Monument record MDO47533 - Manor house, Chilcombe

The manor is mentioned as CILTECOMBE in Domesday, but very early in Norman times it seems to have belonged to the Knights Hospitallers. In 36 HEN VIII the manor was granted to the BISHOPS, who lived here until the late 16THC. "The mansion house of the BISHOPS, long since converted into a farm-house .. is a low, pretty large, plain, and ancient building of stone. <1>

MANOR HOUSE. This "was largely rebuilt in 1570, but incorporates earlier work. The N. and S. doorways are perhaps Md... Above the S. doorway is a stone inscribed "ANNO DNI. 1578 JOHN BYSSHOP, ELNOR BYSSHOP" Further W. is a 16THC. window of 4-lights." The 18THC . farm-house has been added to and this addition incorporates some 17THC. windows. The old building was in course of demolition in 1939. <4>

The house is called CHILCOMBE FARM. The cottages to the N. of the present house (erected in 1786) were demolished some years ago, and it seems that these were converted from the old Manor House. The datestone of 1578 was preserved at the demolition and the stone is now kept in the church. <5>

Area of depopulation. There are no definite structural remains of the Manor House. The extreme E. end of the long block of which the house formed part is extant. It consists of a fragment of rubble walling with modern window spaces, and may have been in addition to a cottage; at least it shows no visible evidence of antiquity. The 1578 datestone is in the church, and fragments of moulded mullions, door arches, etc are scattered over the farmyard, with a complete two centred fireplace lintel. CHILCOMBE is a hamlet which was at one time of greater extent. This is shown by the grass covered scarps and banks in the field 150 metres S. of the present house. These earthworks form platforms and enclosures normally associated with depopulation. <6>

<1> Shipp, W, and Hodson, J W (eds), 1863, The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. 3rd edition. Volume 2, 738-9 (Monograph). SWX1269.

<2> Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, 1927, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Field Club for 1926-1927 (Serial). SDO13162.

<3> Ordnance Survey, Ordnance Survey Map 6in, 1930 (Map). SWX1540.

[SY 52839107] Chilcombe Farm formerly MANOR HOUSE [GT]

<4> Royal Commission on Historical Monuments England, 1952, An Inventory of Historical Monuments in the County of Dorset, Volume I (West), 97 (Monograph). SDO97.

<5> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F2 NVQ 06-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<6> Quinnell, N V, Various, Field Investigators Comments NVQ, F3 NVQ 06-MAY-55 (Unpublished document). SDO11903.

<7> National Record of the Historic Environment, 451356 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Dec 10 2023 8:12AM