|
Coordinates: 51°04'37?N 3°09'53?W? / ?51.077, -3.1647
Cothelstone is a village and parish in Somerset, England, situated in the Quantock Hills six miles north of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district. The village has a population of 111.[1]
The view from Cothelstone with a telescope on a fine day is said to include 14 counties and 150 churches.[2]
[edit] History
The manor of Cothelstone was given to the Stawell family after the Norman conquest of England in 1066.[2]
During the English Civil War Sir John Stawell of Cothelstone had raised a small force at this own expense to defend the King. When Taunton fell to parliamentary troops and was held by Robert Blake he attacked Stawell at Bishops Lydeard and imprisoned him. After the restoration Charles II conferred the title of Baron Stawell on his son Ralph.[2]
[edit] Church
The red sandstone 12th century Church of St Thomas of Canterbury dates from the 12th century and was largely restored in 1864. In includes memorials to the Stawell family including: Sir Matthew de Stawell, died 1379, and his wife Elizabeth, and John Stawell died 1603. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a grade I listed building.[3]
[edit] Cothelstone Manor
Cothelstone Manor was built in the mid 16th century, largely demolished by the parliamentary troops in 1646 and rebuilt in by E.J. Esdaile 1855-6.[4] The 16th century gatehouse[5] and gazebo[6] and 17th century Banqueting Hall have survived.[7]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
(Source: Wikipedia) |