STEVENAGE
Stithenaece, Stigenace (xi cent.); Stitenache,
Styvenach, Stiveneth (xiii cent.); Stivenhatch,
Stevenach (xiv to xvi cent.).
The parish of Stevenage has an area of 4,545 acres,
of which 3,200½ acres are arable land, 916 acres
permanent grass and 325½ acres wood. (fn. 1)
The parish is for the most part a little over
300 ft. above the ordnance datum, a slight depression
in the south being the only part below this
level. In the north-east the ground rises to
470 ft., and reaches an altitude of just over 400 ft. in
two isolated points on the western border of the
parish. The Great North Road runs through the
centre of the parish. About three-quarters of a mile
south of Stevenage, lying beside the road, are six
tumuli, known as the Six Hills, which point to the
antiquity of this road. The Great North Road
forms the main street of the town. At the northern
end of the town it forks, one branch going slightly
westwards to Hitchin and the other northwards to
Graveley and Baldock. At the same point Julian's
Road turns west to Fisher's Green. The church of
the Holy Trinity is situated at the south end of the
High Street; a road running behind it in a northeasterly direction leads to the older church of
St. Nicholas and passes on to Chesfield Park, a branch
road from it turning east up Almond's Hill to the
hamlet of Pin Green. From the church of St. Nicholas
a road runs west into the Baldock Road, passing the
Bury, the Rectory and Woodfield, the residence of
Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Butler Fellowes, K.C.B.,
J.P.
Stevenage Bury adjoins the north side of the
churchyard. For a long time it was used as a farmhouse, but is now occupied as a private residence by
Mr. Algernon Gipps. It has undergone considerable
alterations at different times, and a porch and groundfloor extension has been added to the front. The old
part of the building is timber framed, covered with
plaster externally, the plasterwork still showing traces
of flush panels filled with curved basketwork pattern.
There are two short wings flanking the back and a
small projecting staircase between them. So far as
can be traced now, the old entrance faced the superstructure of the chimney, a small lobby being formed
as at other old early 17th-century houses in the
county, the hall, now the dining-room, being in the
centre of the building to the left of the entrance and
the drawing-room or parlour in the wing to the
right. The kitchen offices occupy the other wing.
There is a built-up window, with oak mullions, in a
room over the drawing room, but all the other
windows are modern. In a cellar under the kitchen
parts of the walls are of flint and parts of thin bricks.
Adjoining the house is a square timber-framed building of two stories, with a tiled pyramidal roof, which
may at one time have been a dove-house.
Part of Chesfield Park, the residence of Mr. Poyntz-Stewart, is included in the north of the parish. The
hamlet of Fisher's Green lies in the north-west, with
Symond's Green about three-quarters of a mile south.
Broomin Green is a short distance west of the
south end of the town, with Norton Green still
further south. Almost opposite Broomin Green,
on the other side of the Great North Road, is
Bedwell Plash. In the extreme east of the parish
is Chells, with Chells Green on the borders of
Walkern parish. The old manor-house is now used
as a farm-house and has been much restored,
but the fabric of the building dates from the
early 17th century. It is a timber-framed house
resting on brick foundations, and in plan resembles
the letter H. The principal front, which extends to
about 62 ft., faces the south-west and is flanked by
steep gables overhanging at the level of the first floor
and again at the eaves. The wings extend out at the
back of the house. The roof is tiled and the walls
are now plastered externally, and all the chimneys,
doors and windows are comparatively modern. The
entrance doorway on the south-west side now opens
into the drawing room, which has lately been extended,
but it formerly opened into the hall, which occupied
the whole of the central part of the building and
which had a large fireplace at the end. This fireplace has recently been transformed into an inglenook
and the old arch removed. The hall, now the
dining room, has been further reduced by forming a
passage-way at the back of the house. The old backdoorway to the courtyard still remains with its old
plank door, but both are quite plain. As this doorway
faces the wide mass of brickwork inclosing the hall fireplace, it would not enter the hall direct, but would
have the usual small lobby. At the back of the hall
fireplace is a very narrow stair, evidently original,
leading to the upper floor. This is lighted by a
very small window in the front. Access is gained to
this stair both from the hall and from the north-west
wing, and there is no indication of any larger stair
having existed, though a modern one has been placed
in the other wing beside a modern entrance. The
kitchen still retains its old fireplace, but it is quite
plain. On the side of the upper room next the
courtyard are the remains of an old three-light
window having moulded oak mullions. This window
is now blocked up. Most of the rooms on the upper
floor still retain their original wide oak flooring.
Pin Green lies rather more than a mile west from
Chells. Sishes, near Pin Green, is the residence
of Mr. Julius Bertram. Whitney Wood, on the
Hitchin road, is the residence of Mrs. Barclay. In
Whomerley Wood are slight remains of a homestead
moat.
