Armchair Adventurers Explore Honiton Geogra phy y Hembury Hill Fort Geolog Arc [Peter Arkwright hae 2014] olo y gy tor His

Honiton is situated on rising ground in a Nothing further is known of Honiton until late picturesque fertile vale in East Devon. The Saxon times when the first written reference to underlying geology is Triassic and Permian Huna’s tun or Honetone, a Saxon farm, is rock with surface river deposits of greensand recorded in the Doomsday survey. Various formation made up of fine grain clay, silt and myths surround the Honiton name. It may have gravel. derived from the legend of swarms of bees making honey in the nearby woods [Hunitone, The River Gissage appears to rise in the Huniton, Hunnington] or from whetstone pits hills of Farway Common and flows into the which produced hones for sharpening River Otter east of Tracey Road. It is used as implements [Honetone, Honetown]. ‘Honi’ in part of the flood defence system for East old French signifies shame or disgrace and an Devon. In the past a leat was built from it to old story tells that nearly all women of Honiton service Town Mill, passing the brewery and were barren and to remedy this these women foundry where it rejoined the main river. In were to spend a day and a night in St 1995 it was known to support various fish Margaret's chapel, when by means of a vision species such as bullhead, stone roach, trout they would become pregnant. It is suggested as well as eels. The Glen Stream flows into that this is pictorially displayed on the old the river. Honiton borough seal of 1846 showing a pregnant woman possibly praying to St Margaret, the hand of God bestowing a blessing above the figures; the plant depicted could be a sprig of honeysuckle.

River Gissage [Lewis clarke]

The earliest evidence of human occupation dates to the Palaeolithic period 25,000 years There are no known villas, temples or ago. Flint from the banks of the river Gissage bathhouses or major forts from the Roman was used to make stone tools, some of which period but excavations at Hembury have can be found in the town museum. Also in the shown it was used as a Roman signal station museum are bones of elk, hippopotamus and and the long, straight High Street was originally elephant, dating to 125 to 140 thousand part of the Roman Road from Dorchester to years ago, found when digging the by-pass in Exeter known as the Fosse Way. Traces of a the 1960s. possible Roman fort were found when building the new A30, as was an enclosed Bronze Age About 60 Bronze Age burial mounds have settlement containing two roundhouses [with been identified to the south of the town at evidence of spinning and weaving] when Farway and there are Iron Age hill forts, constructing the dual carriageway in the 1990s. notably at Hembury Fort to the north and Post holes thought to be part of the main Blackberry Camp to the south. gateway to the enclosure were excavated during the building of the garden centre off Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 1 of 13 Hayne Lane in 2019. Norman Conquest Accession of Mary I, his Earldom restored. He died in Italy of poisoning, unmarried and The original settlement, now Honiton, is childless. The last Courtney to hold the manor believed to be the hamlet of Littletown. Pre was William ‘Kitty’ Courtney, only son of the 14 1066 the area belonged to the Anglo Saxon children of William Courtney. Due to living Drogo. William the Conquerer gave the land beyond his means he sold the manor in 1809 to his half brother Robert. The Doomsday and fled to Paris due to persecution for his book of 1086 records the manorial land as homosexuality. The manor was held in having “...gelding for five hides, land for18 receivership until bought by Joseph Locke MP ploughs, 24 villeins, ten surfs and boarders, a in 1847. mill, 2 saltworkers...”; mills were rare in Devon at this time. [A hide = burgage plot to support a family; villein = tenant farmer; serf = peasant providing manual labour.]

Edward Courtney William ‘Kitty’ Courtney [Wikipedia] [Wikipedia] Much of the land was sold off to private purchasers after 1869. The title of Earl of Devon was revived in 1831. William’s descendants still hold it today; the family seat is Littletown Mill [Mills Archive] at Powderham Castle.

Robert’s son was dispossessed of the land by Folklore Henry I who bestowed it to Richard de Redvers and made him the first Earl of The folklore of the Devon area is a mix of Devon. Several generations of the family held Celtic, Saxon and Danish. Customs such as the manor and during this period [approx. wassailing the apple trees continue to this day 1207] the town was laid out with burgage around Honiton to encourage new growth and a plots. Isabella de Fortibus was the last of the bountiful harvest. It usually takes place on de Redvers to inherit the Earldom from her Twelfth Night starting at dusk with preparation brother who died of poisoning in 1262, leaving of a drink which is carried to the orchard. A no heirs. She became the richest heiress in rhyme is said, followed by gun shot into the England with lands in the north and the trees to frighten away the witches at midnight. Lordship of the Isle of Wight. She made Carisbrooke Castle her home. A tale of a moving stone named Old Nick, located under a bench seat in Church Hill, is Tradition has it that Isabella decided the said to be all that remains after the Devil and boundary between Honiton, Gittisham, locals threw stones at each other. The legend Farway and Sidbury by taking off her ring, says that the rock was first placed at St throwing it in the air declaring that where it fell Michael’s church but it moved, inch by inch to would be the boundary point; hence the spot settle in its present location 50 yards away. known as ‘Ring in the Mire’ near the Hare and Hounds.

