GOLDINGTON
Goldentone (xi cent.); Goldinton (xiii cent.);
Goldyngtone (xiv cent.); Goldyngton (xiv–xvi cent.).
Neuenham (xii–xiii cent.); Newenham (xiv–xvii
cent.); Neuenam (xv cent.); Newnam, Newneham
(xvi cent.); Putenehou (xi cent.); Putno (xii cent.);
Potenho, Putenho, Potenhewe (xiii cent.); Putnoe
(xvi cent.); Risingeho (xii cent.); Rysingho (xiv
cent.).
The parish of Goldington has an area of 2,588 acres,
of which nearly half—1,268 acres—is arable land and
1,161 acres are permanent grass, 37 acres are covered
by woods and plantations, and there are 40 acres of
land covered with water. (fn. 1) The soil is gravelly loam,
with a subsoil of clay, and there are one or two old
gravel pits in the south of the parish.
The Ouse forms the southern boundary of the
parish, and one of its tributaries the eastern boundary,
skirting Putnoe Wood and falling into the Ouse just
below the Castle Mills. Hard by stands the elevated
mound known as Risinghoe Castle.
The village of Goldington, which lies to the south-east of the parish, is reached from Bedford by the
high road to St. Neots. To the south of this road,
at the entrance to the village, lies Goldington Grange,
a modern brick building belonging to Messrs. Miller,
Conquest & Haynes, and occupied by Mr. Jenkins.
It at one time acquired the unenviable reputation
of being haunted, and was described in a London
daily paper under the pseudonym 'Silverton Grange.' (fn. 2)
Beyond the branch road which leads to the Sewage
Farm, in the south-west of the parish, stand the
public elementary school, built in 1866, and the Congregational chapel, erected in 1825. Beyond this
again are the Anchor and Swan Inns, where the road
emerges into open country past Bury Farm. To the
north of the St. Neots Road is the Green, the principal
part of the village, which is crossed by a running brook.
The Manor Farm stands back from the road opposite
Goldington Grange, and behind it lie the vicarage,
built in 1876 in the place of an old one pulled down,
and main group of cottages. Standing back in wooded
grounds overlooking the Green from the north is
Goldington Hall, a 17th-century brick building with
stone dressings and a tile roof. In 1874, when the
present owner, Mr. Harvey, took it over from the
Polhill family, it was practically a ruin, and underwent
three years' repair and restoration, with the result that
excepting a room in the west wing of the first floor,
which has some old oak panelling round its walls, the
north wall is the only part of the original structure
remaining, although all the windows on this front are
modern. There are two exceptionally fine lead rainwater pipes on the north front, bearing the date 1650,
while a similar one is on the west wall. A few pieces
of old glass, found in the original building, have been
worked into a design in a small window lighting the
staircase on the first floor.
On the right of the Green is Goldington Bury, a
large but severe late 18th-century mansion, which
stands in well-wooded grounds of over 40 acres. It
belongs to Colonel Shuttleworth, of Old Warden
Park, Biggleswade, and was till lately occupied by
Mr. Griffith Jones. The road passes St. Mary's
Church on the outskirts of the village, behind Goldington Bury, and then forks; one branch, reaching Elms
Farm about half a mile further on, crosses the brook
into Renhold parish, and the other, passing by Putnoe
Farm, leaves Goldington parish at Putnoe Wood.
At one time there was a hamlet of Putnoe, but the
only traces of it that now remain are uneven places
in the field between Putnoe Farm and the spinney
beyond, which mark the site of the old cottages.
The road from Bedford to Kimbolton crosses the
parish higher up, leaving on the north Jackman's Farm.
Several bridle-paths and side-tracks strike off from this
road and lead to the isolated farms in the outlying
district of Highfields. Here the land rises as high
as 250 ft. above ordnance datum, while in the south
of the parish the low-lying land round the Ouse falls
to between 70 ft. and 80 ft. (fn. 3)
Near Bedford the Ouse divides into two, and the
island thus formed is within the bounds of Goldington parish though used as a recreation ground by
the inhabitants of the borough. On it stand the
remains of the priory mill and the old cottage belonging
to it.
An extensive earthwork a short distance away, on
the north bank of the Ouse, marks the site of Newnham
Priory, and in 1805 a small silver vessel, said to be a
pome or calefactorium manuale, was unearthed here. (fn. 4)
The original form of the earthworks has been altered
to a certain extent by the Bedford and Cambridge
branch of the London and North Western Railway,
which bisects the inclosure and crosses the south of
Goldington parish.
