old Cattle Yard”.

Very pleased to report that the “Union Chapel” sign is now in the care of the Group. Brian has very kindly offered to look at it with a view to prevent it rotting any further. Thank you Brian.

Alan gave us another wonderful set of dialect saying, he had us all laughing. The best one being the wartime submarine travelling up the River Tale to Luppitt  Harbour.  Thank you Alan. Also cream teas, what goes on the scone first, the jam or the cream?? We also recalled the shops in the village as we will be losing the post office in June when Denise retires. There are plans in mind that it could be in the church.

Maggie mentioned oral history to record the old dialects. This link to the BBC site is an example of this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/voices2005/index.shtml

Dates of next meetings:

Honiton Museum Tues.26^th April 2011 at 10:00 

The Nog Inn Thurs. 26^th May 2011 at 8 pm

Clapper Close

This is the name of a field on the old part of the village. The Group had a question as to the derivation of the name. It is given as a medieval word in the OED.

It is a name used for the old stone slab bridges found on the moors in the South West. Did one take the road over the nearby Vine Stream? It is thought there was a sheep wash near the field at one time.

A tool used for bird scaring, similar to the “rattles” used at sports matches.

There is the Home Farm on the Escot Estate known as Clapperentale, the “Tale” part is the name of the river that runs through the farm and the estate. Did a “clapper bridge” exist near the farm?

Claper also is the term for a rabbit warren. Clapper of cronies, a heap of stones. Clapper Board House. Run like the clappers. Clapper in a bell, the church is nearby.

A lady called Miss Fry who ran the shop down Sandy Knapp.  She used to say that Clapper Close was not really Clapper Close but "a clap of crows".  It would make sense as there are always a lot of crows around.

Love to hear any other ideas.

St Andrew's rededication 4th, 5th 6th March 2011

The church interior was destroyed by a freak flood caused by hailstones blocking drains, it affected a lot of the East Devon area on the night of 31st October 2008.

Thursday.

The team gave the church a good clean through, I had the lovely task of polishing the medieval pews. Then the servery was laid up ready to serve the drinks and biscuits for the 220 school children. Then Brenda, Alan and I put up the History display, the boards were a nightmare, the panels did not all come from the same set!!! Phillip came over and gave us a hand, bless him.

Friday.

The older children came down about 11am and worked in groups around the church, with various worksheets on the stained glass windows, the graves, the images in the carvings, and then after lunch the rest of the school came down and they had a story time all about the church cat and the church mouse. Then the parents arrived for what would have been the school assembly. The children did readings all based on the word “heart”, using the spelling.  The school music club sang so beautifully.

The next service was the funereal of Mrs. Nora Chipperfield, aged 96 and her  burial in the churchyard.

Saturday.

The team came in and put the portable pews back in and re laid the servery ready for tea, The village gathered at the Nog Inn for the Big Parade about 1:30 pm. Some 200 or more, not that many dressed up, but we all followed the piper through the housing estate, banners from various groups and clubs held aloft, down to the church, the parade garnered another 100 or so as folk joined from the streets and houses we passed. We all crowed in to the church, where Rev Cate gave a welcome speech and blessing, Val Stringer spoke to launch the “Friends of St. Andrews” charity and we spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and serving tea and cakes.

Sunday.

The church was cleaned through and made ready for the Rededication service with Bishop Bob, Bishop of Crediton. He is a lovely man and wondered all around the church greeting folk and talking to all  during his address, all very relaxed with laughter and applause, good rousing traditional hymns. The choir struggled with the hymn tune “Feniton Court”, they did not ask the congregation to sing and I can see why it is not popular, very tricky!!!! It does not flow.  The churchwardens were thanked for all the hard work, as was Rev. Cate, all very emotional. Then we set to and served the finger buffet.

The pews were then all turned to face the font ready for the christening of young Isaac, his family waited until the church re opened to get it done he is a school boy now and did a reading at his own christening, I did not stay for that, but took the chance to go home and walk the dogs.

Then it was back gain for Evensong, boy this was different, very different, all very relaxed and you’ve guessed it, clappy happy, dancing, shouting out prayers as and when, voicing random praises, singing very repetitive verses. At times felt very uncomfortable with it!!!! But did enjoying the singing, as I can’t sing, but no one could hear that!!! And……… there was my son playing the Saxophone. He has not played that since he left school!!! But he had been practising and made a good fist of it. He did not want a mic on it, so that if he did get it wrong it would not be heard, but those sat near the band said they loved hearing it. So very chuffed with that.   Then we served all the food left over from the lunch. I don’t want to eat any more cake for a while.

A wonderful weekend was had by all. I just hope the village will come back and help keep the church in the main stream of village life.