THERFIELD
Furreuuelde (xi cent.); Tirefeld (xii cent.);
Terfeud, Tertefeud, Trefeud, Tirefeld, Therefeud,
Tiresfeld (xiii cent.); Theresfelde, Torfeld (xvi cent.);
Tharfield (xvii cent.).
Therfield is a parish of about 4,704 acres in the
north of the county, stretching from the Cambridgeshire border some 4½ miles towards the south. It
lies on a ridge of the Chilterns which slopes somewhat abruptly to the north and more gradually to the
south. The highest part of this ridge is more than
500 ft. above the ordnance datum, while the low
ground on the northern border has a height of about
235 ft., and in the south the ground slopes down to
365 ft. The Icknield Way marks the northern
border of the parish and the straight line of Ermine
Street forms the parish boundary on the east.
A by-road leads direct from the Icknield Way to
Therfield village, which stands on the highest part of
the ridge. The village, called locally the 'town,' (fn. 1)
is small and built irregularly about an open green, the
rectory and the church standing a little way back on
the south-west.
To the north-west of the church there can be traced
a fortified village with a mount and baileys, defended
by a dry ditch. There is evidence of an inner ditch,
and of a larger inclosure on the south.
The rectory lies to the south-east of the church.
Its main building, which is of brick, appears from the
registers to have been rebuilt about 1769, the library
having been added in 1800. (fn. 2) On the east side is a
building of two stories which dates from the 15th
century, and which was probably a wing of the old
building, foundations of a similar wing having been
discovered on the west side of the main building. (fn. 3)
The old wing is built of flint rubble covered with
cement, and with clunch dressings; the roofs are
tiled.
The ground stage of this wing consisted originally
of one long room, running north and south, 30 ft. 8 in.
by 11 ft. 3 in. (fn. 4) ; at either end, on its eastern side, was
a projecting wing, that on the north being 11 ft. 3 in.
by 7 ft., that on the south 12 ft. 6 in. by 12 ft. Some
time during the 17th century, probably in the time of
Charles II, the south wall on the ground story of the
north wing was removed, and a beam put in to carry
the wall above, and the east wall continued to the
south wing, thus forming the two wings into one
rectangular block. Projecting southwards from the
south wing is a one-story building of the same date,
21 ft. by 8 ft. 8 in., beyond which are brick outbuildings and a brew-house of the 17th century; in
the yard is an old deep well.
Plan of Therfield Rectory
The principal room on the ground floor, which is
now used as a kitchen, and may have been originally
so used, has been reduced by a modern lobby at
the south end, from which an original doorway with
two-centred arch and moulded jambs gives access to
the modern building. In the centre of the west wall
of the kitchen is a fireplace, 9 ft. wide with straight
lintel, now partly blocked; on the opposite
wall is a wide round-arched recess, on either
side of which is a low doorway with two-centred
arch and moulded jambs, opening into the north
and south wings respectively. At either end of
the original room or kitchen is a four-light
window with pointed cinquefoiled arches under
a square head, with moulded label and head
stops; the jambs and mullions are moulded, and
a heavy mullion divides each pair of lights; the
window at the south end has had one pair of
lights cut down to form a doorway. In the
north-east angle is the doorway to the turret
stair to the upper floor, but the stair itself is
gone; a portion of the circular stairway projects on the outer face of the wall. The north
wing, now used as a scullery, had formerly a
two-light window in its north wall, but this
has been made into a doorway, only the outer
moulding being retained. The 17th-century
wall connecting the two wings is of brick,
about 22 in. thick, the old walls adjoining being
2 ft. 6 in.
The south wing is entered from the enlarged
north wing by a 17th-century opening under a
four-centred arch, the original north doorway to
the wing having been blocked by the east wall
erected at that period. The window in the
east wall of the wing is not original. A doorway of late date has been cut through the south
wall to give access to the yard. The one-story
building to the south has, on either side, a small
circular quatrefoiled window of clunch; all the
other windows are modern.
Above the north wing is a small room fitted up as
a chapel, with traces of a pointed window in the east
wall, now partly blocked and occupied by a sash
window. In the north wall are two 15th-century
windows, one of two lights, the other a single light,
both now blocked. The chapel is lined with oak
bolection moulded panelling of the time of Charles II;
the door to the adjoining room on the south, which
was part of the 17th-century extension, has its upper
panels filled with the original squares of clear glass; this
adjoining room has woodwork of the same period as
that in the chapel, and the brass door handles and
locks are cut and pierced with patterns.
