ODDINGLEY
Oddungahlea, Odduncalea, Odduncgalea (x cent.);
Oddunclei (xi cent.); Oddinglegh, Oddingesle,
Oddingle (xiii cent.); Oddingleye (xiv cent.).
Oddingley is pleasantly situated about 3½ miles to
the south-east of Droitwich on the slopes of a valley
through which run the Worcester and Birmingham
Canal and the Bristol and Birmingham branch of the
Midland railway, which has a goods station at Dunhampstead, but no passenger station at Oddingley. A
road from Droitwich to Huddington passes through
the north of the parish, and another road connects
the village of Oddingley with Droitwich.
The village is in the centre of the parish, and
besides the church of St. James and Church Farm
contains brick and tile works on the canal. The
old rectory is about half a mile from the church to
the north-west. The present rectory and the school
are at some distance from the village to the north
on the Droitwich road.
The village itself stands at a height of about 185 ft.
above the ordnance datum, and the land rises slightly
in the north, the rectory at the extreme north being
203 ft. above the ordnance datum.
The church lies a little to the south of the by-road
along which the main part of the village is built, and is
surrounded by a small churchyard. Immediately
to the south-east of the church is a farm-house of
brick and half-timber, which appears to date from
about 1600. It is of two stories with attics, and
latterly has been divided up into three cottages.
In the meadow adjoining is a fine dovecote of half-timber work, rectangular in plan, with a pyramidal
tiled roof, surmounted by a flèche affording entrance
to the birds. The timbering is of simple uprights
and cross-beams, with occasional straight struts, and
the filling appears to have been originally wattle and
daub, though this has been replaced in many places
by brick. The structure is probably contemporary
with the adjacent farm-house. The few cottages
which make up the main portion of the village are
situated a little to the north of the church. Here
are some good examples of half-timber work. A
small cottage standing a little way back on the west
side of the road has two remarkably fine late 15th-century moulded brick chimney stacks with circular shafts,
spirally fluted, and octagonal cappings with concave
sides. The plan is a simple oblong containing two
rooms on the ground floor with fireplaces at either
end of the building, a central staircase, and a small
out-house on the north. There is an attic story in
the roof. The ceilings are open-joisted. About
three-quarters of a mile south-east of the church, on
the opposite side of the railway and canal, is Netherwood Farm, a modernized 17th-century building of
red brick; in an adjoining barn was committed a
murder consequent on the 'Oddingley murder' in
1806. A man was tried for this in 1830 at the
Worcester assizes, but was acquitted. This barn has
been since demolished and a new one erected on its
foundations.
The vill of Oddingley is said to have been thrown
into the forest of Feckenham by Henry II, (fn. 1) but
was disafforested at the beginning of the reign of
Henry III. (fn. 2) A part of Trench Wood, which lies
chiefly in Huddington, is in Oddingley. Oddingley
Heath was inclosed before 1817, and until its inclosure the inhabitants of Oddingley, Tibberton,
Hindlip, Hadzor and Salwarpe enjoyed rights of
common there. (fn. 3) The parish contains 894 acres, of
which 357 are arable land, 423 permanent grass and
75 woodland. (fn. 4) The soil is loamy and the subsoil
Keuper Marl, producing crops of cereals and roots.
Place-names at Oddingley are: Stigeley, Greenway,
Deorleage, Longandic, Caltham Hill, Crohheama (fn. 5)
(ix cent.); Nufeld (fn. 6) (xv cent.); Horsham Valez,
Mortymers Coppice (fn. 7) (xvi cent.).
