HINXWORTH
Haingesteworde, Hainsteworde, Hamsteworde (xi
cent.); Hingslewurd (xii cent.); Hengsteworth,
Hyngstrigge, Heynceworth (xiii cent.); Hangteworth, Hynxworth (xiv cent.); Hyggextworth,
Hyngxtworth (xv cent.); Henxworth (xvi cent.).
The parish of Hinxworth is in the extreme north
of the county on the borders of Cambridgeshire and
Bedfordshire. It lies low, the ground nowhere rising
more than 172 ft. above the ordnance datum. An
ancient track called the Ridgeway crosses the low land
on the east of the parish, running parallel with the
River Rhee, which forms the north-east boundary.
The area is 1,463 acres, of which nearly threequarters are arable land, and the remainder, except
for some 8 acres of woodland, pasture. (fn. 1) The soil is
loam and blue clay, the subsoil varies. The chief
crops are wheat, barley and turnips. Coprolites have
been dug in the parish and are still to be found.
An Act authorizing the inclosure of the common
fields was passed in 1802 and the award was made
in 1806. (fn. 2)
The nearest railway station is Baldock, 5 miles
to the south, on the Hitchin and Cambridge branch
of the Great Northern railway.
The Roman road through Hertfordshire, known
further east as Stane Street, skirts the parish on the
west and forms its south-west boundary. Not far
from this road, on the borders of Hinxworth and
Caldecote, Roman remains were discovered about
1720 by some workmen who were digging there for
gravel with which to repair the road. These included
several human bodies, urns and paterae and other
objects, and a Danish or Dutch coin. (fn. 3) In 1810 a
further find of great interest was made in the parish of
two rare Greek coins or medals, one of Mithridates
King of Pontus, and the other of Perseus King of
Macedonia, both very well preserved. (fn. 4) Near the
River Rhee in the north of the parish and not far
from the camp at Arbury Banks or Harboro, and
near the Ridgeway, a hoard of more than 500
Roman coins was discovered. Near them were
found other Roman remains. (fn. 5)
The village of Hinxworth lies a little more than a
mile to the east of the Roman road, with which it is
connected by roads leading north-west and southwest, the former being continued on to Ashwell.
The church (fn. 6) and rectory stand on the south-east of
the angle formed by the road to Ashwell and that
leading south-west to the Roman road, and the small
village lies a little to the north-west of the church.
At the beginning of the 18th century it had only
thirty-five houses, of which three were almshouses. (fn. 7)
Hinxworth Place, the manor-house, the residence of Mrs. Sale, stands about half a mile
south of the village. (fn. 8) It consists of a rectangular
block, measuring externally about 55 ft. by 38 ft.,
at the south end of which is a portion of a wing.
The main block is faced externally with soft
limestone, or clunch, and, judging from the
characteristic features of the doorways and windows, a great part of the main walls must have
been erected towards the close of the 15th
century. The south wing appears to belong to
the 16th century.
Beside the principal doorway is a small twolight window with arched and cusped heads,
and square hood moulding over. This window
is recessed from the face of the wall, and the sill
is carried down so as to form a seat outside.
The details of this window are almost identical
with those of the low-side window in the south nave
wall of the parish church. The principal entrance
opens directly into the old hall, a room measuring
about 21 ft. by 20 ft., now used as a kitchen. To
the south of this is a smaller apartment used as a
dining room, off which a passage has been cut to give
access to the south wing from the kitchen. Between
the kitchen and the dining room are two wide fireplaces placed back to back. Sixty years ago there
were no partitions between the kitchen and the
dining room, so that they formed practically one
large room with the fireplaces in the centre. Each
room is lighted by a large four-light early 17thcentury window, with moulded stone transoms and
mullions and a small cornice over. In the kitchen is
a long narrow Jacobean oak table with heavy moulded
legs. Extending the whole length of the main building on the west side is a low one-story building, the
north end of which is a later addition built of old
material. It is covered by the roof of the main
building, which is continued down so as to form a
lean-to roof. There are three doorways in the
separating wall, all having splayed jambs and fourcentred arches. There is a similar external doorway
on the west side, and another now built up at the
north end. There are two three-light windows,
one four-light and one single-light window, with
stone-moulded mullions and cusped-pointed archheads, similar to the window on the east front,
and all late 15th-century work. This part of the
house has been divided into scullery, larder and
stores. The modern passage by the dining room
leads to the south wing, the lower part of which
is of brick, the upper story being of timber, overhanging 18 in. on the south and west fronts. It was
originally one large room, with a four-centred stone
doorway at the east end, similar to that from the
dining room, but now there is a small lobby between
the outer door and the old parlour. There is a
built-up external doorway in the south wall, and a
large five-light window, with moulded stone mullions
and transoms, in the west wall. In this window are
three interesting shields with the arms of former
owners, one bearing the date 1570. The colour is
on the surface of the glass only, or as it is called
' flashed,' such as was usual at that period, the older
glass being stained right through. There is a good
stone fireplace in the parlour, the details of which
have a more classic feeling than the 17th-century work
in the main building. The fireplace has moulded
jambs and straight lintel, the mouldings being late
Gothic in character. On either side is a short threequarter-round column with rude Ionic volutes, above
which is a long rectangular fluted and panelled pilaster,
supporting a moulded stone cornice or mantel shelf.