Isabella outlived her husband and six children and the manorial land sold to Edward I. The Earldom was bestowed to Hugh Courtney, Isabella’s nearest male relative. The Courtneys held the manor for several Old Nick rock [Terry Ife] centuries. Henry Courtney [cousin of Henry VIII] was beheaded by sword at the Tower of A phantom soldier is said to haunt Marlpits London in1538 accused of conspiring to lead Lane, believed to be one of Monmouth’s men a Roman Catholic conspiracy. Edward, his who fought at the battle of Sedgemoor. A party only surviving son, was held prisoner in the of schoolchildren watched a dazed man Tower for 15 years being released at the stagger past them but when a car appeared the Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 2 of 13 man disappeared. The two school mistresses present did not see the figure but were so convinced For several hundred years the ceremony by the children's terror they did some research which continued and is know by its popular confirmed a Honiton resident living in Marlpitt Lane name of ‘Hot Pennies’. Affluent people had fought in the battle of Sedgemoor but deserted to threw out the pennies from balconies to make his way home. He was brutally killed for the crowds below and took great delight in desertion a few yards from his home in front of his wife seeing the peasants burn their fingers and children. His ghost has been seen at other times whilst collecting them. The ceremony in the 20th century, but only by children. continues to this day on the first Tuesday after 19th July...but the pennies are just Terry Bridlington an RAC patrol man stopped for his warm! packed lunch at Blackberry Camp, an Iron Age hill fort. He had a walk around and heard a whooshing sound A garlanded pole topped by a gloved hand behind him followed by a solid thump and saw a thick is hoisted by the Town Cryer, in the branch of wood rolling toward him. Minutes later company of town dignitaries including the another large branch landed near him. He could not Mayor, proclaiming that “No man may be see who had thrown the logs so made a hasty walk to arrested so long as the glove is up.” This his van as three more logs landed within inches of him. After driving away he stopped to inspect his van and noticed 2 large dents in the roof. In the Iron Age large wooded objects were used as weapons so had Terry inadvertently witnessed a battle from a bygone era?

The Hare and Hounds, previously known as Hunters Lodge was, in the 17th century, a popular haunt for poachers and smugglers due to its isolated position. Hot Pennies Ceremony [Honiton Town Council Legend says that several murders were committed there and the bodies buried nearby, maintaining the was done to ensure that everyone would tradition of burying the dead at a crossroads to come to Honiton for the fair which ‘confuse the dead’. There have been sightings of followed the ceremony without fear of these criminals aimlessly wandering Gittisham being arrested. We are uncertain whether common. this has been tested in recent times.

At the front of the public house is a large stone known Charter Day has been celebrated each as the ‘witches stone’ by some and the ‘slaughter year since it’s revival in 2007 to mark the stone’ by others. Legend says that witches sacrificed 750th anniversary of the granting of the their victims here and that when the stone hears the charter. There has been a market in the bells of Sidbury church it rolls down the hill to the River town before the reign of King John [1199- 1216], however the Royal Charter granting rights to a weekly market was granted in 1257 by Henry III.

The market was primarily for livestock and farm produce sales. It continues to be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays along with a Saturday market [originally held on a Sunday] variously selling fruit, Witches Stone Hare and Hounds vegetables, household goods, bread, cakes, plants, flowers, eggs, clothes, Sid to cleanse itself before making its way back up the curiosities and street food. hill.

Traditions

The Ceremony of the Glove dates from the 13th century when Hontion was granted a Royal Charter. Honiton Market 2019 Honiton Market circa 1900 Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 3 of 13

The Honiton Gate to Plate event started in 2018 Fires and is planned to be held annually. Its a time to celebrate producers of local food, drink and craft. The town has seen about 30 major HRH Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall destructive fires. Historically the first recorded were guests at the opening event. one appears to have been in 1672. In 1747 a fire started in a house opposite Allhallows Chapel and raged for over 13 hours destroying the southern end of the High Street. Twenty years later on 21st August 1765 the most calamitous fire started at noon in a blacksmiths shop [now the ice cream parlour]. It raged violently for over 24 hours Honiton Gate to Plate 2018 and was so powerful it melted the bells of Allhallows Chapel destroying it’s clock and Hontion High Street chimes plus the school and school house. Around 180 properties were destroyed The High Street is nearly a mile long, one of the including 115-140 homes. The damage was South West’s longest. It is noted not only for its estimated at £11,000. A subscription was market days but for its antiques shops plus a raised to help cover the losses of the poorest. range of coffee shops and cafes. It boasts The chapel was repaired from private independent bakers, butchers, a fishmonger and subscription and re opened on 6th November health food outlets. 1770.

In the past it had more than twenty public houses and inns. The three oldest remaining are the Three Tuns, the Vine Inn and the thatched Volunteer Inn.

There are 22 blue plaques celebrating the town’s long history from Allhallows Chapel 1327 to the Honiton pottery which closed in 1991. A Heritage Trails book is available at Allhallows Museum for a Georgian houses were built to replace the small fee. destroyed homes, many of which were said to be hovels, and these are the buildings we see on the High Street today. The 17th century Marwood House escaped the fire.

The town was ill equipped to combat such fires relying on volunteers fighting flames with buckets of water. Following a fire in 1887 in New Street which destroyed lives and all but The High Street has witnessed wars and civil one [ which still stands opposite the library] of strife. In 1549 the King’s army under Lord John a row of thatched Tudor homes, the town Russell assembled and marched with beating council expressed concern. It was not until drums and pipes to Fenny Bridges where they 1891 that a fire service was formed. The fire mercilessly cut down the Prayer Book rebels. engine had no dedicated home and was variously stationed at places around the town After the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, the including the Dolphin Hotel. remains of John Oliver, Henry Knight, John Knowles and Henry Potts were hung on poles so the town’s people could learn King James justice.