The parish has been inclosed under an Act passed
in 1847. (fn. 5)
The following place-names are found in Goldington
during the 13th and 14th centuries: Bronescrofte,
Coheresbrugg, Cohereswega, Coppesbrech, Goldine-halfhaker, Goteshoslade, Goteshull, Holesendresden,
la Lowe, Limbuttee, Offinesbrok, Otelynescroft,
Prestemade, Ravensbrok and Sandhurst. (fn. 6) In the
16th century occur Nethersell, Oversell, Reyefurlong,
Sextenspece, (fn. 7) Perlesse, Portmede Close, (fn. 8) Alderwowers,
Hempwyke and Trycotts (fn. 9) ; in the 17th century
Scott's Close and Wood; and in the 16th and
17th centuries Highfield (203 acres). (fn. 10)
MANORS
In 1086 Hugh de Beauchamp held in
Goldington, as appurtenant to Puttenhoe,
3 hides and 1 virgate, of which 2 hides
and 3 virgates had been held by his predecessor Ralph
Tallebosc in exchange for Ware. (fn. 11) It was doubtless
this portion of the Beauchamp fief which was conferred upon Newnham Priory in the foundation
charter of Simon de Beauchamp, (fn. 12) and confirmed by
his son William, (fn. 13) and also by Henry II, Henry III,
Edward I, Edward II, Richard II and Henry IV. (fn. 14) It
continued to be held of the honour of Bedford until
the Dissolution, (fn. 15) when it escheated to the Crown, of
whom it was afterwards held. (fn. 16) After the Dissolution
it is known as GOLDINGTON MANOR, but does
not at any time appear to have been of great importance, for in 1291 the possessions of Newnham Priory
in Goldington were assessed at £3 13s. 4d. only. (fn. 17)
In 1330 the prior claimed view of frankpledge and
waif and stray by prescriptive right here, (fn. 18) the privilege of free warren being conferred by Richard II
in 1385. (fn. 19) This estate was valued at £4 10s. 7d. in
1535, (fn. 20) and was conferred in 1543, after the dissolution of Newnham, upon John Gostwick and Joan his
wife, (fn. 21) who had already in 1539 obtained other lands
belonging to Newnham Priory in Goldington. (fn. 22) The
estate, which for the first time appears as a manor,
was then valued at £5 5s. 7d. per annum, and was
obtained by the Gostwicks for £157 6s. and a yearly
payment of 10s. 9d. to the Crown. (fn. 23) The pedigree
of this family has been given
under Willington, their chief
seat (q.v.), with which Goldington was held until the
beginning of the 19th century.
During the 16th century the
Gostwicks were continually
involved in disputes over their
Bedfordshire property,
especially the manors of
Ravensden, Goldington and
Puttenhoe, the latter of which
they had also acquired shortly
after the Dissolution. William
Gostwick, who died in 1545, (fn. 24)
left a widow Margaret, who married as her
second husband Francis Lord Russell, afterwards Earl
of Bedford. (fn. 25) William Gostwick, uncle and heir of
her first husband, considered the dowry which had
been assigned to her excessive, and an appeal was
made to Thomas Lord Wriothesley, by whose decision
she acquired Goldington and Ravensden Manors for
life. (fn. 25) Upon the death of Margaret in 1562 (fn. 26) her
son Francis Russell, afterwards Lord Russell, obtained
a lease of the premises for sixty years from John son
and heir of William Gostwick. (fn. 27) The indenture by
which the lease was made came into the possession of
Richard and George Ackworth, against whom Francis
Russell brought an action in 1568. (fn. 28) John Gostwick
was then described as 'being á man of greate simplicity' and having 'very little or noe understanding,' (fn. 29)
who had entered into a number of incompatible leases
which gave his relatives and heirs great trouble. He
married Elizabeth the daughter of Sir William Petre,
kt., of Ingatestone (Essex), (fn. 30) to whom his father
William Gostwick had mortgaged Goldington and
other manors for a sum of 2,000 marks in 1545. (fn. 31) In
spite of this mortgage, however, John Gostwick, in
1562, leased part of the premises to Alexander Scroggs
for a rent of £76, (fn. 32) and, although Sir William Petre
carried the case into the Court of Chancery in 1567, (fn. 33)
Alexander Scroggs' interest descended to his son
Oliver, who in 1587 refused to pay the rent agreed
upon to William son and heir of John Gostwick. (fn. 34)
In 1598 this William, afterwards created a baronet,
contested the claim of the Russell family in the person
of Edward Earl of Bedford, son of Francis Earl of
Bedford, to a lease of Goldington, Puttenhoe and
Ravensden Manors on the ground that they had been
granted a month earlier, for sixty years, to Gilbert
Martyn, of whom the lease had been purchased by
Sir William Petre, and had passed to his son Sir John
Petre, from whom it had finally been acquired by
William Gostwick, his nephew. (fn. 35) In the meanwhile
the Scroggs' interest in the Goldington and Ravensden
property, said to have been confirmed by William
Gostwick in 1588, was sold to the father of Sir William
Beecher, against whom Sir Edward Gostwick, bart.,
son and heir of William, brought an action in
1622. (fn. 36) In 1630 Sir Edward conveyed the manors
to trustees in order to provide for his son and heir
Edward, who was deaf and dumb, and to ensure
marriage portions for his daughters. (fn. 37) One of
these, Jane, married, without the trustees' consent,
William Oliver, 'an ordinary servant' in the house
of her grandmother Lady Lister, and so forfeited
her portion. (fn. 38)
Gostwick. Argent a bend gules cotised sable between six Cornish choughs.
