HEMINGTON
Hinintone, Hemintone (xi cent.); Hennington,
Hemingtone, Heminthon, Hevinton (xii cent.).
The parish of Hemington covers an area of 1,354
acres and stands at an average height of 200 ft. above
the ordnance datum. The subsoil is Oxford clay
with cornbrash in the east. The upper soil varies.
About a third of the land is laid down as grass and
the remainder, except for about 15 acres of woodland,
is arable land producing barley and wheat.
A road leading from Great Gidding to Polebrook
goes through the village past Hemington Lodge, and
the vicarage, church and school. North of the school
a branch road goes eastwards past the remains of the
old Manor House, which survived as two tenements
in 1888. This, the second Northamptonshire home
of the Montagus, was surrounded by a moat, inclosing
8 acres. The last member of the family who lived
here was Elizabeth Harington, widow of the second
Sir Edward Montagu, known as 'The Blind Lady
Montagu.' (fn. 1) Dean Swift, writing to the Duke of
Montagu in 1713, nearly a hundred years after this
lady's death, said, 'I was at Hemmington according
to your order, and found no mansion house there, and
was informed it had been pulled down about 30 years
before.' (fn. 2) The population of Hemington numbered
106 persons in 1921.
Manors
Part of HEMINGTON was given with
Barnwell St. Andrew (q.v.) to Ramsey
Abbey by Ethelric Bishop of Dorchester.
The gift consisted of 3 hides and 2 virgates of land. (fn. 3)
The area by 1086 and in the 12th century had
fallen to 2½ hides. (fn. 4) The tenants in fee holding of
the Abbot as at Barnwell St. Andrew (q.v.) were the
le Moynes (fn. 5) until Abbot William de Godmanchester
purchased the manor with Barnwell in 1276. (fn. 6) In 1293
Abbot Sawtry appropriated Hemington to the uses
of the Abbey cellar. (fn. 7) After the Dissolution the Crown
in 1540 granted the manor to Sir Edward Montagu,
Chief Justice of the King's Bench. (fn. 8) From 1540 the
manor descended with Barnwell St. Andrew (q.v.),
but the Duke of Buccleuch did not sell it with that
manor in 1913, and is still owner. (fn. 9)
Another fee in Hemington, also 2½ hides, the soke
of which lay in Oundle, was held of the abbot of
Peterborough by three knights in the 11th and 12th
centuries. (fn. 10) The overlordship of the abbey over these
lands continued to the Dissolution. (fn. 11)
In the reign of Henry I, one of the three knights
had been succeeded by Richard Fitz Gilbert, (fn. 12) who
has been identified with the son of Gislebert Favel,
a tenant of the abbey in 1086. (fn. 13) Richard's holding
comprising a hide and 1½ virgate formed the nucleus
of the manor of Hemington parcel of the manor of
Southorpe which was held of the abbey. (fn. 14) Between
1173 and 1176 Ivo, son of Geoffrey de Gunthorpe and
Richard his brother, probably the sons of Geoffrey de
Southorpe, (fn. 15) and John de Hemington, confirmed the
church of Hemington to the Priory of St. Neots. (fn. 16)
The same John contributed towards an aid at the
end of the 12th century. (fn. 17) He was succeeded by
Richard de Hemington, said to be his son, whose
wife was Amice. (fn. 18) Their son John in 1232 acknowledged
the right of the daughters of Robert de Hemington
to lands in Hemington. (fn. 19) He was succeeded by his
son Richard (living 1277), (fn. 20) who in 1254 obtained
licence from the bishop of Lincoln to have a chapel
and chantry without burial, font or belfry, except
one bell for the elevation of the Host, at his manor. (fn. 21)
He confirmed the advowson of the church of Hemington to St. Neots Priory in 1269. (fn. 22) Possibly the relict
of his son or grandson, Richard de Hemington, Joan,
then wife of a Colville, settled lands in Hemington,
which she had of Gilbert son of Simon, and Joan,
daughter of Simon de Hemington, on her children,
Roger (who had a son John), Richard (who had a
son Richard, who married Divorgela), and Elizabeth. (fn. 23)
John, son of Richard de Hemington, did homage to
the Abbot of Peterborough in 1290, when he was
aged seven years. (fn. 24) This John had two sons, Richard
and John (who had a son Thomas, mentioned in 1367). (fn. 25)
Richard and his wife Joan were living in 1329 and
1345. (fn. 26) Probably Joan held the manor in dower, as
we find that in 1350 Roger Hyrst held for the term
of the life of his wife of the inheritance of Richard
de Hemington, a third part of a fee in Hemington. (fn. 27)
Richard and Joan had two sons, Richard Hemington
(living in 1361, 1374), who married Margerie, and
John (living in 1361), whose wife was Joan. Richard
and Margerie seem to have had a son John, who with
his wife Joan was living in 1401. (fn. 28) It seems probable
that they had a son Richard, as Katherine, daughter
and heir of Richard Hemington, settled the manor
in 1424 (fn. 29) on her marriage with John Kirkby, (fn. 30) who was
holding three parts of a knight's fee in Hemington
formerly of Roger Hyrst of the abbot of Peterborough. (fn. 31)
Before 1455 the manor had fallen to the coheirs of
Katherine lady of Hemington. In that year William
Inglefield and his wife Agnes with William Elyngton
and his wife Joan conveyed a third of the manor to
Henry Ehen, chaplain, and others. (fn. 32) A settlement of
another third was made in 1456 by Richard Blogwyn,
son and heir of Margaret Blogwyn, one of the coheirs
of Katherine, and his wife Alice. (fn. 33) A moiety of the
remaining third belonged ten years later to Henry
Wytlessy. (fn. 34) The manor of Hemington became settled
upon William Est the elder, with remainders to his
sons William and Robert in tail male. Alice, widow
of the elder William, had a life interest, and she and
her second husband, John Dann, held the manor.