On 5th November 1805 Lt John Lapenotiere galloped down the High Street with the first reports on Nelson’s victory making it part of the famous Trafalgar Way. Honiton Fires [both images Allhallows Museum Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 4 of 13 Keys were kept by the brigade’s A water colour painting by Alfred Leyman, superintendent, the captain, at the police art master at Allhallows School is titled, ‘St station as well as at the Dolphin Hotel. Margarets Charity Almshouses’ giving some indication of what the houses looked like. In 1896 St Michaels was renovated at a cost of £800 but was gutted by fire in March 1911. The sextant found the roof ablaze. The manual pump of the local brigade had proved ineffective as there was no water near-bye to use. Exeter brigade transported their steam engine to Honiton by train but it was too late to save the gutted church. The church was restored at a cost of £2,900. Honiton’s first steam fire engine was purchased in 1911.

A more recent fire during 1994 in a ventilation shaft of the railway bridge made a ‘giant toxic kiln of smoke’ and lasted 8 hours. St Margarets Charity Almshouses by Alfred Leyman

Lady Margaret’s medieval chapel

This building has been privately owned since 1949 and is grade II listed. It has 16th century Leprosy doors and woodwork with early Gothic windows. It is used as a wedding venue. Leprosy entered England in the 4th century and was a regular feature of life by 1050. Known today as Hansen’s disease after G.H.Hansen,a Norwegian who isolated the mycobacterium leprace, in 1837 as the causative agent. It was the first bacterium identified as causing disease in humans. Sadly an effective cure was not available until 1940. From the end of the 11th century to 1350 [at the dissolution of the monasteries] there were at least 350 religious houses and hospitals caring for lepers situated on the edge of towns, or if rural, near crossroads or major travel routes as is St Margaret's. St Margret’s medieval chapel In 1642 St Margaret’s was known to have one leprous patient and a further eight in the years Previously St Margaret’s Chapel [later known to 1807. The emphasis on care was on as St Margaret’s Hospital] located in Beggars cleanliness, with clothes washed twice a week, Lane dates back to the 11th century. It was and wholesome food. Contact with families was founded by William de Tracey [one of the maintained and visitors allowed. However assassins of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of attitudes changed following the black death Canterbury]. Sometime before 1307 it [1347-1350] as fear of contagions led to greater became a leper hospital and was later rebuilt restrictions, isolation, abuse and corrupt to include three thatched cottages to be used practices. It should be remembered that the as almshouses by Thomas Chard, Abbott of understanding of the cause of the disease was Forde Abbey in 1530. In 1808 a further four thought to be ‘ the punishment for sins’. houses were added giving residency for nine alms people. The governor was paid 3/- a week and the inmates 1/-.

Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 5 of 13 Famous People

Alfred Leyman [1856-1933], artist, was born in Devon and moved to Hontion around 1888 becoming the art master at Allhallows school William Slater in 1893, a position he held until his death. He was a renowned water colourist whose work covered many aspects of Devon rural life. The painting hangs in Apsley House Town House Museum. Salter paid for and painted an altarpiece called ‘Descent from the Cross For the new St Paul’s church Honiton in 1835.

Dr. Bridget Rose Dugdale was born in Honiton in 1941, better known as Rose Dugdale, a former debutante who rebelled against her wealthy upbringing, becoming a volunteer in the militant Irish republican organisation, the Provisional Irish Republican Army [IRA] for Woodhayes Farm Honiton by Leyman which she was imprisoned for 9 years. Samuel Graves Admiral of the Royal Navy died at his family estate at Hembury Fort in 1787. A monument sculpted by John Bacon but designed by a Miss Burgess was erected in Buckerell the same year.

Juanita Maxwell Phillips was mayor of Honiton eleven times. A campaigner on women’s employment as part of the feminist Six Point Frog Lane Exeter by Group and The Open Door Council which Leyman pressed for equal economic opportunities for Ozias Humphrey [1742-1810] a regarded women and remaining as a member of the portrait painter was born in Honiton. He Women’s Friendly League until equal suffrage became a member of the Society of Artists was achieved including deputations to and settled in London and appointed portrait Parliament. After the First World War, she painter in crayons to the King. embarked on a career in public life and elected as a Guardian, became the first woman Borough Councillor in Honiton and the first County Councillor in Devon.