MANOR
The manor of ODDINGLEY was
apparently given to the see of Worcester
before 816, for at that date Coenwulf,
King of Mercia, granted to Bishop Deneberht and the
church of Worcester that Oddingley should be free of
all secular services except building of strongholds
and bridges and military service. (fn. 8) Cynewold, the
fifteenth Bishop of
Worcester (929–57),
is said to have given
this manor about 940
to the monks of
Worcester, (fn. 9) and in
963 Bishop Oswald,
with the permission
of the convent, of
Edgar, King of England, and of Alfhere,
ealdorman of Mercia, gave this estate
for three lives to
Cynethegn with reversion to the church
of Worcester. (fn. 10) A
more detailed account of this alienation is given in the
registers of the monastery. A certain
clerk of noble birth
called Cynethegn
came to Godwin, the venerable dean of the monastery, and asked for a cassata of land called Oddingley.
Godwin being unwilling to deny him, as he knew
him for a powerful man of great prudence, granted
it to him without delay, on condition that he should
pay 5s. a year for the land. This agreement Cynethegn kept as long as he lived, but on his death his
heirs usurped the land and would not do any service
for it. In this way the monks lost the land and
the service due for it. (fn. 11) The manor was, however,
included in the land of the church of Worcester at
the time of the Domesday Survey. It was held by
Ordric, and his predecessor Turchil had done service
for it to the bishop. (fn. 12)
Half-timber Dovecote, Oddingley
Oddingley: Old Farm-house near the Church
The tenure by which this manor was held seems
to have been doubtful. Towards the
end of the 12th century it was returned as belonging to the Bishop of
Worcester's great manor of Northwick
in Claines, but the tenant did no
service for it. (fn. 13) In 1330–1 it was
said to be held of the Abbot of Wigmore, (fn. 14) but in 1346 it was granted
to John de Beauchamp for the service
of serving the king with his cup whenever he should come to the manor. (fn. 15)
In 1360 and 1424–5 it was not known
of whom the manor was held, (fn. 16) while
in 1398–9 it was said to be held of the
king in chief by knight service. (fn. 17) In
1432–3 it was held of Richard Earl of
Warwick and others, as of their manor
of Bromsgrove, for a service unknown. (fn. 18)
Adam de Croome is the first under-tenant of the manor whose name is
known. He claimed a hide at Oddingley of the bishop's fee as the land of
his cousin. This apparently happened
in the time of Bishop Samson (1096–1112), (fn. 19) and Adam later gave the
estate to William Hacket, who was in
possession towards the end of the 12th
century. (fn. 20) In 1226–7 Alda widow of Thomas
Hacket claimed a third of a hide of land at Oddingley as dower from Ralph Hacket. It was agreed
between them that Alda should have half a knight's
fee in Coston and a rent of 1 mark yearly in Eckington in satisfaction of her dower. (fn. 21) In 1254–5 William
Cassy sued Philip Hacket for land in Oddingley, (fn. 22)
and in 1274–5 Philip Hacket brought a writ of novel
disseisin against Roger Mortimer for land in Oddingley. (fn. 23) The manor of Oddingley had, however,
been sold before this time, probably in the reign of
Henry III, (fn. 24) by Robert Hacket to Roger Mortimer,
but the charter recording this grant is undated. (fn. 25)
This Roger Mortimer was evidently Roger Mortimer
of Wigmore, and he gave the manor to his younger
son Roger Mortimer of Chirk, who in 1284 applied
to his brother Edmund for a confirmation of their
father's grant. (fn. 26) Margery widow of Gregory de
Caldwell sued Roger son of Roger Mortimer in
1274–5 for a third of the manor of Oddingley which
she claimed as dower. Roger said that she had no
right to this dower, as Gregory had been outlawed,
but Margery said that the manor had been taken away
from Gregory before his outlawry by Roger de Mortimer, sen. (fn. 27) Gregory possibly held a lease of the
manor under the Hackets.
