Jump to content

Stogursey: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°10′51″N 3°08′29″W / 51.1807°N 3.1413°W / 51.1807; -3.1413
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(47 intermediate revisions by 34 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{infobox UK place|
{{Infobox UK place
|static_image=[[File:Stogurseychurch.jpg|alt=White painted church with square tower topped with a spire.|240px]]
|static_image_name=Stogurseychurch.jpg
|static_image_alt=White painted church with square tower topped with a spire.
|static_image_caption=<small>Church of St Andrew</small>
|static_image_caption= Church of St Andrew
|country = England
|country = England
|coordinates = {{coord|51.1807|-3.1413|display=inline,title}}
|latitude= 51.1807
|longitude= -3.1413
|official_name= Stogursey
|official_name= Stogursey
|population= 1,407
|population= 1,385
| population_ref = <ref name="popn">{{cite web|url=http://www.webcitation.org/5lRyCc5hq|title=Parish Population Statistics|work=ONS Census 2001|publisher=Somerset County Council|accessdate=13 December 2009}}</ref>
| population_ref = (2011)<ref name="popn">{{cite web|title=Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes&nbsp;— SUMMARY Profiles|url=http://www.somersetintelligence.org.uk/files/Somerset%20Census%20Key%20Statistics%20-%20Summary%20Profiles.xls|publisher=Somerset Intelligence|access-date=4 January 2014|format=Excel}}</ref>
|shire_district= [[West Somerset]]
|shire_district= [[Somerset West and Taunton]]
|shire_county = [[Somerset]]
|shire_county = [[Somerset]]
|region= South West England
|region= South West England
|constituency_westminster= [[Bridgwater and West Somerset (UK Parliament constituency)|Bridgwater and West Somerset]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Tiverton and Minehead (UK Parliament constituency)|Tiverton and Minehead]]
|post_town= WILLITON
|post_town= [[Bridgwater]]
|postcode_district = TA4
|postcode_district = TA5
|postcode_area= TA
|postcode_area= TA
|dial_code= 01984
|dial_code= 01278
|os_grid_reference=ST203430
|os_grid_reference=ST203430
}}
}}
⚫
'''Stogursey''' is the name of a small village and [[civil parish]] in the [[Quantock Hills]] in [[Somerset]], England. It is situated {{convert|3|mi|km|1}} from [[Nether Stowey]], and {{convert|8|mi|km|1}} west of [[Bridgwater]]. The village is situated near the Bristol Channel, which bounds the parish on the north.


⚫
'''Stogursey''' is a small village and [[civil parish]] in the [[Quantock Hills]] in [[Somerset]], England. It is situated {{convert|3|mi|km|1}} from [[Nether Stowey]], and {{convert|8|mi|km|1}} west of [[Bridgwater]]. The village is situated near the Bristol Channel, which bounds the parish on the north.
⚫
The parish includes the village of '''Stolford''', which is believed to mean 'The stile ford' from the [[Old English]] ''stigol'' and ''ford'',<ref name="robinson">{{cite book |last=Robinson |first= Stephen |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Somerset Place Names |year=1992 |publisher=Dovecote Press |location= |isbn=1-874336-03-2 }}</ref> and the [[Hamlet (place)|hamlets]] of Burton, Knighton, Shurton, Stoford, Week, and Fairfield.

⚫
The parish includes the village of '''Stolford''', which is believed to mean 'The stile ford' from the [[Old English]] ''stigol'' and ''ford'',<ref name="robinson">{{cite book |last=Robinson |first= Stephen |title=Somerset Place Names |year=1992 |publisher=Dovecote Press |isbn=1-874336-03-2 }}</ref> and the [[Hamlet (place)|hamlets]] of Burton, Knighton, Shurton, Stoford, Week, and [[Fairfield, Stogursey|Fairfield]].
[[File:Stolford 2.jpg|thumb|261px|Aerial view of Stolford, in the parish of Stogursey.]]