Over the fireplace and under the cornice is a frieze
with four plain sunk panels. There is a large
room over the parlour, open to the roof, which is
plastered internally, the only timber showing being
a massive oak moulded tie-beam, with a considerable
camber, a tree with a natural bend having evidently
been utilized for the purpose. The upper floor in
the main building contains some four-centred doorways of stone, in several of which the original iron
studded door remains, and in the north bedroom is a
stone fireplace of the usual early 17th-century type,
with moulded four-centred arch inclosed by a square
moulding above, and with the usual ornamental stops
to the mouldings.
Hinxworth Place: Ground plan
There is no trace of any main stair having existed,
access to the upper floor being by two narrow
wooden ones. All the chimneys are of brick, and
are plain modern rebuildings. The roofs are tiled.
Preserved in the house are two large iron spring
man-traps, and the original notice to beware of
them may still be seen on one of the barns.
Bury End, which is situated nearly opposite the
church, at the point where the Ridgeway joins the
village street, is of interest, as it is partly surrounded
by a fragment of a homestead moat. (fn. 9)
Hinxworth Place: Principal Entrance Doorway
There is a Wesleyan chapel in Hinxworth, which
lies on the south side of the village. Its site was
purchased in 1831 for £7 by public subscription
among the Methodists. (fn. 10) The village school was
built in 1876. It stands on the north side of the
village street west of the church.
Among those who have held the living of Hinxworth may be noted the Rev. Percival Stockdale
(1736–1811), who in 1756 accepted a commission
in the army and was attached to the expedition sent
by Admiral Byng to relieve the garrison of Minorca.
He was ordained deacon in 1759, and coming to
London became intimate with Johnson, Garrick,
Goldsmith and other literary men. In 1779 he
made a complaint, probably groundless, that the
agreement to bring out the lives of the English
poets had been originally entrusted to him. In
1780 he was presented by Sir Adam Gordon to
the rectory of Hinxworth. (fn. 11)
MANORS
Hinxworth
In the time of Edward the Confessor (fn. 12)
HINXWORTH was divided between
Ethelmer of Benington and his tenants,
the sokemen of the king, the archbishop and others.
After the Conquest it was held by three tenants in
chief, William de Ow, (fn. 13) Hardwin de Scales, (fn. 14) and
Peter de Valognes. (fn. 15) Peter de Valognes's holding
was a berewick of his holding at Ashwell, and the
overlordship descended with his manor there (q.v.)
until the death without issue of Christine de Mandeville Countess of Essex in 1233. Her lands in
Ashwell seem to have reverted to Robert Fitz Walter,
her brother, but the overlordship of her lands in
Hinxworth appears to have remained with Maud,
her husband's sister and heir, whose son Humphrey
de Bohun was created Earl of
Essex, (fn. 16) for in 1345 Humphrey de Bohun appears as
overlord of a manor of Hinxworth which was held of him
by Henry Gernet and Joan
his wife. (fn. 17) These were the
tenants also of Ashwell, with
which manor Hinxworth had
descended in sub-tenancy until
this date, after which there is
no further trace of it as a
separate property.