Externally, the old portion, which projects about
10 ft. in front of the main rectory building, is covered
by a roof, gabled at each end, running its whole
length; over the east wall of the chapel is a smaller
gable, the roof running into the main roof at right
angles. On the upper floor in the room over the
kitchen are two-light windows in the north and west
walls, similar in detail to the north window of the
kitchen underneath; the window in the west wall of
the kitchen is modern. In the north gable is a small
quatrefoiled opening set in a triangular moulded
frame of clunch, and on the apex of the gable are
small cusped gablets. The outer portion of the
circular staircase on the north front is finished,
under the springing of the gable, by a plain low
pyramidal roof; there are some narrow loop lights
in it, now blocked. Some heraldic painted glass,
formerly in the old building, has been removed to
the church.
At the foot of the sloping garden, on the south side
of the house, is an old fish pond.
Therfield Rectory: 15th-century East Wing from the North-West
In the village itself are one or two 17th-century
houses, notably The Limes, the residence of Mrs. Hale,
widow of the late rector, a house now used as the
village reading-room, and, to the east of the church, a
timber and plaster house with thatched roof divided
into two cottages. The Elms, further north, is a twostoried house, partly of brick plastered and partly of
timber and plaster. It dates from the early part of the
16th century, and has additions probably made at the
beginning of the 18th century. It contains some
original fireplaces and other fittings.
To the north-west of the village is Tuthill Farm,
composed of several cottages, which at one time
apparently formed a single 17th-century house.
Barley Barn at Tuthill Farm was licensed as a place
of worship for Protestant Dissenters in 1779. (fn. 5)
Dissenters had a certified place of worship in the
village from 1691 onwards, and generally met in
buildings belonging to the family of Fordham, (fn. 6) who
occupied the demesne lands of Therfield Manor. (fn. 7)
The present Congregational Chapel, a little southeast of The Elms, dates from 1836, and a manse was
established in 1854. (fn. 8) Schools were endowed about
the year 1854. (fn. 9)
The parish is thinly populated, but there are a few
outlying farms and cottages, and in the extreme
south-east the village of Buckland has extended across
the Ermine Street into Therfield. There are several
homestead moats in outlying parts of the parish.
These are at the manor-house of Mardley Bury near
Reed End, and at the manor-farm called Hoddenhoo
in the extreme south of the parish. (fn. 10) Bull Moat, in
the south-east, is in Buckland village. Another moat
lies opposite to Five Houses Farm, in the west. The
name 'Fivehowses' occurs on the 17th-century
Court Rolls. (fn. 11)
A notable feature of the parish is the large open
common covered with short turf which extends along
the whole of the northern border, and has an average
breadth of half a mile. The surface of this common
is undulating and forms a series of low hills. Five
tumuli lie together in a single group, to the south of
which is the only long barrow remaining in Hertfordshire. There are other round tumuli in the same
neighbourhood. One barrow at Money Hill, now
demolished, probably dated from the Bronze Period. (fn. 12)
From the higher grounds there are extensive views
of the Cambridgeshire plain, and on a favourable day
the towers of Ely Cathedral and King's College Chapel,
Cambridge, may be seen clearly. This common is
generally known as Royston Heath, taking its name
from the market town of Royston, part of which was
formerly in Therfield parish. (fn. 13) The heath was a
favourite hunting ground of James I while residing at
Royston (q.v.), and is now a public recreation ground
with golf links and rifle range, under the care of a
body of conservators. There is a right of sheep
feeding, but no other animals may be grazed. A
portion of the heath is let for training racehorses.
The southern edge is fringed with belts of wood,
chiefly beech and larch. Similar woods occur in
other parts of the parish, within which there are 113
acres of woodland.
There are several small greens. Hay Green and
Washing Ditch Green to the south-east of the village
and Collins Green in the west of the parish are
mentioned in 16th-century Court Rolls. (fn. 14) The pound
is situated at Hay Green near Haywood Lane.
Chapel Green lies a mile to the south of the village.
The open arable fields were inclosed in 1849, (fn. 15) the
heath and greens in 1893. (fn. 16)
The soil is chalk, and the land is for the most part
arable, but grass covers over 600 acres. The people
are entirely agricultural, and turkey breeding is a source
of considerable profit. There is a disused chalk-pit
immediately to the north of the village.
Among estates released to the abbey of Ramsey in
the 13th century were lands in 'Wellemadestot' and
on 'le Watelrydie.' (fn. 17) The field called 'Eyhtacres'
abutted on 'Sepwykestrate' (fn. 18) ; and certain common
pasture lay 'beyond Theuestrat' partly at 'Pynttesheggis,' partly on 'Astoneshel' and partly on
'Ordmarashel,' (fn. 19) which last abutted on the road to
Buntingford (i.e. Ermine Street). (fn. 20) Other placenames which occur on the 16th-century Court Rolls
are Rowkes nest (cf. the modern Rooksnest Farm),
Moneycrofte, (fn. 21) Myldaynefeld, Gillarkes, and Snaylhorne peece. (fn. 22)
Among the outlying farms are Wing Hall, overlooking the heath, and Slate Hall in the occupation of
Mr. Albert Drage.