His son Edmund claimed
two-thirds of the manor in
1279, stating, as his mother
had done, that Gregory had
been unjustly disseised of the
manor by Roger Mortimer
the elder. (fn. 28) It would seem
that Margery Caldwell secured
a third of the manor, for in
1284 she was sued for this
third by John Costentyn and
Margery his wife, as Margery's
right, and Margery Caldwell
called Roger Mortimer to uphold her right. (fn. 29) Roger Mortimer had probably recovered
possession of the manor in 1300, for he presented to
the church in that year, (fn. 30) and granted the manor for
life to Adam de Harvington in 1304–5. (fn. 31) Roger
Mortimer of Chirk forfeited all his possessions in 1322
for taking up arms against the Despensers. (fn. 32) He
died in prison in August 1326, (fn. 33) and, though he left
a son Roger, his nephew Roger Mortimer of Wigmore
was declared his heir, and presented to the church
of Oddingley in December 1326, (fn. 34) the king having
presented in October of that year by reason of the
lands of Roger Mortimer of Wigmore (fn. 35) being in his
hands. (fn. 36) Roger Mortimer of Wigmore was restored
on the accession of Edward III and was created Earl
of March in 1328, (fn. 37) but he was convicted of treason
and hanged in 1330. (fn. 38) The manor of Oddingley
was enumerated among his possessions at that time, (fn. 39)
but was probably still held by Adam de Harvington.
On the death of Adam the manor reverted to the
Crown on account of Roger's forfeiture, and was
granted for life by Edward III in 1344–5 to Thomas
de Hawkeston for his good services, at a rent of
£6 6s. (fn. 40) This rent was remitted in 1345. (fn. 41) In
1346 the reversion after the death of Thomas was
granted to John de Beauchamp. (fn. 42) John died in
December 1360, (fn. 43) and the reversion of the manor
had evidently been granted to Roger Mortimer,
grandson of Roger the first Earl of March, when he
was created Earl of March, and his grandfather's
attainder reversed in 1354, (fn. 44) for he had confirmed
the king's grant to John de Beauchamp, and died
seised of the manor in February 1360. (fn. 45) His son
and successor Edmund died in 1381, leaving a son
Roger, aged seven, (fn. 46) and the manor passed into the
king's custody. (fn. 47) Roger, then Earl of March, died
seised of the manor in 1398, (fn. 48) and it was assigned as
dower to his widow Eleanor, who married as her
second husband Edward Charleton Lord Powys. (fn. 49)
Edward and Eleanor granted an annuity of 100s.
from the manor to Alice Bremle for her good service
to Eleanor, and this grant was confirmed to her by
the king in 1405, (fn. 50) probably on account of the manor
coming into his hands by the death of Eleanor Lady
Powys in that year, her son Edmond being still a
minor. (fn. 51) Edmond died without issue in 1425, his
heirs being his sisters Joan wife of Sir John Grey
and Joyce wife of Sir John Tiptoft and his nephew
Richard Duke of York. (fn. 52) This manor was assigned
to Richard Duke of York, but Anne widow of Edmond
Earl of March held a third of it as dower until her
death in 1432–3. (fn. 53) Richard Duke of York died in
1460, (fn. 54) and his son Edward was proclaimed King of
England in March 1460–1. In June 1461 he, as
Edward IV, granted the manor of Oddingley to his
mother Cicely Duchess of York, (fn. 55) and this grant was
confirmed by Richard III in 1484. (fn. 56) The manor
was probably held by Elizabeth, queen consort of
Henry VII, as she presented to the church in 1499. (fn. 57)
Henry VIII granted the manor in 1509 to Katherine
of Aragon, (fn. 58) and it evidently also formed part of the
jointure of Jane Seymour. (fn. 59) In January 1540 it was
granted for life to Anne of Cleves on her marriage
with the king, (fn. 60) and in 1541 to Katherine Howard. (fn. 61)
In 1544 it was granted to Katherine Parr. (fn. 62)
Mortimer. Barry or and azure a chief or with two pales between two gyrons azure therein and a scutcheon argent over all.
