History

Early Origin of the Church
Whittington Church is of great age. The Manor was in exisitence before the Norman Conquest, and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. There are several indications of the church's early norman origin, and it is not unlikely that at one time its narrow South Aisle and Norman Arch formed part of the Chapel of a much older castle or fortified manor whcih stood on the site of the present Court.

Reference to the Chapel in Old Records
Some visitors may be interested to know that in the reign of Henry III (1216), a market, fair and free-warren were granted to Richard de Crupes of Whittington, who according to many accounts did much for the benefit of the village. Not long afterwards it is noted that Whittington is referred to as a town, and we read that in the reign of Edward I one of the same family "died seized of the town of Whitenton".

In due course, the celebrated Earl of Warwick purchased the Manor - doubtless with the chapel adjoining, and at his death bequeathed it to his daughter, who married George, Duke of Clarence.

In the reign of Henry VII it was the property of Ann, the Countess of Warwick, who sold it to that monarch. At the general seizure which preceded the Reformation it became the property of the crown. Henry VIII granted the manor and advowson to Thomas Stroud, who afterwards obtained the King's permission to sell it to Richard Cotton.

Those to whom past history has an appeal will read with interest such details as that Atkyns in his "History of Gloucestershire" states:

"Osgot held Witetune in Wacrescumb (Winchcombe), in the Reign of King Edward the Confessor; William Lucie (?Leuric) held it in the Reign of King Williwm the Conqueror."

This Manor and Chapel therefore existed in Saxon times before the Conquest.

Students of Oakley Training College, Cheltenham, recently made a search in Gloucester Library and Museum for early records of local interest. Some of the following extracts from Gloucestershire Pipe Rolls, Hockaday Abstracts, etc. are quoted as they relate to Whittington Church.

1269. Licence to Walter de Chiltham, clerk, rector of the Church of Ameneye Blessed Mary, to hold the church of Wyntinton being presented thereto by Sir Richard de Coupes, the patron.
1282. Inquisition 10 Edward I. "Permission given to William de Crupe to give land to the Abbot and monks of Wynchecombe."
1296-1297. Protective for Walter of Cheltenham parson of the churches of Whytinton and Amneye (?Ampney) (Cal. Pat: Rolls. 25 Edward I).
1306. Institution of John de la Hutte of Welseley, clerk, to the Church of Wyitynton, vacant by the death of Walter of Chiltenham, last rector and granted in commendam to William de la Mare, Priest, on the presentation of Richard de Coupes, knight.
1310. Richard de Croupes (beacuse of good service to the King) had licence to make a settlement for the manor of Whittington, to hold himself for life with remainders to his son Richard and his right heirs (Cal. Pat. Rolls 1307-1313).
1318. Maurice de Merston admited to the benefice of the chapelry of Whittington - patron Richard de Groupens.
1327. Walter de Bradeleye admitted to the benefice of the chapelry of Whittington- patron Richard de Croupes.
1375. May 20. To make inquisition in the country of Glos. touching those who came armed to Whytyngton, took away 3 oxen and a cow, worth 4 marks of William Walley, Walter Bout and Robert Hammond, tenents of John, King of Castile, etc. etc. and carried away their goods.
1420. After passing through the hands of Edmond de Langley, Son of Duke of York, and fifth Son of King Edward the Third, who was killed at Agincourt, the Manor came into the hands of Richard le Despencer Earl of Gloster.
1519. Will of George Cotton dated 6.11.1518: "I bequethe.......to my son Richard, my ferme and terme of the manor of Whytyngton......"
1525. Will of Thomas Bushe of Northleche: "To the churches of Blunsdon, Whitngton and Holywell 6s. 8d. each. To my son Thomas the frems at Whitngton and Holywell."

Bibliography
Those who desire to gain further information about the history of Whittington Church and Court should certainly consult the following works, from some of which some of the information given above has been extracted:
Rudder's History of Glucestershire, pages 69 and 815
Atkyns' Gloucestershire, page 813.
Ancient Cotswold Churches, by Ulric Daubeny.
Brasses of Gloucestershire, by Davis.
The King's England, by Arthur Mee.

Rectors of Whittington