|
The area of this parish is 1240 statute acres; its population in 1831, was 288; in 1841, 297; and in 1801, 301 souls. The rateable value is £1,588 ; and the assessed properly amounts to £2,813. The earl of De la Warr is lord of the manor, and principal landowner,
The manor was once in the possession of Ralph de Venun, of whom it was procured by the Arden family. From the Ardens it passed by marriage to Lodowick Greville. It was afterwards in the family of Cope, and was carried in marriage by an heiress to the duke of Dorset. The daughter and heiress the 3rd duke of Dorset, carried it in marriage with Drayton to the present earl De la Warr, of Bourne Hall, Cambridgeshire. William Cope, Esq. Of Hanbury was cofferer to Henry VII. Leland says " Mr. Cope hath an old manor place, called Hardwick, a mile north from Banbury; and another pleasant and gallant house at Hanwell." The family of Cope, flourished for many generations in this northern part of the county. Anthony Cope, Esq. of Hanvell, who represented Banbury in parliament in the reign of Elizabeth was one of the leaders of the early puritans.On the 27th February, 1587-3, he offered to the house a bill, and a written book ; the bill containing a petition that it might be enacted, that all laws then in force touching ecclesiastical government should be void, and that the book then offered, being a form of common prayer, and none other, might be received into the church and be used. The queen (Elizabeth) sent to the speaker for the petition and the book, and in a few days after, Anthony Cope, and the leaders of those who joined him in this movement, viz :Lewknor, Harleston, Bainbrigg and Wentworth, were committed to the tower, where they remained until the dissolution of the parliament on the 23rd of March.The queen's displeasure, however, towards Sir. Cope does not appear to have been lasting, for she knighted him in 1590 ; and in 1601 she intended to visit Sir Anthony, at Hanwell; which visit does not seem to have taken place.
In September of that year when the queen was at Caversham, at the seat of her minister Sir Francis Knolly, Sir Anthony Cope went there to wait upon her, "with a great shew and train of retainers." Sir Anthony Cope is said to have kept here " a hospitable house in the old English style." On the 20th of August, 1605, he entertained king James and his queen here for a day and a night; and again on the occasion of a second visit on the 27th of August, 1612. He was created a baronet on the first institution of that order in 1611, by James I. He died in. July, 1614, and was buried in the parish church. Sir William Cope, son of Sir Anthony Cope, was honoured with a visit from James I. and his queen, at Hanwell, from the 22nd to the 24th of August, 1624, on their majesties return from "Warwick castle. Sir William, brother to Richard Cope, resided at Calthorpe.
In our notice of Broughton parish at a preceding page, we have seen how the counsels and secret movements which, led to the great rebellion against Charles I. were carried on there and at Fawsley; and it is remarkable that some of the secret and important movements which led to the restoration of Charles II. were also carried on in the same neighbourhood; namely at Hanwell castle, the seat of Sir Anthony Cope, bart.
Hanwell Castle, the 'gallant house' of Leland, was of a quadrangular form, with a tower at each corner, and a frontage of 100 feet. The chief part of the building was taken down about 70 years since, but the south-western tower (now in the occupation of Mr. William French, jun., farmer.) and some smaller fragments still remain. The principal entrance was by a pointed doorway in the west front, surmounted by a bay window. The whole edifice was castellated, and was a fine specimen of the brickwork with stone quoins, of the latter part of the reign of Henry VII. There was a gallery commencing in the south-east tower and communicating with the chancel of the church, which is situated on a hill level with the floor of the central apartment of this tower. There are three rooms in the south-western tower which still remain, measuring each 20 by 18 feet, and the ascent is by winding stairs which lead to its summit In the lower room is a fine chimney piece of black and white marble, which was removed from one of the state rooms. The great kitchen, now used as a dairy, and the adjoining room have two curious fire places, situated back to back.
The Village- of Hanwell is distant about 3 miles N.W. by N. from Banbury.
The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, is a handsome structure, mostly of the 14th century, and is principally in the decorated style of architecture. It consists of nave, aisles, chancel, and tower. In the latter is a peal of five bells. The beautiful pointed arches of the nave arc supported by low clustered columns with finely carved capitals. At the east end of the north aisle are evident traces of a chantry altar. The reredos-screen remains and consists of five small decorated niches with figures in them. There are indications of another altar at the east end of the south aisle. The east window of the chancel is of five lights; and within the altar rail is a fine monument to Sir Anthony Cope who died in 1614. Several memorials denote that this church was the ordinary place of sepulture of the Cope family. The benefice of Hanwell is arectory in the deanery of Deddington, rated in the king's books at £17. 16s. and now worth in the gross £320. per annum. The earl De la Warr is the patron; the Rev. William Pearse, M.A., rector; and the Rev. Thomas Pearse, E.D., curate.
The Rectory House stands near the north-west corner of the church.
The Rev. John Dod, the celebrated puritan divine, was presented to this rectory by Sir Anthony Cope, and after holding the living for 20 years he was suspended for nonconformity. He died in 1645, aged 90 years and was buried at Fawsley.
The interest of £13, left at an early period by Mrs. Butterfield, and Dr. Jenkinson, is given every year, with the sacramental money to the poor.
Pearse Rev. William, rector,
Pearse Hev. Thomas, curate
Farmer
Adkins Richard, (& miller), Heath Farm
Allen Mary
Buller William, sen.
Strickland James
Buller William, Jim,, Bilsmore Hall
Cook Henry, (& baker)
French William, sen Glebe Farm
Fench William jun., The Castle
Miscellany.
Hazlewood S. vict., Red Lion
Tallet John, tailor
Taylor William, shoemaker
Wyatt George, carpenter Letters are received through the Banbury Post Office.
|