A fair formerly held on the third Monday and
Tuesday in July was abolished in 1873. (fn. 23)
MANORS
Therfield
Certain land, afterwards part of the
manor of THERFIELD, was bought by
Ethelric Bishop of Dorchester early in
the 11th century (1016–34.), and presented by him
to the abbey of Ramsey. (fn. 24) It was said that the
bishop purchased it from an unpopular Dane who
feared that the villagers would murder him. (fn. 25) Thomas
of Therfield evidently confirmed this land to the
abbey in the time of Abbot Robert. (fn. 26) They were
confirmed in their possession of this land by Edward
the Confessor, (fn. 27) William I (fn. 28) and 'other kings,' (fn. 29) and
by Edward III. (fn. 30)
In 1086 the abbot's holding at Therfield was
assessed at 10 hides 1 virgate, and the manor was
said to be and to have been (i.e. before the Conquest)
the demesne of Ramsey Abbey. (fn. 31) Nevertheless the
men of the Hundred Court declared in 1274–5 that
this manor was ancient demesne of the Crown, but
that they knew nothing of its alienation. (fn. 32) Apparently
there was no foundation for
their statement. (fn. 33) The manor
was kept in hand by the abbot
and convent (fn. 34) until the dissolution of the monastery in
1539. (fn. 35) The service due to
the Crown was that of four
knights' fees. (fn. 36)
The 'farm' due from the
manor of Therfield to the
abbey was sufficient to sustain
the monks for a whole fortnight. (fn. 37) It was rendered in
October, February, April, and
August. (fn. 38) It included flour,
meal, malt, peas, cheese, bacon, honey, butter,
herrings, eggs, hens and geese, sheep and lambs,
and beef, in addition to a money payment. (fn. 39)
Ramsey Abbey. Or a bend azure with three rams' heads argent thereon having horns or.
It is recorded that Abbot Walter (1133–60) alienated
portions of the demesne lands to his sister's son
Ralph of Therfield, kt. (fn. 40) In 1386 the abbot added
to the manor lands to the value of £20 in part satisfaction of a licence to acquire property to the value
of £60 (fn. 41) which had been granted to the abbey by
Edward II at the instance of his wife Isabel.
Among the records of this manor is a late
13th-century custumal. (fn. 42) The villein tenants were
tallaged by the monks of Ramsey at £4, which was
rated according to the property of each tenant, and
was assigned to the cellarer by Abbot Hugh Folliot
(1216–31). (fn. 43) They had numerous carrying services
to Ramsey, Cambridge, Ware and London, and it is
interesting to notice that the tenants were already
beginning to compound for these and other services.
After the dissolution of Ramsey Abbey, Therfield
Manor was seized by Henry VIII, and remained in his
hands until 14 January 1540–1, when he gave it to
his queen, Katherine Howard, as part of her jointure. (fn. 44)
After her execution in February 1542 the manor
reverted to the king, (fn. 45) and in June 1544 he granted
it in frankalmoign to the Dean and Chapter of
St. Paul's in exchange for certain manors in Essex and
Middlesex. (fn. 46)
The first court of the dean and chapter was held in
July 1544. (fn. 47) In 1642 the cathedral was closed and
the Mayor and Aldermen of London were appointed
sequestrators of the property of the dean and chapter. (fn. 48)
Therfield Manor was purchased from the trustees for
the sale of the lands of deans and chapters in March
1649–50 by Samuel Pennoyer of London. (fn. 49) After
the death of Pennoyer his widow Rose succeeded to
the property and held courts in April 1655. (fn. 50) In
the same year she evidently married Samuel Disbrowe,
who was still holding in her right in 1657. (fn. 51) The
manor was recovered by the Dean and Chapter of
St. Paul's at the Restoration with their other confiscated estates. (fn. 52) They remained lords of the manor
until 1872, when all their estates, including Therfield,
were vested in the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. (fn. 53)
In 1542 Thomas Benett was tenant of the manorhouse, styled the 'manor or Bery Stede.' (fn. 54) It was
afterwards held at will by John Wenham the elder,
who surrendered it to the use of his brother John
Wenham the younger in 1552. (fn. 55) The dean and
chapter reserved right of accommodation for their
receiver, steward and bailiff, when they should hold
courts, and also a room for the use of the bailiff at the
time of his rent-collecting. (fn. 56) In 1578 John Wenham
conveyed his rights in the 'Bury Stede' to John
Wood, who held it at his death in 1587. He left as
heir his son John, aged three years. (fn. 57)
In the 17th century the site of the manor was let
to members of the family of Fordham, (fn. 58) who have
resided in the parish ever since. (fn. 59) Mr. F. J. Fordham
of Royston is the present owner of Park Farm, which
is in the occupation of his son, Mr. H. J. Fordham.