Stevenage Bury: Back View
Stevenage is a good example of the development
of the Teutonic type of settlement which is so
frequently met with in Hertfordshire. The old
church of St. Nicholas and the 'Bury,' with a few
cottages lying about half a mile off the Great North
Road, evidently formed the site of the original
Saxon village, consisting of an agricultural community
which desired to be in the midst of its territories.
Probably before the Conquest, but at all events before
the grant of a market and fair in 1281, a settlement
on the road-side was established, where at the fork
of the road was the natural position for the market.
The road-side settlement seems to have prospered,
and by the end of the 14th century we have the
names of streets such as 'Pilgryms,' (fn. 2) and a little later
'Lycchenstret,' 'Baldokstret,' (fn. 3) 'Laschmerstret,' and
'Pavylane,' (fn. 4) which indicates a town of some size. It
is clear from the number of presentments relating to
innkeepers on the manor rolls (fn. 5) that by the beginning
of the 15th century it had become the resort of
travellers on the Great North Road. Possibly on
account of this prosperity and the increasing size of
the town we find that about 1405 a number of
London tradesmen purchased, probably as building
speculations, small plots of land here. Richard Foster
of London (fn. 6) had a messuage and 6 acres of land;
John Sylam, citizen and pewterer of London, had
4 acres 'built upon'; William Rendre of London
had land in Churchfield called 'Pyedelacre'; William
Waldern, citizen and grocer, John Hamond, citizen
and barber, William Marchford, citizen and mercer,
Edward Grymston, citizen and vintner, and others,
all of London, purchased small freeholds. (fn. 7) There is,
however, no evidence that Stevenage was ever anything
more than a manorial market town, though the gild
of the Holy Trinity, established probably in the early
part of the 15th century with a gildhall or brotherhood house, may have had some powers in the
management of the affairs of the town. Early in
the 16th century we can tell from the evidence
of architectural remains that the road-side town
extended from the point where the Great North
Road forks, or a little northward, to the old workhouse, an interesting timber and plaster building,
originally a dwelling-house, which stands opposite
the modern church of Holy Trinity.
Chells Farm from the North
Although a great part of the town was burnt in a
fire which occurred on 10 July 1807, (fn. 8) there still
remain many interesting specimens of 17th-century
timber and plaster houses with tiled roofs, principally
in the High Street. The grammar school, the
history of which will be found elsewhere, (fn. 9) stands at
the north end of the bowling green. It was enlarged
and considerably altered in 1905, but there survives
a small rectangular building consisting of one room,
probably of the foundation of 1561. It was originally
of timber and brick, but is now largely refaced with
brick. On the east side of the High Street opposite
the green is a 17th-century timber and brick house
refronted, with an original chimney stack; a little
southward are a 17th-century inn and cottages.
Towards the south end of the street is a two-storied
gabled shop, the upper story of which is covered with
basket-work pargeting in panels. The Castle Inn,
with the cottage adjoining, originally formed one
building, probably of the latter part of the 16th
century. They have basket-work pargeting in the
upper story and gables. On the west side of the
street are several other instances of the use of basketwork pargeting in 17th-century houses; many of
them, however, are now refaced in front with brick.
The inns called the 'White Lion' and the 'Red
Lion' have timber coach entrances, but much of the
old 17th-century timber and plaster work has been
renewed in brick. In the yard of the latter are the
remains of a 16th-century building with a projecting
upper story. South of the 'Red Lion' is a 17th-century
house, partly used as a shop. It has a gable at each
end and a dormer window between; the upper part
is of pargeted timber and the lower of brick, plastered.
It has an octagonal brick shaft on a moulded base.
The main line of the Great Northern railway runs
through the parish parallel to the Great North Road.
The subsoil of the parish is chalk, and there are
many chalk-pits in various parts.
The inclosure award was made in 1854, and is
in the custody of the clerk of the peace. (fn. 10)
MANORS
Stevenage
The manor of STEVENAGE was
granted to the abbey of St. Peter at
Westminster by Edward the Confessor
about 1062, (fn. 11) and was entered among the possessions
of the abbot in 1086, when it was assessed at 8 hides. (fn. 12)
Stevenage Manor remained in the hands of the Abbots
of Westminster (fn. 13) until January 1539–40, when the
monastery and its possessions were surrendered to
the Crown. (fn. 14) At the end of 1540, however, the
bishopric of Westminster was created and endowed
with the lands which had belonged to the monastery, (fn. 15)
and Stevenage pertained to the bishopric (fn. 16) until its
surrender to Edward VI in 1550, (fn. 17) when this manor
was presumably given to Bishop Ridley of London,
together with the greater part of the Westminster
lands. (fn. 18) It was confirmed to the bishopric of London
by Mary in 1554, (fn. 19) and then remained in the
possession of the Bishops of London (fn. 20) until the
Commonwealth. Upon the sale of lands pertaining
to bishoprics it was bought in
1649 by Thomas Ayres. (fn. 21)
The latter was still holding it
in 1657–9. (fn. 22) At the Restoration Stevenage was restored
to the bishopric of London,
and remained in the possession
of that see until 1868, when
it was transferred to the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners, (fn. 23)
who are the present lords of
the manor.