==History==
==History==


On the beach near Stogursey are the remains of a submerged forest dated to 2500 B.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18604 |title=Stogursey |accessdate=14 November 2008 |work=Victoria County History |publisher=British History Online |date= }}</ref>
On the beach near Stogursey are the remains of a submerged forest dated to 2500 B.C.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18604 |title=Stogursey |access-date=14 November 2008 |work=Victoria County History |publisher=British History Online }}</ref>


A Romano-British coin hoard was discovered in 1999. It contained 1,097 base silver [[radiate (coin)|radiates]], the remains of a pottery vessel and 50 copper alloy coins.<ref>{{Cite book | ref=harv | editor-last=Bland | editor-first=Roger | year=2000 | title=Treasure Annual Report 1998 - 1999 | url=http://www.ncmd.co.uk/docs/treasurereport199899.pdf | publisher=[[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | ref=harv | editor1-last=Bland | editor1-first=Roger | editor2-last=Voden-Decker | editor2-first=Lisa | year=2002 | title=Treasure Annual Report 2000 | url=http://www.ncmd.co.uk/docs/treasurereport2000.pdf | publisher=[[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] }}</ref>
A Romano-British coin hoard was discovered in 1999. It contained 1,097 base silver [[Antoninianus|radiates]], the remains of a pottery vessel and 50 copper alloy coins.<ref>{{Cite book|editor-last=Bland |editor-first=Roger |year=2000 |title=Treasure Annual Report 1998 - 1999 |url=http://www.ncmd.co.uk/docs/treasurereport199899.pdf |publisher=[[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301112519/http://www.ncmd.co.uk/docs/treasurereport199899.pdf |archive-date= 1 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|editor1-last=Bland |editor1-first=Roger |editor2-last=Voden-Decker |editor2-first=Lisa |year=2002 |title=Treasure Annual Report 2000 |url=http://www.ncmd.co.uk/docs/treasurereport2000.pdf |publisher=[[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301112414/http://www.ncmd.co.uk/docs/treasurereport2000.pdf |archive-date= 1 March 2012 }}</ref>


It takes its name from the manor of Stoke. By 1086 it was in the possession of William de Falaise, who had recently married Geva, daughter of Serlo de Burci, and widow of Martin "de Wallis". Early in the 12th century, William and Geva's daughter, Emma, was betrothed to William Fitz Humphrey, and the couple received the manor of Stoke upon their wedding. The manor was renamed ''Stoke Courcy'', and is now known as ''Stogursey''.
It takes its name from the manor of Stoke. Medieval ''Stoche'' was in the possession of [[William de Falaise]] by 1086,<ref>[http://opendomesday.org/place/ST2042/stogursey/ Open Domesday Online: Stogursey]</ref> who had recently married Geva, daughter of Serlo de Burci, and widow of Martin "de Wallis". Early in the 12th century, William and Geva's daughter, Emma, was betrothed to [[William de Courcy (died circa 1114)|William de Courcy]], and the couple received the manor of Stoke upon their wedding. The manor was renamed ''Stoke Courcy'', and is now known as ''Stogursey''. [[Stogursey Castle]] was probably built in the 12th century.<ref name=vch />


The descendants of Emma and William took their name from the village, and became known as de Gursey, de Curci, or de Courcy. The best-known member of the family was [[John de Courcy]], who made himself virtual Prince of Ulster after conquering it in 1177. He died about 1219, his descendants (all illegitimate) today being the [[Baron Kingsale]] of Ireland.
The best-known member of the family was [[John de Courcy]], who made himself virtual Prince of Ulster after conquering it in 1177. He died about 1219, his descendants (all illegitimate) today being the [[Baron Kingsale]] of Ireland.


During the reign of King [[John of England]] (1199–1216) it became the property of one of his favourites and closest advisors, [[Falkes de Breauté|Fulke de Breauté]] of [[Gascony]]. Fulke's sister, Avice de Breauté, was mother of Sir Nicholas FitzMartin (c. 1210–82), who, like the de Courcys, was a descendant of Geva de Burci, William de Falaise's wife, via her son [[Robert FitzMartin]]. Said to be tyrannical, Fulke made the castle and village a stronghold and den of robbers; he was eventually expelled in the reign of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]], and is said to have died in poverty in Normandy after 1224.
During the reign of King [[John of England]] (1199–1216) it became the property of one of his favourites and closest advisors, [[Falkes de Breauté|Fulke de Breauté]] of [[Gascony]]. Fulke's sister, Avice de Breauté, was mother of Sir Nicholas FitzMartin (c. 1210–82), who, like the de Courcys, was a descendant of Geva de Burci, the wife of [[William de Falaise]], via her son [[Robert FitzMartin]]. Said to be tyrannical, Fulke made the castle and village a stronghold and den of robbers; he was eventually expelled in the reign of [[Henry III of England|Henry III]], and is said to have died in poverty in Normandy after 1224.