Hardwin de Scales's lands
were divided between his sons
Richard and Hugh. Their
descendants were still holding
part of a knight's fee in
Hinxworth in 1207–8 when
William grandson of Richard
de Scales claimed possession
of the holding against Hugh
grandson of Hugh. The suit
was decided in favour of
Hugh. (fn. 18) No further record
of the Scales in Hinxworth
appears. Theobald was
tenant of this fee in 1086, and his descendants the
Fitz Ralphs appear subsequently as holding a third
of a fee. In 1303 this was held of William Fitz
Ralph by Henry de Aula. (fn. 19) It descended to
William de Aula, from whom it passed to William
Zerde, who was holding it in 1428. (fn. 20) After this
date the fee can be no further traced.
The land of William de Ow in Hinxworth (held
under him in 1086 by two knights) was apparently
granted with other estates by Henry I to Walter son
of Richard de Clare, (fn. 21) on whose death they passed to
his nephew Gilbert de Clare, (fn. 22) who was created Earl
of Pembroke in 1138. (fn. 23) He was succeeded by his
son Richard de Clare, (fn. 24) who died in 1176, when his
estates passed to his daughter Isabel. (fn. 25) She married
Sir William Marshal, created Earl of Pembroke, (fn. 26)
and with her husband was holding land in Hinxworth
in 1196. (fn. 27) William Marshal died in 1219, (fn. 28) and
his estates passed in rapid succession through the
hands of his five sons, all of whom died without
issue. (fn. 29) On the death of the youngest, Anselm
Marshal, (fn. 30) in 1245, their lands were divided among
his five sisters and co-heirs. (fn. 31) The eldest of these,
Maud, married Hugh le Bigod Earl of Norfolk, (fn. 32) and
her grandson Roger (fn. 33) claimed view of frankpledge
and assize of bread and ale in Hinxworth in 1277–8. (fn. 34)
He died in 1306 (fn. 35) holding a quarter of a fee in
Hinxworth. (fn. 36) In consequence of his having rebelled
against the king his estates reverted to the Crown. (fn. 37)
His land in Hinxworth was amongst the estates
which the king granted in dower to his widow
Alice. (fn. 38) In 1312 Thomas Plantagenet, fifth son of
Edward I, was created Earl of Norfolk, and he
received all the lands of the late earl. (fn. 39) He died in
1338 and his lands were divided between his two
daughters and co-heirs. (fn. 40) The elder of these,
Margaret, married Lord Segrave. (fn. 41) The younger,
Alice, married Edward de Montague, and, with the
consent of her sister Margaret and her husband,
certain estates, including the
fifth part of a fee which her
father had held in Hinxworth, were assigned to her. (fn. 42)
Her daughter Joan married
William Ufford Earl of Suffolk. (fn. 43) She had no children
and died in 1375. (fn. 44) Her
husband died in 1382 seised
of a fifth of a knight's fee in
Hinxworth. (fn. 45) The second
sister and co-heir of Anselm
Marshal, Isabel, married
Gilbert de Clare Earl of
Gloucester and Hertford, (fn. 46) who was assessed for half
a fee in Hinxworth in 1303, (fn. 47) and who died seised
of it in 1314. (fn. 48) A third sister and co-heir of
Anselm Marshal (fn. 49) who had
rights in Hinxworth was Joan
wife of Warin de Munchensy.
Her title passed to her
daughter Joan wife of William
de Valence, created Earl of
Pembroke. (fn. 50) Their son Aymer
de Valence inherited a quarter
of a knight's fee in Hinxworth,
which he had alienated in
1303. (fn. 51) After this date the
different holdings cannot be
distinguished except by their
under-tenants, who are numerous and not easy to trace, for
the land seems to have been much divided up as it
was before the Conquest.
Marshal. Party or and vert a lion gules.
Bigod. Or a cross gules.
Clare. Or three cheverons gules.
Valence. Burelly argent and azure an orle of martlets gules.