William the younger married Anne Montgomery,
upon whom a settlement was made, and they had an
only child Anne. His widow Anne married Thomas
Dykons and in 1489 Alice and Anne and their husbands
brought an action against Robert Est, described as of
London, draper, who as heir male under the settlement
had sold his interest to Thomas Montagu. The dispute was compromised and all parties, together with
John Heryng and Anne his wife, apparently the
daughter of William Est the younger, quitclaimed their
interests to Thomas Montagu. (fn. 35) Thomas died in
1517, having settled Hemington in tail male on his
eldest son Edward with remainder to a younger son
John. (fn. 36) From this date the manor has followed the
descent of the chief manor.
The second of the three Peterborough knights in
Hemington in the reign of Henry I was Guy Maufé,
whose share in the fee was half a hide and half a
virgate. (fn. 37) He was the heir and probably the son of
Roger 'Malfed,' the abbot's Domesday tenant at
Woodford, (fn. 38) whom he had succeeded in 1114. He
and his wife Adeliza granted tithes to Peterborough
in 1141. (fn. 39) He was succeeded by Simon, possibly his
son, who with Alexander Maufé had some right to the
advowson about 1176. (fn. 40) The Maufé fee followed the
descent of Woodford (q.v.) and about 1254 was divided
among the four daughters of Robert Maufé. The
small holding in Hemington seems to have been
acquired by Thorney Abbey, Peterborough Abbey and
Richard de Hemington, and in the 16th century came
to Thomas and Edward Montagu. (fn. 41)
The abbot of Thorney's possessions in Kingsthorp
and Hemington were described as half a knight's fee
of the fee of Maufé in 1315 (fn. 42) and later in the 14th
century. (fn. 43)
A share in the Peterborough fee equal to that of
Guy Maufé belonged to Reginald le Moyne in the
reign of Henry I. (fn. 44) This seems to be the so-called
manor said to have been conveyed by Berengar le
Moyne in the 13th century to Sir Richard de Hemington, (fn. 45) but in 1315 a later Reginald le Moyne still held
the sixth of a knight's fee in Hemington and Littlethorp of the abbot of Peterborough. (fn. 46)
Two landowners in Hemington whose names appear
in the return of 1316 are John Sandon and John Cardoun. (fn. 47) John Cardoun was at the same date one of
the lords of Thurning with Winwick, then in the
county of Huntingdon, (fn. 48) and either he or his heir of
the same name in 1330 defended his right to take toll
of carts passing through Winwick to avoid the difficult
transit by the highway through Thurning and
Hemington. (fn. 49) John Sandon may possibly be the
Essex landowner of that name in 1303. (fn. 50)
In 1291 there was a mill on the Ramsey Abbey land
in Hemington. (fn. 51)
Church
The church of ST. PETER AND ST.
PAUL stands on the south side of the
village and consists of chancel 24 ft. 6 in.
by 16 ft. 2 in., nave 38 ft. 6 in. by 19 ft. 4 in., south
porch, and west tower 8 ft. 8 in. by 9 ft. 6 in., all these
measurements being internal. With the exception
of the tower, which is of late 15th century date, very
little ancient work survives, the old chancel and nave
having been pulled down in 1666 and a new building
erected by Lord Montagu consisting of a rectangular
body measuring 38 ft. by 19 ft., (fn. 52) with square-headed
windows taken from the ruins of the old manor-house. (fn. 53)
The church remained in that condition until 1872,
when the nave was restored and a chancel and south
porch added. (fn. 54) The new work is in the style of the
14th century, but the chancel arch is said to be a
reproduction of an arch which had formerly existed
and of which a few stones had been built into the
walls. (fn. 55) These stones are of early 13th century date,
and include the two respond capitals, which have nailhead ornament, and part of a moulded base. The
arch itself, which is almost wholly modern, is of two
chamfered orders. New windows in the 14th century
style were inserted in the nave in place of the old
square-headed windows, but the 17th century roundheaded south doorway remains. The chancel is faced
with ashlar and has a slated eaved roof. The nave
retains its 17th century open-timber roof of four bays,
with turned pendants to the tie beams. It is covered
with grey Colleyweston slates.