Part of a curtain wall from the castle remains incorporated into a cottage. It is a Grade II* [[listed building]] and [[Scheduled Ancient Monument]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=265202&resourceID=5 | title=Stogursey Castle | work=Listed Buildings Online | publisher=[[English Heritage]] | accessdate=2 January 2011}}</ref>
Part of a curtain wall from the castle remains incorporated into a cottage. It is a Grade II* [[listed building]] and [[Scheduled Ancient Monument]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1057403&resourceID=5 | title=Stogursey Castle | work=Listed Buildings Online | publisher=[[English Heritage]] | access-date=2 January 2011}}</ref>


The remains of a [[Ham stone]] village cross on the High Street is from the [[Middle Ages]]. Approximately {{convert|1|m}} of the original shaft is still in the socket stone.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Village cross 75m north of St Andrew's Well|num=1019034|accessdate=23 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{NHLE|desc=Remains of Village cross |num=1345701|accessdate=23 January 2015}}</ref>
Stogursey was part of the [[Hundred (county subdivision)|hundred]] of [[Cannington (hundred)|Cannington]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cannington Hundred|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18546|work=British History Online|accessdate=23 September 2011}}</ref>


In the Middle Ages Stogursey was an important place. It became a [[Ancient borough|borough]] by 1225, and retained that status until at least 1833.<ref name=vch>{{cite book|author1=A P Baggs |author2=M C Siraut |series=[[Victoria County History]]|chapter=Stogursey|title=A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6|year=1992|pages=130–136|url= http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/som/vol6/pp130-136|access-date=2015-01-25}}</ref> Stogursey was part of the [[Hundred (county subdivision)|hundred]] of [[Cannington (hundred)|Cannington]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Cannington Hundred|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18546|work=British History Online|access-date=23 September 2011}}</ref>
⚫
==Governance==


The ancient parish of Stogursey was large. It included the north foreshore of the [[Steart Peninsula]], including [[Stert Island]] which broke from the mainland in about 1798. In 1885 Stert Island was transferred to the parish of [[Huntspill]], and in 1933 the north side of the Steart Peninsula was transferred to the parish of [[Otterhampton]].<ref name=vch />
⚫
The [[Parish councils of England|parish council]] has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and [[Neighbourhood Watch (UK)|neighbourhood watch]] groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.


Wick Barrow, near Stogursey, is associated with [[pixie]]s. It is said that a ploughman working nearby once mended a pixie's broken [[peel (tool)|peel]], and the pixie baked a cake to reward him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ash |first=Russell |year=1973 |title=Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain |publisher=Reader's Digest Association Limited |page=165 |isbn=9780340165973 }}</ref>
⚫
The village falls within the [[Non-metropolitan district]] of [[West Somerset]], which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], having previously been part of [[Williton Rural District]].<ref>[http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/relationships.jsp?u_id=10042021&c_id=10001043 A Vision of Britain Through Time : Williton Rural District]</ref> The district council is responsible for [[planning permission|local planning]] and [[Building regulations in the United Kingdom|building control]], local roads, [[council housing]], [[environmental health]], [[market]]s and fairs, [[refuse collection]] and [[recycling]], [[cemeteries]] and [[crematoria]], leisure services, parks, and [[tourism]].


⚫
==Governance==
⚫
[[Somerset County Council]] is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as [[Local Education Authority|education]], [[social services]], [[library|libraries]], main roads, [[public transport]], [[police|policing]] and [[fire service]]s, [[Trading Standards|trading standards]], [[waste disposal]] and strategic planning.
⚫
The [[Parish councils of England|parish council]] has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and [[Neighbourhood Watch (UK)|neighbourhood watch]] groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.


⚫
The village falls within the [[non-metropolitan district]] of [[Somerset West and Taunton]], which was established on 1 April 2019. It was previously in the district of [[West Somerset]], which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], and part of [[Williton Rural District]] before that.<ref name=willitonrd>{{cite web|title=Williton RD|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10042021|work=A vision of Britain Through Time|publisher=University of Portsmouth|access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref> The district council is responsible for [[planning permission|local planning]] and [[Building regulations in the United Kingdom|building control]], local roads, [[council housing]], [[environmental health]], [[Market (place)|market]]s and fairs, [[refuse collection]] and [[recycling]], [[cemeteries]] and [[crematoria]], leisure services, parks, and [[tourism]].
⚫
It is also part of the [[Bridgwater and West Somerset (UK Parliament constituency)|Bridgwater and West Somerset]] [[county constituency]] represented in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It elects one [[Member of Parliament|Member of Parliament (MP)]] by the [[first past the post]] system of election, and part of the [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England constituency]] of the [[European Parliament]] which elects seven [[Members of the European Parliament|MEPs]] using the [[d'Hondt method]] of [[party-list proportional representation]].