Under William Marshal a hide of land was held in
1196 by Eustace son of Airic Longi of Weston, and
was in that year granted by him to Richard de
Milkley. (fn. 52) In 1278 Robert de Milkley was summoned to show by what warrant he held view of
frankpledge in Hinxworth, (fn. 53) but he withdrew his
claim in favour of the overlord Roger Bigod. In
1287, however, he was said to hold this and other
liberties in Hinxworth of the said Roger. (fn. 54) This fee
is returned in 1306 (on the death of Roger Bigod) as
held by Walter le Baud, (fn. 55) and Thomas le Baud was
holding it in 1428. (fn. 56)
Another holding was that which in the 13th
century was in the tenure of a family named
Stopham. Ralph de Stopham and Milisent his wife
claimed view of frankpledge and assize of bread and
ale in Hinxworth in 1286–7. (fn. 57) This holding,
described as a quarter of a knight's fee, was in the
hands of Isabel de Stopham in 1303. (fn. 58) In 1428 it
had become the property of Thomas Bryd, then a
minor. (fn. 59) A Roger Brian also held lands and rents in
Hinxworth in 1292, (fn. 60) in which year he granted 2
acres of land and 100s. rent to a chaplain in the
chapel of St. John the Baptist at Buntingford, retaining other land there. This land, described as a
quarter of a knight's fee, he was still holding in 1303. (fn. 61)
At the end of the 15th century these different
holdings seem to have been amalgamated in the manor
of HINXWORTH or WATTONBURY, which was
then owned by Richard Waferer, who leased it in
1471–2 to John Ward, alderman of London. (fn. 62) It
descended to Thomas Waferer of Sundridge, co. Kent,
who in 1521 sold it to John Bowles of Wallington,
co. Herts. (fn. 63) John Bowles died in 1543, (fn. 64) and the
manor passed to his grandson Thomas Bowles, (fn. 65) who
in 1556 sold it to William Hyde. (fn. 66) It was sold by
William Hyde before 1571 to Jasper Smyth and
Elizabeth his wife, for in that year they conveyed it
to Thomas Norwood. (fn. 67) Thomas Norwood died in
February 1587–8 and left the manor to Thomas
Norwood, third son of his son John Norwood. (fn. 68) He
in 1613–14 sold it to Thomas Draner of Hoxton, co.
Middlesex. (fn. 69) Thomas Draner held the manor till his
death in 1632. Having no children he left it by
will to his cousin William Boteler for life with
remainder in tail-male to his great-nephew Francis
Halton (a younger son of Sir Roger Halton, son of
Joan, Thomas Draner's sister) (fn. 70) with contingent
remainder successively to his great-nephews Draner
and Henry Massingberd, (fn. 71) the sons of Frances
daughter of Joan, who had married Thomas
Massingberd of Bratoft, co. Lincs. (fn. 72) Thomas Draner's
nearest heir was his great-great-niece Elizabeth
Halton, (fn. 73) then aged nine, who in 1665 with her
second husband James Moseley (fn. 74) quitclaimed all
right in the manor of Hinxworth. (fn. 75) William Boteler
and Francis Halton, the first and second devisees,
seem to have died without children, for the manor came
to Sir Draner Massingberd, knighted in 1660–1, (fn. 76)
and was held after his death by his widow. (fn. 77) On
her death it descended to her son (fn. 78) Burrell Massingberd, who was holding the manor in 1705. (fn. 79) In
1709 he sold it to Sussex Sell of Hinxworth, (fn. 80) who
with his wife Sarah sold it in 1711 to John Izard (fn. 81)
of Baldock, draper. (fn. 82) By the will of John Izard
dated 25 April 1713 and proved in August 1714,
Hinxworth was left to his wife Ellen for life with
remainder to his son Robert. (fn. 83) Robert Izard married
Grace Cox in 1719 and had a daughter Grace who
was seised of the manor on his death. In 1744 she
married Thomas Daniel of Devizes, co. Wilts., but
died childless a year later, when she left the manor to
her husband. (fn. 84) John Izard (elder brother of Robert)
quitclaimed all right in the manor to Thomas
Daniel in 1754, (fn. 85) and the latter continued to hold it
until 1766, when he sold it to Robert Thurgood of
Baldock. (fn. 86) Sarah, daughter of the latter, married
Thomas Clutterbuck, (fn. 87) and by her father's will dated
26 March 1774 (fn. 88) inherited the manor of Hinxworth.
On her death in 1788, (fn. 89) by the terms of the will, (fn. 90) it
descended to her son Robert Clutterbuck, the
historian. He died in 1831 and was succeeded by
his son Robert, (fn. 91) who died in 1879. (fn. 92) The manor
was bought of his trustees by Mr. John Sale in 1881.
He died in 1894, and the manor is now held by his
trustees.