Princess Charlotte by Margarine of Humphry [Windsor Anspach by collection] Humphry William Salter [1804-1875] a portrait painter was born and educated in Honiton. His best known work is a painting ‘ The Waterloo Juanita Maxwell Phillips [suffrage Banquet’ . It shows 83 people at the banquet pioneers] in 1836 organised by the Duke of Wellington During the Second World War she was head of to celebrate victory at the Battle of Waterloo. Devon’s Women’s Voluntary Service. She also established the Little Theatre in Honiton. She was awarded an OBE in 1950. Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 6 of 13

’ George Blagdon Westcott, Captain of the and various other clubs including Manchester Royal Navy was born around 1753, the son City, spending several years as assistant of a Honiton baker. He was buried at sea manager to the Republic of Ireland team. following the Battle of the Nile and a monument to his memory was erected in St Thomas Marwood, whose son John built the Paul’s cathedral, and another in the church Jacobean Marwood House in 1619, was in Honiton. physician to Queen Elizabeth I. Known as a colourful character he practised as doctor for 75 years and was married 3 times. He died in 1617 aged 105. In his will he left £10 to benefit the poor of Honiton. This bequest formed the core of a

George Blagdon Westcott group of charities to this day. His grandson [Wikipedia] Thomas attended James I in his last illness and a text in Latin recording the details is believed to In January 1801 Nelson was passing have been penned by him. through Honiton to take up a new command in Plymouth. He invited Wescott’s family to Jo Pavey athlete, was born in Honiton and has breakfast and presented his mother his own been a member of Exeter Harriers Athletic Club Nile medal saying, “You will not value it less since 1987. because Nelson has worn it”. Writing to Lady Hamilton in January the same year he wrote, “At Honiton I visited Captain Wescott’s mother-poor thing, except from the bounty of government and Lloyd’s, in very low circumstances. The brother is a tailor, but had they been chimney-sweepers it was my Jo Pavey [Exeter duty to show them respect.” Harriers]

Thomas Cochrane 10th Earl of Dundonald Her Olympic performance in 2000 made her the [1755-1860] was a British naval flag officer, fourth fastest British woman over 5000m at the mercenary and radical politician. He was time. She became the oldest British track dismissed from the Royal Navy in 1914 competitor at an Olympic Games aged 42 years following a controversial conviction for fraud and 11 months. Her time of 31:33.44 is on the Stock Exchange. In October 1806 he recognised as the official world record by an over ran for Parliament in Honiton and won. His 40. exploits inspired the naval fiction of novelist C.S.Forrester’s ‘Horatio and Hornblower’ and Honiton Workhouse Patrick O’Brian’s protagonist Jack Aubrey. The original workhouse of about 1723 was Daniel Defoe when writing his ‘Tour Through replaced in 1836 following the establishment of the Whole Island of Great Britain’ wrote of the Honiton Poor Law Union. It was overseen by Honiton, “...coming down the hill and the a board of elected guardians drawn from the town entrance to Honiton, the view of the county is and its surrounding parishes. The complex the most beautiful landscape in the world-a included an administration block, porters room mere picture and I do not remember the like and four accommodation wings in the shape of a in any other place in England.” cross for different groups i.e. male, female able- bodied and infirm. Sick wards were added in Maurice Edgar Setters a professional 1883. football player and manager was born in Honiton in 1936. He made over 400 Entering a workhouse was a choice, but not an appearances representing Exeter City easy one, but with no state support for those unemployed or sick there was often no other option.

The buildings later became Marlpits Hospital. Most of the buildings were demolished in 1995 to Maurice Setters [eBay] build the new community hospital. [more information Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 7 of 13 under copy write available at www.workhouses.org.uk/honiton.shtml ] Judge Jefferys and The Monmouth Rebellion Men of Honiton involved in The Monmouth (‘The Pitchfork’ Rebellion) Rebellion, 1685

James, Duke of Monmouth illegitimate son of Some of the men of Honiton and the Charles II by Lucy Walter was born in 1649, surrounding district supported the ill-fated he was created Duke of Monmouth in 1663. Duke of Monmouth in his effort to gain the He married Anne Scott. In 1684 he fled to throne of England. Holland after being implicated in a conspiracy to claim the Throne. On 11th June 1685 he The Number of suspected rebels from Honiton landed at Lyme Regis and claimed the crown was 62 as listed below:- from James II. On the 18th June he arrived In Taunton. On the 5th, 6th July he fought and Abbott, Mic Meade, Thos. lost the Battle of Sedgemoor. On the 8th July Abbott, Wm. Minifie, John he was captured. On the 15th July he was Baker, alias Wood, Moggeridge, Tim. beheaded on Tower Hill. John Bond, Parker, John Josiah (Northcote). Pilling, Wm. It is believed there were about 4000 rebels at Brownsey, Wm Pine, Ric. the Battle of Sedgemoor – many were killed, Bucknoll, Wm. (Northcote). some were captured and it is assumed that Bull, Thos. Pinsent, Sam. many must have escaped and returned to Bussell, John Prouse, Sam. their home towns and villages. (Northcote). Redwood, Hen. Clarke, Adam (Northcote). Those that were captured were put in jail Clarke, Geo. Reynolds, Jas. awaiting trial. The Assizes began at (Northcote). (Northcote). Winchester on 25th August 1685 with five Clarke, Jas. Skinner, John judges in attendance under the Lord Chief Clarke, Jas. Skinner, John, jun. Justice, George, Baron Jeffreys. They then (Northcote). Slade, Humph. sen. moved on to Dorchester, Exeter, Taunton and Clarke, Rob. Slade, Humph. jun then Wells on 23rd September. In all 1400 Clarke, Tristram Smith, Fras. cases were heard, 300 sentenced to be Clatworthy, Reg. Smith, JohnThomas, hanged drawn and quartered and 600 Cooper, Chris. Abr. Thomas, Sam. transported mainly to the West Indies. Crabb, _____ (Northcote). (Northcote). Thomas, Thos. The Bloody Assizes Croote, John, jun. (Northcote). Dillany (Dilling), Wm. Trood, John Jeffreys' historical notoriety comes from his Dolbeare, Sam. (Northcote). actions in 1685, after the Monmouth Dolbeare, Worthell, John Rebellion. Jeffreys was sent to the West Thos. (Northcote). Country in the autumn of 1685 to conduct the Every, Jas. trials of captured rebels. The centre of the Foweracres, Jas. (Northcote). trials was based at Taunton. Estimates of the Foweracres, John numbers executed for treason have been Fowler, Jas. White, John given as high as 700; however, a more likely Foxwell, Fras. Whorwood, Jo figure is between 160 and 170 of 1381 Hocombe, John defendants found guilty of treason. Although Hollett, John Jeffreys has been traditionally accused of Jewell, Chris. vindictiveness and harsh sentencing, none of Knight, Chris. the convictions have been considered Knight, Edw. improper. Furthermore, as the law of the time Lee, Nic. required a sentence of death for treason, Levermore, Phil. Jeffreys was required to impose it, leaving the Loder, John (Northcote). King the option of commuting sentence under Lowman, Phil. the prerogative. Arguably, it was James II's Marchant, Emanuel refusal to use the prerogative as much as was Meade, Thos. Minifie, John Moggeridge, Tim. customary for the time rather than Jeffreys' Parker, John Pilling, Wm. Pine, Ric.Marchant, actions that made the government's reprisals Ric. so savage. Marchant, Wm. Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 8 of 13 Martin, Wm. Captured prisoners were not returned to their John Oliver – Yeoman of Axmouth. Hanged home towns for trial but were jailed and then at Honiton on 7th October 1685 assigned to one of the various Assizes at Winchester, Dorchester, Exeter, Taunton and Henry Knight – Of Chardstock. Hanged at Wells to be tried. Honiton on 7th October 1685

