ANDERSFIELD HUNDRED
The hundred lies east of the Quantock Hills and takes its name from the
hamlet of Andersfield in Goathurst parish. It occupies part of the
eastern slopes in a band stretching from the centre of the Quantock ridge
to the outskirts of Bridgwater, and also includes Creech St. Michael and
Lyng on the northern bank of the river Tone east of Taunton. Settlements include
both scattered hill farms on the Quantocks and nucleated villages in the flood plain
of the Tone. Although the area is predominantly agricultural, cloth production
was an important activity until the mid 18th century and quarries and mines have
been worked on the higher ground. Some settlements have grown rapidly in the
20th century because of their proximity to Taunton and Bridgwater. The Quantock
Hills were designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1957. (fn. 1)
The Domesday hundred of Andersfield included just over 9 hides, probably in
the northern area. (fn. 2) Creech St. Michael was included in the hundred from 1569 (fn. 3)
and Lyng from 1640; (fn. 4) both were formerly free manors. In the mid 13th century
Broomfield and Durleigh manors secured temporary independence from the
hundred (fn. 5) and Broomfield answered separately at the eyre as a free manor in
1242-3. (fn. 6) In 1284-5 Andersfield hundred comprised Broomfield with Heathcombe
and Oggshole, Durleigh, Enmore with Blaxhold, Goathurst with Lexworthy and
Halswell manors, Huntstile in Chilton Trinity, and Merridge in Spaxton. (fn. 7) Castle
in Broomfield was recorded as part of the hundred in 1316 and 1327. (fn. 8) By 1569
Creech had been included in the hundred which was divided into three groups of
tithings: Broomfield; Creech with Merridge; and Goathurst with Heathcombe,
Lexworthy, Huntstile, Durleigh, Dukesse or Duke Fee, and Sydenham in Wembdon. A similar division was recorded in the 17th century. (fn. 9) Sydenham was part of
the hundred until 1652. (fn. 10) In 1664-5 Andersfield comprised Broomfield with
Heathcombe and Oggshole, Durleigh with Duke Fee, Enmore with Blaxhold,
Goathurst with Lexworthy, Huntstile in Chilton Trinity, Merridge in Spaxton,
Chilton (probably what was later called Chilton limit in Wembdon, which may
have been the same as Sydenham), Creech St. Michael, and Lyng. (fn. 11) Duke Fee was
probably absorbed into Durleigh after 1696. (fn. 12) Petherton limit, part of North
Petherton village but in Andersfield hundred, was a separate tithing for land tax
purposes from 1767, (fn. 13) and was recorded in 1670. (fn. 14) Petherton limit was last
mentioned in 1847. (fn. 15)
Andersfield was said in John's reign to be a member of Somerton as royal
demesne. (fn. 16) It was granted in 1448 to John, Lord Stourton (d. 1462), and descended
to successive lords Stourton with Williton hundred (fn. 17) until 1835 when Andersfield
hundred was sold to Charles Kemeys-Tynte. No reference to its ownership has
been found after the 1840s. (fn. 18)
The sheriff's tourn for Andersfield with Cannington and North Petherton
hundreds was held at Lypestone or Limestone Hill in Cannington parish twice a
year before 1652 when it was 'much discontinued'. (fn. 19) The court still met at
Lypestone in 1696 but at Lady Day or Easter only five tenants owed suit, four
with a 'post' or juror, and at Michaelmas eight had to attend. Twice yearly courts
both at Enmore and at Andersfield were each attended by a further three tenants,
presumably instead of going to Lypestone. (fn. 20) The sheriff's tourn had been
discontinued by 1726 (fn. 21) and in 1758 it was said that courts for the three hundreds
had been separated and those for Andersfield met at Andersfield Green or at
Enmore. (fn. 22) In 1760 one of the earl of Egmont's tenants at Andersfield owed suit
to the hundred or manor court of Andersfield. (fn. 23) The earl held courts leet with
view of frankpledge and court baron annually in October. From 1762 until 1827
they were held at Enmore, between 1784 and 1786 at the Castle inn there. Charles
Kemeys-Tynte held his hundred court at Andersfield in the 1840s, in the bailiff's
house. Court rolls survive for 1762-1827 and 1842-3.
Each tithing was represented by its tithingman and its posts or jurors who were
to take cognizance of nuisances, (fn. 24) but by 1728 only the tithings of the northern
area attended the court and Durleigh and Broomfield were also absent. (fn. 25) Blaxhold,
Enmore, Goathurst, Heathcombe, Huntstile, Lexworthy, Merridge, and Oggshole
tithings were required to attend court in 1762 but in 1764 it was said that the
omission of Durleigh was an error and the tithing was always summoned thereafter.
Business was limited to the formal appointment of constables, bailiff, and tithingmen and the very occasional presentment of nuisances. (fn. 26)
In the 17th century all tithings paid rents of between 1d. and 2s. called tithing
silver or certain money at Easter and again at Michaelmas. Sydenham manor paid
1s. at each court and that vill paid an additional 6d. at Easter. The hundred also
paid 2s. 6d. a year for the sheriff's aid. (fn. 27) Certain money was still paid in 1720 (fn. 28)
and continued to be claimed until 1779 but was thereafter omitted from the court
record. Tithingmen were last recorded in 1843. (fn. 29)
Henry III granted the bedelry of the hundred, also known as of West Parrett, to
John de la Linde (d. 1272), lord of Broomfield, who was followed by his son
Walter. (fn. 30) Hugh of Bicknoller was hundred bailiff in 1345. (fn. 31) The bailiff was
appointed in the hundred court from 1762 until 1843. In 1836 and 1842 he also
served as hayward and was responsible for the pound, but in 1843 a separate
hayward was appointed. (fn. 32) The high constable was recorded in 1626 when he
contributed towards ammunition for the Bridgewater magazine. (fn. 33) In the late 18th
century two high constables were chosen, one for each part of the hundred. (fn. 34) From
1765 the parts were known as the higher, apparently the southern, and the lower
divisions. (fn. 35)
The hundred pound lay in Enmore parish and was rebuilt c. 1828, probably near
the Castle inn. It remained in use until 1843. (fn. 36) The fire beacon for the hundred
stood on Wind Down in Broomfield parish and its site was recorded until 1791. (fn. 37)