Cantlowbury
The manor of CANTLOWBURY (Cantilbury,
Cantlebury, Cantlobury, xvi cent.) is not mentioned
by name before 1521–2. (fn. 93) It probably took its name
from the family of Cantlow or Cantelupe, who had
land in Hinxworth as early as 1176, when Walter de
Cantelupe held property there. (fn. 94) It seems probable
that their lands in Hinxworth were not inconsiderable, for they owned the advowson of Hinxworth
Church, (fn. 95) which continued with their descendants
until 1346. (fn. 96) In spite of this no further record can
be found of what land they held. The manor of
Cantlowbury was held in 1522 by Thomas Waferer, (fn. 97)
who also held the manor of Hinxworthbury alias
Wattonbury (q.v.). From this date the two manors
descend together. (fn. 98) The manor-house of Cantlowbury was for some time held by a family of
the name of Harvey, but was pulled down about
1865. (fn. 99)
The priory of Newnham in Bedfordshire held
lands in Hinxworth in the 13th century, and in 1278
the prior was summoned to show by what warrant he
held view of frankpledge and assize of bread and ale
there. The prior, however, withdrew all claim to
these liberties. (fn. 100) His lands and rents in Hinxworth
were valued in 1291 at £1 10s., (fn. 101) and described as a
quarter of a knight's fee in 1303. (fn. 102) These lands
remained with the priory until the 16th century, (fn. 103) and
it is probable that on its dissolution by Henry VIII (fn. 104)
they became absorbed in the manor of Hinxworth.
Pulters
The reputed manor of PULTERS (Polters, xviii
cent.; Potters, xix cent.) seems to be first mentioned
by name in the year 1782. Chauncy says that it
was held in the reign of Edward IV by a family of
the name of Pulter, who held it of the king for a
yearly rent of 10s. 8d. (fn. 105) From them he says it was
sold to John Ward, son of Richard Ward of Holden,
co. York., who was Lord Mayor of London for one
month in 1484. (fn. 106) The Wards appear to have been
connected with Hinxworth as early as 1453, for
Simon Ward, who died in that year, was buried in
Hinxworth Church. (fn. 107) John Ward, who placed a
window in Hinxworth Church, certainly held land in
Hinxworth, for Chauncy says he gave cow commons
to maintain the church in repair, the people of
Hinxworth being taxed according to the number of
cows they had on the common. (fn. 108) But there seems
to be no direct proof that his lands were the
manor of Pulters. Chauncy says that after the death
of John Ward in 1487 his lands in Hinxworth were
conveyed to John Lambard, master of the Mercers'
Company and alderman of London. (fn. 109) John Lambert
or Lambard was holding lands in Hinxworth of the
manor of Hinxworth at the end of the 15th century, (fn. 110)
but there is nothing to show that they represent the
manor of Pulters. In the 16th century this holding
had descended to Thomas Lambert, and included a
capital messuage. (fn. 111) Chauncy says Thomas Lambert
was charged in Exchequer for this manor by the
name of Pulters with a yearly rent of 10s. 8d. (fn. 112)
Hinxworth Place: Part of South-west front
According to some proceedings in the court of
Chancery Thomas Lambert fell into financial difficulties. It appears that Andrew Gray of the Inner
Temple promised to give him introductions which
would lead to an advantageous marriage, (fn. 113) and in
return Thomas Lambert granted him a lease of his
lands in Hinxworth on very favourable terms. (fn. 114) He
eventually mortgaged his property to Gray. (fn. 115) As a
natural consequence he brought a suit against Gray (fn. 116)
in which he said he had never received the introductions nor been enabled to make a good marriage. (fn. 117)
The lands, however, were probably retained by Gray, (fn. 118)
who died in 1614 and whose monument is in the
parish church. From him they appear to have passed
to Andrew Bayning, (fn. 119) who held, besides the advowson
of Hinxworth, four messuages, two dove-houses, four
gardens and four orchards, 489 acres of land and
10s. rent in Hinxworth, Caldecote and Ashwell. (fn. 120)
These descended with the advowson (q.v.) until the
latter was divided between the daughters of the first
Viscount Bayning. Pulters was then sold to Edward
Pecke, (fn. 121) from whom it descended to his son William
Pecke, (fn. 122) whose son Edward Pecke was holding the
manor in 1700. (fn. 123) It passed finally with the
advowson to Richard Holden. (fn. 124) On his death it
descended to his son Robert Holden, (fn. 125) and in 1782
was held by the latter's two daughters, Elizabeth wife
of Richard Webb and Charlotte wife of Sir Adam
Gordon. (fn. 126) It finally became the exclusive property
of Elizabeth, (fn. 127) and she with her husband Richard
Webb, her son Richard Holden Webb, and his
wife Frances (fn. 128) sold it in 1801 to Henricus Octavus
Roe, (fn. 129) apparently in trust for Robert Clutterbuck, (fn. 130)
who held the manor of Hinxworth. In 1828
Robert Clutterbuck suffered a recovery of Pulters, (fn. 131)
after which date it became merged in the manor of
Hinxworth.
