Curry Mallet
Encyclopedia
Curry Mallet is a village and parish
in Somerset
, England. It is on the Fivehead River
(also known as the River Ile), 7 miles (11.3 km) east of Taunton
in the South Somerset
district. The village has a population
of 302.
in 1086 the manor was held by Roger de Courselles, also the owner of Fisherton in Wiltshire
, which was held under Curry. It later passed to the Malet (misspelled Mallet) family, with William Malet
, one of the guarantors of the Magna Carta
, was lord of the manor in 1215. It passed own though the descendants of the Malet family until 1356 when it was sold to Sir Matthew Gourney and his family until 1443 when the estate passed to the king and became part of the Duchy of Cornwall
.
Curry Mallet was part of the hundred of Abdick and Bulstone
.
The Manor house, (Mallet Court) includes a great hall (or perhaps a barn) of the 15th century, and a small irregular manor house of the late 16th century, stands on the site of, and incorporates parts of the castle built by Gilbert Mallet, a Norman knight who fought at the Battle of Hastings
, built the first castle on the site in 1068. It has been visited by William the Conqueror, King John
and Henry II
and was damaged during the Civil War
. The most important private house in the village is the Manor House. Manor Court a separate new build circa 1960 is located in part of the garden of the Manor House sold off. Manor Court was constructed by Dita Matilde Mallet Du Cros (desceased, named changed to Mallet by Deed Poll) a of the Mallet family who returned to the village after many centuries of absence. The Manor House was lived in by the Pyne family and is more properly associated with them, evidence for which, is a grand Elizabethan family tomb of Sir John Pyne to be found in the misnamed Mallet Chapel in the village church more properly, the Pyne Chapel. The Manor House listed grade 2* includes a Great Hall formerly used as a barn, or a barn of the 15th century now aggradized with 20th Century gothic style windows, and is now attached to the small irregular manor house of the late 16th century, which stands on the site of the reputed castle built by Gilbert Mallet. The entrance hall extension and other parts were upgraded and connected with the main house c1939 by Clough Williams-Ellis whose client was the Selous family. The Manor House reputedly incorporates earlier parts and was formerly known as the Gate House. Only at a very early date is the site associated with Mallet family, the head of which was a Norman knight who fought at the Battle of Hastings, and reputedly built the first castle on the site in 1068. A wooden stockade built by the Saxon Prince Bitric may have been an earlier foundation and it is this structure which may have been visited by William the Conqueror, King John and Henry II and was damaged during the Civil War however, the date of the current structures precludes any knowledge of the present house by these illustrious persons although Elizabeth II visited the house as part of her duties when she was head of the Duchy of Cornwall and most of the surrounding farm land is Duchy Land, the house having been sold by the Duchy at some unknown date. The house is associated with the memory of Derek Jarman
, film-maker, artist and gay activist. It is mentioned by his biographer, Tony Peake
, and in his own diaries. His parents rented the house at the end of the second world war. The biographer considered the Manor House had a profound influence on the young Derek who historical interests were kindled and reflected in his later radical artistic work. The current co-owners are Professor B. F. Robinson FRCP and the artist and printmaker, Sheridan F. Tandy whose work may be seen in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
and the collection of the Musgrove Park Hospital
, Taunton.
In World War II
pillboxs were placed in the village as part of the Taunton Stop Line
. the scho
In legend three streams are said to run under the manor leading directly to the holy well at the foot of Glastonbury Tor.
groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.
The village falls within the Non-metropolitan district
of South Somerset
, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972
, having previously been part of Langport Rural District
. The district council is responsible for local planning
and building control, local roads, council housing, environmental health
, market
s and fairs, refuse collection and recycling
, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism
.
Somerset County Council
is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as education
, social services, libraries
, main roads, public transport
, policing
and fire services, trading standards
, waste disposal and strategic planning.
It is also part of a county constituency represented in the House of Commons
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP)
by the first past the post system of election, and part of the South West England constituency
of the European Parliament
which elects seven MEPs using the d'Hondt method
of party-list proportional representation
.
has 13th-century origins and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
in Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England. It is on the Fivehead River
Fivehead River
Fivehead River flows through south Somerset, England.It is named after the village of Fivehead, near to two Sites of Special Scientific Interest at Fivehead Arable Fields and Fivehead Woods and Meadow....
