LONGDON
Longandune, Langandune (xi cent.); Longedun,
Langedune (xii cent.); Langdon (xiii cent.).
Longdon has an area of 3,941 acres, of which
about three-fourths is pasture. (fn. 1) 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. (fn. 2) The marsh was inclosed in
1872, (fn. 3) 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, (fn. 4) perhaps the bridge of Longdon
near the marshes (fn. 5) mentioned in 1241, (fn. 6) 1329–30 (fn. 7) and
again in 1554. (fn. 8) 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. The roofs are covered with red tiles
and the chimneys are of brick, but the principal
elevations are almost entirely of timber and plaster on
a low stone base, the front elevation being well
broken up by the large ivy-covered hall chimney,
flanked on one side by a smaller timber gable and on
the other by a two-storied porch with hipped roof (fn. 9)
in the angle formed by the eastern wing and flush
with it. The smaller gable stands in front both of
the chimney and the west wing, the whole producing
a very diversified and pleasing effect, though no
curved timbers are introduced. The house was put
into habitable repair and received some additions (fn. 10)
about 1870, and has again recently been restored,
but externally it has undergone little structural change
since the time of its erection and is an exceedingly
good example of the domestic work of the early
Tudor period. In the east wing, with which the
porch is incorporated as an architectural whole, the
first floor and gable both slightly overhang, and the
barge-boards are elaborately carved with a natural
vine-leaf pattern. Below the barge-boards are carved
pendants, between which and the first floor oriel
window are thrown arched struts flush with the sill
of the gable above. (fn. 11) 'The spandrels of these arches
are filled with Tudor roses and oak leaves, those on
the sides of the window near its base are also filled
with the same ornaments and one of them with the
figures of a man and a dragon, the latter engaged in
trying to swallow the former. The lower gable has
modern barge-boards, but the rest of it is old and
the spandrels of its brackets are filled with exquisitely
carved leaves and varieties of Tudor roses.' (fn. 12) The
porch has a four-centred outer and inner doorway,
the spandrels of which are all elaborately carved, (fn. 13)
and the brackets supporting the moulded sill-piece of
the east wing are also richly ornamented. The
whole of the detail is very good, the ornament being
well concentrated and set off by the simple vertical
lines of the oak framing. The west wing is entirely
covered with ivy at its north end, but the timber
framing with its vertical lines and unbroken sill-piece
is continued along the side elevation, terminating in
a projecting gable, and broken by a good chimney
with diaper work in the upper part and detached
shafts united at the top. Internally the house has
undergone a good deal of change and a corner of the
hall has been partitioned off and added to the parlour
under the smaller gable. (fn. 14) The screen and passage
remain at the east end of the hall, but the screen
has been spoiled with match-boarding and carried up
to the roof with plaster filling. (fn. 15) Two original doorways from the screen to the kitchen and offices in
the west wing remain, but the doorway at the south
end of the passage has been blocked up. The ceiling
of the hall is crossed by massive moulded beams, and
the fireplace is on the north side, the windows facing
south on to the quadrangle. No interesting detail,
however, is to be found inside the house. Externally
the picturesque appearance of the building seen from
the north is further emphasized by the detached outbuildings which stand on either side and form a kind
of forecourt. They are of brick and timber, with
red tiled roofs and may be later in date than the
house itself. A circular stone pigeon-house with red
tiled roof stands to the north-east of the house.
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. (fn. 16) Many of the
women were formerly employed as glove sewers. (fn. 17)
In the 17th century the people of Longdon held
May games and sports on summer Sundays. (fn. 18) 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. (fn. 19)
The following place-names occur: Wildresmareys, (fn. 20)
Gilberdeshimming, (fn. 21) Baxteres Ruding, (fn. 22) Tranerestret, Bukebaristret, (fn. 23) Akeberg (Aggberrow), (fn. 24) La
Hurste, La Stonyendinge, La Ruhehelde, Calfrecrofte,
Lunelesruding, Est Feldeshale (fn. 25) (xiii cent.); Gippeplace, Horsull, (fn. 26) Le Pulle, Hokheye, (fn. 27) Longdonsbrigg (fn. 28) (xiv cent.); Bastrudyng, Asshefeld, Le
Merche (fn. 29) (xv cent.); Ibbylcroft, Pollebroke (fn. 30) (xvi
cent.); Marshfurlong (fn. 31) (xvii cent.); The Lynch,
Pyecroft, (fn. 32) Brookefield, Monmedow (fn. 33) (xviii cent.).