CHURCH
The church of ST. NICHOLAS consists of chancel 20 ft. by 16 ft., nave
42 ft. 6 in. by 20 ft., west tower
10 ft. 6 in. square, and south porch 12 ft. by 10 ft.,
all dimensions taken internally. The walls are of
flint with stone dressings and the low-pitched roofs
are covered with lead.
The general walling of nave and west tower, the
north and south doorways and the windows adjoining
them on the west, belong to the middle of the 14th
century; the west window of the tower and the
north, south and west belfry openings were inserted
later in the century (fn. 132) ; the east belfry opening may be
original. About 1440 the chancel arch was pulled
down and built about 2 ft. further east, and the two
large nave windows with their niches and the low-side
window were inserted, and the upper passage to the
rood-loft roughly formed eastward towards the new
chancel arch. The clearstory was raised about the
close of the 15th century and the south porch was
erected, and the chancel arch recut to fit it under the
new low-pitched roof, the former roof having been
high-pitched, as shown by the marks on the cast face
of the tower. The chancel was rebuilt of brick about
the beginning of the 18th century. In 1887 the
church was restored, a new roof put over the nave,
and stone windows inserted in the chancel. The
nave and tower walls are embattled.
Hinxworth Church from the South-east
At the north-east angle of the nave externally the
14th-century external angle of the nave wall may be
seen; the recess adjoining it, which is corbelled over
above, shows the 15th-century extension of the nave
eastward. At the north-east part of the nave
internally is the entrance doorway to the rood-loft
stair, which projects on the outer face of the wall;
it is of 14th-century work, but the original upper
doorway is blocked, and a rough passage tunnelled
through the wall eastward to reach the 15th-century
chancel arch; some 14th-century moulded stones
have been used in its construction; the rough state of
the north and south walls of the nave shows the old
position of the chancel arch. In the north wall of
the nave is a large 15th-century three-light window
with tracery in the head under a four-centred arch;
in the east jamb is a canopied niche with carved
crockets and finials and cusped pedestal. In the south
wall is a similar window, and to the east of it is a
low-side window of two cinquefoiled lights under a
square head, of the same date as the larger windows;
in the south-east angle of the nave is a canopied
niche very similar to that on the north side; both
niches have traces of colour. The north door is of
14th-century date, of two hollow-chamfered orders,
but the label has been cut off. The south doorway
is similar to the north. Both doorways retain their
original oak doors, with plain iron hinges; the south
doorway has deep sockets in the jambs for the oak bar.
The floor of the nave is about 2 ft. lower than the
ground outside. To the west of the north doorway
is a 14th-century two-light window, cusped and under
a square head. The label has the wave moulding.
The opposite window in the south wall of the nave
was a similar two-light window, but one light has
been blocked by the south porch, and the remaining
light widened by the insertion of a keystone in the
apex of the arch. The nave roof is modern, but
contains four figures of monks holding shields, from
the old roof; three of the shields are plain, the
fourth is barred.
The south porch is of late 15th-century work; on
the west side is a three-light window, with trefoiled
cusps, under a four-centred head: a similar window
on the east side has been blocked. The entrance
doorway has a moulded four-centred arch under a
square head.
The tower arch, c. 1350, is of two splayed orders,
with semi-octagonal jambs and moulded capitals and
bases; the west window is an insertion of the latter
part of the century, and is of two cusped lights with
a large cusped opening in the head; it has been
repaired with cement. Underneath the window a
rough doorway has been cut in comparatively recent
times. The tower, which has no stairway, is of two
stages, with embattled top, with moulded stringcourse under, at the angles of which are carvings,
that at the south-west representing a soldier's head
armed with basinet and camail of the 14th century.