The last baronet, Sir William Gostwick, conveyed
his Bedfordshire property, among which were Goldington and Willington, in 1731, to Sarah Duchess of
Marlborough, (fn. 39) from whom they were purchased by
the Duke of Bedford in 1774. (fn. 40) Goldington Manor
appears to have been acquired from the latter by John
Polhill about the end of the 18th century, (fn. 41) and was
held in 1831 by his son Frederick, (fn. 42) whose son,
Captain Frederick Charles Polhill Turner, was in
possession in 1877. The manorial rights probably
lapsed after this date, but the present representative
of the family, Mr. Cecil Henry Polhill, is part
owner of the rectorial tithes, and owns lands in this
parish.
In 1086 Hugh de Beauchamp himself held Puttenhoe, which was assessed at 4 hides, (fn. 43) but it was
granted to Warden Abbey by the Beauchamp family
some time before 1198, in which year the gift was
confirmed by Richard I. (fn. 44) The abbey held PUTTENHOE MANOR or GRANGE of the barony of Bedford
until the Dissolution (fn. 45) when it was annexed by the
Crown, of which it was afterwards held.
In 1252 Warden Abbey received a grant of free
warren in the woods belonging to the grange, (fn. 46) and
this charter was brought forward by the abbot in
1330 in proof of his right. (fn. 47) In 1286 the monks
were confirmed in their possession of the grange by
Edward I, (fn. 48) and their estate in Puttenhoe, comprising
lands, rents, fallen woods, mill and court, was assessed
at £9 6s. in 1291. (fn. 49) Considerable damage was done
to Puttenhoe Woods at the siege of Bedford Castle in
1224, and the abbey in compensation received a
pension of 20 marks a year during the lifetime of
Henry III, the grant being renewed in 1304 for
another twenty years. (fn. 50) The manor was surrendered
in 1537 to the king, by whom it was bestowed in 1539
on Oliver Leader at the yearly rent of £4 5s. 8d. (fn. 51)
In the same year Oliver Leader obtained licence to
convey Puttenhoe Manor to John Gostwick and Joan
his wife, (fn. 52) who shortly afterwards acquired Goldington Manor (q.v.), with which it was held until about
the end of the 18th century. Puttenhoe Manor
underwent the same vicissitudes as Goldington Manor
during the 16th century and was leased by John
Gostwick to Robert Hatley for a rent of £30,
although worth 500 marks. (fn. 53) After the death of
John, Robert son of Robert Hatley persuaded William
son of John Gostwick to make a further lease of the
premises for twenty-one years for £124 in ready
money. (fn. 54) There was also a dispute about Puttenhoe
Wood, which Richard Ackworth and George Franklin
claimed to have purchased from John Gostwick and
refused to deliver the deeds to William his son. (fn. 55)
Puttenhoe Manor was sold with Goldington and
Willington by the Gostwicks in 1731 and finally
obtained in 1774 by the fifth Duke of Bedford,
whose successor, the ninth duke, was lord of the
manor in 1877, the estate being estimated at 650
acres. The manorial rights seem to have afterwards
fallen into abeyance, but the name is preserved in a
farm and wood to the north of Goldington village.
The estate has recently been sold, and portions are
laid out for building.
Warden Abbey acquired lands in Risinghoe, probably as appurtenant to their Puttenhoe Manor. A
grant of free warren in the woods belonging to their
GRANGE OF RISINGHOE was obtained by the
abbot in 1252, (fn. 56) and when the right was called
into question in 1330 it was said to have been confirmed by Edward I. (fn. 57) In 1291 the lands, rent, mill
and meadows comprised in the grange were assessed
at £6 8s. 1d., (fn. 58) but, as it is not mentioned after this
date, it was doubtless included in Puttenhoe Manor
at the valuation of church lands in 1535 and so passed
with it to the Gostwicks.
Another manor in Goldington, which before the
middle of the 17th century was known by the name
of GOLDINGTON BURY, and was held in the
16th century of John Lord Bray as of the barony of
Bedford, (fn. 59) appears towards the end of the 14th century
in the Pycard family. William Pycard, who was
defendant in an action brought by the Prior of
Newnham to recover certain tithes of hay, (fn. 60) was killed
by his wife Joan. For this offence she procured a
pardon in 1380, (fn. 61) and in the following year alienated
her right in Goldington Manor to Thomas Haselden, (fn. 62)
who is first mentioned in connexion with the parish
in 1369. (fn. 63) The Haselden (Hasilden, Hasuldene,
Hasylden, Hasselden) family continued to hold this
manor until some date early
in the 18th century, when
they appear to have sold it,
and the last entry relating to
the family on the parish
registers occurs in 1742 on
the death of Robert Haselden
of Bedford. (fn. 64) The early descent of this family is obscure.
