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WIMPTON
RADITION says that the inhabitants of the village of Wimpton, which is mentioned in Domesday as a Berewick of Dunham, were wiped out by a plague. If there is any foundation for this statement it could not have been by the pestilence called the Black Death which raged during the years 1348 and 1349, and renewed its attacks at various intervals for 30 years, because the village was still existing a hundred years or more later. There are two farmhouses on the north side of the road midway between Darlton and Dunham. One is called Wimpton Moor Farm, the other Wimpton Field Farm. In a field opposite these farmhouses, on the south side of the road, there are earthworks which indicate the former existence of buildings of considerable extent. In the Geological Journal for 1886 mention is made of them, as follows:—"There appears to have been a Roman settlement of some nature between Dunham and Darlton, where a stone coffin containing a skeleton, and another beside it, was found in 1834, under a large cedar tree, uprooted by a storm, January 7th in that year. Considerable traces of foundations of buildings exist in the neighbourhood, which is called Wympton Moor. A village called Wymington formerly existed on this site."
It is, of course, possible that this was the site of a Roman encampment, being only 4 miles distant from the great North Road, and 9 miles from the Roman Ford at Littleborough, but at the same time it is improbable. Excavations were made on the site in 1907 by the writer, and a few months later by two members of the Thoroton Society, Dr. J. Davies Pryce and Mr. F. W. Dobson, and no indications were discovered of any masonary, coins, or pottery of Roman origin. Dr. J. Davies and Mr. F. W. Dobson issued a report which was printed in the Thoroton Society's Transactions. They thus describe the site:
"The salient features of these works may be summed up as consisting of sunken road-ways, earthen enclosures mostly rectangular in outline, and a raised earthen platform. A well defined roadway extends the whole length of the field from west to east, following the ridge of the hill for the most of its course. Its width varies considerably . . . and there is evidence of its continuation in a field to the west, but no traces are to be found in the cultivated field to the east. . . . Two road-ways take their course down the hillside. One skirts the platform on its western and northern sides and continues a tortuous course to the hedge bordering the highway. The other describes a winding deep course as far as the pond, where, turning to the east, it has evidently been cut through by the later highway, for its well-marked continuation (since this was written much of the depression has been filled in) is to be found in a field close to the farmhouse. It terminates in close proximity to the rectangular and moated enclosure, which probably represents a late manorial site of the moated homestead type. The raised platform is 120 feet in length and 70 in width at its southern end. Its northern face is steeply scarped, and rises some six feet above the road-way. Scattered about the field, both north and south of the road-way, but mainly abutting to it, are a number of enclosures and ridges.''
Frequent mention is made of Wimpton in ancient documents. In 15 Henry II (1168) amongst the fines, we come across Roger Mercator de Wimentun 40s. In Edward III (1327 to 1377) The Prebendary of Dunham claimed jurisdiction of the view of Frankpledge of Dunham and his tenants inWympton. In the "Registrum Albium" of the Chapter of Southwell there is a decree, dated 1414, by the Commissaries of Southwell, Richard Andrew and William Lambly, in a cause between the inhabitants of Dunham and Richard Allerston, vicar there: wherein it is decreed, '' That there shall be an able chaplain provided dwelling within the town of Dunham and Wympton, and the inhabitants of the same to be restored to their former situation at the expense of the vicar aforesaid."
The word "Wimpton" is evidently of Saxon origin. Its meaning as stated in '' The Place Names of Nottinghamshire'' is "the farmstead of Winemund."
In the British Museum there are a number of deeds of conveyance, called "Additional Charters," with reference to lands at Wimpton, bearing the names of many residents there in the 14th and 15th centuries, as follows:
53163. Grant by William dictus del Clay de Derleton to Robert fil Roberti Nethand de Wimpton, and all the common and meadows of Wimpton. Witness, Hugh
de Grenlay in Wimpton, Williams de Grenley in eadem, Laurence fil Ricardi, Robert Flower de Drayton. Dat Derleton Sund after Trinity 28 May 1307.