MANORS
Thirty manses in LONGDON were
confirmed to the abbey of Pershore by a
charter said to have been given by King
Edgar in 972. (fn. 34) 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. (fn. 35) 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, (fn. 36)
having probably been given with Pershore to the
abbey by Edward (fn. 37) ; it was a large estate of 30 hides,
11 of which were held in demesne. (fn. 38) Eighteen
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. (fn. 39)
Folliott. Argent a lion purpure crowned or with a forked tail.
At a very early date, probably before 1166, (fn. 40) the
Abbot of Westminster granted the manor of Longdon
at fee farm (fn. 41) to the Folliotts, William Folliott in
1166 holding a knight's fee in Worcestershire and
Gloucestershire under the abbot. (fn. 42) 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.' (fn. 43)
In 1175–6 William Folliott
of Worcestershire paid 10
marks surety money to the
Treasury. (fn. 44) He was the son
of Sir Richard Folliott of
Bickmarsh in Warwickshire (fn. 45)
and married first Audrey
daughter of Peter de Saltmarsh, and secondly Cecily
widow of William de Staunton. (fn. 46) He was alive in 1189–
90. (fn. 47) His heir Reynold Folliott (fn. 48) died before 1208,
in which year Robert Folliott gave 50 marks and a
palfrey for the lands of his brother Reynold. (fn. 49) Robert
married Emma daughter of William and Cecily de
Staunton, (fn. 50) and confirmed to her (fn. 51) a grant made by
his father of all his new assarts in Longdon. (fn. 52) 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. (fn. 53) Reynold Folliott
was parson of the church of Longdon, (fn. 54) and died
without issue, when this inheritance passed to his
four aunts, Agnes, Avice, Amphyllis and Akyna, sisters
of Robert Folliott. (fn. 55) Agnes may have predeceased
Reynold, as her grandson Philip, son of William de
Colevill, dealt with her share. (fn. 56) 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. (fn. 57) In the same
year Philip and Avice granted their two shares to the
Abbot of Westminster, the chief messuage being in
the gift of Philip. (fn. 58) In 1238–9 Philip's grant was
confirmed by Philip de Colevill, possibly his son. (fn. 59)
Another account states that Edward I granted Longdon Manor to Westminster Abbey for endowing the
anniversary of Eleanor the late queen. (fn. 60) Amphyllis
married William de Saltmarsh, (fn. 61) and the fourth sister
Akyna married into the Muchgros family. (fn. 62) In 1241
Richard de Muchgros and William de Saltmarsh,
husband (fn. 63) or son (fn. 64) 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. (fn. 65)
In 1291 the Abbot of Westminster was seised of
4 carucates of land in Longdon and its members. (fn. 66)
His successors continued to hold half the manor (fn. 67) till
the Dissolution, when their holding in Longdon was
valued at £19 9s. 3d. (fn. 68) It was given by Henry VIII
in 1542 to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. (fn. 69)
In 1556 Queen Mary granted it to the restored
monastery. (fn. 70) It was regranted to the dean and
chapter in 1560, (fn. 71) and their successors are lords of
the manor at the present time. (fn. 72)
The Saltmarsh share of the manor was held by
Peter son of William de Saltmarsh (fn. 73) on his death
shortly before 1316. (fn. 74) His son John (fn. 75) left a daughter
and heir Joan. (fn. 76) She married Henry Grendour, and
after her death in 1395 (fn. 77) the Grendour lands in
Longdon appear to have been sold to the Abbot of
Westminster in 1397. (fn. 78) 'The manor of Longdon
Grendour' had certainly passed to the abbey by
1463–4 (fn. 79) 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, (fn. 80) left
two sons John and Nicholas, who in 1277–8 dealt
with lands in Longdon. (fn. 81) They both held land in
Longdon in 1276. (fn. 82) 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. (fn. 83) James was alive in 1327 (fn. 84) and in 1339
had been succeeded by his son John. (fn. 85) There is no
further mention of the Muchgros family in connexion with this parish, but in 1476–7 the manor of