Thomas Haselden made a
settlement of the manor in
1301, (fn. 65) and was apparently
succeeded by Hugh, who is
mentioned in connexion with
the manor during the years 1387 and 1432, (fn. 66) and
who sat on several commissions of peace for Bedfordshire. (fn. 67) In 1439 Thomas Haselden received
a pardon for breaking the peace when bound over, (fn. 68)
but no trace of the family can be found again
until 1517, when Hugh made his will. (fn. 69) He is
said to have acquired Goldington from Thomas
Stringer, chaplain, (fn. 70) but it is more likely that this
statement refers to a settlement made at that time.
Robert son of Hugh Haselden died in February
1548, and by his will dated shortly before his death
left the rent of certain cottages in Goldington for
the salary of a priest to pray for his soul from
Easter 1548 for two and a half years. (fn. 71) He left
by his wife Alice a son William, nine months old. (fn. 72)
The latter in 1573 married Mary Fairclough, but on
his death in 1581 the manor passed to his son Robert,
a boy of seven. (fn. 73) During Robert's minority John
Fairclough, his uncle, was appointed guardian, and in
1593 contested the claim of the inhabitants of Goldington to pasture their sheep in the commons of the
manor, a right which they demanded in 'respect of
their severall cottages,' and which they had enjoyed
for 'as longe tyme as no man can remember the
contrarye.' In his answer John Fairclough stated
that the common fields did not contain more than
eight or nine 'ploughe-lande,' and were divided into
three fields, two of which were common from Lady
Day to Lammas Day or till the corn was harvested.
There were about twenty-four ancient cottages in the
parish and no pasture would be left for the sheep and
cattle of the farmers if this claim were allowed. (fn. 74)
Robert died in 1640, leaving a widow Margaret, (fn. 75) by
whom he had no issue, but by his first wife Mary
daughter of Robert Castell of Great Hatley, Cambridgeshire, (fn. 76) he had four sons and seven daughters. (fn. 77)
The eldest son Robert had died in 1632, (fn. 78) leaving a
son Benjamin, aged twelve at his grandfather's death
in 1640. (fn. 79) Benjamin married Catherine daughter of
John Berkley of Colmworth, (fn. 80) and made a settlement
of the manor in 1669 (fn. 81) on the occasion of the
marriage of their son Robert with Anne daughter of
John Sanderson of Kingsford. (fn. 82) Benjamin died in
1676, (fn. 83) when Goldington Bury descended to Robert,
on whose death in 1682 it became the property of
his son Benjamin, then aged ten. (fn. 84) Robert's widow
Anne married as her second husband Robert Hawkins,
vicar of Goldington, (fn. 85) whose descendants had for
many years the right of presentation to the parish
church. Benjamin Haselden died in 1697, a few
years after his marriage, (fn. 86) and left a daughter Elizabeth, aged two years, who afterwards married Richard
Hillersdon of Elstow. (fn. 87) Goldington Bury, however,
became the right of John Haselden, the brother of
Benjamin. (fn. 88) He married Dorothy Smith, with
whom he was holding the manor in 1712. (fn. 89) After this
date the manor seems to have passed out of the
Haselden family, and for the next 150 years no trace
can be found of it. In 1867 it was the property of
Mr. Harry Thornton, but by 1877 it was in the
possession of Mr. J. Shuttleworth, who died in 1883,
and whose son Colonel Frank Shuttleworth of Old
Warden Park, Biggleswade, is the present owner.
Haselden of Goldington. Argent a cross paty sable.
The Haseldens owned among their other possessions
in Goldington during the 16th century a capital
messuage called Berrystead or Berested, (fn. 90) which may
have been the site of their manor, afterwards known as
Goldington Bury. Opposite the entrance gates to
the grounds of the modern Goldington Bury stands a
homestead called Bury Farm, and it is probable that the
Haseldens' mansion-house, Berrystead, may formerly
have stood on this spot. It has been suggested that
the vicarage may have stood much closer to the
church than does the present house, and that the old
house has been partly incorporated in Goldington
Bury, which adjoins the church. (fn. 91)
Part of the fief of Hugh de Beauchamp in
Goldington included 3 hides which were held of
Hugh as a manor by Richard in 1086. (fn. 92) This manor,
which continued to be held of the Beauchamps and
their descendants the Mowbrays as of the barony of
Bedford (q.v.), (fn. 93) was probably the one afterwards
called GOLDINGTON MANOR, which passed into
the possession of the Goldington family, who figure
largely as benefactors in the chartulary of Newnham
Priory. (fn. 94) Ralph de Goldington is mentioned in
1227, and one of the same name with his wife
Christiana added to their estate in Goldington in
1282. (fn. 95) It was probably the same Ralph who was
holding in 1302, (fn. 96) and he was succeeded by his son
William, who, with his wife Joan, was in possession
in 1316. (fn. 97) In 1330 Roger de Goldington claimed
by prescriptive right view of frankpledge held in his
manor once a year on the Hockday, when all present
above the age of twelve years paid 1d. and those
absent were fined. For this right he paid 2s. to the
king's bailiff at the hundred of Barford, to which all
owing frankpledge within the view were bound to
go once a year. (fn. 98) Roger was still holding in 1346, (fn. 99)
but by 1428 the manor had been alienated to Hugh
Haselden, (fn. 100) lord of Goldington Bury, in which it
doubtless became absorbed, as there is no further
mention of it.
