Popes & Welch Nuttrees

There is a certain amount of speculation about the accuracy of this listing, but there is enough circumstantial evidence to suggest that the lease dated 24th February 1615 and the two properties highlighted here, do indeed match up. The house behind the High St main row and accessed off Stainswick Lane was known as Walnut Tree House in the early 20th century and later 19th. The size of the land to the south of it matches the lease description. The wording of the lease implies that the two properties are in close proximity, likely next door to each other. On the other side of Stanswick Lane was likely to be Popes (almost certainly with Catholic connections). it would have stood where present day Ivy House now stands, and also the size of the land to the south matches the lease description. 

The Pleydell family owned a lot of land in Shrivenham in the medieval period, their Manorial seat being the Rectory Manor. The John Pleydell mentioned in this lease occupied a Manor House that stood where the present day Shrivenham House now stands. Recent research by SHS has discovered documents that confirm the Rectory Manor Farm was located where present day Sandhill Farm now stands and a road led from the rear of the house in Claypits Lane up to the farm. We are only now beginning to understand this earlier part of Shrivenham history.

To read a transcription of the lease in PDF format please go HERE