A ‘snapshot’ of the fates of just 8 of the Honiton Samuel Potts – A surgeon. Hanged at Rebels Honiton on 7th or 14th October 1685

Michael Abbott – Cordwainer….. ‘a rebel’ – John Knowles – Yeoman of Colyton aged 39. imprisoned in the Devon Workhouse, tried at Hanged at Honiton on 7th October 168 Dorchester. Hanged at Sherborne on September 15th 1685, land forfeit and for sale. ‘The Heads and Quarters of these persons are to be fixed where the King shall appoint.’ John Baker alias Wood - Worsted comber ‘a rebel’ - imprisoned in the High Gaol, Devon, tried at The dismembered bodies of John Oliver, Wells. Transported to Jamaica October 25th1685 Henry Knight, John Knowles and Henry Potts were hung on poles at the Shambles in William Dillany - Serge weaver. Imprisoned in the Honiton so all could witness the justice of High Gaol, Devon, tried at Dorchester, hanged at James II Poole September 21st

Samuel Dolbeare – Pipemaker. In Bridgewater prison, tried at Dorchester. Transported on the Betty from Weymouth to Barbados on November 25th 1685

Thomas Dolbeare – Shoemaker. Land forfeit and for sale which suggests that he was killed at Sedgemoor

Francis Foxwell – Bodicemaker - ‘a rebel’ – The Shambles Honiton [Gary Hoplin] imprisoned at Taunton, tried there and hanged at The Shambles stood in the High Street from Yeovil the 15th to the 19th century.

Philip Levermore (Leathermore) – Tanner. One can only imagine the devastating effect Imprisoned in Dorset, tried at Dorchester this whole affair would have had on the September 5th, hanged there September 7th people of Honiton whose fathers, husbands, 1685. Land forfeit and for sale sons and brothers were never to return to their homes and families - either dying on the Robert Whorwood – Cordwainer. ‘a rebel’ – battlefield, hanged for treason or deported to imprisoned in the High Gaol, Devon Tried at far off lands. Dorchester September 10th 1685, hanged at Sherborne September 15th 1685 Industry

Honiton Hangings for High Treason Whilst surrounded by farming communities Honiton also had iron foundries, corn mills, a None of the men from Honiton were hanged in tannery and several maltings. their home town. However 26 rebels were tried at the Exeter Assizes on 14th September 1685 and The 1851 census listed over 1000 received Judgment. Out of this number, fourteen blacksmiths in Devon, probably over a were ordered to be executed at various places– 4 dozen just in and around Honiton. Virtually were appointed to be executed at Honiton. They every village had a blacksmith, as much a were… part of the community as the pub and the church. The blacksmith’s work was mainly concerned with shoeing horses, going to where the horses are. (a job now done Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 9 of 13 specifically by farriers). It is difficult to get accurate numbers of The maltsters business ran from the late 1700 to blacksmiths working in and around Honiton. his death in 1801 when his great nephew took There are three stages of blacksmiths, an over the business. apprentice often a son apprenticed to his father, a journeyman [a qualified blacksmith] Town Mill in King Street is mentioned in a deed working for someone else or a master of 1691 and shown as George Yonge’s Mill on a blacksmith working for himself or employing deed of 1780. The mill was in use until 1968 one of the former. Sometimes they took on when flooding destroyed the leat which brought other work, as seen in the 1851 census, such water from the River Gissage. as brass founder, carpenter, wheelwright and publican. There is reference to a fulling mill in 1244 but it’s location is currently unknown. The only The Gittisham Forge celebrated 125 years of documented fulling mills are circa 1800. In 1758 existence in 2015. Five generations of the a James Maynard insured a set of fulling mills in Rowe family have owned and run the Honiton. Mills around Honiton were described as establishment. The current owner says in a messauge [included land and buildings used in 1810 his grandfather travelled around shoeing connection with the household], a tenement and horses. flour mill.

