Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
The Western Morning News and Devon and Exeter Daily Gazette. Monday 11 Jun 1934
Page 6 Column 5
OLD CUSTOMS OF HOLSWORTHY
HANGING OUT THE IVY BUSH
ORIGIN OF THE “PRETTY MAID'S CHARITY”
THE Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature, and Art has done, and is doing, a tremendous amount of work in unearthing the historic data of Devon, and its publication “Holsworthy,” the second of a series of parochial histories of Devonshire, is indeed a tribute to the thoroughness of the author, Mr. W. I. Leeson DAY.
It is hardly probable that a fuller history of Holworthy has ever before been printed, for it seems that nothing of importance that has happened in Holsworthy since almost prehistoric ages has been omitted.
The book is set out in three sections – civil, ecclesiastical, and natural history – and in each of these the facts are brought out interestingly and with a clarity that is often so rare in a work of this type.
VISCOUNT STANHOPE'S TRIBUTE.
In his preface to the book, Viscount STANHOPE of Mahon writes:-
Fitting . . . . it is that Devon, whose sons have taken so great a part in the making of our history, should once again be giving a lead to England by instituting a series of Parochial Histories, of which this volume is one of the first to appear. Anyone turning over its pages will realize something of the immense amount of research this little book must have involved upon its author and the loving care with which he has fulfilled his self-imposed task.
The STANHOPEs for many generations have had a warm place in their affections for Holsworthy, its neighbourhood and its people . . . . by interest in Holsworthy . . . . started many years ago, and I rejoice that so admirable a history should now make its appearance.
This is a fitting recommendation to the book.
Mr. DAY opens his work with references to the Bronze Age, the Celtic, Roman, Saxon, Danish and Norman periods, and the coming of Christianity to Holsworthy. He tells us that Devon was very much neglected by the Romans. Although they introduced Christianity into Britain after A.D. 300, “they were generally very tolerant to the natives regarding their religious views. It is doubtful if Christianity was firmly established here before the Romans left in 410, but by 650 it had obtained a firm footing in West Devon.”
MANOR HOUSE CONTROVERSY.
Manor houses throughout the country have from time to time been the subject of controversy, and Mr. DAY tackles the subject of Holsworthy “Manor House” quite boldly.
He says:-
The so-called Manor House in Chapel-street was never the Manor House. It was built after a disastrous fire which started in a tannery yard, near the place now known as Viaduct View, and which swept the south-east corner of Holsworthy clear of buildings. This house was the residence of George BRAUND, the steward of the Manor, who probably gave the house its name.
The PRIDEAUX family, who held the Manor of Holsworthy from about 1570 to 1725, built and lived at Soldon Barton, which during that period was used as the manor house. It is doubtful if there has been any resident lords since 1725, until Earl STANHOPE sold his estate in 1910.
The original Manor House in Holsworthy, mentioned in 1274, was probably not used as the Manor House since about that time. In looking around for a likely spot for the Manor House, we should remember that “originally the churchyard, the (manorial) lord's land, usually adjoined the Manor House.” The rectory site, therefore, suggests itself . . . . In considering other likely ground, it is well first to say that formerly nearly every manor house bore the arms of the lord over the door.
In a chapter devoted to markets and fairs it is interesting to learn that Holsworthy had a market at The Beacon “very likely 1,500 years or more ago,” and that the fair is upwards of 750 years old.
The old custom, introduced by the Romans, of hanging out an ivy bush (anciently sacred to Bacchus) for ale-house at fair time can be remembered (states the author) by the Town Crier, Mr. Fred SLEE, who last saw the bush displayed about sixty years ago from No. 13, Bodmin-street.
PILLORY AND TUMBREL.
It is learned also that bakers and brewers who offended “grievous and often” had to be sentenced – the baker to the pillory and the brewer to the tumbrel.
The lord was bound to have in his market-place his pillory and tumbrel, or ducking-stool, and to use them. Pillories were abolished in 1837, and the ducking-stool in England was last used in 1809. The old parish stocks . . . formerly stood in the church porch. It is stated they were last used here in 1861 . . . . The Holsworthy stocks are no longer in existence. . . . The Clink was the parish prison. . . . This Holsworthy prison had the word “Clink” in large-headed nails on its door.
It appears there were numerous charities in existence. One in particular is interesting – the Pretty Maid's Charity, formerly known as the “pretty girl's and old maid's money.”
The Rev. Thomas MEYRICK, of North Petherwyn, brother to the Rev. MEYRICK, of Holsworthy, gave (in 1841) certain Government stock that produced £3 10s. annually to trustees, upon trust, to pay thereout annually £2 10s. “to the young single woman resident in that parish (Holsworthy), being under 30 years of age and generally esteemed by the young as the most deserving and the most handsome and the most noted for her quietness and attendance at church . . . . and the remainder (£1) to any spinster not under 60 years of age and noted for like virtues.”
SPINSTERS WITHDRAW.
Mr. DAY states that the original trustees disclaimed the legacy, and new trustees were appointed. The trust is now administered as “Speccott's,” and although no longer an ecclesiastical charity, the money is given in the church porch on the first day of St. Peter's Fair to the pretty maid who has been chosen by the trustees.
As spinsters over sixty, having the necessary qualifications, did not apparently like being nominated for the secondary grant, all the income from the fund now goes to the pretty maid.
Holsworthy has also been a military centre. In 1612-3 there were two companies of trained or untrained soldiers there, and in 1638 it is recorded that Holsworthy, Hatherleigh, and Torrington had been burdened with the Army longer than any other part of the county.
Holsworthy's experiences during the Civil War were not pleasant. Between 24th and 29th April, 1643, “Barnstaple ad Bideford, 5,000 Foote and 500 Horse to Holsworthy.” These (Royalist) troops were engaged in a fight before Launceston. . . . . The Royalists, however, generally had the upper hand at that time in the West, as Sir Ralph HOPTON had the best infantry in his astonishing Cornishmen.
Mr. DAY reveals many other interesting facts, including folk-lore and ancient customs, and presents a full history of Holsworthy Parish Church.