The tower is of grey rubble masonry in four stages,
with embattled parapet and diagonal buttresses.
Above the west doorway is a square panel with the
arms of Montagu, and the west window is of three
cinquefoiled lights, with four-centered head and
hoodmould. The mullions and tracery are new.
The bell-chamber windows are also four-centered and
of two plain pointed lights. The lofty tower-arch
is of two chamfered orders dying into the wall.
There is no vice.
The font is of late 12th or early 13th century date,
and consists of an octagonal bowl and circular moulded
stem, in which the nail-head ornament occurs. The
shorter sides of the bowl have carved heads in their
upper part.
In the chancel are ten oak stalls, five on each side,
of late 15th century date, said to have come from
Fotheringhay church. (fn. 56) All retain their carved
misericords the subjects of which are as follows:—
North side: (1) dragon, (2) crown, (3) hawk in fetterlock, (4) publican with jug, (5) mermaid; South side:
(6) owl, (7) tailed beast in monk's hood, (8) tumbler,
(9) two boars saltire-wise, (10) helm and mantling.
The four end counters have traceried designs, and
carvings of a rose, boar, crown, and hawk in fetterlock.
The knops are also carved.
At the east end of the nave is a floor slab with brass
figures of Thomas Montagu and his wife Agnes
(Dudley), and a shield in each of the four corners.
The male figure is bareheaded, with long flowing hair
and wears a large cloak and gown edged with fur; the
lady is habited in a tight-fitting gown and wears a
pedimental headdress. The inscription records that
Montagu died 5 September, 1517. (fn. 57)
A glass panel with the arms of Montagu is in one of
the south windows of the nave. (fn. 58)
Some portions of carved screen work and tracery,
found in 1872, have been worked into the new oak
pulpit.
There are four bells in the tower, the treble by
J. Taylor & Co., of Loughborough, 1872, the second
by Thomas Eayre of Kettering, 1724, the third a
recasting by Taylor in 1908 of a bell dated 1598,
inscribed 'Cum voco ad ecclesiam venite,' (fn. 59) and the
tenor undated, but inscribed 'Obe the Prince.'
There is a pit for a fifth bell.
The plate consists of a cup and cover paten of
about 1683, and a paten and flagon of 1699 presented
by Robert Wells and Alice his wife, 'who designe to be
Buried in this church by their only son Robert, who
died ye 12th of Novr. 1685.' (fn. 60) There is also a brass
alms dish.
The registers before 1812 are as follows: (1) baptisms 1574–82, 1596–1783, marriages 1596–1753,
burials 1562–90, 1597–1783; (ii) baptisms and burials
1784–1812; (iii) marriages 1755–1812.
Advowson
The advowson of the church, dedicated to St. Peter, at least as early
as 1254, (fn. 61) but since 1786 to St. Peter
and St. Paul, (fn. 62) was given, with a virgate of land in the
parish, to the monks of St. Neot's by Thurstan, the
priest of Hemington, in 1149, on the condition that
after his death Roger, his son, should hold it for life. (fn. 63)
Between 1173 and 1182 the prior and monks were
inducted into the church by order of Geoffrey, Bishop
elect of Lincoln, Roger, then priest, retaining possession
in the name of the monks and paying them 2s. a
year. (fn. 64) Although Thurstan's grant had thus obtained
episcopal sanction and was ratified by the several
tenants of the abbot of Peterborough in the parish,
[see above] the Priory was not undisturbed by rival
claimants. The Ramsey Cartulary preserves a bull
of Pope Alexander III which confirms Hemington
with its church to the Abbey, (fn. 65) and at a later date the
abbot of Peterborough laid claim to the advowson. (fn. 66)
The dispute between the Priory and Abbey was
finally settled in 1219 when the prior surrendered
his right to the church of Clapton on condition that
the abbot gave up the advowson of Hemington to
him and paid him the ancient and due pension which
he was wont to receive from Clapton. (fn. 67) It was
amongst the possessions of St. Neot's Priory at its
surrender (fn. 68) and was included in the grant of Luddington (q.v.) to Sir Edward Montagu in 1544. From
that date the rectory and advowson followed the
descent of the manor (fn. 69) until 1920, when the Duke of
Buccleuch conveyed them to Mr. Benjamin Measures.
A vicarage was ordained during the episcopacy of
Hugh de Welles (1206–35). (fn. 70)
The rectory belonged to the Priory of St. Neot's
until 1539 (fn. 71) and in 1544 was granted to Sir Edward
Montagu with the advowson (q.v.) with which it has
since descended.
In the 14th century the Priory of St. James, or
Hinchinbrooke Priory, near Huntingdon, owned
certain tithes in Hemington which were leased to Sir
Edward Montagu for £1 4s. a year at its surrender. (fn. 72)
Charity
An annuity of 13s. 4d. is payable out
of the Estates of Lord Montagu for
distribution to the poor. The origin
of the charity is unknown, but it said to have been a
bequest of the blind Lady Montagu.