John Applin Blacksmith, was born 1816 in Fulling [also known as tucking or walking] was a Colyton. The 1851 census list him as 35 step in the cleaning of impurities such as oil and years of age living in High Street Honiton dirt from cloth and to make felted cloth. The with wife and 2 children. workers were known as a fuller, a tucker or a walker. All have become common surnames. There was a pub called the Blacksmiths situated in the High Street which closed in Tracey Mill in Tracey Road is a 17th century corn 1765. mill. It has a restored working waterwheel and mill workings, including grinding stones, but has Michelburgh Foundry was on the site of the Halse Farm machinery company [soon to be a housing development] off Mill Street. It was purchased in 1942 by John

Tracey Mill [E M Gardiner collection]

not been in commercial use since the 1960s. The grade II listed restored buildings now offer holiday accomodation.

Potters. Potters have been in Honiton since the mid 17th century. The earliest record appears in Halse who already owned a corn the 1643 Churchwardens Accounts. merchants in Mill Street and was looking to diversify. One of the rebels who joined the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685 – William Martin, was listed as There was a mill on the site prior to 1792. It a potter from Honiton (Tried at Dorchester had previously been a tannery and a assizes and hanged at Poole). brewery. The foundry built the ‘Michelburgh Mill Wheel’ for Honiton Town Mill. John A poll taken in November 1763 at the house of a George Hann, who owned mills in Ottery St John Barnes within the Borough of Honiton lists Mary and Colyton, left them in the care of 6 men, one being a ‘master potter’ and the his elder son and moved to Honiton to take remaining 5 as ‘potters’. over the brewery and public house. Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 10 of 13

In 1775 a potter named as James Rogers is In 1918 Collard bought the Honiton Pottery. He recorded as being brought before a Justice of updated the primitive buildings and facilities the Peace. and initially products were similar to the Crown Dorset Pottery, but after a year or so he began Potters were also recorded in the British to make innovations to the processes which Directory in 1791, Pigot & Co.’s Directory of gave Honiton Pottery its individual stamp. This 1830 and in 1866 The Post Office Directory led to expansion and by the late 30’s around shows - Francis Copp, brown ware potter of thirty people were employed at the pottery. In High Street Honiton and in William White’s 1934 a catalogue was produced and the pottery book ‘Devonshire’ (1850) it is stated ‘Honiton began exporting all over the world. Sadly the has a pottery of brown earthenware’ success was brought to an abrupt end by the Second World War when the Pottery was closed Pottery Production and did not re-open until 1945. It slowly went back into production, but in 1947 Collard sold From 1763 to well into the second half of the the Pottery and retired. nineteenth century the pottery that was produced in Honiton consisted of a coarse The clay used during the long period that and rather primitive type of brown Collard owned the pottery was all Honiton clay. earthenware. At the back of the Pottery there was a seam that went to a depth of 32 feet and made good The first production of an improved type of hard permeable pottery. There was clay all over pottery consisting of traditional cooking ware, Honiton, red, green, black and in Dowell Street, flower pots etc. as well as some highly white, but all burnt red in baking. decorated and quaint pottery was started in Honiton shortly before the year 1881 by a Mr. New Owners of Honiton Pottery James Webber at the eastern end of the High Street, but in 1881 Mr. Webber moved his The new owners were Hull and Barret from the production to the site in Honiton High Street Staffordshire potteries. Barrett stayed less than which was to become the famous Honiton a year and sold his shares to a Mr. & Mrs. Pottery. Chaplow.

This new partnership of Hull & Chaplow began the process of modernization changing it from a craft industry to a more technical and commercial enterprise. This required clay with different properties which was brought in from Staffordshire. In 1955, in response to the Clean Air Act, the old coal fire kilns were replaced with electric kilns. At the end of the 19th century the pottery was taken over by Ellis Forster and William Hunt and they continued to produce similar ware to that of Webber until they sold the pottery to Charles Collard around 1918.

Charles Collard was born in Torquay in 1874 and started work as an apprentice to John Phillips at the Aller Vale pottery.

Collard started by learning the processes, which he did so thoroughly, that he could Honiton Pottery perform all the different types and was able to take and adapt them later when he built his In 1961 the business changed hands again own kilns and he subsequently founded his when Mrs. Hull sold her shares and Mr. own pottery. By 1890 Collard had become Chaplow retired. The new directors were Mr. P. one of the top, if not the top, decorator at Cowell and Mr. Paul & Mrs. Jennifer Redvers. Aller. Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] 11 of 13 Under this partnership old designs were still produced but new products were introduced such as pub ashtrays, beer stands, money boxes and novelty items. . Paul Redvers took over design policy and selected new designers and their designs for production. Apart from decorative items many functional ones were developed including tableware, cookware and Honiton Lace Worker a large selection of table lamps. Honiton [Devon Heritage] Pottery was the first company in the country to Honiton Lace: Elizabethan Girl use the Ram Press [a machine that pressed [Mainly Lace] clay into moulded shapes]. Machine net making, invented by Heathcotes of Tiverton, in the 1800s was a disaster for the Computers were used in the 1970’s but the Honiton lace workers. A great boost was given to traditional hand painting did still continue. New the industry when Queen Victoria ordered her developments also extended to a retail shop at wedding dress and veil to be made of Honiton the front of the High Street premises and this lace. Her first child, Princess Victoria wore a was considerably enlarged to cater for the increase in tourism and the number of visitors to the town.