Westminster Abbey. Gules St. Peter's keys or with St. Edward's ring or in the chief.
Main Road, Stevenage, showing 17th-century House
A fair was granted to the
Abbot of Westminster at
Stevenage in 1281, to be held
on the vigil, feast, and morrow of St. John the
Baptist (fn. 24) (23–25 June), and was confirmed by
Henry VI in 1448. (fn. 25) In 1624 the Bishop of London
was granted three fairs, to be held on Ascension Day,
St. Swithun's Day (15 July), and on the Friday
following. (fn. 26) In 1792 fairs were held for nine days
before Easter, nine days before Whit Sunday, and on
the first Friday in September. (fn. 27) In 1821 the September fair was held on the 22nd of that month, (fn. 28)
and it is now held on the 22nd and 23rd. (fn. 29)
A market was granted to the abbot in 1281, to
be held on Mondays, (fn. 30) and was confirmed in 1448. (fn. 31)
In 1624 the day was altered to Friday, (fn. 32) on which
day it was held as late as 1792. (fn. 33) In 1821 it is
said to have been held on Wednesday, (fn. 34) but it has
since been discontinued.
A warren is mentioned as belonging to the lord of
the manor in 1393, when John Wheler and others
were accused of hunting in it and taking partridges
and pheasants. (fn. 35) It is mentioned again in 1408,
when William Rendre of London was granted the
'custody and profit of the warren for hunting and
chasing hares and rabbits.' (fn. 36)
In 1287 the Abbot of Westminster claimed in
Stevenage view of frankpledge, return of writs, amendment of the assize of bread and ale, infangentheof,
utfangentheof, gallows, tumbrel and pillory. (fn. 37) The
view of frankpledge extended into the tithings of
Holwell, Cadewell, Watton, Datchworth, Tewin
and Stevenage. (fn. 38) In the 13th century and early
14th century the abbot held five courts yearly for
Stevenage and its dependencies—two in the autumn,
two in early spring, and one in summer. In 1271–2
the profits amounted to 43s. 3d., and in 1320–1 to
69s. 2d. (fn. 39) From the middle of the 14th century
four yearly courts seem to have been usual. These
were at first held at the feasts of St. Andrew
(30 November), St. Denis (9 October), St. Matthew
(21 September), and at Pentecost, but a little later
the first two were changed to St. Lucy (13 December)
and the Annunciation (25 March). At the end of
the 14th or beginning of the 15th century the number
of courts varied, one being held at the feast of the
Conception (8 December). The average value of the
courts in the 14th century seems to have been about
£3, but it dropped during the next century, the
profits in 1499–1500 only amounting to 28s. 7d. (fn. 40)
In 1409 it was presented at the view of frankpledge
that the lord was bound to have within his liberty a
pillory and a cucking-stool and that they were not
there to the damage of the community. The bailiff
was therefore ordered to supply them. (fn. 41) In 1542 it
was ordered that the stocks should be amended and
'le kucking-stole and le pillarye' newly made. (fn. 42)
In 1310 the king had a prison at Stevenage within
the liberty of the Abbot of Westminster. In that
year an order was issued for the justices of gaol delivery
to release from the prison one Andrew Baron 'and
to lead him back to the church of Stevenage whither
he had fled for sanctuary for larceny, certain malefactors
having withdrawn him from the church and taken him
to the said prison.' (fn. 43)
Halfhide
The manor of HALFHIDE, of which the overlordship is not known, first appears in 1408–9, when it
was held by John Chertsey of Broxbourne, who in
that year released his right in it to William Skrene, (fn. 44)
probably for the purpose of a settlement. Edmund
Chertsey, son or grandson of John Chertsey, (fn. 45) died before
1475, leaving a son William (fn. 46) ; Eleanor his widow,
however, conveyed the manor to John Northwood
and others, probably trustees in a sale, in 1478–9. (fn. 47)
In the first half of the next century Halfhide came
into the possession of Matthew Ward and Alice his
wife, who in 1553 conveyed it to John Lord
Mordaunt. (fn. 48) The latter was succeeded in 1561 by
his son John, whose son and heir Lewis inherited
Halfhide with the rest of his father's estates in 1571, (fn. 49)
and sold the manor in 1601 to Rowland Lytton and
Sir Henry Wallop. (fn. 50) Sir Henry Wallop conveyed
his moiety to Rowland Lytton in 1610, (fn. 51) and it
descended in his family in the same way as the manor
of Knebworth. (fn. 52)
Free warren in Halfhide was granted to William
Lytton in 1616 (fn. 53) and is mentioned with free fishery
in 1811. The present farm-house called Halfhide
lies in the neighbouring parish of Shephall.