The Abbots of Ramsey had extensive liberties within
their manors including Therfield. Under a confirmatory charter of Edward the Confessor they claimed
soc and sac, toll, 'mundbryche, feardwite, fihtwite,
blodwite, mischenninge, fritsocne, hamsocne, forstalle,
forhpheang, withpheang, heangwite, gridbriche,
uthleap, infangentheof, scipbriche, tol and team.' (fn. 60)
William I added the right of gallows, and it is said of
infangtheof. (fn. 61) King John granted view of frankpledge, amendment of the assize of bread and ale,
tumbril and free warren. (fn. 62) To these privileges
Henry III added freedom from scot or geld and
exemption from the shire and hundred courts, (fn. 63)
which the abbot's tenants at Therfield were wont to
attend until about 1267. (fn. 64) The abbot proved his
claim to all the above liberties within the manor of
Therfield in 1287. (fn. 65)
Hay
The manor of HAY (la Haye, xiv cent.; Heye or
Haye, xvi cent.) was held of the main manor of
Therfield. (fn. 66) Its early history is obscure; it may be
identical with the place called 'Haia' associated with
'Bradenach,' co. Huntingdon, and mentioned in a
12th-century account of the increase in the lands
of Ramsey Abbey. (fn. 67)
In the 14th century it was in the possession of the
family of Scrope of Masham. Sir Geoffrey Scrope, kt.,
founder of that family and
justice of the Common Pleas,
was associated with Hertfordshire through his marriage
with Laura daughter of Sir
Gerard Furnival of Munden
Furnival (fn. 68) (q.v.). In 1338
Thomas of Brancaster granted
the manor of Hay to Sir
Geoffrey Scope in return for
100 marks silver, and shortly
afterwards Sir Geoffrey granted
a life-interest to Thomas. (fn. 69)
The latter is included among
the tenants of Ramsey Abbey
in Therfield who owed suit at Broughton. (fn. 70) The
manor apparently reverted to Sir Geoffrey Scrope
within a few years, for he held at his death before
1341 a tenement in Therfield with pleas of court
and a capital messuage. (fn. 71) In or before the time of
his son and heir Sir Henry Scrope, kt., of Masham,
a sub-enfeoffment was possibly made to the family of
Sir John Scrope, (fn. 72) a younger son of Sir Richard
Scrope of Bolton, and great-nephew of Sir Geoffrey. (fn. 73)
The rights of the Scropes of Masham as mesne lords
had evidently lapsed by 1561. (fn. 74)
Scrope of Masham. Azure a bend or and a label argent.
The tenant, Sir John Scrope, was succeeded by
two daughters Joan and Elizabeth, (fn. 75) who married
respectively Sir Richard Hastings, kt., and Thomas
Clarell of Aldwark, co. Yorks. (fn. 76) Apparently Elizabeth Clarell succeeded in time to the whole of
Hay, (fn. 77) for in 1474 it was evidently inherited in
entirety by her daughter Elizabeth wife of Sir Richard
Fitz William, kt. In that year a settlement was
made on Sir Richard and Elizabeth for their lives
with remainder to Sir Richard's third son Edward. (fn. 78)
Probably a further settlement was made later, for the
manor descended to Thomas Fitz William, (fn. 79) Sir
Richard's eldest son, who was slain at Flodden Field
in 1513. (fn. 80) His young son and heir William Fitz
William died under age 26 August 1515, and was
succeeded by his two sisters, Alice wife of James
Foljambe and Margaret wife of Godfrey Foljambe. (fn. 81)
Godfrey and Margaret Foljambe sold one moiety of
the manor to Robert Pakenham of Streatham, (fn. 82) from
whom it was purchased in February 1549–50 by the
tenant, John Berners of Therfield. (fn. 83) Thomas Berners
apparently united the two moieties by purchasing the
second from George Gill in 1562. (fn. 84) Gill had
acquired this moiety from Sir Godfrey Foljambe, kt., (fn. 85)
probably the eldest son of James and Alice Foljambe. (fn. 86)
John Berners, gent., resided in Therfield about
1641, (fn. 87) and probably retained this manor, but the
subsequent history of the estate is unknown.
