David & Jenny Carter Nimrod Research Docton Court 2 Myrtle Street Appledore Bideford North Devon EX39 1PH www.nimrodresearch.co.uk
[email protected] GRENVILLE RESEARCH This report has been produced to accompany the Historical Research and Statement of Significance Reports into Nos. 1 to 5 Bridge Street, Bideford. It should be noted however, that the connection with the GRENVILLE family has at present only been suggested in terms of Nos. 1, 2 and 3 Bridge Street. I am indebted to Andy Powell for locating many of the reference sources referred to below, and in providing valuable historical assistance to progress this research to its conclusions. In the main Statement of Significance Report, the history of the buildings was researched as far as possible in an attempt to assess their Heritage Value, with a view to the owners making a decision on the future of these historic Bideford properties. I hope that this will be of assistance in this respect. David Carter Contents: Executive Summary - - - - - - 2 Who were the GRENVILLE family? - - - - 3 The early GRENVILLEs in Bideford - - - - 12 Buckland Abbey - - - - - - - 17 Biography of Sir Richard GRENVILLE - - - - 18 The Birthplace of Sir Richard GRENVILLE - - - - 22 1585: Sir Richard GRENVILLE builds a new house at Bideford - 26 Where was GRENVILLE’s house on The Quay? - - - 29 The Overmantle - - - - - - 40 How extensive were the Bridge Street Manor Lands? - - 46 Coat of Arms - - - - - - - 51 The MEREDITH connection - - - - - 53 Conclusions - - - - - - - 58 Appendix Documents - - - - - - 60 Sources and Bibliography - - - - - 143 Wiltshire’s Nimrod Indexes founded in 1969 by Dr Barbara J Carter J.P., Ph.D., B.Sc., F.S.G.