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Places in Somerset "S"
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A low-lying, marshy region stretching from the Mendips to Taunton and
Ilminster. Its willows are used for the local industry of basket—making.
North-
east of the village of Westonzoyland is the site of the Battle of
Sedgemoor
which ended the Dukc of Monmouth’s rebellion against James II in 1685.
This fierce and bloody hand—to—hand struggle was the last major
battle to he
fought on English soil. |
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| The first part of the name is derived from the Old English scaep
tun, an enclosure into which sheep were driven for safety. ‘Mallet’
preserves the family name of the post-conquest owners of the manor. The
town was an important wool market during the Middle Ages, and is now a
centre for the cheese industry. The Church of SS Peter and Paul has a
magnificent panelled roof. The market cross dominates the market—place,
where the remains of the medieval Shambles, or meat marker, a rare
wooden shed of the 15th century, can be seen. A delightful feature of
the town is the maze of little lanes that descend the hill to the north—west
of the market-place. |
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| A village in an attractive setting on the Barle. A footpath opposite
the inn follows the river into the heart of the moor. Across the bridge,
a road climbs past the memorial to Sir John Fortescue (1859-1933),
historian and librarian at Windsor Castle. On The Chains, 3 miles to the
north—west, is the second—highest point (1599 ft) on Exmoor; a
further 2 1/4 miles north-west are the prehistoric remains called
Chapman Barrows. |
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| A town attractively situated on the River Cary; the buildings round
the market-place constitute one of the most appealing townscapes in
Somerset. The octagonal market cross was rebuilt in 1673. The church and
some of the 16th-century houses on the north side of the market—place
face the 18th—century town hall and some houses built on the site of
Somerton Castle; fragments of the castle are said to be incorporated in
the White Hart Hotel. West of the Market—place are the’ Hext
Almshouses, built in 1626. |
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The earliest signs of habitation in the area
were the relics of a Bronze Age burial which were
found in 1826, al ittle to the north of the village
of Stoford.
Stoford may be a Saxon name derived
from Stow-Ford.
In the middle
ages, Stoford was shown as a new town and in an
Inquisition or survey of 1273 there were 74 burgages
each paying 10d a year. The total population of
the borough in 1273 wwas probably over 500.
Stoford kept its borough
status for at least 300 years. A Guildhall was mentioned
in 1361 and there is proof of a separate borough
court. There was still a 'borough of Stoford' in
the musters of 1569.
Today
the village of Stoford with its village green and
surrouding houses, including the old thatched Guidhall
(a private residence) and Royal Oak Inn, is considered
to be very attractive. The old river bridge is also
worth seeing and also of interest is the late 17th
century Court Farmhouse.
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Formerly called Stoke Courcy, the stoc (estate) of William de Courci,
a Norman
knight. The only surviving part of the Benedictine priory that once
stood here
is the church, now the parish church of St Andrew, which contains some
fine
Norman work. Near the village stand the ivy—clad remains of a castle
destroyed during the Wars of the Roses. |
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| The church shows a range of construction dating from Norman to
Perpendicular. The village sits at the foot of Hambdon Hill where Ham
Hill stone is quarried. |
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A busy little town just south of Glastonbury, on the slopes of the
Polden Hills,
where the Romans mined stone. There are good walks over the hills, with
fine views across the moors to the Mendip and Quantock Hills and to the
Bristol Channel. The view is outstanding from Ivythorn Hill, a 90-acre
wooded
estate owned by the National Trust, 3 miles south of Street. South—east
of the town, on Windmill Hill, stands a tall monument to Admiral Lord
Hood (1724-1816), who distinguished himself in naval actions against the
French. |
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