⚫
[[Somerset County Council]] is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as [[Local Education Authority|education]], [[social services]], [[library|libraries]], main roads, [[public transport]], [[police|policing]] and [[fire service]]s, [[Trading Standards|trading standards]], [[waste disposal]] and strategic planning.
==Geography==


The appropriate [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|electoral ward]] is called 'Quantock Vale'. The ward stretches along the [[Bristol Channel]] from [[Kilve]] via ''Stogursey'' to Stolford. The total ward population at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]] is 2,121.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/quantock-vale-e05008928#sthash.aEgXU8zR.dpbs|title=Quantock Vale ward 2011|access-date= 2 March 2015}}</ref>
The [[Steart Peninsula]], which is close to [[Hinkley Point]], has flooded many times during the last millennium. The most severe

recent floods occurred in 1981. By 1997, a combination of coastal erosion, [[sea level rise]] and wave action had made some
⚫
It is also part of the [[Tiverton and Minehead (UK Parliament constituency)|Tiverton and Minehead]] [[county constituency]] represented in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It elects one [[Member of Parliament|Member of Parliament (MP)]] by the [[first past the post]] system of election.
of the defences distinctly fragile and at risk from failure. As a result in 2002 The Environment Agency produced the Stolford to Combwich Coastal Defence Strategy Study to examine options for the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/enwiki/static/documents/Research/stolford_to_combwich.pdf.pdf |title=Stolford to Combwich Coastal Defence Strategy Study |accessdate=11 November 2010 |format=PDF |work=Environment Agency }}</ref>


==Religious sites==
==Religious sites==
[[File:Stogursey Castle.jpg|thumb|[[Stogursey Castle]]]]
[[File:Stogursey Castle.jpg|thumb|[[Stogursey Castle]]]]
Within the village, at the bottom of the street, stands the [[Church of St Andrew, Stogursey|church of St Andrew]], built early in the 12th century by William de Falaise, though believed to incorporate earlier features.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=265206 |title=Church of St Andrew |accessdate=11 March 2008 |format= |work=Images of England }}</ref> However, some of this may be due to the workers being English, not Norman; and the fact that in the 1940s Reverend Basil Tucker removed much of the [[Victorian era]] work, giving the church its original, sparse yet pleasing shape.
Within the village, at the bottom of the street, stands the [[Church of St Andrew, Stogursey|church of St Andrew]], built early in the 12th century by William de Falaise, though believed to incorporate earlier features.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1057404 |desc=Church of St Andrew |accessdate=11 March 2008 }}</ref> However, some of this may be due to the workers being English, not Norman; and the fact that in the 1940s Reverend Basil Tucker removed much of the [[Victorian era]] work, giving the church its original, sparse yet pleasing shape.


Less than a quarter of a mile to the south are the restored remains of [[Stogursey Castle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=265202 |title=Stogursey Castle |accessdate=11 March 2008 |format= |work=Images of England }}</ref>
Less than a quarter of a mile to the south are the restored remains of [[Stogursey Castle]].<ref>{{NHLE |num=1057403 |desc=Stogursey Castle |accessdate=11 March 2008 }}</ref>


A [[Ards Peninsula abbeys|priory in the village]] was built by the Falaise family. To preserve the family's association with Normandy the priory was donated as a cell to the Benedictine Abbey of St Mary at [[Lonlay-l'Abbaye|Lonlay]]. This dwindled over the years and when all alien priories were appropriated by the crown in the 15th century [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] presented the endowments of Stogursey to "the College of the Blessed Mary of [[Eton, Berkshire|Eton]] beside [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]]" ([[Eton College]]), which he had founded a few years earlier.<ref name="waite">{{cite book |title=Portrait of the Quantocks |last=Waite |first=Vincent |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1964 |publisher=Robert Hale |location=London |isbn=0-7091-1158-4 |pages= }}</ref>
A [[Ards Peninsula abbeys|priory in the village]] was built by the Falaise family. To preserve the family's association with Normandy the priory was donated as a cell to the Benedictine Abbey of St Mary at [[Lonlay-l'Abbaye|Lonlay]]. This dwindled over the years and when all alien priories were appropriated by the crown in the 15th century [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] presented the endowments of Stogursey to "the College of the Blessed Mary of [[Eton, Berkshire|Eton]] beside [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]]" ([[Eton College]]), which he had founded a few years earlier.<ref name="waite">{{cite book |title=Portrait of the Quantocks |last=Waite |first=Vincent |year=1964 |publisher=Robert Hale |location=London |isbn=0-7091-1158-4 }}</ref>