After the Dissolution NEWNHAM MANOR,
comprising principally quit-rents due from tenants in
Newnham and Bedford to the lord of the manor,
was retained by the Crown and annexed to the honour
of Ampthill. As Crown property it was surveyed
by the Parliamentary Commissioners for Bedfordshire
in 1650. (fn. 101) The quit-rents were then estimated to
produce £6 5s. 8d., and the court baron and fines
5s., while the freeholders paid one year's quit-rent
as relief upon descent only. (fn. 102) A further survey
was taken four years later. (fn. 103) Lysons, writing at the
beginning of the 19th century, states that the manor
was then on lease to the Duke of Bedford, but the
manorial rights appear to have afterwards fallen into
abeyance. (fn. 104)
The site of Newnham Priory in this parish was
granted in 1541, together with the advowson and
rectory of Goldington, to Urian Brereton and Joan
his wife. (fn. 105) The grant included the ponds and fishponds there, and a meadow called the 'great gardeyn,
with a stone wall and moat.' (fn. 106) The site passed with
the advowson and rectory (q.v.) through the families
of Brooke, Spencer and Compton, but shortly after
the acquisition of the property in 1661 by Henry
Heron and Thomas Heyhoe (fn. 107) their descent
diverged, and few records remain of the history of
the site and rectory during the 18th century. The
site appears to have come into the hands of Whitebread and others, who were attainted of high treason
as Jesuits, when the property escheated to Charles II.
It was still attached to the Crown when in 1692
Adolph son of Sir William Curtius, bart., petitioned
William and Mary for it. (fn. 108) The site and appendant
premises were then valued at £200 yearly, (fn. 109) and
probably included the rectory, with which they were
mortgaged to George Heneage of Hainton. (fn. 110) The
mortgage was not redeemed, and after the death of
George Heneage the site and rectory were inherited
by his nephew George Fieschi Heneage, by whom
they were alienated in 1761 to Christopher Metcalfe. (fn. 111)
In 1767 the latter, with Ellen his wife, conveyed
the premises to Joseph Addington, (fn. 112) by whom the
site of the priory was doubtless alienated, for at the
beginning of the 19th century it was the property of
Mrs. Mary Best. (fn. 113) At the present day no trace of
the monastery buildings can be found, but the
inclosing earthworks are clearly defined. (fn. 114)
Half a hide in Goldington was held in 1086 by
Alric Wintremelc of the king in chief. During his
lifetime he granted the reversion to the canons of
St. Paul, and it was afterwards included among the
possessions of Newnham Priory. (fn. 115)
An estate in Goldington held by the Pippard
family may have originated in the 2 hides which
Roger son of Teodric held of Hugh de Beauchamp
in 1086, and which Ralph Tallebosc had formerly
exchanged for Ware. (fn. 116) The overlordship of this
fee remained vested in the Beauchamps, and in the
division of the honour of Bedford was held of that
part which became the right of the Paynels and
Picots. (fn. 117) The names of Adam Pippard and Walter
his son occur among the donors to Newnham Priory
in the 13th century, (fn. 118) and in 1284 Robert Pippard
held this fee. (fn. 119) John Pippard, in possession in
1302, (fn. 120) appears to have been the last of this family
to own the property, for in 1346 it was held by
Henry Flamville and Roger Goldington in two
parts. (fn. 121) By 1428 these two parts were in the
possession of the Abbot of Warden and Hugh
Haselden, (fn. 122) and doubtless became absorbed in the
estates they held respectively in Goldington.
