Village History

HISTORY OF PAWLETT
by Wilfred Haggett

Roman Settlement Year 225 AD - Perhaps until 410 AD when Roman legions left Briton.

The Saxon Period - little known. It is thought almost certain that the foundation of the Nave of the Church dates back to Saxon times 7th century. Perhaps a small building.

Larger Church 13th century - partly restored 17th century. Early English Norman Porch 1643. Reformation when the Protestants separated from the Catholic Church. Images could be saints etc. Dissolution of the Monasteries 1536.

Danes sailed up the river in 879 AD , many landed on Pawlett side near White House. Others on Combwich side and made a raid on (? Gwnwit) Castle held by King Alfred. (Old Chronicle).

The village then just clearings in woods and rough 'tracks - ruled over by Chief or Thane.

Combwich Passage Old Ford - stepping stones.

First Battle Ship built on Combwich bank by King Alfred, about 880.

Pilgrims to shrines at Glastonbury. Pilgrim Path mentioned in Doomsday Book compiled by William 1st in 1086. Pawlett then called "PAVELET" (pools of water). It was owned by a Norman Baron - Walter De Dowai, who came to England in 1066. He was also Lord of Bridgwater, Horsey, Dunball and Burnham - his Castle was at Castle Cary

The Village then divided into Hides - 100 acres and cottages valued at 10/- paid to Manor.

Stretcholt then Stretchill - three hides

Walpole (Wallepeel) creek in river. One hide 10/­

Gaunts got its name from the Gaunt family. Became owners in the 12th century. Robert Gaunt banked the river about that time (12th century). The Hams - John of Gaunt became owner in 14th century.

Abstract of Will.    I John of Gaunt do give and grant, from me and mine to thee and thine, all the portion of land known as PAVELET Hams. Confirming PAVELET in Doomsday Book. (HAMS.HOME)

Pawlett Manor not Gaunts given to Gaunts Hospital, Bristol about 1236 by Robert D Gaurney. A descendant of the Gaunt family, in memory of his Uncle, Maurice De Grant the founder. Held for 300 years. All that remains., the Vestry, the Lord Mayor's Chapel and College Green. Built to serve the hospital and 100 poor people. The Manor at Pawlett was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1563, and went back -to the Crown.

The Paulet family (hence Paulet) - from an old Chronicle, a French nobleman came to England in the 12th century. in 14th century possessed certain lands in Pawlett and a Manor House, but they were never Lords of the Manor. However, they were much respected* Coat of Arms in South Transept given by Lord Paulet MP for Bridgwater in 1768, He was Queen Anne's godson.

Admiral Blake's mother about 1600 was a Pawlett woman. From an abstract of Will, money was left to Pawlett Church. About 1645 Samuel Blake met his death versus The Cavaliers, and was buried in the Churchyard. No entry in the register asit dates from 1667.

Many skirmishes fought in the village in fields and Red Lane. In 1645 Admiral Blake defended Lyme Regis against King Charles 1st, also defended Taunton for one year. In 1649 he was appointed Commander of The Fleet and cleared the sea of Royalist ships.

In the 16th century Henry VIII granted the Manor of Pawlett to Richard Cooper, an ancestor of the Earl of Shaftesbury, to whom the Paulets sold their property.

William Ponsonby married a daughter of the 5th Earl of Shaftesbury, and he was raised to a peerage and chose the title of Lord de Mauley - a title held by his wife's ancestors 100 years before. He did not reside in the village but at Little Faringdon near Lechlade.

Coach house at North Farm. The Manor then went to Canon Ponsonby.  Hurbert Ponsonby became Lord de Mauley and offered the Estate for sale in 1920, as he had another estate at Little Faringdon.

Before he came to the village Stewart Henry Smith-Spark's 1,700 acres was let by auction first at The Shoulder of Mutton and afterwards at The Clarence Hotel, Bridgwater. Poaching occurred on letting day. Mr Smith­Spark died in 1904.


By kind permission from Nigel Coombes
Last printed in The village welcome packs on behalf of Churches Together in Pawlett, typed by Margaret Sims