The History of North Curry

Extracts from the proceedings of the North Curry Manor Courts

In the reign of Richard II in 1377 an inquisition brought a charge against poachers who had illegally entered upon the lands of the Dean and chapter

. ... they had come in with swords and bows and arrows and had taken salmon, peelpike, lampreys, lamprons, eels and flounders, 2000 hares, 10,000 rabbits, 1000 partridges, wood and corn etc. worth £240, so depriving the Dean and Chapter of their rights and had done this for 13 years. They were fined 280 marcs .....

At about the same time

  ....... a certain Robert Gyan, a layman of Northcory, was summoned before the dean and chapter of Wells to answer the charge of having wrongfully caused to be cut down and carried away certain oaks and alders in their park to the value of £10 and, beat and wounded to the shedding of blood Robert Coppe their manciple and their servants. It was ordered that the said Robert shall make restitution of the said oaks and alders, and for his infringement of the liberty of the church shall on three Sundays within two months thrice be scourged round the church of Northcory naked except his breeches before the procession, and likewise thrice on three other Sundays round the church of Wells, carrying every day of his penance a lighted candle of 1lb weight, and shall hold the same in his own hands in the naves of the said churches from the procession until the offertory, and then humbly offer the same to the celebrant at the high altar and declare the cause of such penance. Also he shall content the said Robert Coppe of 40s. for his damages, and the d/c of 8 marks damages in respect of the drifts and do penance on six other days in like manner. He shall not enter their groves, warren or moors, 6 loads of alder to be delivered every year by view of their bailiff. He shall consent of a sentence of excommunication in case of infringement ..............

In 1505 tenants near Ham mill complained to the Dean and Chapter of Wells about hardships caused by flooding from the River Tone because of the diversion of a watercourse.

Pytuously complayneth unto you maysterships the poore men duellyng nygh adjoyaunt to Hammyll, that where we be sore greved by reson of the same mylle, that it to say, our medewes, called Newe Medewes and Nate Medewes, and other pastures, certayn grene corn, our hay, ofttymes drowned, our highways foundered, wherby we have been grevously amerced in the shire and soore troubled ; the fordes depe worne, wherthoroughe we be sore charged to make a brigge for weynes and horses every twoo or thre yere to be newe mended and made ; oure bestes standyng in water, without mete; our corne and hay to stand long afeld, till it be almoste lost by cause we can have no good cariage home. And we have paied to moste parte of oure goodes for oure places, and nowe we can take but litel profite therof. And oftentymes we have spoken therof in our courts. And can have no remedy. And we uderstand your maystership, have auctorite to enquere of all maner hurtes and greves done by occasion of the same mylle. Wherfor we beseche uopur maistership, in the way of charite, to have pite upon us, and be our socour for reformation herof, orelles we must medes forsake our places, to our uttre undoynge. And we shall pray to God to sent you long life after his pleasure.

This dispute had gone on for many years before and would continue to do so for many years ahead.

For more information on the history of North Curry why not buy a copy of  "North Curry - A Place in History" by Angela Dix.  For details go to http://www.dixuk.com.