Muchgros in Longdon was conveyed with Hill Court
(see below) to Sir Richard Croft. (fn. 86) In the 16th
century Muchgros was in the hands of the Toney
family, (fn. 87) Robert Toney in 1555 granting the manor
of 'Mouchegreues' in Longdon to his son Henry. (fn. 88)
Robert died in 1556–7, (fn. 89) and in 1577 Muchgros
Manor was conveyed by Henry Toney and Agnes his
wife to John Bridges and Thomas Wrenford. (fn. 90) It
was held about the middle of the 17th century by
William Parsons, (fn. 91) said to be a Muchgros descendant. (fn. 92) 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.' (fn. 93) In 1757 Edward Bartlett held
'Parson's' in Longdon Hill End. (fn. 94)
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, (fn. 95) and in 1321 William son of William
Wrenford was released from doing suit at the court
of Longdon. (fn. 96) William Wrenford occurs in 1375–6
and in 1402 (fn. 97) and Edmund Wrenford was bailiff there
in 1496–7. (fn. 98) In 1550 John Wrenford settled the
manor of WRENFORD on his son William, (fn. 99) who
was bailiff of the abbey in 1558–62, (fn. 100) and died in
1570 seised of a messuage in Longdon. He left a
son and heir Thomas, (fn. 101) against whom in 1572 Joyce
widow of William Wrenford and wife of John Nott
presented a claim. (fn. 102) In 1576 Thomas held the
manors of Wrenford, (fn. 103) and in 1606–7 Thomas Wrenford and Dorothy his wife, with others, conveyed the
manors of Farend (fn. 104) and Wrenford Place to Richard
Bartlett. (fn. 105) John Wrenford of Longdon is mentioned
in 1599, 1602 and 1625, (fn. 106) and in 1630–2 he was
fined for not taking knighthood. (fn. 107) A Thomas Wrenford seems to have been living here in the 18th
century. (fn. 108) A tombstone in the church records the
death in 1714 of Nicholas Wrenford, at the age of
seventy-six. (fn. 109) 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
1606–7.
Croft. Quarterly fessewise indented azure and argent with a leopard or in the quarter.
In 1339 Robert de Longdon had licence for an
oratory in his manor of 'Hulle' or Longdon, (fn. 110) afterwards HILL COURT. In 1451 John son of Robert
de Longdon gave to Sir Thomas Winslow and his
wife Agnes (possibly Agnes de Muchgros) (fn. 111) the
manor of Hill Court in the vill of Longdon. (fn. 112) Sir
Thomas Winslow left three
daughters Agnes, Elizabeth
and Jane, and the manor
seems to have passed to Elizabeth, who married a Seymour, (fn. 113)
for in 1476–7 Ralph Seymour
and Isabel his wife sold Hill
Court to Sir Richard Croft. (fn. 114)
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. (fn. 115) The Crofts
appear to have kept their interest, (fn. 116) for in 1560 Richard Croft and his son Thomas
conveyed the manor to John Harley and Robert
Mason. (fn. 117) The manor of Hill Court was held in
1561 by Sir James Croft, who with Thomas Croft
conveyed it in 1562 to John Wetherston. (fn. 118) This
was confirmed in 1582 by Sir James's son Edward. (fn. 119)
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. (fn. 120) In 1612
Richard Nanfan and Alice and John Messenger and
Mary his wife sold their moiety to Nicholas and Isabel
Phelps, (fn. 121) who conveyed the whole in 1617 to Henry
Smyth, clerk. (fn. 122) It was apparently sold by Edward Dineley to John Coulding in 1638. (fn. 123) 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. (fn. 124) In the same year Richard Dowdeswell
gave his estate in this manor to his son William, (fn. 125) in
whose family it has since remained, (fn. 126) 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). (fn. 127) All this land Adam granted to his
brother Michael. (fn. 128) About 1219–21 Robert Folliott
granted to his wife Emma de Longdon (or Staunton)
his lands of Buckberry and Okhaye. (fn. 129) She gave to
the priory of Little Malvern all her lands in the
vill of Longdon. (fn. 130) Thus the priory came to hold
the manor of Buckberry, which in 1291 consisted
of 2 carucates of land and a mill. (fn. 131) 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 (fn. 132) of Castlemorton.
