Monument record MDO46230 - Medieval manor, Bredy, Burton Bradstock

Bredy Farm is thought possibly to be the location of the Mediaeval manor house and settlement of Bredy, and a chapel of ease documented in 1320.

Once a manor and hamlet Bridy is now reduced to a farm. About the time of Ed.III it was held by the Bonvils, from whom it takes its occasional name of Bonvil-Bridy. It later belonged to the Mores of Melpash and then to the Paulets who resided here in 1620. The house was built by the Paulets, and in the 18th century their arms appeared on the S. side. The house was once fairly large but much of it has been pulled down. Here was anciently a chapel of ease to Burton, which in spite of an attempt about 1320 to separate it, remained united to the mother church. The names of three rectors occur for the two years 1319 and 1320. <1>

Bredy Farm was built in 1849, but incorporates a Jacobean fire-place from the old Manor House. This house was burnt down according to local tradition. Its site is not definitely known, but quantities of stone exist beneath the topsoil some 30.0m. S.E. of the present house. The house may however have been on the E. side of road past the farm. I have no knowledge of the site of the chapel, which may have been within the old house. <3.1>

(SY 50738988) Sites of the Manor house and chapel could not be identified by ground observation, but from (a) would seem to have been near the present mid-19th century house. From Authy 1 the chapel seems to be of pre 14th century date, and probably not incorporated in the Manor Ho. structure. <3>

No specific indications of hamlet as mentioned in Authy 1. <4>

Bredy paid geld for 4 hides in the reign of Edward (1042-66) and is mentioned in Domesday when there was a mill. <5>

Good <6> says that although no remains are recorded the manor must have contained a small settlement, while Bailey <7> states "Traces of the medieval hamlet of Bredy can still be seen and the old road, with its ford over the river, is marked by a hollow way on the east side of the Bride".

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 281 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1903 (Map). SWX1540.

(SY 507899) Bredy Farm (NAT)

<3> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F1 NVQ 25-APR-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<3.1> Oral: Mr J S Mallinson (occupier), Bredy Farm, Burton Bradstock (Verbal communication). SDO19792.

<4> Colquhoun, F D, Field Investigators Comments FDC, F2 FDC 26-APR-55 (Unpublished document). SWX2609.

<5> Pugh, R B (ed), 1968, The Victoria history of the county of Dorset 3 1968 - Domesday Survey (Monograph). SWX2915.

<6> Good, R, 1979, Lost Villages of Dorset, 52 (Monograph). SWX1569.

<7> Bailey, C J, 1982, The Bride Valley : the story of the past, with photographs of the present, 106 (Monograph). SWX1298.

<8> National Record of the Historic Environment, 450500 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 29 2023 8:05AM