Homeleys
The manor of HOMELEYS probably took its name
from the family of Ivo de Homeley (Homlie),who held
land in Stevenage in 1275, 140 acres of which were
then held of him by Laurence de Brok. (fn. 54) It appears
to have been held of the Abbot of Westminster of the
manor of Stevenage. (fn. 55) In 1305 Robert de Depedene,
who was holding the manor in right of his wife
Isabel, conveyed it to William de Chilterne. (fn. 56) In
the reign of Edward III it seems to have been held
by Alice Homeley, whose predecessor had been Robert
de Sutton. (fn. 57) Probably it was among the possessions
of John Chertsey of Broxbourne at the beginning of
the 15th century, for his successor Edmund Chertsey
gave Homeleys to Thomas Skrene, with remainder in
tail to William Skrene, brother of Thomas, with
remainder to the heirs of Edmund Chertsey. (fn. 58) Upon
the death of Thomas Skrene without issue in 1466
the manor passed to John Skrene, grandson of his
brother William. (fn. 59) John died in 1474 without heirs,
whereupon Homeleys reverted to William son and heir
of Edmund Chertsey. (fn. 60) After this date Homeleys
followed the same descent as the manor of Halfhide. (fn. 61)
Free warren in Homeleys was granted to William
Lytton in 1616. (fn. 62)
Bromesend
The manor or tenement of BROMESEND was
held of the Abbot of Westminster of his manor of
Stevenage for rent and suit of court. (fn. 63) It seems to
have taken its name from the family of Brome, who
appear in Stevenage in the 14th century. Roger
atte Brome held a messuage and half virgate in the
reign of Edward II, and was living in 1325, (fn. 64) after
which he was succeeded by Robert atte Brome, who
held it in the time of Edward III. Anabill Brome,
who had held 2 acres in Chalkdellfeld before Robert's
time, (fn. 65) was doubtless one of the same family. In the
15th century Bromesend came into the possession of
the Chertseys, and was given by Edmund Chertsey to
Thomas Skrene, (fn. 66) together with the manor of Homeleys, with which it subsequently descended. (fn. 67)
Free warren in Bromesend was granted to William
Lytton in 1616. (fn. 68)
Chells
—In the reign of Edward the Confessor
a hide and a half in 'Escelveia,' which had once
belonged to Welwyn, were held by Alwin, with the
exception of 10 acres and a toft which belonged to
Alwin Dode, a man of Aluric the Little. (fn. 69) Half a
hide in 'Scelva' was held by Aluric, a man of Aluric
of Benington, (fn. 70) and a half virgate belonged to Aluric
Busch, who at that time was one of Swen's men and
of King Edward's soke. (fn. 71) By 1086 Alwin's hide
and a half had come into the hands of Peter de
Valognes, of whom they were held by Godfrey. (fn. 72)
The half hide was held of Robert Gernon by the
William who held Letchworth and other lands, (fn. 73) while
the half virgate had been retained by Aluric Busch,
but was held of Geoffrey de Bech. (fn. 74) The Scelva or
Escelveia of these holdings has been identified with
Chells (Chelse, xv and xvi cent.), a manor in this
parish. (fn. 75) The overlordship of Chells, however, does
not seem to have been held by the descendants of
any of these three, for in 1295 the manor was held
for a sixth of a fee of Roger le Strange. (fn. 76) This
Roger, who was the son of Hamon le Strange,
married Maud widow of Roger Mowbray and coheiress of William de Beauchamp, (fn. 77) so that this fee
may have been previously held by any of the three
families of Le Strange, Mowbray, or Beauchamp.
It seems probable, however, that Roger le Strange
held it in right of his wife Maud, for upon his death
without children in 1311 (fn. 78) it evidently passed to
Roger de Mowbray son of Maud by her first husband,
since Chells was held in 1359 of John de Mowbray,
great-grandson of Maud. (fn. 79) The tenure does not
therefore confirm the identification of Chells with
the Scelva of 1086.
Pateshull. Argent a fesse wavy between three crescents sable.
Under Roger Le Strange the manor appears in the
tenure of the family of Pateshull. The earliest
known member of the family
is Simon de Pateshull, chief
justice of the Common Pleas,
who died about 1217, (fn. 80) and
had a son John. (fn. 81) The first,
however, who is known to
have held Chells is Simon de
Pateshull, son of this John, (fn. 82)
a well-known judge, who died
seised of the manor about
1295, and was succeeded by
his son John. (fn. 83) John's son (fn. 84)
and successor William de
Pateshull died in 1359, leaving as his heirs his three
sisters: Sibyl wife of Roger de Beauchamp, Alice
wife of Thomas Wake and Catherine wife of Robert
de Todenham; and also Roger son of a fourth sister
Maud and her husband Walter de Fauconberg. (fn. 85)
Chells was assigned to Alice and Thomas Wake, who
in 1373 conveyed it to their son Thomas and his
wife Maud. (fn. 86) Maud survived her husband and
held the manor until her death in 1425, when it
passed to her grandson Thomas Wake. (fn. 87) There is
then a gap in the records of the manor. This
Thomas is known to have died in 1458 and to
have been succeeded by his son Thomas. (fn. 88) It was
perhaps the latter who conveyed Chells to John
Norreys, who died seised of it in 1521. (fn. 89) John
Norreys was also lord of the manor of Boxbury,
which manor his son and successor John Norreys sold
to Philip Boteler in 1526. (fn. 90) Probably Chells was
conveyed to the Botelers about the same time, for it
was settled by Sir Philip on his son John, (fn. 91) and appears
in his possession in 1562. (fn. 92) After that date it follows the same descent as the manor of Boxbury (fn. 93) in
Walkern, with which it was henceforward associated.