One hide of the fee in Goldington which Ralph
Tallebosc had exchanged for Ware was held of Hugh
de Beauchamp by Walter in 1086. (fn. 123) Peculiar
interest attaches to this entry, the only one of its
kind for the county, as it states that 'this land the
men of the vill held in common and could sell.' (fn. 124)
The fifth part of a fee was held by the Gustard
family in the 14th century of that part of the barony
of Bedford which passed to the Wakes and Patishulls. (fn. 125)
Falk Gustard is mentioned as holding in 1302 and
1315, (fn. 126) and was succeeded by William Gustard, in
possession in 1346. (fn. 127) Nothing further is heard of this
fee, and the last mention of the family occurs in 1351,
when Thomas de Goldington received a pardon for
killing Robert son of Falk Gustard in self-defence. (fn. 128)
Among the smaller landowners in Goldington was
the Wigain family, who held of the barony of Bedford. (fn. 129) Wigain de Goldington was succeeded by
William his son, mentioned in 1194, (fn. 130) who took the
additional name of Wigain, afterwards used by
members of this family as a surname. The names of
Hugh and Roger Wigain occur in the 13th century, (fn. 131)
and in 1284 Henry Wigain held the estate, (fn. 132) which
was in the hands of Ralph Wigain in 1302. (fn. 133) The
last member of this family in possession appears to
have been William, who owned the property in
1346. (fn. 134)
In 1086 Ivo Tallebosc held half a hide in Goldington of the Bishop of Lincoln, (fn. 135) but there is no
further mention of this small estate.
There was a mill worth 30s. and 100 eels attached
in 1086 to that part of Hugh de Beauchamp's fee
which was afterwards held by Newnham Priory as
Goldington Manor. (fn. 136) The mill remained appurtenant to this manor (q.v.) and passed with it after
the dissolution of the priory to the Gostwick family,
and afterwards to the Duke of Bedford. It is now
known as the Priory Mill, and stands on the bank of
the Ouse on the outskirts of Bedford borough, but the
buildings have for long been in disuse and are in a
ruined condition.
There was another mill mentioned in 1086, worth
30s. and 100 eels, on Hugh de Beauchamp's Puttenhoe
estate. (fn. 137) This mill, which passed with Puttenhoe
(q.v.) to Warden Abbey, was situated on the Ouse
close to Risinghoe Castle, from whence it derived its
later name of Risinghoe or Castle Mill. Warden
Abbey was obliged to pay tithes for the same to
Newnham Priory, which had received a grant of them
in its foundation charter. (fn. 138) These, which were
assessed at 20s. in 1535, were then paid to the vicar
of Goldington. (fn. 139) For land acquired from William
son of Edwin de Goldington it was bound to render
four quarters of corn yearly at the mill. (fn. 140) The Castle
Mills, valued at £10 in 1535, (fn. 141) were described in
the grant to John Gostwick in 1538 as three watermills under one roof, and attached to this property
was a house with two closes, called the Mill and
Castle Closes. (fn. 142) Leland visited the neighbourhood,
and noticed that 'The Ryver of Huse againe the
Castelle licketh into 2 Partes, and closing agayne a
little beneth the Mylle maketh an Isleand. The
lesser streame servith the Mil. I passid first by a
Bridge of wood over this Arme. And by and by
over the mayne Streame of the Use-Ryver by a
Timber Bridg.' (fn. 143) This mill, until recently the
property of the Dukes of Bedford, has now passed to
Mr. W. H. Rogers. In 1672, after the suspension
of the penal laws against Nonconformists, Bunyan
applied for licence for Edward Isaac to preach at
Gilbert Ashley's house in Goldington. (fn. 144) Gilbert
Ashley was the miller at Castle Mills, and married
in 1677 Elizabeth, Bunyan's second daughter. From
the Gostwicks the mill passed with Puttenhoe Manor
(q.v.) to the Duke of Bedford.
Goldington Church from the South-east
CASTLE
The conical-shaped mound on the left
bank of the Ouse, called Risinghoe Castle,
which has been described in the article
on 'Earthworks' in this county, (fn. 145) was already spoken
of as the 'old Castle' towards the end of the 12th
century. (fn. 146) Leland conjectures that it belonged to
the Especs, one of whom founded Warden Abbey, (fn. 147)
but, as this family held no lands in Goldington, it is
for more likely to have been the property of Hugh de
Beauchamp, the chief landowner in Goldington in
1086. It was probably obtained by Warden Abbey
with the grange of Risinghoe and Puttenhoe Manor
(q.v.), with which it was conferred on John Gostwick
at the Dissolution, afterwards passing with the rest
of their property in Goldington to John Duke of
Bedford.
CHURCH
The church of ST. MARY THE
VIRGIN consists of a chancel 24 ft. 9 in.
by 14 ft., a nave 39 ft. 5 in. by
21 ft. 5 in., north aisle the same length as the nave
and 10 ft. wide, south aisle 16 ft. by 6 ft. 3 in.,
adjoined on the west by a porch, and west tower
12 ft. 9 in. by 10 ft. 9 in.
There are no details in the church earlier than the
15th century, except the arch to the south aisle,
which seems to be a bay of a 13th-century arcade,
which continued westward for at least one bay more.
The chancel arch may be of the 14th century, and
the tower dates from the 15th century, as well as the
south aisle and south porch; the chancel has been
rebuilt comparatively recently, and the north wall of
the nave and the north aisle, with the organ chamber
and vestry, are modern.
In the south wall are two windows. On the north
side of the chancel are a new organ chamber and
vestry. In the east jamb of the south-east window of
the chancel is a 15th-century piscina, having two
pointed arched heads resting on an angle shaft.