Hay Farm lies on the high ground to the east of
the village, presumably on the site of the capital
messuage held by Sir Geoffrey Scrope. (fn. 88) A windmill
belonged to the manor in the 14th century. (fn. 89)
Gledseys or Butlers
GLEDSEYS, known also as BUTLERS, (fn. 90) was held
of the main manor of Therfield (fn. 91) apparently by
service of one-fourth of a knight's fee. (fn. 92) Abbot
William of Ramsey (1267–85) assigned to the
almoner of the abbey a tenement lately acquired
from John of Gledsey. (fn. 93) About 1278 Joan wife
of John of Gledsey demanded of Robert of Gledsey
the custody of one quarter of a knight's fee in
Therfield, the heir to which was still a minor. (fn. 94)
Elias of Gledsey owed suit to the Abbot of Ramsey
at Broughton early in the 14th century. (fn. 95) This
Elias was witness to a lease of land in Therfield in
1333. (fn. 96) The tenement called Gledseys was occupied
by John Butler in 1444. (fn. 97)
In the time of Henry VIII the Hyde family were
in possession of this manor. (fn. 98) In 1544 John Hyde
and Margaret his wife and Thomas their son conveyed it to John Gill and Margaret his wife. (fn. 99) John
Gill was succeeded in 1546 by his son George. (fn. 100)
The latter assigned this manor to his wife Anne as a
portion of her jointure, (fn. 101) and died in 1568, leaving a
son John as heir. (fn. 102) John Gill died in 1600 and the
manor passed to his son George, (fn. 103) who sold it in 1607
to William Clerke. (fn. 104) In 1638 William Clerke, gent.,
was ordered in the court of the main manor to keep
his flocks for Gledseys and Five Houses within the
ancient bounds. (fn. 105) He was apparently succeeded by
his son Thomas Clerke, (fn. 106) whose property was divided
among his four daughters, Hester wife of Henry
Meade, Elizabeth wife of Thomas (fn. 107) Sanford, Susan
Clerke and Sarah wife of John Higham. (fn. 108) The
Highams were dealing with their fourth of 'Butler's'
manor in 1666. (fn. 109) By 1676 a part of the estate of
Thomas Clerke in Therfield had been acquired from
the four co-heirs by John Green of Thorpe. (fn. 110) After
the death of Susan Clerke her sisters divided her
portion of Gledseys Manor between them. Sanford
held one-third in right of his wife and purchased
another third. He was succeeded by his son John
Sanford, who was in possession of two-thirds of the
manor about 1700. (fn. 111) The remaining third was purchased by Ralph Baldwin, gent., whose son Ralph
Baldwin inherited it in 1694. (fn. 112) The 'manor' of
Gledseys was subsequently sold by Mr. B. Wortham
to the late Mr. Phillips, who bequeathed it to the
father of the present owner, Captain J. H. J. Phillips. (fn. 113)
The lands of Gledsey Manor extend into Buckland parish. (fn. 114)
Hoddenhoo or Hoddenhoo Newhall
The manor of HODDENHOO or HODDENHOO
NEWHALL was among the possessions of Royston
Priory at its dissolution. (fn. 115) In 1086 Hoddenhoo was
within the hundred of Edwinstree, (fn. 116) and the greater
part of the manorial lands lie in Buckland parish, (fn. 117)
but the manor-house of Hoddenhoo is within the
boundaries of Therfield parish.
In the Domesday Survey Hoddenhoo is returned
in two portions. The one consisting of 1 hide and
half a virgate had been held before the Conquest by
a sokeman of Earl Algar and three sokemen of
Archbishop Stigand. In 1086 it was held of Odo
Bishop of Bayeux by Osbern, tenant also of Buckland
and of land in Throcking. (fn. 118) Possibly, therefore,
this was the land in Hoddenhoo given with land in
Throcking to the priory of Holy Trinity, Aldgate,
by Roger son of Brian and his wife Maud and
confirmed to the priory by Henry III in February
1226–7. (fn. 119)
The second portion consisted of a hide and a
virgate held before the Conquest by two sokemen
of Earl Algar. Tetbald held it of Hardwin Scales
(de Scalers) in 1086. (fn. 120)
It is uncertain how Royston Priory acquired the
'manor of Newhall and Hoddenhoo in Buckland,' (fn. 121)
which by process of exhaustion appears to be identical
with Tetbald's holding. Probably it was given to
the priory between 1189 and 1291, for it is not
named in the confirmatory charter of Richard I of
the former date, (fn. 122) and the priory had lands in Buckland worth £3 8s. at the latter date. (fn. 123)
In January 1512–13 the site of the manor was
let on a sixty years' lease, and Laurence Pleydon was
lessee in 1536, when the property of the priory had
been surrendered to the Crown. (fn. 124) The courts were
apparently held at Buckland. (fn. 125) In December 1540
Robert Chester, gentleman usher of the Chamber,
received a grant of all the possessions late of Royston
Priory including the manor of Newhall and Hoddenhoo. (fn. 126) He sold this manor to John Gill and his
wife Margaret about the following Easter. (fn. 127) It
remained with his direct descendants (fn. 128) at least until
the death of Sir George Gill, kt., in 1619. (fn. 129)
Early in the year 1662 the lord was Ralph
Freeman (fn. 130) (lord also of the manor of Aspenden).