Brooks
The manor of BROOKS (Brokes, Brokys) took its
name from the family of Brok, who held land in Stevenage in the 13th century. Laurence de Brok, son of Adam
de Brok, (fn. 94) died about 1275 seised of considerable possessions in Stevenage, of which 300 acres with a capital
messuage were held of the Abbot of St. Albans,
200 acres with a windmill of the Abbot of Westminster, 140 acres of Ivo de Homeley and 100 acres
of Robert de Graveley. (fn. 95) Some or all of these portions were probably known as 'Brooks,' for the manor
is mentioned by that name in a deed of the same
year by which it was conveyed to Laurence's son and
heir Hugh. (fn. 96) Hugh de Brok was succeeded before
1294 by his son, another Laurence, (fn. 97) whose widow
Ellen was holding his lands in 1330, with reversion
to her son Ralph. (fn. 98) Ralph's heirs, who succeeded
before 1346, (fn. 99) were his three daughters Joan, Ellen
and Agnes, the eldest of whom died without issue.
His lands were therefore divided between Ellen and
Agnes. Agnes had a daughter Joan, (fn. 100) who was perhaps identical with Joan the wife of Robert Corbet,
who was holding Brooks with her husband in 1400. (fn. 101)
There is no further record of the manor until towards
the end of the 15th century, by which time it had
come into the possession of Edmund Node. (fn. 102) His
wife Joan survived him, and enfeoffed her second son
William to the use of herself and her heirs, with the
condition that he made an estate to his elder brother,
who was also called William. He, however, refused
to do this, and between 1493 and 1500 his mother
brought a suit against him
to compel him to give up
the manor. (fn. 103) William Node
was holding Brooks in 1521, (fn. 104)
and seems to have been succeeded by another William,
who in 1564 sold the manor
to Robert Ivory. (fn. 105) The latter
conveyed it in the same year
to John Bagshawe. (fn. 106) In 1608
it was purchased from Edmund
Bagshawe, probably the son
of John, by William Field, (fn. 107)
who in 1614 sold it in his
turn to Ralph Radcliffe of
Hitchin Priory (fn. 108) (q.v.). Brooks
has since descended in the
Radcliffe family, (fn. 109) and is now in the possession of
Mr. Francis A. Delmé-Radcliffe, J.P.
Radcliffe of Hitchin. Argent a crosslet gules between two bends engrailed sable with a label azure over all.
Ellen widow of Laurence de Brok was granted free
warren in her lands in Stevenage in 1330. (fn. 110)
Cannix, Canwykes, or Broxbournes
CANNIX, CANWYKES, or BROXBOURNES,
was named from its early tenants, and was held of
the manor of Stevenage by military service. (fn. 111) It
seems to have been identical with the messuage and
virgate held of the Abbot of Westminster in 1315 by
John de Broxbourne. (fn. 112) His son Richard held the
property during the reign of Edward III. It is then
described as being at 'Srewentenwode.' The same
Richard also held a third of a fee in 'Kechenbrech'
which had formerly belonged to Laurence de Brok,
and for which he paid 24s. (fn. 113) Nothing more is heard
of the estate until about 1509, when William
Canwyke paid a relief of 40s. for certain land in
Stevenage called ' Broxborne' which he had received
from Petronilla his mother. (fn. 114) In 1510 Samuel and
Clemence Canwyke sold the 'manor' to William
Lytton of Knebworth, who died seised of it in 1517. (fn. 115)
At the death of his son Robert Lytton in 1550 it
was divided among his three daughters, Ellen the
wife of John Brockett, Elizabeth wife of Thomas
Lyttel, and Anne, who married John Burlace. (fn. 116) It
seems to have been divided later among the five
daughters of Ellen and John Brockett, for a fifth of
Cannix was held in 1599 and 1623 by Sir Richard
Spencer and Helen daughter of Ellen and John
Brockett, (fn. 117) and in 1604 another fifth appears in the
possession of Alexander Cave and Anne, another
daughter. (fn. 118) Eventually, however, the whole returned
to the male line of the Lyttons and descended in the
same manner as Knebworth (fn. 119) (q.v.). It is mentioned in 1811, (fn. 120) after which its identity was
probably lost among the other lands held by the
Lyttons in Stevenage. Cannocks Wood in the southwest of the parish perhaps preserves its name.