(also known as the River Ile), 7 miles (11.3 km) east of Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
in the South Somerset
South Somerset
South Somerset is a local government district in Somerset, England.The South Somerset district covers and area of ranging from the borders with Devon and Dorset to the edge of the Somerset Levels. It has a population of approximately 158,000...
district. The village has a population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 302.
History
At the time of the Domesday BookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
in 1086 the manor was held by Roger de Courselles, also the owner of Fisherton in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, which was held under Curry. It later passed to the Malet (misspelled Mallet) family, with William Malet
William Malet (Magna Carta)
William Malet was one of the guarantors of Magna Carta. Also known as William II Malet. He was lord of Curry Mallet and Shepton Mallet in Somerset, and served as High Sheriff of Somerset and Dorset for 1209. The precise nature of his relationship to the earlier Malets is disputed. His first wife...
, one of the guarantors of the Magna Carta
Magna Carta
Magna Carta is an English charter, originally issued in the year 1215 and reissued later in the 13th century in modified versions, which included the most direct challenges to the monarch's authority to date. The charter first passed into law in 1225...
, was lord of the manor in 1215. It passed own though the descendants of the Malet family until 1356 when it was sold to Sir Matthew Gourney and his family until 1443 when the estate passed to the king and became part of the Duchy of Cornwall
Duchy of Cornwall
The Duchy of Cornwall is one of two royal duchies in England, the other being the Duchy of Lancaster. The eldest son of the reigning British monarch inherits the duchy and title of Duke of Cornwall at the time of his birth, or of his parent's succession to the throne. If the monarch has no son, the...
.
Curry Mallet was part of the hundred of Abdick and Bulstone
Abdick and Bulstone (hundred)
The Hundred of Abdick and Bulstone is one of the 40 historical Hundreds in the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, dating from before the Norman conquest during the Anglo-Saxon era although exact dates are unknown. Each hundred had a 'fyrd', which acted as the local defence force and a court...
.
The Manor house, (Mallet Court) includes a great hall (or perhaps a barn) of the 15th century, and a small irregular manor house of the late 16th century, stands on the site of, and incorporates parts of the castle built by Gilbert Mallet, a Norman knight who fought at the Battle of Hastings
Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings occurred on 14 October 1066 during the Norman conquest of England, between the Norman-French army of Duke William II of Normandy and the English army under King Harold II...
, built the first castle on the site in 1068. It has been visited by William the Conqueror, King John
John of England
John , also known as John Lackland , was King of England from 6 April 1199 until his death...
and Henry II
Henry II of England
Henry II ruled as King of England , Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Duke of Gascony, Count of Nantes, Lord of Ireland and, at various times, controlled parts of Wales, Scotland and western France. Henry, the great-grandson of William the Conqueror, was the...
and was damaged during the Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. The most important private house in the village is the Manor House. Manor Court a separate new build circa 1960 is located in part of the garden of the Manor House sold off. Manor Court was constructed by Dita Matilde Mallet Du Cros (desceased, named changed to Mallet by Deed Poll) a of the Mallet family who returned to the village after many centuries of absence. The Manor House was lived in by the Pyne family and is more properly associated with them, evidence for which, is a grand Elizabethan family tomb of Sir John Pyne to be found in the misnamed Mallet Chapel in the village church more properly, the Pyne Chapel. The Manor House listed grade 2* includes a Great Hall formerly used as a barn, or a barn of the 15th century now aggradized with 20th Century gothic style windows, and is now attached to the small irregular manor house of the late 16th century, which stands on the site of the reputed castle built by Gilbert Mallet. The entrance hall extension and other parts were upgraded and connected with the main house c1939 by Clough Williams-Ellis whose client was the Selous family. The Manor House reputedly incorporates earlier parts and was formerly known as the Gate House. Only at a very early date is the site associated with Mallet family, the head of which was a Norman knight who fought at the Battle of Hastings, and reputedly built the first castle on the site in 1068. A wooden stockade built by the Saxon Prince Bitric may have been an earlier foundation and it is this structure which may have been visited by William the Conqueror, King John and Henry II and was damaged during the Civil War however, the date of the current structures precludes any knowledge of the present house by these illustrious persons although Elizabeth II visited the house as part of her duties when she was head of the Duchy of Cornwall and most of the surrounding farm land is Duchy Land, the house having been sold by the Duchy at some unknown date. The house is associated with the memory of Derek Jarman
Derek Jarman
Michael Derek Elworthy Jarman was an English film director, stage designer, diarist, artist, gardener and author.-Life:...