Queen Victoria’s wedding lace [Devon lace teachers]

Honiton Pottery robe made of Honiton lace at her christening in 1840. In total 62 royals have worn the gown In 1991 the name of Honiton Pottery was sold including Prince Charles and the Dukes of to Dartmouth Pottery and because of this Cambridge and Sussex. The fabric began to ‘Honiton Pottery’ is now no longer made and show signs of fragility and in 2004 the Queen has therefore become very collectable. decided it was not up to further regular use. The Honiton Pottery Retail shop premises still remains in the High Street but has now become a Milkshake Bar but there are facilities for children to still ‘have a go’ at Lady Louise Windsor 2004 making a pot on a potter’s wheel and try their The last Royal to wear the Honiton lace christening robe hand at painting. [Pinecrest] Honiton Lace

Allhallows museum has a superb exhibition room dedicated to the history of Honiton Lace. Lace making was a cottage industry from about 1560 making use of the flax grown in Axminster to spin the thread. It is a very fine Mrs Anne Fowler [1839-1829] of Honiton held form of weaving and used transferable skills the Royal Warrant for many years. from the serge weaving industry in the town. The museum holds a world renowned collection Children from the age of five were employed of Honiton lace and helps preserve the 400 year along with adults, working 12 hours a day to old tradition by providing classes to both adults earn a meagre living creating bobbin lace and children. On display are the Jabot and lace designs focusing on scroll work and depictions cuffs made for and worn by Bernard Wetherill, of natural objects for the rich. then Speaker of the House of Commons.

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Early History of Allhallows School 19th Century

Allhallows School stood in the town for over The school was ‘intended for the sons of the 400 years. The precise date of the foundation gentry and professional men’ and to provide of the school is unknown but it probably excellent classical education, pupils were entitled became a grammar school, set up under the to a Stapleton Scholarship at Exeter College, Allhallows Charity, after the suppression of Oxford. the monasteries in the 1500s, to serve the need for choirboys to sing in Latin. The 1818 50-60 pupils, boarders paid £30 per year. present museum, one of the oldest buildings 1864 Day pupils under 10 paid 35 guineas, in the town, was originally the schoolroom, those 10 to 14 paid 38 guineas and over then a dining room and later became the 14 years 45 guineas. school chapel. 1886 56 boarders and 16 day boys. Use of the playground and library cost 10 Former school Former school house chapel shillings and 5 shillings extra.

School hours were 6.30am until 8.30-10.30 pm including breaks and meal times. Boarders had 4 meals a day including ‘a cup of coffee with bread and butter’ in the morning. Church attendance was twice on a Sunday and once on Wednesdays and Fridays. Scripture was read daily, exams were twice a year and holidays totalled 12-14 weeks.

Early 20th Century

During this time fees became cheaper for the sons of clergy. New pupils were given ‘2 pairs of Both the schoolroom and chapel were sheets, 2 pillowcases, six towels and a spoon damaged by fire in 1765 then reopened in and fork’. 1770. The big schoolroom, now Mackarness Hall, was opened in 1893, built by public By 1933 there were 100 boarders, 20 day boys, subscription and named after a past 9 masters plus headmaster, matrons and a headmaster. Allhallows playing field was doctor; also facilities for rugby, football, hockey, acquired in 1906 and a new dining room [now cricket and art. The school was dispersed in part of the museum] in 1909. Two classrooms buildings across the town which and was and a chemistry laboratory were built in 1921 outgrowing the town centre location so in 1998 it on the site of the Old Five Courts; these were was relocated to a large Victorian mansion in also destroyed by fire in 1922 and a new Rousdon, 15 miles away, becoming Allhallows block of six classrooms and a large chemistry College. It closed in 1988 due to falling numbers laboratory opened in 1928. The sanatoruim and financial difficulties. was built in the garden at the rear of New Buildings as seen on the plan in appendix 1. Some Famous Past Pupils

In 1934 the then headmaster, Mr Shallow, Thomas Wakely who founded The Lancet named all the boarding houses: medical journal in 1800s. Arthur Becket a novelist who worked for Punch Old School House = Middlemist magazine in the 1850s. No 2 House = Baker George Buckle who became editor of the Times New Building = Chudleigh in the 1860s. The Bank House = Junior House Lord John Coleridge became Lord Chief Justice New Boarding House = Walpole in 1880. Sir Arthur ‘Bomber’ Harris who led RAF Bomber Command in WW2.