He settled it in 1555 on his nephew Richard, (fn. 133) who
died in 1581, (fn. 134) and in 1598 his son Henry Bartlett (fn. 135)
and others conveyed the manor of Buckberry to
Thomas Wrenford, (fn. 136) who in turn conveyed it to
Richard Bartlett in 1607. (fn. 137) It had passed before
1653 to Thomas Lord Coventry, (fn. 138) and then followed
the descent of Croome D'Abitot until 1831 or
later, (fn. 139) when it was sold to Mr. Dowdeswell. (fn. 140)
CHAMBERS COURT
The so-called manor of CHAMBERS COURT
probably formed part of the estate held by Urse in
the manor of Longdon in 1086. (fn. 141) It was known as
Longdon Osmundi in the 12th century, and was then
held by William Beauchamp, Urse's descendant. (fn. 142)
It may perhaps be identified with the half fee held
in 1315 by Robert son of Edmund de Sudley of
Guy Earl of Warwick. (fn. 143) In another inquisition of
about the same date this name is given as Robert son
of Edmund de Solveys. (fn. 144) In 1321 Edmund son of
Edmund Solley (Solneye) was in possession of a
manor at Longdon, (fn. 145) and later Robert Solley (fn. 146) was
the Earl of Warwick's tenant at 'Longdon Walteri
Barwyn (or Bruin).' (fn. 147) 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, (fn. 148) and about 1401 Richard Payne held the
estate as successor to Robert Solley. (fn. 149) In 1428 this
estate was said to be held by the heir of Robert atte
Chamber. (fn. 150) 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. (fn. 151) In
1601 it was conveyed by James and Mary Gilbert
to Thomas and Robert Tuston, (fn. 152) but James Gilbert
held land at Chambers Court in 1635. (fn. 153) Chambers
Court afterwards belonged to the family of Turberville, (fn. 154) 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. (fn. 155)
Another manor called Longdon, held in the 16th
century by the Wye family, (fn. 156) was sold in 1596 by
Elizabeth Wye to John Throckmorton. (fn. 157)
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. (fn. 158) In 1248–9 William
Eastington dealt with lands
here. (fn. 159) The Eastingtons continued here for many years.
William Eastington, the last
of the line, (fn. 160) was lord of the
manor late in the 15th century. His daughter and heir
Alice married William Brugge
or Bridges, who died in
1523. (fn. 161) Alice dealt with the
manor in 1527, (fn. 162) and left
it at her death in 1538–9 (fn. 163)
to her younger son Giles. (fn. 164)
His son John Bridges was
living at Eastington in 1601 (fn. 165) ;
he sold the manor in 1633 to John Nanfan and
Edward Reed. (fn. 166) 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. (fn. 167) Edward Sackville died without issue in 1646, and his elder brother Richard Earl
of Dorset sold this manor in 1661–4 to Nicholas
Lechmere of Hanley Castle. (fn. 168) It passed with Ryall
in Ripple (fn. 169) to Susan wife of John Glasse, widow of
Nicholas Lechmere, (fn. 170) who conveyed it in 1817 to
her son Edmund Lechmere Charlton. (fn. 171) Mr. Berkeley,
a tenant, bought this estate from the Lechmeres. (fn. 172)
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. (fn. 173)
In 1277–8 there were two mills on the estate
held by the Muchgros family in Longdon and Castlemorton. (fn. 174) There was a mill at Buckberry in 1291, (fn. 175)
and a mill in Longdon is mentioned in 1418. (fn. 176) A
corn-mill is now standing at Eastington.
CHURCH
The church of ST. MARY THE
VIRGIN consists of an apsidal chancel
22 ft. by 18 ft. with vestry on the north
side, nave 56 ft. 6 in. by 21 ft. 9 in., south porch, and
west tower and spire 14 ft. 9 in. square, all these
measurements being internal.
The tower is surmounted by a short octagonal
stone spire, and is of late 14th-century date, but
with this exception the whole of the church was
rebuilt in brick about 1786, the south side being
stuccoed, and a small low semicircular projection at
the east end serving as chancel and sanctuary. (fn. 177) The
church remained unaltered down to about 1868,
when, on the appointment of a new vicar, plans
were prepared for rebuilding the nave and chancel,
but were abandoned on account of expense. The
18th-century nave was, therefore, retained and a
new chancel and vestry added. A certain amount
of restoration was at the same time effected, the
tower arch being opened out, the west entrance done
away with, and a new south doorway and porch
erected. A proposal to case the nave walls with
stone has not been carried out. (fn. 178)
The chancel is in the style of the 12th century and
is lighted by six round-headed windows. The nave
is divided into three bays, the middle one projecting
externally 9 in. on both north and south. The
pulpit originally stood against the north wall in the
middle bay, and opposite, in the south wall, is a large
window of 'Venetian' type; the other windows are
plain round-headed openings. Internally the middle
bay is emphasized by engaged Ionic columns supporting a cornice which goes all round the nave. There
is a flat plaster ceiling with a small circular dome in
the middle in the roof space.