In 1308 John de Broxbourn obtained a licence
for an oratory in his 'manor of Stevenage,' (fn. 121) probably
at Cannix.
CHURCH
The parish church of ST. NICHOLAS consists of a chancel, nave, north
and south aisles, and north and south
chapels in line with the aisles, west tower, north
vestry, south transept and south porch. (fn. 122) It is
probably built of flint, but the walls are covered with
cement. The flat roofs are covered with lead, and
the tower has a tall octagonal leaded spire. The
tower, nave and chancel and aisles have embattled
parapets.
The earliest portion of the existing church is the
tower, which was built in the first half of the 12th
century, and appears to have formed the tower and
west porch combined of the original church, which
probably consisted of a chancel, nave and tower.
Early in the 13th century it is probable that the
whole church except the tower was rebuilt and aisles
added. The present nave is of this date. The
chancel now standing was built about 1330, and the
aisles were widened to their present dimensions at
the same time. A doorway in the east wall of the
tower above the low-pitched roof seems to indicate
that the roof of the 14th century was of a pitch high
enough to inclose it. The present roof with the
clearstory is of the 15th century, when the nave
arcades were rebuilt from the capitals upwards, the
pillars with their bases being of the earlier date.
The bell chamber of the tower was also added or
rebuilt in the 15th century. The south porch, if
not actually modern, has been wholly restored, and
the south transept is modern.
The chancel has a modern east window of four
lights with tracery in 15th-century style. In the
north wall is a window of the 14th century, now
blocked up, with three lights under a square head.
The inner jambs have an edge-roll and the low rear
arch is two-centred with an internal hood mould.
The south window is like it, but is open and has
been repaired externally with cement.
The arcades between the chancel and the north
and south chapels are of two bays and are of the
14th century. The middle pillar on each side is
octagonal, but, while the responds of the north arcade
are semi-octagonal, those of the south arcade are
semicircular. The bases and capitals of both pillars
and all the responds are moulded. The two-centred
arches are of two chamfered orders.
In the chancel is a piscina now cemented over
which may be old; against the east wall behind the
altar is the upper part of a 15th-century traceried
screen, painted over, of which the lower part stands
at the entrance to the chancel. The three sedilia on
the south side, of cement, are modern. There is no
chancel arch.
The north chapel has an east window of four lights
with tracery of the 14th century. It has an inner
edge-roll like those in the chancel, and has been
much repaired with cement. The north wall has
two 14th-century windows of two lights with pointed
heads and labels, and a third window which is
modern but a copy of the other two. The first
window is blocked externally, but the tracery is
visible inside. The second is altogether blocked, only
the outline being visible externally. The south
chapel has an east window and two south windows
like those in the north chapel and of the same date.
Those in the south wall differ from the rest in having
their inner jambs and arches moulded with an
undercut edge-roll and in having moulded labels;
they are repaired with cement externally. Between
the two windows is a pointed doorway also of the
14th century. There is a piscina in this chapel,
probably contemporary, which has a cinquefoiled
head and a trefoiled basin.
The nave has north and south arcades of four bays,
with octagonal pillars and moulded bases of the 13th
century, but the capitals and pointed arches of two
hollow-chamfered orders were inserted early in the
15th century. The bases, and the labels of the
western bays, are mutilated, the latter for the fitting of
a gallery. The clearstory of the 15th century has
square-headed windows from which the tracery
is gone.
The north aisle has three windows in the north
wall, the easternmost being of four lights in a square
head. It is probably a 15th-century insertion, but the
tracery is modern; the second is a two-light window,
with tracery in a pointed head, and is probably of the
14th century, but here again the tracery is modern.
The third is similar, of the 14th century, and is
repaired externally. Close to the west extremity
of the wall is a doorway of 14th-century date,
restored. The west window is modern.
The south aisle has a modern archway in the south,
opening into the transept, and west of it a 14th-century window of two lights, like those in the south
chapel; near the west wall is a pointed doorway of
the 14th century, which has been repaired; the west
window is modern.
Plan of Stevenage Church
The west tower opens to the nave by a 12th-century
arch with shafted jambs on the west side, roughly
carved capitals, and a semicircular head with an edgeroll. The east side of the arch is plain. The tower
is of two stages without external division. It is of
the 12th century, but the diagonal angle buttresses
were added probably in the 15th century. It has an
embattled parapet and a leaded spire. The west
doorway is of the 12th century, but has been much
repaired with cement. The jambs have shafts with
rude bases, capitals and abaci. The arch, which is
semicircular, is of two orders, the outer having an
edge-roll. The north and south walls have small
round-headed windows of original date, high up, and
above the tower arch is a round-headed doorway
which formerly gave access to the 12th-century roof.