In the north, south and west faces of the belfry stage
are two-light cusped openings, similar in character to
the west window and of late 14th-century work.
On the east face is a small trefoil-headed opening,
above the apex of the old steep roof, which is probably original.
The font is modern, but the remains of the old one,
consisting of a circular basin with a plain square top,
lie in the garden of the Glebe Farm. It appears to
be of the late 12th century. The communion table
is of Italian workmanship, with claw feet on balls
and a marble top. The pulpit is of plain panelled
oak of the 18th century.
In the porch is a portion of a stone coffin lid, with
the lower part of a cross, and the ends of scrolls,
probably of late 13th or early 14th-century work.
On the north wall of the chancel is a brass of a
man and his wife; the inscription has gone, but is
given by Chauncy as being the figures of Simon
Ward, 1453, and his wife, 1481; the slab from which
this brass was taken lies at the north doorway. On
the chancel floor is a brass of a man with his wife
and children, one of whom is a priest. According
to Chauncy this brass represents John Lambert,
citizen and mercer of London, who died in 1487.
There are some shields; one bears the arms of the
Mercers' Company, another a merchant's mark;
these are of brass, but there are three of lead, one of
which bears a saltire; the other two bear a fesse
between three defaced animals, probably lambs, as a
punning coat of Lambert. There is a brass inscription to 'Andrewe Grey,' who died in 1614.
There are six bells: the treble by Mears &
Stainbank, 1908; second by J. Briant, 1820; third
and fourth by Miles Graye, 1651; fifth and tenor
by J. Briant, 1825 and 1820 respectively.
The communion plate consists of cup and paten,
1762, and two pewter plates.
The registers are in two books: (i) baptisms and
burials 1739 to 1812; (ii) marriages 1754 to
1812.
ADVOWSON
The advowson of the church was
held in the 13th century by the
Cantlowes. William de Cantlowe
presented in 1218 and 1236 (fn. 133) ; he died in 1238–9 (fn. 134)
and was succeeded by his son William, who died in
1250–1. (fn. 135) He was succeeded by his son, also named
William, who died in 1253–4. (fn. 136) During the
minority of the latter's heir George (fn. 137) the right of
presentation was exercised by the king in 1273. (fn. 138)
George was still living in May 1273, (fn. 139) but died
some time before February 1274, (fn. 140) and his lands were
divided between his two sisters, Millicent, who
married first John de Montalt and secondly Eudo la
Zouch of Harringworth, and Joan, who married
John de Hastings. (fn. 141) The advowson of Hinxworth
was inherited by the elder sister Millicent, who as
Millicent de Montalt presented in 1293 and 1295. (fn. 142)
It descended to her son by her second marriage,
William la Zouch, (fn. 143) who presented in 1303. (fn. 144) He
in 1344 alienated the advowson to the Abbot and
convent of Pipewell, co. Northants, (fn. 145) perhaps on
account of their poverty, for in 1322 the monks had
been so poor that they had been obliged to leave
their abbey for a time. (fn. 146) The advowson was held
by the Abbot and convent of Pipewell (who do not
seem to have appropriated the church) until their
dissolution in 1538–9, (fn. 147) after which in 1545 the
advowson of the rectory was granted to Anthony
Forster. (fn. 148) From Forster it passed to John Brockett,
who in February 1561–2 granted the next presentation to John Adams, but on his presenting refused to
admit his nominee. (fn. 149) Brockett probably conveyed to
Andrew Bayning (fn. 150) of Mark Lane, London, who died
seised in 1610 and left it to his brother Paul
Bayning for life with remainder to his son Paul
Bayning the younger. (fn. 151) Paul Bayning died in
1616, (fn. 152) and the advowson passed to his son Paul, (fn. 153)
who married Anne daughter of Sir Henry Glenham
(afterwards Viscountess Dorchester), (fn. 154) and who in
March 1627–8 was created Viscount Bayning of
Sudbury. (fn. 155) He died in 1629 and his son Paul being
a minor (fn. 156) the king presented in 1636. (fn. 157) The
Viscountess Dorchester, however, opposed the king's