53164. Grant by Matilda, Alice, Agnes, and Emma daughters of Richard fil Thomas de Dunham to John fil Hugoni de Lanum of the third part of a bovate of meadow in Wimpton Bechangre. Witness, John de Dunham, Robert de Dunham his brother, Robert Kokerall, Robert in Venella. Dat Dunham Thursday after Trans of St. Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury (31 Dec) 1310.
53165. Grant by Robert dictus Benet de Wimpton to Richard his brother of the third part of half an acre of land in the field of Wimpton on le Langlandis and a rood on Wedfurlong. Witness, John de lanum, William Bertlemene de Wimpton, Robert in Venella, Robert Fleur de East Drayton. Dat Wimpton Wed Feast of St. Barnabas 11 June 1315.
3167. Exchange by William Grinlay de Burton with John de Lanum de Wimpton of a croft and a toft in the town of Wimpton. Witness, Robert in Venella de Wimpton, Hugh fil Ade, John super Mordun, Robert Fleur de Drayton, clericus. Dat Wimpton Sat after feast of St. Nicholas the Bishop. 9 Dec 1318.
3168. Grant by Hugh fil Ade de Wimpton to John de Lanum de Wimpton and John Fil Emma Braciatricis de Wimpton junior and the heirs of the said John de Lanum of a setion of land in the field of Wimpton on Blackfurlong. Witness, William Barilme de Wimpton, Robert in Venella, Ralph fil Gilberti, Robert Fleur de Drayton, clericus. . . . Dat Wimpton Tuesday before Epiphany 4 Jan 1322.
53169. Exchange by William Bertilmeo de Wimpton with John de Lanum of Wimpton of a setion of land in the field of Wimpton in Gilbertcroft for a setion in the same field on Buggelandis. Witness, Robert in Venella de Wimpton, Ralph fil Gilberti, William de Cokenay, Robert fleur de Drayton, clericus. Dat Wimpton Sunday after feast of St. Hilary 1322.
53171. Grant by Robert fil Ricardi fil Rogeri de Wimpton of half acre of land in the field of Ragenhill. Witness, John de Lanum de Wimpton, William Bertilmeo, Robert in Venella, Robert Fleur de Drayton, clericus. Witness, Robert in Venella, Robert Fleur de Drayton, clericus. Dat Wimpton Sunday morrow of the Purification 3 Feb 1324.
53172. Quitclaim by Robert and Richard sons of Benedict de Wimpton of a butt of land on Lincroft (in Wimp-ton) for a rent of a ¼d. "Witness, Hugh de Grinnelay, Robert fil Bartholmie de Wimpton, Robert in Venella, Laurence his brother, et tota Villata de Wimpton. Early 14th century.
53173. Grant by William fil Benedici de Wympton to William fil William fil Ricardi in Venella de Raggenhill a third part of a bovate of meadow in le Beckehyngre de Wimpton. Witness, Rog de Ragenhill in Wympton, Bartholomew fil Roberti Cissaris, Nicholas Manclere de Ragenhill, Richard Sema. Early 14th century.
53176. Grant by Rog fil de Ricardi de Dunham to William fil Alexandri de Wimpton of half an acre of land in the field of Wimpton on Barlyton and two roods in the same field in le Boyim for rent of 4½d. Witness, Henry fil Payn de Dunham, and Robert Crispe de Dunham, Alan Trew de Dunham. Early 14th century.
53177. Quitclaim by the same to the same of half a bovate of meadow in le Bechangre de Wimpton. Witness, Henry fil Payn de Dunham, Robert Crispe de Dunham, Alan Trew de Dunham. Early 14th century.
5391. Carta indentata qua Ricardus filius (Erle) de Ragenhille, concedit in perpetuum exambium Nicholas Manclerke de Ragenhill tres selliones in Wimptone Westcroft (co Notts) pro duabus acris terrae arabalis in campo de Derletone et Wimptone. Test, Dom Robert Capellano de Ragenhille et allis. Dat die Mart in fest Translat S. August, Episc, 1328. A small oval seal with a device in the centre and +S' R' I' C'. F. Will is attached.