The nave has a clearstory with two-light windows,
all uncusped, except the east window on the south,
which is quatrefoiled, an unusual treatment. The
second window on the south has four-centred heads,
and those of the third are rounded. The north
clearstory, of four windows, is modern. The south
aisle has an east and a south window of 15th-century
style, with a little old glass in the former.
The south porch is of the 15th century; in its west
wall is a blocked window, and its outer archway is in
two chamfered orders with a pointed head. The jambs
and arch of the inner doorway have continuous
chamfers separated by a hollow. In the wall to the
west of this door is set the life-sized effigy of a woman
of 14th-century style, of good, but not first-rate,
work; on the opposite side of the door is an arched
recess for a holy water stoup. The door itself is
plain but old, with vertical boards and an old drop
handle. To the west of the porch is a modern
window of 15th-century style. The nave arcade is
new, consisting of four bays in two hollow-chamfered
orders, resting on piers alternately round and octagonal
with moulded capitals and bases.
The north wall of the north aisle, which is quite
modern, is divided into four bays.
The tower is of the 15th century, in three stages,
terminating in an embattled parapet; at each east angle
is a square buttress coming down upon the nave walls
and at the west angles are diagonal buttresses in three
stages. In each face of the top stage is a window of
two cinquefoiled lights in two chamfered orders with
a pointed head and moulded label. The west doorway has continuous mouldings and two chamfers
separated by a hollow, and immediately over it is a
four-centred window of three cinquefoiled lights.
In the middle stage of the south side is a narrow
rectangular light, and at the south-east angle a square
staircase turret with two small trefoiled lights. The
tower arch is pointed, being in two hollow-chamfered
orders, resting upon simple capitals.
The nave roof is restored, but is built of old timber,
with moulded wall plates, tie-beams with braces,
purlins and ridge piece; it is in four bays. The south
aisle has a lean-to roof, also with old timber; the
other roofs are modern.
The font, which is near the west end of the nave,
is of the 14th century, and is circular on a circular
pedestal, with ball-flowers on the chamfer under the
bowl.
On the east wall of the chancel is a brass to Robert
Hatley, 1585, having a kneeling figure in armour and
a ruff, and underneath an epitaph in Latin and its
translation in English. The arms are, a sword bendwise between two molets with a crescent for difference impaling a cheveron between three leopards'
heads. On the north wall is a good black and white
marble monument to Benjamin Haselden, 1697, and
in the north aisle is a similar monument in marble to
John Pemberton, 1687. In the north aisle is a brass
to Richard Fyssher, 1507.
There are four bells: the first, of 1600, inscribed
'Cum cum and praye,' by Hugh Watts; the second,
of 1696, by Richard Chandler; the third, of 1617,
by Newcombe; the fourth is of 1600.
The plate consists of a communion cup of 1695,
inscribed 'Goldington, James Benson, John Palldocke,
Churchwardens 1696,' a paten of 1823, a flagon of
Sheffield plate and two pewter plates.
The registers previous to 1813 are in four books:
(1) has all entries, 1559 to 1705; (2) the same, 1706
to 1753; (3) baptisms and burials 1754 to 1812;
(4) marriages (printed) 1754 to 1812.
ADVOWSON
The church of Goldington was
included in the foundation charter of
Newnham Priory, (fn. 148) and was among
their possessions at the Dissolution. (fn. 149) The gift was
confirmed by William de Beauchamp, son of Simon the
founder, (fn. 150) and by subsequent kings. (fn. 151) Bishop Hugh
of Wells about 1218 instituted the vicarage, which
was to consist of all altar offerings, the small tithes and
2 acres of land, with a suitable house valued at 5 marks
yearly, the whole church being estimated at
10 marks. (fn. 152) His successor, Bishop Robert, attempted
to augment the vicarage, but the prior appealed to
Rome, and Bishop Hugh's assessment was confirmed
in 1255. (fn. 153) The justification for Bishop Robert's
action is to be found in the small stipend paid to the
vicar, the lowest in the county, assessed at £2 13s. 4d.
only in 1291, (fn. 154) and at the like sum in 1535. (fn. 154) At
the latter date the vicarage was valued at £8 9s. 4d.
