Rockbeare
| Rockbeare | |
| Devon | |
|---|---|
 St Mary with St Andrew, Rockbeare | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SY024955 |
| Location: | 50°45’0"N, 3°22’60"W |
| Data | |
| Population: | 914 (2011) |
| Post town: | Broadclyst |
| Postcode: | EX5 |
| Dialling code: | 01392 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | East Devon |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Exeter |
| Website: | http://rockbeareparishcouncil.co.uk/ |
Rockbeare is a little village in eastern Devon, found near Exeter Airport and the city of Exeter.
The wider parish of Rockbeare encompasses such hamlets as Marsh Green, Pithead, Allercombe, and Little Silver. Rockbeare itself is a small place, on the high road from Honiton to Exeter, its farmland nearly evenly divided between arable and pasture, with about 200 acres of common.
Rockbeare Manor is a Grade I listed building.[1]"
Name
It has been observed that "Whilst the name has nothing to do with either 'rocks' nor 'bears', it simply means 'rooks in the grove (of trees)'.
Parish church
The parish chuech is St Mary with St Andrew.[2] It is Grade II listed.[3]
History
Roman links
Evidence for Rockbeare to have been part of a Roman settlement came from the University of Exeter's Archaeology team who have revealed new findings of how the county's inhabitants lived during the Roman period.[4] The team also uncovered archaeological features and significant amounts of imported Roman pottery, along with locally made goods.[4]
The site was first discovered by metal detectorists Jim Wills and Dennis Hewings who reported their finds to archaeologist Danielle Wootton, who is the Devon Finds Liaison Officer (Antiquities Scheme).[4] All of these findings suggest that people having lived in this area were influenced in some way by the Romans. It is questioned "whether the Dumnonii, the tribe who lived in the area now known as Devon, still retained their traditional identity rather than becoming entirely Romanised." [4]
The manor
Rockbeare Manor, also known as 'Rock Wood' was given by the Bishop of Bath and Wells to Matilda, Countess of Gloucester in the reign of King Edward III. From the Countess, the manor passed to the abbey of Canonleigh.
At the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII, the manor was acquired by the Sainthill family.[5]
The original house was built around 1760-70 and owned by Sir John Duntze.
The 19th Century
The parish population was recorded as 419 in 1801 and 404 in 1901.[5]
About 1820 the manor house was remodelled with complete simplicity and refinement, possibly by Kendall of Exeter.
In 1887, Bartholomew noted:
Rockbeare, par. and vil., Devon, 6½ miles E. of Exeter, 2375 ac., pop. 472; P.O.; Rockbeare House and Rockbeare Court are seats. The manor belonged formerly to Canonsleigh-abbey, and belongs now to T. Porter, Esq. R. House and R. Court are chief residences. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Exeter. Value, £148. Patron, the Bishop of Exeter.[6]
Sport and leisure
- Football: Rockbeare Rangers FC.[7]
Outside links
References
- ↑ National Heritage List 1203803: Rockbeare Manor including terraces adjoining to south
- ↑ http://www.achurchnearyou.com/rockbeare-st-mary-st-andrew/
- ↑ National Heritage List 1203864: Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 University of Exeter; Research
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 National Heritage List 1000193: Rockbeare Manor
- ↑ Bartholomew, John: 'Gazetteer of the British Isles' (1887) in 'A Vision of Britain Through Time'
- ↑ Clubwebsite.co.uk: Rockbeare Rangers