EASTRIP
The extra-parochial district of Eastrip lay 2 km.
north-east of Bruton between the parishes of
Bruton and Brewham and was presumably
named from its position east of Bruton. (fn. 23) It was
irregular in shape, measuring c. 2 km. from north
to south and 1 km. from east to west at its widest
point. Much of the eastern boundary was the
river Brue, (fn. 24) from which most of the land rose
over Forest Marble clay (fn. 25) from 65 m. (213 ft.)
beside the river to 155 m. (508 ft.) in the extreme
north on the Frome–Bruton road, which there
forms part of the north-western boundary. The
western boundary is a stream flowing south from
Gilcombe Farm. (fn. 26) In 1858 the area, measuring
c. 360 a., was joined with Brewham Lodge to
form the civil parish of Eastrip within Wincan
ton poor-law union. In 1885 the parish was
dismembered and Eastrip was transferred to
Bruton. (fn. 27)
Eastrip was the name of two estates recorded
in 1086 whose bounds may have extended beyond
those of the later district. (fn. 28) It was among those
vills outside Selwood forest which were brought
within forest jurisdiction in the reign of King
John but which were specifically excluded in
1298 and 1300. (fn. 29) Woodland measured a square
furlong in 1086 (fn. 30) and in the later Middle Ages
included Huscarleswood. (fn. 31) Hills wood survives
in the south of the district. (fn. 32)
The narrow river valley carries both the
Bruton–North Brewham road, recorded in 1390
and 1417 (fn. 33) and in 1793 turnpiked by the Bruton
trust as part of the route to Warminster, (fn. 34) and
the railway, opened between Frome and Bruton
in 1856. (fn. 35)
In 1818 the population was estimated at 20,
but in 1851 there was a single farmhouse. (fn. 36)
MANOR.
There were two estates at EASTRIP
in the 11th century, one held of the Crown by
Huscarl in both 1066 and 1086, the other by
Alvin in 1066 and of Turstin son of Rolf by
Rippe in 1086. (fn. 37) By 1259 Crown overlordship
had passed to Reynold de Mohun's honor of
Dunster, (fn. 38) under which it remained until 1285
or later. (fn. 39) Before 1303 the fee had passed to
Simon de Montagu whose heirs, the earls of
Salisbury, claimed overlordship until 1409 or
later. (fn. 40)
Rainbald Huscarl and his nephew Richard
were recorded in 1124, (fn. 41) Roger Huscarl was
mentioned in 1218 (fn. 42) and was said to have died
c. 1230 leaving a son William. William died c.
1259 and may have been followed by Ralph.
Ralph occurred in 1263 (fn. 43) and was probably the
same man who held a fee at Eastrip in the
1280s. (fn. 44) He had died by 1287 when his son John
proved his age. (fn. 45)
In 1289 the estate was described as a manor. (fn. 46)
Between 1316 and 1327 it was held by Alexandra, John's widow, but her son Humphrey was
holding the fee in 1344. (fn. 47) Humphrey was still
alive in 1347 and was succeeded by his son
Nicholas, (fn. 48) who appears to have died without
issue leaving a second wife, Emme, and a brother
Ralph. (fn. 49) John Bruyn, second husband of Emme,
was still in possession in 1409 in right of his wife,
but by 1435 the manor had passed to Bruton
priory, (fn. 50) which had acquired the reversion in
1394. (fn. 51)
At the dissolution of Bruton abbey in 1539 the
estate passed to the Crown and was combined
with Bruton manor under the name Sheephouse.
It descended with Bruton manor until 1883 or
later. (fn. 52)
In 1320 the manor house occupied by Alexandra Huscarl included an oratory. (fn. 53)
Sheephouse Farm, in 1995 known as Gladen,
dates from the 18th century and is of stone with
stone slate roofs.
The overlordship of the estate of Turstin son
of Rolf descended to Wynebald de Ballon who
was succeeded by his daughter's son Henry
Newmarch (d. 1198). Thereafter overlordship
descended with Horsington manor until 1536 or
later. (fn. 54) The estate was occupied by the Huscarl
family by the early 13th century (fn. 55) and was held
for 1/8 fee in 1297. (fn. 56) The two estates were held
together until the early 15th century when Sir
Maurice Russel (d. c. 1416), the overlord, seems
to have taken possession of the second. (fn. 57) Ownership thereafter descended with Horsington
until 1436 when Joan, widow of Thomas Russel
(d. 1431) and wife of John Chambre, sold one
third to trustees, perhaps acting for the prior of
Bruton. (fn. 58) Bruton abbey paid a chief rent to
Horsington in 1535, (fn. 59) and its holding was presumably absorbed with its other manor of
Eastrip into Bruton manor. The remaining two
thirds should have passed to John Haket as next
heir (fn. 60) but were not recorded again.
In 1432 the estate included a capital messuage
and two gardens. (fn. 61)
ECONOMIC HISTORY.
In the 11th century
the two estates between them had 1½
ploughteam and livestock comprised 3 cows, 4
beasts, 19 pigs, and 50 sheep. (fn. 62) In the 14th and
15th centuries some of the arable was inclosed
and produced rye. (fn. 63) Downs recorded in 1432 (fn. 64)
and in the early 16th century, (fn. 65) together with the
sheephouse belonging to Bruton priory in
1417, (fn. 66) imply extensive pastures. By the late 18th
century holdings had been consolidated to create
Sheephouse farm, (fn. 67) which by 1851 comprised
200 a. and employed 7 labourers. By 1881 the
farm had been reduced to 130 a. with 2 labourers. (fn. 68) In 1918 it was a 98-a. dairy farm. (fn. 69)