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Weare Giffard Medieval
Hall
In the Doomsday book Weare Giffard is referred to
as 'Were'' but 'Were', goes back beyond the Normans, as far as the Mesolithic
hunter-gatherer, as flints found locally confirm, and is therefore a very
ancient settlement. It is however a good working hypothesis that the present
name of the village relates to the Norman family of Giffard, who almost
certainly lived off the plentiful salmon found in the Torridge, by way
of a fishing trap or 'wear'. Hence, Giffard's Wear developing to Weare
Giffard.
Although the parish church of the Holy Trinity is perhaps the oldest building
in the village, it is almost certain that the church was indeed an integral
part of the manor house of 'Were', indeed a fortified manor, encompassing
the church within its fortifications. Today's Hall is almost certainly
15th century. Started around 1460 when the Giffard line ended with an
only daughter marrying into the Fortescue family, it was her husband Martin
Fortescue who started what we see today, with subsequent minor improvements
in later centuries. Martin was a 'somebody' of his time, namely Chancellor
and Chief Justice to Henry V1, and through this connection was allowed
to fortify his dwelling. Situated on an apex of a long bend of the River
Torridge, it posed an ideal defensive position.
In the Civil War it was fortunate that the large Fortescue family fought
on both sides of the war, as of course did many families. So, in 1646
when Cromwell and Fairfax won the battle of Torrington, the manor, which
was used to house Royalist Cavalry, was ordered to be razed to the ground.
It is believed that a parliamentarian Fortescue interceded and de-fortification
was agreed, thus saving the manor, and the gatehouse entrance.
The Fortescues moved to Castle Hill Filleigh c1680 resulting in the manor
enduring neglect and decay, until restoration in 1832 by George Fortescue.
It was not until 1960 that for the first time in its near 1000 year history
that it was sold into private, non 'family' hands. It is therefore today
a private dwelling and only occasionally open to the public *.
The gatehouse predates the Civil war and was the original entrance into
the inner courtyard, and is all that remains of the fortified defences.
The present Manor is H shaped, the great Hall forming the cross-piece
between two identical wings. The present entrance and hallway houses a
magnificent Jacobean fireplace with 1606 Flemish wood carved panels depicting
the 'Adoration 'and the 'Resurrection', both are surmounted by the coat
of arms of King James 1st- V1 of Scotland.
The Great Hall is the jewel in the Manor's crown, which although not large,
its proportions and contents give the appearance of space, and of being
larger. The hall boosts a magnificent hammer beam roof (1485-1509); an
11ft wide open fireplace, over which are the Fortescue coat of arms; Misericord
Stalls; a minstrel gallery; with all the walls hung with colourful coats
of arms.
On the 3rd; 4th and 5th July 2009, 10 - 4 p.m. when the Village is celebrating
its community's art and craft skills, the Manor will be open to the public
and will house art/ paintings, admission £1; the Church will display
crafts and flowers; and there will be live musical performances and the
village hall crafts for sale stalls; cream teas, light refreshments, including
light lunches.
On Sunday afternoon there will be Songs of Praise in the Church, time
to be announced'.
The festival is in aid of renovation work required urgently on Holy Trinity
Church, Weare Giffard.
All enquiries: Sue Frost 01 237 477579 or Anne Hughes 01 237 475168'
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