right to present, (fn. 158) and in consequence the Bishop
of Lincoln refused to admit the king's nominee,
Dr. Andrew Clare. (fn. 159) A three years' lawsuit followed, (fn. 160)
during the course of which Paul Viscount Bayning
died in 1638, (fn. 161) and the king as guardian of his two
daughters and co-heirs Anne and Penelope, who were
minors, appointed Robert Cheslen on the resignation
of Dr. Clare. (fn. 162) The Viscountess Dorchester died in
February 1638–9 (fn. 163) before the close of the suit, but in
1639 judgement was given in her favour, (fn. 164) and the
Bishop of Lincoln being suspended at that date, a
writ was addressed to Archbishop Laud to admit her
nominee, Daniel Falkner. (fn. 165) The archbishop at
first refused to admit Falkner on the ground that he
must take care of the king's title, (fn. 166) but admitted him
finally. This reluctance was one of the matters
brought against him in his trial in February 1640–1. (fn. 167)
Anne and Penelope Bayning both died without issue,
Penelope in 1657, Anne in 1659. (fn. 168) Anne's husband,
the Earl of Oxford, (fn. 169) presented in 1660. (fn. 170) The
advowson then reverted to the heirs of Paul first
Viscount Bayning, and was divided among the
descendants of his four daughters, Cecily, Anne;
Mary and Elizabeth. (fn. 171) Cecily married Henry
Pierrepont Marquess of Dorchester, (fn. 172) and their
daughter Anne married in 1658 John Manners,
styled Lord Roos, from whom she was divorced in
1666, (fn. 173) and married secondly John Tildesley. In
1674 she was holding an eighth part of the
advowson. (fn. 174) William Pierrepont, evidently her heir,
suffered a recovery of it in 1703. (fn. 175) The second
daughter Anne married Henry Murray, (fn. 176) whilst the
third daughter Mary seems to be represented in
1661 by Arthur Gorges and Mary his wife. (fn. 177)
They sold all right in the advowson to Edward
Pecke in 1664. (fn. 178) Mary the daughter and co-heir
of Anne and Henry Murray married Sir Roger
Bradshaigh, bart., (fn. 179) and her son Sir Roger Bradshaigh
in 1697 conveyed to his father-in-law Sir John
Guise (fn. 180) his mother's share in the advowson of Hinxworth. (fn. 181) The fourth and youngest daughter of
Paul Viscount Bayning, Elizabeth, married Francis
Lennard Lord Dacre, (fn. 182) and her son Thomas Lennard,
who was created Earl of Sussex in 1674, (fn. 183) suffered a
recovery of it in 1704. (fn. 184) The whole of the advowson
seems to have been acquired by Richard Holden (see
Pullers), who presented in 1727. (fn. 185) On his death it
descended to his son Robert, who presented in 1739
and 1777. (fn. 186) Robert Holden left two daughters and
co-heirs, Charlotte and Elizabeth; Charlotte married
the Rev. Sir Adam Gordon and sold her share in the
advowson to the Rev. Thomas Whitehurst in 1785. (fn. 187)
Elizabeth married Richard Webb (fn. 188) and sold her
share in the advowson also to the Rev. Thomas
Whitehurst in 1787. (fn. 189) Thomas Whitehurst held the
whole of the advowson till 1791, when he sold it to
William Parkins, (fn. 190) possibly in trust for Richard
Parkins, who presented in 1795. (fn. 191) In 1797 Robert
Albion Cox presented. (fn. 192) By 1822 the advowson
had come into the hands of John Lafont, (fn. 193) the rector
of Hinxworth, who held it till his death, which took
place between 1840 and 1844. It was held by his
trustees until 1892, when it came into the possession
of the Bishop of St. Albans, in whom it is still
vested.
Meeting-places for Protestant Dissenters in Hinxworth were registered in 1763 and 1823. (fn. 194)
CHARITIES
In 1797 Jane Brooks, by her will
proved in the Archdeaconry Court of
Huntingdon 24 January, gave £160,
the interest to be distributed equally among the poor
of Hinxworth, Baldock, Biggleswade, and Stotfold.
The property now consists of 7 a. 3 r. 18 p. of land
at Stocking Pelham, in the county of Hertford, and
the churchwardens receive one-quarter of the rent,
amounting to £1 2s., which is distributed in bread on
Good Friday and at Christmas.
The Wesleyan Methodist chapel comprised in
deed of 1831 is regulated by a scheme of the Charity
Commissioners of 1882.