Over this again is a pointed doorway, which from its
position would seem to have opened to the 14th-century roof, but is now outside, above the present
roof. On each side of this doorway is a small circular
opening in the bell-chamber wall. The three remaining sides at this level have repaired 15th-century
windows of two lights in a pointed head.
No date can be assigned to the south porch, owing
to its complete restoration.
The roofs of the chancel and nave are of the
15th century, of a low pitch, with traceried trusses.
The lean-to roofs of the nave and aisles, which are of
the same date, are nearly flat; that of the north aisle
has been repaired. At the feet of the principal
cross-ribs of the chancel roof are carved angels; the
other parts of the church have wood corbels, some of
them carved.
The font is of early 13th-century date, and has a
square bowl, carved with foliage, and standing on a
circular stem with small round detached angle-shafts
having moulded bases and capitals.
There are three stalls in the chancel, and three in
the tower, with carved misericordes, dating from the
end of the 14th or the beginning of the 15th century.
In the chancel is a brass of Stephen Hellard, rector,
of about 1500, with the figure of the priest in a cope,
and an inscription. The date is not filled in, but he
died in 1506. In the north aisle are the indents of a
man and his two wives, with their sons and daughters,
and of an inscription, of mid-15th-century type; and
in the nave is a slab with the indent of a floreated
cross, apparently of the 14th century.
In the north aisle is a (formerly) recumbent effigy
of a lady. Her hands are raised in prayer, and an
angel and a priest support her elbows. The date
appears to be late 13th or early 14th century. The
effigy is much mutilated, the part below the knees
being wanting, and the fragment is now set upright,
to the east of the north door. In the chancel is a
mural monument to William Pratt, 1629.
There are six bells: the treble by John Briant,
1797, the second dated 1670, by an unknown
founder, and the remainder by John Briant, dated
1783, 1795, 1783, and 1783 respectively. The
fifth bell has been recast.
The plate consists of a silver cup and cover paten
of 1634 and a paten and flagon of 1683.
The registers, beginning in 1564, are contained in
seven books, as follows: (i) baptisms 1542 to 1599,
burials 1545 to 1598, marriages 1539 to 1598; (ii)
baptisms 1565 to 1649; (iii) baptisms 1653 to 1726,
burials 1653 to 1726, marriages 1661 to 1726; (iv)
baptisms 1726 to 1761, burials 1726 to 1755, marriages
1726 to 1753; (v) baptisms 1762 to 1812, burials
1756 to 1812; (vi) marriages 1754 to 1765; (vii)
marriages 1766 to 1812.
ADVOWSON
The advowson of the church belonged to the Abbot of Westminster.
In the 13th century the incumbent
paid a pension of 50s. to the abbey. (fn. 123) The church
belonged subsequently to the Bishop of Westminster
until the surrender of that bishopric to Edward VI
in 1550. (fn. 124) In that year the advowson and rectory
were granted by the king to Sir William Herbert,
K.G., (fn. 125) who was created Earl of Pembroke in 1551
and died in March 1569–70. (fn. 126) His son Henry sold the
advowson in 1575 to Edward Wilson, (fn. 127) who is said to
have conveyed it in the same year to Thomas Clerke.
Thomas had a son John, (fn. 128) to whom he conveyed the
advowson in 1580, (fn. 129) John having previously obtained
a release of the same from Edward and William
Clerke, (fn. 130) perhaps his brothers. He died in 1595,
leaving four sons, of whom Thomas was the eldest. (fn. 131)
The advowson is said to have been subsequently
acquired by the families of Smith and Chester. (fn. 132) In
1664 presentation was made by Francis Flexmere and
Allan Read, merchant tailors, (fn. 133) and in 1678 by
James Goulston, (fn. 134) who perhaps obtained it for one
turn from Stafford Leventhorpe, who owned the
rectory about that time. (fn. 135) Thomas Duckett presented
in 1689, (fn. 136) about which time the advowson and rectory
came into the hands of Joseph Bentham, D.D., who
presented in 1719. (fn. 137) The latter sold the advowson
in 1720 to Charles Baron, (fn. 138) who presented with
George Whorton and Jacob Jefferey in 1723, (fn. 139) and is
said to have sold the rectory and advowson to
Nicholas Cholwell in 1724. (fn. 140) The latter presented
in 1725, and he or his son, with Rowland Ingram,
in 1733. (fn. 141) Ann Ingram, widow, presented in 1737, (fn. 142)
probably for one turn, after which Nicholas Cholwell
the younger is said to have sold the rectory and
advowson in 1761 to William Baker, (fn. 143) who possessed
the advowson in 1762, (fn. 144) and whose son was holding
it in 1821. (fn. 145) His grandson William Robert Baker
sold it in 1869 to John Allen, (fn. 146) who held it until
1899, when it was acquired by the Rev. Canon Allen.