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Appendix I

Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] Notes on Honiton

Resources used

Allhallows Museum Archives Honiton Devon

British Geological Survey [online] available at https://www.bgs.ac.uk [accessed 23 July 2019]

British History Online [online] available at https://www.british-history.ac.uk [accessed 17 July 2019]

Dartmoor Archive [online] available at https://www.dartmoorarchieve.org [accessed 6 September 2019]

Devon and Dartmoor Historic Environment Record [online] available at https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk [accessed 25 July 2019]

Devon Blacksmiths [online] available at https://www.devonbalcksmiths.co.uk [accessed12 September 2019]

Folklore of Devon [online] available at https://www.JSTOR accessed 11 August 2019

GENUKI [online] available at https://www.genuki.org.uk [accessed 25 July 2019]

Halse [online] avaiable at https://www.halse.co.uk [accessed 6 September 2019]

Historic England [online] available at https://www.historicengland.org.uk [accessed 27 July 2019]

Honiton [online] available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia [accessed 23 July 2019]

Hontion Charter Day [online] available at https://www.honitoncharterday.webstarts.com [accessed 11 August 2019]

Honiton Pottery [online] available at https:www.honiton-pottery-collectors-society.co.uk [accessed 19 September 2019]

Leprosy mission [online] available at https://www.leprosymission.org.uk [accessed 27 July 2019]

Midweek Herald [online] available at https://www.midweekherald.co.uk./news [accessed 24 July 2019]

Newman G [1895] Leprosy in the British Islands [online] available at https://www.era.lib.ac.uk [accessed 25 July 2019]

River Sid and Otter catchment management plan consultation report[1995] N.R.A. South West [on line] available at https://www.ea.lit.freshwaterlife.org [accessed 15 August 2019]

The Lost Pubs Project [online] available at https://www.closedpubs.co.uk [accessed 12 September 2019]

Photographs

Alfred Leyman [1856-1933] St Margarets Charity Almshouses – watercolour and pencil [online] available at Selling Antiques https://www.sellingantiques.co.uk [accessed 25 July 2019]

Alfred Leyman [1856-1933] Exeter Frog Street [online] available at https://www.antique-fine-art.com [accessed 2 September 2019]

Alfred Leyman [1856-1933] Woodhayes Farm Honiton [online] available at https:www.woodhayes.co.uk [accessed 1 September 2019]

Allhallows Museum Honiton Devon [online] available at https://www.visitdevon.co.uk [accessed 23 September 2019]

Honiton Blue plaque [online] available at https://geograph.or.uk [accessed1 September 2019]

Jo Pavey [online] available at https://www.exeterharriers.org.uk [accessed 4 September 2019]

Juanita Maxwell Phillips [online] available at https://www.suffrage-pioneers.net [accessed 4 September 2019]

Maurice Edgar Setters [online] available at https://www.ebay.co.uk [accessed 6 September 2019]

Ozias Humphry [1742-1810] Margarine of Anspach [online] available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia [accessed2 Setember 2019]

Ozias Humphry [1742-1810] Princess Charlotte [online] available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia [accessed2 Setember 2019] William Salter [online] available at https://www.art.org [accessed 2 September 2019]

Witches stone [online] available at https://www.hareandhounds-devon.co.uk [accessed 29 August 2019]

Honiton Gate to Plate 2018 [online] available at https://www.eastdevon.gov.uk [accessed 31 August 2019]

[i] Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ] Honiton lace Elizabethan girl [online] available at https://www.mainlylace.co.uk [accessed 19 September 2019] Lace worker [online] available at https://www.devonheritage.org [accessed 19 September 2019] Queen Victoria’s wedding lace [online] available at https://www.devonlaceteachers.co.uk [accessed 19 September 2019] Lady Louise Windsor [online] available at https://www.pinecrest [accessed 19 September 2019]

Honiton Market circa 1900 [online] available at https://www.honitoncharterday.webstarts.com [accessed 31 August 2019]

Honiton Market Day 2019 [online] available at https://www.honiton.gov.uk [accessed 30 August 2019]

Hot Pennies Ceremony [online] available at https://www.honiton.gov.uk [accessed 30 August 2019]

Hembury Hill fort [2014] Peter Arkwright [online] available at Hembury Hill Fort Management Team https://www.hembury fort.co.uk [accessed 15 August 2019]

Mills Archive [online] avaiable at https://catalougue.millscrchieve.org/littletown-honiton-2 [accessed 27 August 2019]

Old Nick rock by Terry Ife [online] available at https://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news [accessed 11 August 2019]

River Gissage by Lewis Clarke [online] available at https://www.geograph.org.uk [accessed 28 August 2019]

Wikipedia [online] available at https;//enwikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia [accessed 28 August 2019]

Books

Honiton – a Glimpse Back [2010] Darrent, T publisher: C.R.Wright Hontion Devon

Honiton – A History of the Manor and Borough [1949] Coxhead, J.W.R. publisher: The Raleigh Press Exmouth

Hontion and the Vale of the Otter [1949] Captain Coxhead. J.R.W. publisher: W.J. Delderfield & Sons Exmouth

Honiton Through Time [2016] Hoplin.G. publisher: Amberley Publishing

The Monmouth Rebels [1985] Winfield, W.McD. Publisher: Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd.

The Book Of Honiton [2005] Gosling, G. Publisher: Halsgrove Tiverton

The Armchair Adventurers are

P. Briley L. Etheridge V. Frood M. Olive M. Thomas L. Martin J. Powell S. Unsworth

[ii]

Armchair Adventurers Honiton U3A 2019 [ 3 ]