and the rectory at £8. (fn. 155) At the dissolution of the
priory in 1540 (fn. 156) the advowson and rectory were
annexed to the Crown, by whom in 1541 they were
conferred upon Urian Brereton, afterwards knighted,
and his wife Joan the widow of Edmund Lord Bray. (fn. 157)
In 1549 the reversion of the property was granted to
Sir George Brooke Lord Cobham, (fn. 158) who by his will
dated 13 January 1558 left it to his son Sir William
Brooke Lord Cobham. (fn. 159) At the latter's death in
1597 the advowson and rectory descended to his son
and heir Henry, (fn. 160) on whose attainder they reverted
to the Crown, and were obtained by Duke Brooke of
Templecombe, Somerset, in 1604. (fn. 161) The latter,
with Margaret his wife, alienated the property in
1606 to Sir John Spencer, (fn. 162) who died seised of it
in 1610, leaving a daughter and heir Elizabeth the
wife of William Lord Compton, (fn. 163) created Earl of
Northampton in 1618. On the death of Elizabeth,
then a widow, in 1632, her son Spencer Compton
inherited the property. (fn. 164) He and his son James
adopted the Royalist cause, and the latter in 1646
was ordered by the Committee for Plundered
Ministers to pay out of the rectory of Goldington the
sum of £40 each to the minister of Cople and John
Knapp, vicar of Goldington. (fn. 165) John Knapp appears
to have had some trouble in obtaining the augmentation, for he appealed to the Committee in 1647, (fn. 166)
and the order was confirmed in 1650. (fn. 167) The rectory
and advowson are last mentioned as the property of
the Earls of Northampton in 1654, (fn. 168) and in 1661
they were bestowed on Henry Heron and Thomas
Heyhoe and their heirs, notwithstanding the grant to
Duke Brooke. (fn. 169) Shortly after this date the history
of the rectory and advowson cease to be identical,
and in 1663 William Bedcott presented Richard
Bedcott, (fn. 170) who, with his wife Sarah, alienated the
patronage in the same year to Nicholas Luke, (fn. 171) who
in 1676 presented John Langdate to the living. (fn. 172)
The latter in 1681 married Elizabeth only daughter
of Benjamin Haselden, lord of Goldington Bury, and
died within ten days of the marriage, (fn. 173) when his
widow presented Robert Hawkins to the church. (fn. 174)
He married Anne Sanderson of Tempsford, widow of
Robert Haselden, son and heir of Benjamin aforesaid, by whom he left a son John Sanderson Hawkins
and a daughter Anne. (fn. 175) On his father's death in
1714 the patronage vested in John Sanderson
Hawkins, (fn. 176) and passed at his death in 1718 (fn. 177) to
his sister Anne, whose husband Barwell Collins
became vicar of Goldington in 1728, (fn. 178) and lived
until 1743, when the advowson became the right of
his son and heir Robert. (fn. 179) The latter's sister Ann
Collins presented her brother to the church in 1747, (fn. 180)
and on his death in 1749 joined with her sister
Elizabeth in presenting John Saunderson. (fn. 181) The
latter in 1755 sold the advowson and 3 acres for
£300 to John Duke of Bedford, (fn. 182) in whose descendants it remained vested for over 120 years, (fn. 183) until
between 1877 and 1897 it was acquired by the
Bishop of Ely, the present patron.
On the separation of the rectory and advowson
(c. 1661) the former became the property of John
Petre and his wife Elizabeth, who were in possession
in 1668. (fn. 184) In 1761 they were alienated by George
Fieschi Heneage to Christopher Metcalfe, (fn. 185) and by
him conveyed to Joseph Addington in 1767, (fn. 186) who
was probably identical with the Joseph Addington
the lay rector at the beginning of the 19th century. (fn. 187)
The Addington family, whose names occur in the
parish registers, (fn. 188) appear as considerable landowners
in the county in 1873, (fn. 189) but by 1877 the trustees
under the will of the late Dr. Bowers, Dean of Manchester, were the impropriators; and at the present day
the great tithes are the property of Colonel Frank
Shuttleworth and Mr. Cecil Henry Polhill.
The Chantry Commissioners in 1548 found that
1 pightell worth 4d. per annum and 1 rood of
meadow worth 3d. per annum, both in the tenure of
the vicar, had each been given for the maintenance
of a lamp, while 12d. rent arising out of 1 rood of
meadow, held by the churchwardens, had been left for
the same purpose. The rent-charge of certain cottages in Goldington, amounting to 53s. 4d., had been
bequeathed by Robert Haselden to provide a priest to
pray for his soul for two and a half years from Easter
1548. (fn. 190)
CHARITIES
In 1732 James Haselden, by will,
charged a farm at Wollaston (co.
Northants) with a clear yearly sum of
52s., to be equally distributed in bread to four poor
persons.
The Town Land, the origin of which is unknown,
consists of 1 a. 2 r., let in plots to twelve tenants, producing £3 16s. a year.
In 1718 John Sanderson Hawkins, by will,
directed that a sum of £100 should be raised out of
certain estates and laid out in the purchase of freehold, the rents thereof to be applied in the purchase
of clothing for three poor widows on St. Thomas's
Day. The payment of the legacy was in abeyance for
many years, and proceedings were taken in Chancery
in 1795 for its recovery and for the arrears. The
trust fund is now represented by £314 11s. 4d.
consols, with the official trustees, and the annual
dividends, amounting to £7 17s., are applied in
clothing and gifts of money to four poor widows.
These charities are administered together by the
parish council.