THORPE MANDEVILLE,

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

 

Thorpe Mandeville is set in the rolling hillsides of rural Northamptonshire, six miles north-east of Banbury. The small village has existed for many centuries.  The earliest authentic record is in the Domesday Book survey of 1086 where it is styled ‘Thorp’, the generic name for a village.  The name Mandeville is a corruption of the family name Amundeville; Richard Amundeville and his heirs were lords of the manor during the 13^th century.  In 1282 Richard, and his wife Matilda, were granted a lifetime right to a weekly market and an annual fair.

 

The population of the parish has not altered greatly over the centuries.  It was only 137 in 1801, and 178 in 1991.  Parish records date from 1559 and until recent times the main livelihoods of the parishioners reflect the rural setting.  References are to waggoners, blacksmiths, farmers and labourers, and more rarely, butler and gentleman.  Lace makers are recorded in Lower Thorpe which was colloquially known as Duck End!

 

 

 

The village is sited on the important livestock drovers’ road known as Banbury Lane.  It was still in use in the early 19^th century, covering 22 miles from west of Banbury to Northampton.  The village’s only remaining public house, the Three Conies dating from the 17^th century, was a drovers’ inn providing overnight accommodation for the drovers and their stock.

 

 

 

 

The ironstone parish church is believed to date from the 13^th century, having a saddle-back roof to the tower.  There are only three bells; one was cast in nearby Chacombe and is inscribed ‘Henry Bagle made mee 1636. God save King Charles’.  Inside, the church has three wall paintings, unfortunately superimposed, but it is possible to see the Christ-child sitting on the shoulder of St. Christopher.  The carved Kirton monument depicts Thomas Kirton, his wife Mary and their family of 12 children; infants in cradles representing children who died in infancy.  The Kirtons occupied the manor house from 1554 to 1685.  There is also an almery, piscina and an interesting low-side window.  The memorials in the chancel are dominated by the Humfrey family, who provided five generations of rectors for 157 years between 1727 and 1902, with only one gap of 19 years.

                                                                                               

 

The current ironstone manor house is said to date from about the 1770s, replacing an old house which stood west of the church.  The ground works of the old manor can still be seen.  Mary Kirton, wife of Thomas Kirton, was first cousin of Oliver Cromwell and it is recorded that the manor house was garrisoned by Cromwell.  Subsequent owners include the Gostelowe, Jennens and Peareth families.  From 1854 to 1882 the house was tenanted by Rev’d William Browning for use as a preparatory boarding school for boys.  There were 34 pupils in 1871.  The principal front of the current house is crowned by a great curved pediment, broken in the centre to admit a large curved urn.  It is regarded as being in the strong style of Thomas Archer who was responsible for the wings at nearby Aynho Park.  The façade is likened to an almost contemporary one at Upton House, near Banbury, owned by the National Trust.

 

Another property of architectural interest in the parish is The Hill.  It was built in 1898 for John Hope-Brooke of the family of the Rajahs of Sarawak.  The house was designed by Charles Voysey who had considerable influence on contemporary architectural thinking.  The house has been described as typical of his work, having a ‘happily informal composition’.

 

The red brick village hall, in the centre of the village, was the village school from 1864 until 1967 when all children transferred to other village schools.

 

 

 

The above information has been extracted from a book on the social history of Thorpe Mandeville from the Domesday Book until the late 20th century, with 119 pages including 10 pages of black and white photographs and maps. 

The book costs £11.50 (overseas £15) including packing and postage – cheques payable to Maurice Cole.  Copies can be obtained from the author, Maurice Cole, who has extensive records of past parishioners: address, Dormer House, Banbury Lane, Thorpe Mandeville, Banbury, OX17 2HR.  Email: mands.cole@btinternet.com

 

All content of this website, including images, is copyright of Maurice Cole.

 

And finally, some photographs of social events in the village……

 

1987, Hunt meeting

1988,  Street Fayre

1991, Newton Turvey’s display of  North American Indian memorabilia

 

1995, the beacon is lit in the Ox Yard on the 50th anniversary of VE Day

1996, Street Fayre

1998, Thorpe Feast

 

2000, January 1st,  ringing in the new millennium

2002, Street Fayre

2003, Church fete