5393. Carta qua Williemus filius Johannis filie Nigillie de Derleton coneedit Williemo Nethed de Wymptone unam dimid acram terra arabili in campo de Wympton (Co Notts). Test, Robert de Dunham in Derleton, Ric de la More, Capellano, et allis. Dat die Invent S. Crue, 1331. A small seal attached.
53158. Grant by Margaret and Alice daughters of Richard fil Ade de Derleton to John de Nanenby de Dunham of a rood of land in the field of Wympton in a place called Wyhtwede. Witness, William Bertilmew de Wympton, Hugh Daniel de Wympton, John fil Ade de Wympton. Dat Dunham 16 July 1335.
53187. Grant by John de Ragenhill de Dunham to William Netleher (Nethered) de Wympton of half an acre in the field of Wympton. Witness, John de Dunham, Walter Olyve de Dunham, Robert Mond de Dunham. Dat Dunham 29 Sept 1336.
53213. Grant by Adam Seme of Wympton on Henhill. Witness, John de Crofts, Robert del Crofts, Robert Marsehall. Dat Wympton Thursday 23 Feb 1368.
53218. Lease by Robert de Thornshagh of Dunham super Trentum to Robert Herry of Wympton of a messuage etc in Wympton which he had lately by feoffment of the said Robert Herry from the feast of St. Peter ad Vincula rent coming for 2 years at a rent of 13/4. Witness, Adam Longespey, William Savage, Adam Seme, Wympton. Monday 1 Jan 15 Richard II 1391. 5417. Carta qua Hugo de Crofts, Willielmus Savage et Adam Seme de Wymptone concedunt Johanni Longespy, de eadem, unam acram et unam rodam terrae arabilis in campis de Wymptone et Draitone (co Notts). Test, Gregorie de Dunham, Robert de Thornehaghe et aliis. Dat die Domin in feast Natis B. Mariae 16 Richard II 1392. Four small seals on two labels are appended three of red wax and one of green with different impressions on each. 5402. Land in Wympton, Dunham, Ragenhill and Derleton. ... Test, Georgius de Dunham, Henry de Croft, John de Croft, William Longespy de Ragenhill, William de Normanton et aliis. Dat apud Wympton 1372. Seal.
53229. Grant by John de Man of Dunham to Hugh Seym of Ragnall of part of a messuage and half a rood of land in Wympton. Witness, Thomas Cryop, William Huknall, John Ashton. Dat Wympton 13 Feb 7 Henry VI 1428. Seal.
53232. Grant by John Rayeyn of Rampton of an acre of land in Wympton to Robert Warsop, clericus, and John Crofte of Ragnall. Witness; Robert Olyver, John Hawkesmore, William Spalding. Dat Wympton 12 Feb 10 Henry VI 1431.
53241. Grant by John Longespy to George Nevill and Norman Power and Robert Breteyn of a messuage called Westyerd in Wympton. Witness, Robert Hawkesmore, Richard Renindale, John Brimley. Dat Wympton 10 May 1461.
53242. Grant by the same to the same of a croft called Intake in Wympton. Witness, William Clerk, sen, William Harpham, Thomas Stanyland. Dat Wympton 12 July 1 Edward IV 1461.
53243. Grant by the same to the same of a messuage in Wympton. Witness, Robert Hawkesmore, John Treswell, Henry Unwyn, Dat Wympton 6 Oct 1461.
53244. Grant by the same to the same of all his meadows in Wympton Bekyng. Witness, Richard Hawkesmore, John Treswell, William Clerk, sen., Dat Wympton 8 Oct 1 Edward IV 1461.
5386. Ricardus fil Galfridi de Wympton concedit Alicia filia sua quamdam terra. Temp Henry III (1216-1272).
5387. Galfridus fil Roberti de Wympton concedit Adae filio Will de Ragnel unam acram terrae arabilis in campo Wympton. Witness, Rob fil Barth de Wympton. Temp Henry III (1216-1272).
In the above we have the names of the owners and of many of the inhabitants of Wympton for a period of 200 years.
Charter no 53172 contains the interesting information that early in the 14th century a Butt of land let for a farthing, and two roods (53176) for 4½d, i.e., at 9d per acre.