Edward VI granted the manor in 1549 to John
Earl of Warwick, (fn. 63) and confirmed it to him in 1552
and 1553, (fn. 64) having created him Duke of North-umberland in 1551. He was attainted and beheaded
in 1553 for taking the part of Lady Jane Grey, (fn. 65) but
this manor seems to have remained in the possession
of his widow Joan, for in 1553–4 Queen Mary granted
to her other manors in exchange for the manors of
Yardley and Oddingley, (fn. 66) the latter of which the
queen granted in 1554 to her secretary Sir John
Bourne. (fn. 67) He died in 1575, (fn. 68) and his widow
Dorothy and her son Anthony sold the manor in
1575–6 to George Winter. (fn. 69) It then followed the
same descent as the manor of Huddington (fn. 70) until
the death of Sir George Winter in 1658.
By his will dated 1657 Sir George had charged the
manor of Oddingley with his debts and legacies, (fn. 71)
and it evidently passed with Huddington to his aunt
Helen Winter, for it was sold
by her to Thomas Foley, (fn. 72)
who was in possession in
1661. (fn. 73) The manor followed
the same descent as that of
Great Witley (q.v.) from this
time until 1806 or later. (fn. 74) It
was purchased about 1837 by
John Howard Galton of Hadzor. (fn. 75) He died in 1867, and
the manor was held until her
death in 1877 by his widow. (fn. 76)
It then passed to her son
Theodore Howard, who was
succeeded in 1881 by his son
Major Hubert George Howard
Galton, R.A., of Hadzor
House, the present owner of
the manor. (fn. 77)
Some 16th-century Court
Rolls of the manor are preserved at the Public Record
Office. (fn. 78)
CHURCH
The church
of ST. JAMES
consists of a
chancel 17½ ft. by 12½ ft., nave 37¼ ft by 14½ ft.,
north transept 9½ ft. deep by 11½ ft. wide, south
transept 11 ft. wide by 12 ft. deep, and a western
tower 8½ ft. by 9 ft. These measurements are all
internal.
No part of the fabric is earlier than the 15th
century, when the existing building, with the exception of the tower, was erected. The nave, judging
from the position of the doorways, was originally
longer, and was shortened when the tower was added,
probably in the 17th century. Although the church
retains its original windows, they have been much
restored and their stones recut, doubtless when the
chancel was rebuilt in 1861.
The east window of the chancel is wholly modern
and is of three lights under a four-centred traceried
head. The two 15th-century windows in the south
wall have been reset; each is of two lights under
a square head. Between them is a reset 15th-century
doorway with a four-centred arch. The window in
the north wall is similar to the south-west window
opposite. There is no chancel arch, but the wall
returns on both sides to the walls of the wider nave.
The north transept is entered by a plastered archway and has an east window of two lights similar to
those of the chancel and apparently old. The north
window is of three lights with cusped cross-tracery
and a two-centred arch; much of its stonework
appears to be original. The west window is probably
a later insertion, and is of two lights with unpierced
spandrels. Across the opening to the south transept
is a 15th-century moulded timber archway or screen,
the western post being placed against the west jamb
of the opening, while the eastern stands free and gives
access to the pulpit. This arrangement appears to
be original, the narrow opening being evidently left
for the passage of a rood-loft stair. The east and west
windows of the south transept, both original, are of
two lights and resemble those in the chancel. The
south window has three lights with pierced spandrels
within a two-centred head. The lower part of the
lights is filled in with modern stonework.
Oddingley Church from the North-east
The two-light north window of the nave, which
is apparently old, conforms to the general type.
The south window is square-headed with three lights.
The north and south doorways (of which the former
is filled in) have each a single chamfered order and a
four-centred arch and appear to be original. The
timber porch to the south doorway is modern. To the
east of the doorway is a round-headed niche partly
repaired, but the stoup which occupied it is now
gone. To the west of these doorways are low buttresses flush with and not bonded to the nave walls.
The tower, of rough rubble without quoins, is three
stages high with square string-courses to mark the
divisions. The plastered archway towards the nave
has a pointed head and the partly restored west
window is of three lights with tracery above. It
was probably the original west window of the nave
removed and reset when the tower was added. The
second stage is lighted by plain rectangular lights to
the north and south and the bell-chamber or third
stage by a pair of round-headed windows in each wall.
