Thyme Travels into History Part One - Romans & Normans
LOOKING BACK
In 43AD the Emperor Claudius's troops invaded Britain and the conquest had properly begun. Up until then the Cotswolds were populated by the Dobunni tribe: simple farmers who would not have been prepared for what was about to happen. The Roman army reached Southrop in 45AD, and by 49 the area was alive with Roman activity. They built a fort where the Fosse Way crosses the River Churn. It held two 'quingenary alae' (500 auxiliary cavalry each), tasked with helping to defend the provincial frontier. Native Dobunni were drawn from Bagendon, a settlement situated three miles to the north, to create a civil settlement near the fort known as 'Corinium Dobbunorum'- now Cirencester - at the site of the meeting of the Fosse Way, Akeman Street, and Ermin Way, and Corinium soon became an important Roman town. Akeman Street runs from Cirencester to St. Albans, where it can be seen passing just north of Eastleach in the Leach valley at Sheepbridge.
When the frontier moved north, the fort at Corinium was closed and its fortifications levelled, but the town persisted. Even in Roman times, there was a thriving wool industry which contributed to its growth. There are Roman villas at Bibury, Chedworth and Withington and even one on Sunday's Hill near Southrop which has never been excavated. By 275 Corinium was the second largest town in Britain at 240 acres, enclosed by a fortified wall. Southrop must have felt the ramifications of the regular traffic passing along nearby Akeman Street, but more than that, a Salt Way runs along what is now one the parish boundaries. Salt was mined in Cheshire and carried on mules to Lechlade where it was loaded onto barges to be carried down the Thames to eventually arrive in London.
In 410, the Roman legions withdrew, leaving behind a residue of farmers and craftsmen loosely termed 'Roman Britons'. Following invasions by Jutes, Angles and Saxons from Germany, in 793 the Vikings invaded and subsequently conquered the north and east of Britain creating an area known as Danelaw. By the time of the Norman Invasion in 1066, ‘Sudthropa’ (meaning ‘southern independent farmstead’) was a western outpost of Danelaw, ruled by Earl Tostig on behalf Harold Hardrada, the King of Denmark.
The church of St Peter at Southrop would have been built in the 9th century. The nave of the church is the oldest remaining portion, its herringbone masonry being associated with Saxon construction and probably pre-dates the Norman Conquest. Looking at the northern and southern walls, one can easily detect where the Saxon stonework ends and where the original (probably flat) roof would have sat.
When William won the Battle of Hastings, he was crowned as the first independent king of a united England. He rewarded his many French Barons with English lands and the Norman era began. Southrop (value: £12) was given to William fitz Pons (fitz meaning 'son of' from the French 'fils'). William ordered a complete account of all land holdings and possessions in England. 'Sudthropa' is recorded in the Domesday Book as having risen to £15 since the Conquest, and it is also recorded that a priest was resident 1086.
Southrop was handed to Richard fitz Pons but ended up in the hands of Hugh de St Philibert in whose family it remained for several generations to come under the name of Philibert’s Court. At St. Peter’s church the magnificent font, one of the finest Norman fonts in the country and Southrop’s greatest treasure, was installed.
This is the first of six installments of Jerry's history of Southrop, the manor, the farm and its buildings. If you would like to purchase a copy of his book, please contact us.
