Denchworth

Denchworth
Berkshire
St James' parish church
Location
Grid reference:	SU3891
Location:	51°37’23"N, 1°27’4"W
Data
Population:	154  (2001)
Post town:	Abingdon
Postcode:	OX12
Dialling code:	01235
Local Government
Council:	Vale of White Horse
Parliamentary constituency:	Wantage

Drayton is a village in north-western Berkshire, found some two and a half miles north of Wantage.

The parish is bounded by the Land Brook in the west and the Childrey Brook in the east. The Great Western Main Line between Reading and Swindon runs through the parish just south of the village, but there is no station.

History

The Domesday Book of 1086 describes Denchworth as being granted to Henry de Ferrers:

"The same Henry de Ferrers holds Denchworth and Reiner holds of him. Aethelric held it in the time of King Edward. Then assessed at 7 hides now at five and a half hides. There is land for five ploughs. In demesne is one plough and five villeins and five cottars with one plough and 30 acres of meadow and there is a church. In the time of King Edward it was worth 70 shillings and afterwards 60 shillings. Now 4 pounds."

Denchworth was the home of the ancient and widespread Berkshire families of Fettiplace and Hyde. The Hydes have many old memorial brasses in the church. One has the commemorative plaque for the foundation of Bisham Priory on the back. There are also stained glass windows by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and it once had a large library of early printed books as well as relics such as a 'mermaid's rib'.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Denchworth)

• The Garden House at Denchworth Manor

References

• A History of the County of Berkshire - Volume pp 280–284: {{{2}}} (Victoria County History)
• Nikolaus Pevsner: The Buildings of England: Berkshire, 1966; 2010 Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-300-12662-4page 126–127