The tower is of two principal stages exterually
divided by a double string inclosing a band of plain
masonry. It has a moulded plinth and diagonal
buttresses of two stages on the west side. The spire,
which has ribbed angles and trefoiled spire light
near its base on all eight sides, rises from a plain parapet
with four octagonal angle turrets, each terminating
in a miniature embattled parapet and spirelet. The
belfry windows are tall, plain, narrow openings of
two lights with transoms at mid-height and forked
mullions. There is a clock dial on the south side.
The north and south sides are blank in the lower
stage except for a small square-headed opening high
up in the wall. The west window is of two lights
with forked mullion and double-chamfered jambs.
The masonry below is new, but the doorway removed in 1868 may have been an insertion of a
comparatively late date. There is a projecting vice
in the north-east angle. The tower arch is of three
chamfered orders dying into the wall and is 8 ft. in
width.
The font consists of a modern bowl, standing on a
pedestal of 12th-century date, composed of four short
shafts with scalloped capitals and moulded bases. The
upper part of the Saxon font at Deerhurst was in
Longdon Church from 1845 to 1870. It was restored
to Deerhurst in the latter year, when the lower part
of the font was recovered. An 18th-century wooden
font has been transformed into a bookstand, (fn. 179) on
which are kept a copy of Jewell's works published
by John Norton in 1611 and a black-letter Bible.
Nash records in the north aisle of the old church
'a tombstone inlaid with brass whereon is engraved a
man armed except his head and praying; at his feet
a lion, by him his wife; under the man are eleven
sons, and under the woman five daughters.' (fn. 180) The
tomb, which was that of William Bridges and Alice
his wife, has disappeared, but the two brass figures
remain. They are attached to the east wall of the
nave north of the chancel arch and are each 3 ft. in
length. The brasses of the children are lost and
only one of the shields mentioned by Nash remains. (fn. 181)
Below is a fragment of an inscription in Gothic
characters: '. . . . Esquire of the mano . ...
xix day of Aprell yn the yere of ower lord God a
thousand five hundred xi . . . .' (fn. 182) Nash also notes
some coloured glass and the brass of a priest inscribed,
'Hic jacet dominus Henricus Grafton vicarius hujus
ecclesiae, cujus animae propitietur deus,' but these
have disappeared. (fn. 183)
The pulpit is of wood of 18th-century date and
has an inlaid star panel on one side. In the vestry
is a chest with three locks and the initials and date,
IB. HM. 1672.
There is a ring of six bells cast in 1835 by T. Mears.
There is also a 'little bell' cast by Abraham Rudhall
of Gloucester, 1712. (fn. 184) The clock dates from 1887.
The plate consists of a large cup and cover paten,
without hall marks, but inscribed, 'd.d. J. Pynnocke,
1627,' (fn. 185) and a cup, two patens, and a flagon of 1791
inscribed, 'The gifts of T. Parker, Silver Street,
Worcester.' There is also an old pewter flagon. (fn. 186)
The registers before 1812 are as follows: (i)
baptisms, burials and marriages 1538 to 1641; (ii)
1601 to 1656; (iii) baptisms and burials 1642 to
1737, marriages 1653 to 1736; (iv) baptisms and
burials 1737 to 1796, marriages 1737 to 1754; (v)
marriages 1754 to 1812; (vi) baptisms and burials
1796 to 1812.