==Notable residents==
==Notable residents==
Line 68: Line 71:


[[Haile Selassie]], the emperor of [[Ethiopia|Abyssinia]], visited Stogursey in 1938.
[[Haile Selassie]], the emperor of [[Ethiopia|Abyssinia]], visited Stogursey in 1938.

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in England}}
Stogursey is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

*{{flagicon|FRA}} [[Lonlay-l'Abbaye]], France ''(since 1985)''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news/9046548.stogursey-twinning-association-to-celebrate-its-25th-anniversary/|title=Stogursey Twinning Association to celebrate its 25th anniversary|date=25 May 2011|website=Bridgwater Mercury}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://stogursey-online.uk/|title=Stogursey Online|website=Stogursey Online}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Stogursey}}
{{Commons category|Stogursey}}
* [http://www.stogursey.net Stogursey community website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060115230458/http://www.stogursey.net/ Stogursey community website]
* [http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/hes/downloads/EUS_StogurseyText.pdf Stogursey The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey], by Clare Gathercole
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717062618/http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/hes/downloads/EUS_StogurseyText.pdf/ Stogursey The Somerset Urban Archaeological Survey], by Clare Gathercole
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18604 Stogursey - British History Online]
* [http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18604 Stogursey - British History Online]


Line 82: Line 91:
[[Category:Civil parishes in Somerset]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Somerset]]
[[Category:Villages in West Somerset]]
[[Category:Villages in West Somerset]]

[[nl:Stogursey]]
[[pl:Stogursey]]

Latest revision as of 18:57, 11 August 2024

Stogursey
White painted church with square tower topped with a spire.
Church of St Andrew
Stogursey is located in Somerset
Stogursey
Stogursey
Location within Somerset
Population1,385 (2011)[1]
OS grid referenceST203430
District
Shire county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townBridgwater
Postcode districtTA5
Dialling code01278
PoliceAvon and Somerset
FireDevon and Somerset
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Somerset
51°10′51″N 3°08′29″W / 51.1807°N 3.1413°W / 51.1807; -3.1413

Stogursey is a small village and civil parish in the Quantock Hills in Somerset, England. It is situated 3 miles (4.8 km) from Nether Stowey, and 8 miles (12.9 km) west of Bridgwater. The village is situated near the Bristol Channel, which bounds the parish on the north.

The parish includes the village of Stolford, which is believed to mean 'The stile ford' from the Old English stigol and ford,[2] and the hamlets of Burton, Knighton, Shurton, Stoford, Week, and Fairfield.

Aerial view of Stolford, in the parish of Stogursey.

History

[edit]

On the beach near Stogursey are the remains of a submerged forest dated to 2500 B.C.[3]

A Romano-British coin hoard was discovered in 1999. It contained 1,097 base silver radiates, the remains of a pottery vessel and 50 copper alloy coins.[4][5]

It takes its name from the manor of Stoke. Medieval Stoche was in the possession of William de Falaise by 1086,[6] who had recently married Geva, daughter of Serlo de Burci, and widow of Martin "de Wallis". Early in the 12th century, William and Geva's daughter, Emma, was betrothed to William de Courcy, and the couple received the manor of Stoke upon their wedding. The manor was renamed Stoke Courcy, and is now known as Stogursey. Stogursey Castle was probably built in the 12th century.[7]

The best-known member of the family was John de Courcy, who made himself virtual Prince of Ulster after conquering it in 1177. He died about 1219, his descendants (all illegitimate) today being the Baron Kingsale of Ireland.

During the reign of King John of England (1199–1216) it became the property of one of his favourites and closest advisors, Fulke de Breauté of Gascony. Fulke's sister, Avice de Breauté, was mother of Sir Nicholas FitzMartin (c. 1210–82), who, like the de Courcys, was a descendant of Geva de Burci, the wife of William de Falaise, via her son Robert FitzMartin. Said to be tyrannical, Fulke made the castle and village a stronghold and den of robbers; he was eventually expelled in the reign of Henry III, and is said to have died in poverty in Normandy after 1224.