He had been preceded by
John Putnam, (fn. 131) and the
manor descended to his son
Ralph Freeman. (fn. 132) Apparently
a settlement was made on his
son Ralph about 1700. (fn. 133) The
latter's son William Freeman
was dealing with the manor
in 1730. (fn. 134) Dr. Ralph Freeman,
his brother, succeeded in
1749. (fn. 135) It descended with
his manor of Hamels in Standon to Philip third Earl of
Hardwicke, and is now the
property of the Hon. John Henry Savile, grandson
of Lady Anne Yorke, eldest daughter of the Earl of
Hardwicke mentioned above.
Freeman of Aspenden. Azure three lozenges argent.
West Reed or Alan De Rede
The manor of WEST REED or ALAN DE REDE,
sometimes called MARDLET BURY, was held by the
Priors of Royston. (fn. 136) The house at Mardley Bury
with a carucate of arable land and certain meadow,
pasture and rent was acquired by the priory in 1302
from Adam de Twynham. (fn. 137) The 'manor' of West
Reed, 'formerly called Alan de Rede,' (fn. 138) held by the
priory at the Dissolution, is in all probability identical
with the tenement in the 'vill' of West Reed which
a certain Alan de Rede held of the Earl of Gloucester
rendering suit at the earl's court of Popeshall (fn. 139) (in
the neighbouring parish of Buckland). Alan de Rede
died about 1314 and left a son and heir Henry. (fn. 140)
The priory of Royston had already in 1251 acquired
from Elias son of Richard of West Reed a messuage
and 51½ acres of land in West Reed. (fn. 141) How the
priory obtained the manor of Alan de Rede is unknown. In 1358 Thomas Palfreyman of Royston,
chaplain, alienated 80 acres of land in West Reed
and Royston to the priory. (fn. 142) The estates seized by
the Crown upon the surrender of the priory included the manor of West Reed with rents in Therfield and West Reed including the rent of Mardley
Bury Close. (fn. 143)
In 1540 Henry VIII granted 'the manor of West
Reed called Alan de Rede' with all the property of
the late priory to Robert Chester. (fn. 144) Shortly afterwards this manor was purchased from Chester by
John Bowles of Wallington and his son and heirapparent Thomas. (fn. 145) John Bowles died seised of it
in 1543, but his son Thomas was evidently already
dead, for John's heir was his grandson Thomas son
of Richard Bowles. (fn. 146) Thomas Bowles 'the younger'
of Standon sold the manor of West Reed alias 'Alan
de Rede' with its appurtenances in West and East
Reed and Therfield (evidently including Mardley
Bury) to William Hyde of Sandon about 1556. (fn. 147) In
1563 William Hyde conveyed the manor to Thomas
Turner of West Reed in Therfield, yeoman, and
John his son. (fn. 148) This Thomas Turner had learned
to sing at Royston Priory and lived more than
ninety-five years. (fn. 149) In March 1606–7 he was styled
'of Reed End in Therfield.' (fn. 150) William Turner is said
to have sold the manor in 1630 to John Willymot. (fn. 151)
His son John bequeathed it to his wife Anne,
daughter of James Willymot of Kelshall, and she
was holding it in 1700. (fn. 152) In 1714 it was acquired
by John Fisher, and in 1721 it was the property of
the Hon. Peregrine Bertie the younger and his wife
Elizabeth. (fn. 153) In 1753 it was in the possession of Peregrine Bertie, (fn. 154) and Catherine Dorothy Bertie, Elizabeth
Bertie and Mary wife of Samuel Lichigaray joined in
a conveyance of it in 1783. (fn. 155) George Sutton was
dealing with the manor in 1788. (fn. 156) It was bought
in 1790 by James Free, (fn. 157) and from his grandson Clerke
Free it was purchased by the Rev. Charles Moss, rector
of Therfield and afterwards Bishop of Oxford. In
1839 his executors sold to the Hon. William Herbert,
from whom the manor was purchased in 1853 by
Thomas Henry Usborne of Staplehurst, co. Kent. (fn. 158)
He was succeeded by his son Captain Thomas
Starling Usborne, who bequeathed it to his three
daughters. Two-thirds of the estate together with
the manorial rights were purchased from them by
the present owner, the Rev. George Archer. (fn. 159)
A farm-house and homestead moat still remain at
Mardley Bury. The site of the house of 'Alan de
Rede' is more difficult to locate. It certainly lay in
West Reed, if it is to be identified with the manorhouse of the priory of Royston at West Reed, and
some, at least, of the 'fields' of West Reed were
within the parish of Therfield. (fn. 160) They probably
extended as far as 'Reed End.'