ADVOWSON
A priest is mentioned in Longdon
in 1086. (fn. 187) The advowson of the
church belonged to the capital manor
of Longdon, being given in dower by Reynold
Folliott to his mother during the reign of Henry III. (fn. 188)
In 1250 the advowson was claimed by the Prior of
Little Malvern as the gift of Amphyllis, Avice and
Agnes Folliott and of Richard de Muchgros, but
judgement was given in favour of the Abbot of
Westminster, Richard de Muchgros and William de
Saltmarsh, then owners of the manor. (fn. 189) The advowson seems to have belonged to the abbot's moiety of
the manor, (fn. 190) and after that time until the Dissolution
the presentations were made by him and his successors. (fn. 191)
In 1330 the Bishop of Worcester had a papal
mandate to appropriate the church of Longdon to the
abbey of Westminster at the request of the king,
because the abbey had been greatly injured by a fire
which had broken out in the adjoining palace of
Westminster. (fn. 192) This the bishop refused to do until
the abbot released to him jurisdiction over the priory
of Great Malvern. (fn. 193) In 1333 the mandate was
renewed, (fn. 194) and the church was appropriated to the
abbey. (fn. 195) A vicarage was ordained in the same year, (fn. 196)
the abbot agreeing to pay an annual pension of 40s.
out of the church to the cathedral of Worcester. (fn. 197)
In 1541 the advowson was granted to Thomas
Bishop of Westminster, (fn. 198) but on the suppression of
that bishopric in 1550 (fn. 199) the advowson was given
to Nicholas Bishop of London (fn. 200) and confirmed to
Edward Bishop of London in 1554. (fn. 201) It had
passed to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster
before 1571 (fn. 202) and has remained with them until the
present day. (fn. 203)
The rectory had been granted with the manor to
the Dean and Chapter of Westminster in 1542 (fn. 204) and
was confirmed to them in 1604. (fn. 205) In 1650 the
Parliamentary Trustees sold Longdon rectory to
Matthew Batson and Thomas Jolland, (fn. 206) who sold
it in 1651 to Talbot Badger. (fn. 207) In 1767 it was
conveyed by Charles Dowdeswell to Hester Saunders. (fn. 208)
In 1553 John and William Dodington granted to
John Bartlett the tithes of grain, sheaves and hay in
Eastington End and Hill End in Longdon lately
belonging to Great Malvern Priory, (fn. 209) these tithes
having been granted to them in the same year. (fn. 210)
Richard son of John Bartlett in 1594 sold them to
Thomas Wrenford, who was farmer of the rectory
early in the 17th century. (fn. 211) In 1637 the rectory of
Longdon with all tithes was leased to — Coulding (fn. 212)
and in 1660 to Thomas Crofts. (fn. 213)
In the time of Robert Folliott regulations were laid
down for the services in the church of Longdon.
Two chaplains, one deacon and a sub-deacon were to
be always resident at the church, one of the chaplains
to be perpetual vicar. (fn. 214) Half a mark, which the
monks of Little Malvern were to pay to the mother
church of Longdon from the chapel of Eldersfield,
was to be used for seven tapers to burn at the mass
of the Blessed Virgin and at the mass of the Holy
Cross. (fn. 215) These regulations were revised in 1333.
One priest was to celebrate mass daily in the church
with a deacon and a sub-deacon, while provision was
made for two priests to serve the annexed chapels
of Castlemorton and Chaceley. The abbot and
convent were bound to provide books and ornaments,
to repair the chancel and provide a house for the
vicar. (fn. 216)
CHARITIES
In 1606 Henry Toney by his will
gave an annuity of 20s. out of his
land at Guller's End for the poor.
In 1626 John Pinnock by his will charged a
meadow called Hurste in Longdon with 20s. to be
distributed amongst the poor on St. Thomas's Day.
Giles Godwin, by will 1629–30, devised land in the
parishes of Berrow and Pendock containing 23 a. 3 r.
and 3 a. 2 r. in Longdon for the poor and school.
The property produces about £30 yearly. By an
order of the Charity Commissioners, 1905, a yearly
sum of £6 13s. 4d. was made applicable for the
benefit of the poor and the residue of the income for
educational purposes.
The charity of the Rev. Henry Smith consisted of
about 6 a. purchased in 1630 with £100 bequeathed
by donor's will for the poor, now let at £7 3s
yearly.
The income from the above charities (excluding
the Educational Foundation of Giles Godwin) is
distributed to about seventy recipients, usually in coal.
William Lyes—as stated on the church table—
gave £100 stock, now represented by £100 consols
with the official trustees; the annual dividends of
£2 10s. are applied in the payment of 15s. for a
sermon on Lady Day, 10s. for the care of the
founder's burial place, and the remainder, subject to
the repair of the founder's tomb and chandelier, for
the poor in bread.
The church land consists of a cottage and garden
and about 15 a. of land. The property is let at £34,
which is applicable for the repair of the church.