Part of a curtain wall from the castle remains incorporated into a cottage. It is a Grade II* listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument.[8]

The remains of a Ham stone village cross on the High Street is from the Middle Ages. Approximately 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) of the original shaft is still in the socket stone.[9][10]

In the Middle Ages Stogursey was an important place. It became a borough by 1225, and retained that status until at least 1833.[7] Stogursey was part of the hundred of Cannington.[11]

The ancient parish of Stogursey was large. It included the north foreshore of the Steart Peninsula, including Stert Island which broke from the mainland in about 1798. In 1885 Stert Island was transferred to the parish of Huntspill, and in 1933 the north side of the Steart Peninsula was transferred to the parish of Otterhampton.[7]

Wick Barrow, near Stogursey, is associated with pixies. It is said that a ploughman working nearby once mended a pixie's broken peel, and the pixie baked a cake to reward him.[12]

Governance

[edit]

The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

The village falls within the non-metropolitan district of Somerset West and Taunton, which was established on 1 April 2019. It was previously in the district of West Somerset, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, and part of Williton Rural District before that.[13] The district council is responsible for local planning and building control, local roads, council housing, environmental health, markets and fairs, refuse collection and recycling, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism.

Somerset County Council is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as education, social services, libraries, main roads, public transport, policing and fire services, trading standards, waste disposal and strategic planning.

The appropriate electoral ward is called 'Quantock Vale'. The ward stretches along the Bristol Channel from Kilve via Stogursey to Stolford. The total ward population at the 2011 Census is 2,121.[14]

It is also part of the Tiverton and Minehead county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.

Religious sites

[edit]
Stogursey Castle

Within the village, at the bottom of the street, stands the church of St Andrew, built early in the 12th century by William de Falaise, though believed to incorporate earlier features.[15] However, some of this may be due to the workers being English, not Norman; and the fact that in the 1940s Reverend Basil Tucker removed much of the Victorian era work, giving the church its original, sparse yet pleasing shape.

Less than a quarter of a mile to the south are the restored remains of Stogursey Castle.[16]

A priory in the village was built by the Falaise family. To preserve the family's association with Normandy the priory was donated as a cell to the Benedictine Abbey of St Mary at Lonlay. This dwindled over the years and when all alien priories were appropriated by the crown in the 15th century Henry VI presented the endowments of Stogursey to "the College of the Blessed Mary of Eton beside Windsor" (Eton College), which he had founded a few years earlier.[17]

Notable residents

[edit]

In 1863 Neville Howse was born in the village. He went on to join the Australian army and was the first Australian to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

Haile Selassie, the emperor of Abyssinia, visited Stogursey in 1938.

Twin towns – sister cities

[edit]
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in England

Stogursey is twinned with:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ^ Robinson, Stephen (1992). Somerset Place Names. Dovecote Press. ISBN 1-874336-03-2.
  3. ^ "Stogursey". Victoria County History. British History Online. Retrieved 14 November 2008.
  4. ^ Bland, Roger, ed. (2000). Treasure Annual Report 1998 - 1999 (PDF). Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2012.
  5. ^ Bland, Roger; Voden-Decker, Lisa, eds. (2002). Treasure Annual Report 2000 (PDF). Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 March 2012.
  6. ^ Open Domesday Online: Stogursey
  7. ^ a b c A P Baggs; M C Siraut (1992). "Stogursey". A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6. Victoria County History. pp. 130–136. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Stogursey Castle". Listed Buildings Online. English Heritage. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
  9. ^ Historic England. "Village cross 75m north of St Andrew's Well (1019034)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  10. ^ Historic England. "Remains of Village cross (1345701)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 January 2015.
  11. ^ "Cannington Hundred". British History Online. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  12. ^ Ash, Russell (1973). Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain. Reader's Digest Association Limited. p. 165. ISBN 9780340165973.
  13. ^ "Williton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  14. ^ "Quantock Vale ward 2011". Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  15. ^ Historic England. "Church of St Andrew (1057404)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  16. ^ Historic England. "Stogursey Castle (1057403)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 March 2008.
  17. ^ Waite, Vincent (1964). Portrait of the Quantocks. London: Robert Hale. ISBN 0-7091-1158-4.
  18. ^ "Stogursey Twinning Association to celebrate its 25th anniversary". Bridgwater Mercury. 25 May 2011.
  19. ^ "Stogursey Online". Stogursey Online.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stogursey.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Stogursey&oldid=1239819648"