In 1275 it was returned that the men of West
Reed had withdrawn their suit due to the honour of
Richmond. (fn. 161) These were possibly the men of that
hide in Reed which Alward had held of Count Alan
in 1086. (fn. 162) The land had formerly been held by
Turbern, one of Eddeva's men. (fn. 163) The fact that
castle ward was due to the honour of Richmond from
the collector of the rents of the Prior of Royston in
West Reed and elsewhere (fn. 164) tends to prove that this
hide was among the lands acquired by the priory in
West Reed.
Before the time of the Domesday Survey Alric the
priest held of the Abbot of Ramsey 3 virgates of land
in Therfield. (fn. 165) These had passed by 1086 to Wigar, a
tenant under Hardwin Scales. (fn. 166) The overlordship
thus diverted from the abbey was still in the possession of the Scales family in 1303, (fn. 167) and was possibly
attached to their neighbouring manor of Reed (q.v.).
The tenant in 1303 was a certain John of Oclee. (fn. 168)
Rectory
Manorial rights belong to the RECTORY. It
was said in 1547 that courts leet and view of frankpledge were usually held at the rectory. (fn. 169) The
rectory manor was let on lease with the parsonage in
1553. (fn. 170) The late incumbent, the Rev. J. G. Hale,
was accustomed to hold courts yearly in the 'Court
Room' of the rectory. (fn. 171) In 1336 Wymar de Corton
conveyed a toft in Therfield to the parson for the
enlargement of the rectory. (fn. 172)
CHURCH
The church of ST. MARY THE
VIRGIN, which consists of chancel,
nave with north and south aisles, and
west tower, was rebuilt in 1878, some of the old
material being re-used. The windows in the chancel,
all but the one in the east wall, are from the old
church, (fn. 173) and in the modern roof are some carved
figures of angels and bosses of the 15th century.
The porch was added in 1906, and the tower, of
which only the first story was built, was completed
by the rector, the Rev. F. R. Blatch, in 1911.
In the south wall of the chancel the early 14thcentury double piscina has been reset; it has moulded
arches on shafted jambs with moulded capitals and
bases. The sedilia adjoining, though chiefly of modern
work, have some old stone in them. In the north
chancel wall is an arched recess containing an ancient
stone coffin.
In the vestry are many fragments of stone carving
dating from the 13th to the 16th century, corbels,
parts of tombs, including a curious effigy of a man
lying with his head at right angles to his body and
his legs crossed; in his right hand is a drawn sword;
at the end of the stone are two small female figures,
standing; on the end of the stone is a shield charged
with a cross.
On the window sills in the chancel are some fragments of carvings, and underneath the tower are some
carved oak figures of angels from the old roof.
There are some fragments of 15th-century heraldic
glass in the church, until lately in the old rectory.
The octagonal font belongs to the late 14th century;
the basin is plain, with mouldings underneath, and
mouldings to the base.
Underneath the tower is a large mural monument
of cedar wood, flanked by carved figures, to Ann wife
of Francis Turner, a former rector; she died 1677.
The carved figure of Time is intact, but the skeleton,
Death, is broken.
There are six bells: the treble by W. & P.
Whitman, 1689 (recast in 1911); second and third
(recast in 1911) by Miles Graye, 1626 and 1656
respectively; fourth by John Dier, 1597; fifth inscribed 'Praies the Lord,' 1608; and tenor by
John Waylett, 1707.
The communion plate consists of cup and two
patens without hall mark, a small cup with handle,
the hall mark erased, and a large silver-gilt flagon,
1667, the gift of Dr. Barwick, Dean of St. Paul's
and rector of Therfield.
The registers are in six books: (i) baptisms from
1538 to 1662, burials 1539 to 1662, marriages 1538
to 1661; (ii) baptisms from 1662 to 1750, burials
1662 to 1681, marriages 1662 to 1749; (iii) burials
from 1678 to 1750; (iv) baptisms and burials from
1750 to 1812, marriages 1750 to 1753; (v) and (vi)
marriages from 1754 to 1796 and 1796 to 1812
respectively. There are some considerable gaps in
book i.