, film-maker, artist and gay activist. It is mentioned by his biographer, Tony Peake
Tony Peake
Tony Peake is a novelist, short story writer and biographer.Tony Peake was born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1951 to English parents. His father, Bladon Peake , was a theatre and film director. Peake was educated at Waterkloof House Preparatory School in Pretoria, St...
, and in his own diaries. His parents rented the house at the end of the second world war. The biographer considered the Manor House had a profound influence on the young Derek who historical interests were kindled and reflected in his later radical artistic work. The current co-owners are Professor B. F. Robinson FRCP and the artist and printmaker, Sheridan F. Tandy whose work may be seen in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery
The Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery is a large museum and art gallery in Bristol, England. It is run by the city council with no entrance fee. It holds designated museum status, granted by the national government to protect outstanding museums...
and the collection of the Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Park Hospital
Musgrove Park Hospital is a large NHS hospital located in Taunton, Somerset. Originally a US Army General Hospital during the Second World War, it became an NHS hospital in 1949.-About the hospital:...
, Taunton.
In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
pillboxs were placed in the village as part of the Taunton Stop Line
Taunton Stop Line
The Taunton Stop Line was a World War II defensive line in south west England. It was designed "to stop an enemy's advance from the west and in particular a rapid advance supported by armoured fighting vehicles which may have broken through the forward defences."The Taunton Stop Line was one of...
. the scho
Legends and Haunting of the Manor
Although unsubstantiated, numerous reports exist of the haunting of the manor house. The most frequently reported apparition is that of a woman in Elizabethan costume. In addition, the Great Hall is said to be haunted by a pacing man. The sound of metallic clashes, possibly resulting from a ghostly duel, have been heard echoing in the courtyard.In legend three streams are said to run under the manor leading directly to the holy well at the foot of Glastonbury Tor.
Governance
The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watchNeighbourhood Watch (UK)
The Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the United Kingdom is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves the Police, Community Safety departments of local authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals and families who want to make their...
groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.
The village falls within the Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
of South Somerset
South Somerset
South Somerset is a local government district in Somerset, England.The South Somerset district covers and area of ranging from the borders with Devon and Dorset to the edge of the Somerset Levels. It has a population of approximately 158,000...
, which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972
Local Government Act 1972
The Local Government Act 1972 is an Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974....
, having previously been part of Langport Rural District
Langport Rural District
Langport was a rural district in Somerset, England, from 1894 to 1974.It was created in 1894 under the Local Government Act 1894.In 1974 it was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972 to become part of South Somerset....
. The district council is responsible for local planning
Planning permission
Planning permission or planning consent is the permission required in the United Kingdom in order to be allowed to build on land, or change the use of land or buildings. Within the UK the occupier of any land or building will need title to that land or building , but will also need "planning...
and building control, local roads, council housing, environmental health
Environmental health
Environmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health...
, market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
s and fairs, refuse collection and recycling
Recycling
Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse...
, cemeteries and crematoria, leisure services, parks, and tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
.
Somerset County Council
Somerset County Council
Somerset County Council is the county council of Somerset in the South West of England, an elected local government authority responsible for the most significant local government services in most of the county.-Area covered:...
is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as education
Local Education Authority
A local education authority is a local authority in England and Wales that has responsibility for education within its jurisdiction...
, social services, libraries
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, main roads, public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
, policing
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
and fire services, trading standards
Trading Standards
Trading Standards is the name given to local authority departments in the UK formerly known as Weights and Measures. These departments investigate commercial organisations that carry out trade in unethical ways or outside the scope of the law.-History:...
, waste disposal and strategic planning.
It is also part of a county constituency represented in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP)
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
by the first past the post system of election, and part of the South West England constituency
South West England (European Parliament constituency)
South West England is a constituency of the European Parliament. For 2009 it elects 6 MEPs using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation, reduced from 7 in 2004.-Boundaries:...
of the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
which elects seven MEPs using the d'Hondt method
D'Hondt method
The d'Hondt method is a highest averages method for allocating seats in party-list proportional representation. The method described is named after Belgian mathematician Victor D'Hondt who described it in 1878...
of party-list proportional representation
Party-list proportional representation
Party-list proportional representation systems are a family of voting systems emphasizing proportional representation in elections in which multiple candidates are elected...
.
Religious sites
The parish Church of St JamesChurch of St James, Curry Mallet
The Church of St James in Curry Mallet, Somerset, England has 13th-century origins and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.The church is dedicated to All Saints, It has a three stage tower...
has 13th-century origins and has been designated as a Grade I listed building.