The roof is of pyramidal form, tiled, and with plain
eaves. The rest of the church is rubble faced with
quoins. The chancel walling is all modern, and the
upper part of the transept has also been rebuilt. The
gabled roofs are plastered internally with ornamental
trusses at intervals. The font is octagonal and is
apparently original work recut. The moulded lower
edge to the bowl is carved with roses and fetterlocks
alternately. Some of the oak seats are made up with
17th-century re-used woodwork. There are two old
plain chests in the church made from solid tree
trunks, and in the nave is a wrought-iron hour-glass
stand. The other furniture is modern.
In the east window of the chancel are some fragments of 15th-century glass, including complete
figures of St. Martin and St. Catherine. Above the
latter in the north light is a shield of the king's arms
impaling Nevill, and below are the half-length
figures of a man and wife praying and the inscription
'Orate pro animabus Johannis Yarnold et Johanne
uxoris eius'; below these again is another figure in
a blue habit and scapular kneeling before a prayer
desk. Below St. Martin in the middle light is part
of the figure of an archbishop. In the south
light is the fragmentary figure of a female saint
holding a cross staff over her with the arms of
Mortimer. Below are inscribed the words 'Dñs
Joh[ann]es Haryes' and under this are the kneeling figures
of a man and his wife without inscription. Below
these is a priest in sub-deacon's vestments. Among
the other fragments are a small head of Christ with
the crown of thorns and part of an inscription
referring to a rector. In the north window of the
chancel is an Assumption of our Lady, with a Majesty
to the east. There are also bits of old glass in the
spandrels of all the chancel window heads.
There are three bells: the treble is inscribed
'Prayse and glory be to God for ever I.P. 1661,' and
on the waist is the mark of the founder, John Martin
of Worcester. On the second bell is a cross with the
letters H K, a lion passant, G O, H O, and another lion
passant. The tenor is dated 1713 and was cast by
Richard Saunders of Bromsgrove.
The plate (fn. 79) includes a plain cup of peculiar pattern,
gilt inside, with the hall mark of 1802; also a salver
paten standing on three feet with an embossed ring
6 in. in diameter, inscribed on the reverse 'Hadzor
1816,' and having the hall mark of 1754. There
is in addition a curious pewter flagon with a pearshaped body, made of two pieces joined together, also
a pewter plate.
The registers (fn. 80) before 1812 are as follows: (i) all
entries 1661 to 1745; (ii) baptisms 1745 to 1812,
burials 1748 to 1812, marriages 1748 to 1754;
(iii) marriages 1756 to 1812.
ADVOWSON
The descent of the advowson of
the church of Oddingley is substantially the same as that of the manor. (fn. 81)
It was apparently excepted from the grants of the
manor to Adam de Harvington, Thomas de Hawkeston
and John de Beauchamp. Elizabeth consort of
Henry VII presented to the church in 1499 (fn. 82) and
Queen Katherine in 1523, (fn. 83) but it was not included
in the grants of the manor to the other consorts of
Henry VIII. The advowson of the church was
granted with the manor to Sir John Bourne in 1554 (fn. 84)
and has since descended with the manor. The living
is a rectory, united in 1864 to Hadzor. (fn. 85)
CHARITIES
In 1631 Henry Button, as stated on
the church table, by his will gave
2s. 6d. per annum out of certain
land in the parish for the poor on Good Friday for
ever, to be distributed by the churchwardens and
overseers.
The same table also stated that Margaret Parker in
1657, by her will, gave to the poor 10s. per annum
issuing out of land known as Aves Hills, to be distributed to the poor on Christmas Day and Whit
Sunday. Upon non-payment thereof a power of
distress was given to the churchwardens and overseers.
It is understood that the annuity is paid by the
proprietor of the farm charged.