ADVOWSON
The earliest definite record of the
church is a papal bull of 1178 confirming the abbey of Ramsey in
possession of it. (fn. 174) The successive abbots retained the
right of patronage until the Dissolution, (fn. 175) after which
the advowson was granted with the manor to the
Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's. (fn. 176) They have retained the advowson to the present day. (fn. 177)
In 1392 the Abbot of Ramsey had licence to unite
the church of Therfield with Shillington Church,
co. Beds., notwithstanding that the advowsons of
these churches were parcel of the respective manors
of Shillington and Therfield. (fn. 178) The arrangement, if
ever it was carried into effect, does not appear to have
been permanent. A licence to appropriate Therfield
Church was obtained by the Dean and Chapter of
St. Paul's in 1547 upon condition that a perpetual
vicar should be appointed to fulfil in all respects the
office of rector, and that he should pay to the Bishop
of Lincoln and Archdeacon of Huntingdon for procurations and synodals of the church of Therfield
11s. 6d., and should support all other burdens of the
church excepting only the repairs of the chancel, for
which the dean and chapter were to be responsible. (fn. 179)
It was also stipulated that a suitable residence and an
income of £20 should be provided for the vicar. It
appears that the proposed ordination of a vicarage
was never carried into effect. (fn. 180) The living is now a
rectory in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of
St. Paul's.
A pension of 4 marks was paid by this church to
the monastery of Ramsey (fn. 181) and devoted to the office
of sacrist. (fn. 182) Confirmations of this pension were
made by Pope Honorius III in 1225 (fn. 183) and by Pope
Gregory IX in 1233, (fn. 184) by Richard Bishop of Lincoln
in 1262, (fn. 185) by St. Hugh Bishop of Lincoln (1189–95), (fn. 186)
and it was included in a general confirmation by
Walter Archbishop of Canterbury of gifts to Ramsey
Abbey in 1319. (fn. 187) William Burham, rector of
Therfield, who was deprived for marriage about
1554, (fn. 188) refused to pay this pension. (fn. 189) Thomas
Hewlet and another incumbent in the 16th century
declared that the living was free of any such
charge. (fn. 190)
Several men of note have been rectors of Therfield.
Among these was John Yonge, Master of the Rolls
and diplomatist, whose well-known monument stood
in the Rolls Chapel, now the Record Office Museum.
He was made Prebendary of Holborn in St. Paul's
Cathedral in 1511, and three years later was presented
to the rectory here. In the 16th and 17th centuries
William Alabaster, a Prebendary of St. Paul's, Francis
Turner, Bishop of Norwich, William Holder, a noted
divine, and William Sherlock, Dean of St. Paul's, were
successively appointed to this living. In 1604 John
Overall, Bishop of Norwich, was rector, but the church
was served by a curate. (fn. 191)
William Burham, the rector, deprived about 1554,
had 'let to farm all the Rectory premises except
one chamber in the west end of the parsonage house'
to Andrew Meverell for six years. In August of the
next year John Sapcote, a lessee of Burham's successor,
John Whiting, clerk, entered upon the parsonagehouse. It appears that Sapcote was occupying the
rectory in 1561, (fn. 192) but Burham let to another lessee,
Robert Newport. (fn. 193) The end of this dispute is
unknown.
Elyn Colle, by will dated 1494, left £3 6s. 8d. for
a new rood loft in the church within two years of
her decease, (fn. 194) and in 1511 a bequest was made by
William Chapman for the painting of this rood loft. (fn. 195)
In 1503 Edward Shouldam, clerk, made provision
for a priest to say mass in the church of Therfield. (fn. 196)
In 1506 Richard Bentley left an offering to the altar
of the chapel of SS. John and James, where he desired
to be buried. (fn. 197) There were also altars of St. John the
Baptist and St. Katherine, (fn. 198) and lights of our Lady of
Pity, (fn. 199) St. Nicholas and St. Katherine. (fn. 200)
A devotional gild which paid 12d. yearly to
Ramsey Abbey at the feast of St. Benedict was in
existence not later than 1130. (fn. 201) Two obits in
Therfield Church were suppressed by Edward VI.
One was given by John Bateman, and was of the
value of 5s. yearly. This was to be paid out of the
rent of some 29 acres of land which he gave to the use
of the poor. (fn. 202) The other was worth 8s. yearly, and
arose from 8 acres of land given by John Chapman
for that purpose. (fn. 203)
CHARITIES
The School House charity, comprised in an indenture of 12 December
1670, in which it is recited that the
house had from time out of mind belonged to the
inhabitants and had been used as a dwelling-house
for a schoolmaster, is regulated by a scheme of
the Charity Commission dated 18 August 1905.
The property consists of a cottage and 10 poles of
land let for £5 yearly, and the scheme directs that
the income shall be applied for the benefit of the
poor. The income is distributed in sums of about
2s. 6d. each.
The Bateman charity, the date of the foundation
of which is unknown, but comprised in a deed of
8 April 1644, is regulated by a scheme of the
Charity Commission 3 January 1899. The endowment consists of 37 a. 2 r. 16 p. of land in Therfield
and 2 roods in Kelshall producing £34 12s. yearly.
The net income is applied in the purchase and
distribution of coal to the poor.
In 1772 John Clerke by his will gave £2 yearly
issuing out of a field called Moneycroft to be distributed in bread to the poor every three years. The
last distribution was made in 1909.