It was transferred to the Bishop of St. Albans in
1906. (fn. 147)
A fraternity of the Holy Trinity in the church of
St. Nicholas at Stevenage is mentioned in 1446. (fn. 148)
Bequests were also made to it in 1483 and 1497. (fn. 149)
In 1558 the Brotherhood House with 6 acres of
ground belonging was granted to Sir George
Howard. (fn. 150) There was a light to the Virgin in the
church mentioned in 1512. (fn. 151)
The church of the HOLY TRINITY, which was
erected in 1861, is served from that of St. Nicholas.
Meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters in
Stevenage were certified from 1698. In 1814 a
chapel was opened in connexion with the Academy
at Wymondley (fn. 152) (q.v.). At the present time there
are in the parish chapels of the Wesleyans, Baptists
and Strict Baptists.
CHARITIES
Educational Charities.
—For the
grammar school, endowed by will of
the Rev. Thomas Alleyn, 1558, and
the English or Pettits School, founded in 1562, see
article on 'Schools.' (fn. 153)
The National school, comprised in deed, 1834, is
endowed with £106 7s. 8d. consols, by will of Miss
Charlotte Amelia Hinde Whittington, proved in
1867; £21 10s. 4d. consols, by will of Miss Susanna
Smyth, proved in 1867; and £321 5s. 9d. consols,
by will of George Smyth, proved in 1868.
The several sums of stock are held by the official
trustees, producing in the aggregate £11 4s. 4d.
yearly.
The Consolidated Charities are regulated by a
scheme of the Charity Commissioners, 26 March
1909, as varied by scheme of 26 April 1910. They
comprise the charities of—
1. The almshouses founded by Stephen Hellard,
priest and rector, by deed, 20 November, 17 Henry VII
(1501), whereby certain lands and a newly-built
messuage, to be called 'All Christian Souls' House,'
were conveyed to the uses of donor's last will, bearing
date 20 December 1501. The trust property now
consists of eight almshouses in Back Lane and
13 a. 3 r. 13 p. of land with messuage let at £14 a
year.
2. George Clerke, will, 1556, being a rent-charge
of £2 10s. issuing out of Boxbury Tithe, parish of
Walkern.
3. Robert Gynne, by will, 1604, consisting of a rentcharge of £1 issuing out of Ditchmore Mead, another
rent-charge of £1 10s. out of Maidenhead in Stevenage,
£13 14s. 8d. consols, and the right of the poor to
receive 10 bushels of good grain (commonly called
Misleyne or Maslin) charged on Fisher's Green Farm.
4. John Elmer, will, 1622, formerly consisting of
a messuage or inn in Ware, called the 'Black Swan,'
which has been sold, the share of Stevenage being
represented by £414 7s. 3d. consols.
5. Edward Swallow, will, 1629, being a rentcharge of £1 issuing out of land at Cottered.
6. Rev. Richard Cholwell, a former rector, by deed,
1773, formerly a poor-house, now occupied by the
premises of the Stevenage Gas Company at a rental
of £18 a year.
7. Miss Charlotte Amelia Hinde Whittington, for
poor, by will proved 1867, trust fund, £319 3s.
consols.
8. Susanna Smyth, for poor, by will proved 1868,
trust fund, £162 3s. 3d. consols; and
9. George Smyth, for poor, by will proved 1871,
trust fund, £762 18s. 10d. consols.
The several sums of stock, amounting in the aggregate to £1,672 7s. consols, are held by the official
trustees, producing an annual income of £41 16s.
The scheme provides that the full number of almspeople shall be eight in number and that every almsperson shall be in receipt of a properly secured income
of not less than 5s. a week, either from the charities
or other sources, a yearly sum of not more than
£58 10s. out of the net income of the charities to be
applied for this purpose. The residue of the income
is directed to be applied for the benefit of the poor
generally, including donations to a dispensary, hospital,
&c, or any provident club; also in contributions
towards the provision of nurses, and also to the extent
of £10 a year in the distribution of articles in kind
and in medical aid in sickness.
Charity of Rev. Thomas Alleyn for four poor
men. (fn. 154) —The sum of £5 6s. 8d. is received from
Trinity College, Cambridge, and duly applied.
In 1668 the Rev. Thomas Chapman by his will
devised certain messuages and lands in Stevenage,
subject to the payment of £8 per annum, to buy
cloth and bread for the poor of this parish, Ashwell,
St. Paul's Warden and Norton. The property charged
has been sold, and, being difficult of identification, the
payments have ceased to be made.
'The Eadon Fund' consists of £113 9s. 6d.
Tasmanian Government 3 per cent. inscribed stock,
arising under the will of Elinor Maria Frederica
Eadon, proved at London 4 January 1902. The
stock is held by the official trustees, and the annual
dividend, amounting to £3 8s., is in pursuance of a
scheme, 30 November 1909, applicable in apprenticing
a boy who is a baptized member of the Church of
England, the income to accumulate until sufficient
for the purpose.