Footsteps from the Past

Footsteps from the Past

“Understanding the past to find meaning in the present” : Events in the times of Parish Priests of Compton All Saints

Originally published in five instalments in Compton & Shawford Parish Magazine, February-June 2016

In this series of articles, we are looking at the historical events around the times of All Saints (formerly All Hallowes) Church and its named priests in Compton.

Part 1 (February 2016) concerns the beginnings of Christianity in the area and the building of the churches, through turbulent times, including the Black Death until the death of Henry IV in 1413.  Then Part 2 (March 2016) deals with the period of the Tudor Reformation; Part 3 covers the Civil War and the Restoration; Part 4 Georgian expansion, Victorian Empire, agricultural & industrial revolutions; and Part 5 from Edward VII to Elizabeth II.

We have shown the “footsteps” in a table, to help match the parish priests (names listed in church) against the ruling monarch at the time and some significant events both locally and nationally.

Part 1  Beginnings. 600-1400

This “beginning” shows when Christianity first came to the area. The original Saxon church was probably built around the time of King Alfred. The stone church dates from around 1160.

Compton was a farming hamlet with the old Roman road (The King’s Highway) running by it. The fields were in the valleys, with common land at Church Fields, Mead Furlong & Hurdle Way. The “Closes” were rented out by the Prior (Cathedral) but much of the Downland was still covered in forests, with some emerging clearings. Generally, Compton was fairly well insulated from national events, but was occasionally affected by marauding gangs, crop failures, famine and by plague. Church services would have been in Latin; very few people would have been literate and villagers would not have travelled far from home.

Part 2  Tudors – the Reformation

This period of the Tudors and the Reformation was a turbulent time nationally. But in many ways,  the Compton community was able to stay relatively stable, despite the shifts between Catholicism and Protestantism, and the dissolution of monasteries. However, one significant event was the martyrdom of Revd  John Philpott from Compton Place.  Austin Whitaker writes:

The village must have been shaken by the martydom of the Revd. John Philpott, the archdeacon of Winchester, in 1555; he was the son of the squire Sir John Philpott, and broke away from the traditional Catholic faith of his family. He was a man of uncompromising views, always ready to defend them, and his courage in facing death at the stake is dramatically honoured by a golden circle of flame around his name in a fine family-tree of 1620.

[editor’s note: Whitaker is probably mistaken – most sources state that Archdeacon Philpott was the son of Sir Peter Philpott]

Locally, the community had problems with the “Kings Highway” between Compton and Otterbourne. It was often impassable and villagers were often forced to make repairs. Also, the Parish Priest was often absent, and curates would run the church.

Part 3 Civil War and the Restoration. 1603 to 1714

The 17th C can be described as “stirring times” with much political agitation. The parish saw clashes between the opposing forces of the King and Parliament and penal measures directed spasmodically against a Roman Catholic minority. They were often called “recusants” and were given fines for not attending  church. Priest Thomas Hackett appears to have steered a “steady ship” during this period with Priest John Webb steadying it until the next period of change.

1651: A Royal visitor. Drew records that

There seems to be little doubt that on Sunday, October 12th there passed through the parish a tall dark young man ’over two yards high’, and on whose head there was a price of £1000.
This was King Charles II fleeing from the debacle of Worcester and seeking a port where a ship might be found to carry him back to France.
He had discarded the ‘old sweaty leather doublet, green threadbare coat and greasy steeple hat without band or lining’ which had formed his first disguise, and was now dressed more decently in ‘a suit and cloak of country grey and a high black hat’.
Attended by one companion only he had left Heale House, near Old Sarum, at 3 a.m. that morning and he arrived near Hursley about noon.
He is known to have crossed the Itchen near Twyford and his route must have been either by Shawford or by the old ford at the Malm.

Part 4. Georgian expansion, Victorian Empire,  agricultural & industrial revolutions

The 18/19th Centuries were times of significant changes in the role of monarchy, parliament, an expanding world and European rivalry. They saw improved communication with roads, carriages, post, canals and eventually railways, matching the march of agricultural and industrial revolution. Compton and Shawford was not immune from these changes.

Part 5. Edward VII to Elizabeth II

The 20th century and into the 21st century has been a time of significantly accelerating change and a fair degree of turmoil, with two World Wars, industrial expansion, space exploration and rampant communication in an ever shrinking world. These are times of significant challenges, social, political and spiritual.

Timeline

Usage Notes:

  • You can scroll through the table, or search for people and events by name.
  • To search the table for any mention of the Philpotts, enter Philpott in the search box. To look for a specific phrase such as John Philpott, enter “John Philpott” (with quotes) in the search box.
  • A search on John Philpott (without quotes) will retrieve entries containing the words John and Philpott not necessarily next to each other.
  • If you are using a smartphone, the table is probably easier to read in landscape mode.
Events in the times of Parish Priests of Compton
DateMonarchPriestSignificant Events
591St.Augustine Christian Missionary England
633St.Birrilus. Christian Missionary Winchester
611-641Cynegils.W. SaxonKing Cynegils baptised in 633.
666-675Cenwealh.W. SaxStarts Old Minster, estate of 7 leagues distance
676Bishop Haeddi. 1st Bishop of Winchester
860-871AethelredSt.Swithun dies in 861
871-899Alfred the GreatmonksLikely Saxon Church in Compton, wooden structure on ancient stones. Alfred translates the 10 commandments (Latin into Old English)
899-925Edward the EldermonksKing of all Britain. Starts New Minster.
946-955EadredmonksSt. Dunstan brings crown & state together
1016-1035CnutmonksRemains in Winchester Cathedral
1042-1066Edward Confessormonks
1066-1087William ConquerormonksNorman conquest. Domesday Book 1085-6. 9 churches in Manor of Chilcomb, incl Compton. 1079 New Cathedral starts under Prior Simeon
1087-1100William II RufusmonksKilled in New Forest taken to Winchester via Silkstede, Compton/Shawford. "Red Lane".
1100-1135Henry ImonksElected King in Winchester
1135-1154Stephenmonks
1154-1189Henry IImonksBy 1160 Compton stone church is built, north door of this date as is the font. "All Hallowes" 1170 Thomas Beckett murdered in Canterbury
1189-1199Richard I LionheartmonksCrusades. 1195 origin of JPs
1199-1216Johnmonks1215 Magna Carta
1216-1272Henry IIIHugo de Lavington1st Parliament of County Representatives.
1272-1307Edward IHenry Simplingham
1289Edward IWilliam de Essex1290 Jews are banished, did not return until 17.C
1304Edward IJohn de Bloyou1300 Chancel arch in Old church.
1305Edward IOger de KernickeScottish uprising. W Wallace & R Bruce.
1307-1327Edward IIWilliam d Bloyou1307 Silkstede pigeon house, part still survives.1314. crops fail, famine & disease
1316Edward IIW de Staunforde
1317Edward IIW de Farnham
1327-1377Edward IIIRobert Parson1327 start of local taxation. Unsettled times
c 1337Edward IIIWilliam Gaspays1338 start of 100yrs war with France
c 1340Edward IIIWilliam d Meon1345 Battle of Crecy. English bowmen.
1347Edward IIINicholas de Winton1348 The Black Death. Third of population dies & family names disappear from Compton register
1349Edward IIIJohn Loke (or Lok)*
1349Edward IIIRichard Habbegod(* probable deaths from plague)
1354Edward IIIJohn de Kymberlee (or Kimberlee)shortage of land labour & farmers.
1357Edward IIIHugh de Mortonappearance of farmer priests
1361Edward IIIJohn Wormenhale
1361Edward IIIMichael Dunkeved1362 English language set in statute for use in courts of Law. Services still in Latin.
1372Edward IIIJohn Stauntone
1375Edward IIIThomas Tynny (or Tynne)1377 John Wycliffe reforming politician and theologian. Followers "Lollards" persecuted
1377-1399Richard IIWilliam Grateley1381 Peasants Revolt. Essex & Kent
1381Richard IIWycliffe's translation of the Bible in English
1399-1413Henry IVWilliam Ruddock1411. 1400 Laws passed on heresy
1412Henry IVJohn Cranburne1405 persecution & alienation of clergy.
1413-1422Henry VJohn CranburneLong serving priest. "Kings Highway" "Holeway" impassable owing to flooding. Villagers digging for chalk? Ordered to repair. Henry starts written English. Battle of Azincourt (fleet sails from Southampton with archers.)
1422-1461Henry VIJohn CranburneJeanne D'Arc. 1455 War of Roses starts. Philpotts arrive to build Compton Place.
1461-1483Edward IVJohn Boucher1466. 1467 Kings Highway danger to use.
-1469Edward IVWalter Dyar1477 Caxton's first printing press.
-1480Edward IVThomas Apthorp
-1483Edward VBrian HulmeEdward one of murdered princes in Tower
1483-1485Richard IIIBrian Hulme1485 Battle of Bosworth Richard killed by Tudors
1485-1509Henry VIIRichard Maker1493. Thomas Silksted became Prior of St. Swithun's Cathedral Winchester. Builds Silksted Manor House as Prior's country residence(300yr)
1493Henry VIIWilliam Eades1501 Henry's son marries Catherine of Aragon. 1502 Arthur dies & Catherine passes to Henry 8.
1501Henry VIIWilliam Cadew (rector)
John Johnson alias Scott (parish priest)
1507. Malms is main common land in Compton
1509-1547Henry VIIIDavid Sybald (or Sibbald)1517.David Sybald (or Sibbald), a Franciscan who upheld his beliefs until his death in 1534. Cardinal Wolsey is Henry's Chancellor. Martin Luther makes his proclamation against Rome.
-1521Henry VIIIDavid Sybald (or Sibbald)Henry to divorce Catherine to marry Anne Bolyn
-1525Henry VIIIDavid Sybald (or Sibbald)William Tyndale prints English translation of New Testament, "so ploughboys can learn to read Bible". He is martyred.
-1530Henry VIIIDavid Sybald (or Sibbald)Wolsey goes, Henry abandons Rome and forms Church of England
-1534Henry VIIIDavid Sybald (or Sibbald)Although it was dangerous to do so, David Sybald/Sibbald left all his property to the strict Fanciscan Observants. The will was overturned by decision of Thomas Cromwell that the money should be disposed of at the King's pleasure.
-1534Henry VIIIWiliam PhilpottCranmer is Archbishop. Henry marries Anne. Thomas Cromwell is Vicar General. Act of Supremacy made law.
-1536Henry VIIIAnthony BarkerIs prebendary at Winchester Cathedral, has two curates Walter Welche & William Thomas. Dissolution of monasteries. Anne beheaded. Henry marries Jane Seymore, Edward born 1537. Jane dies.
-1539Henry VIIIAnthony BarkerWinchester Priory dissolved, Cathedral gains a Dean & Chapter. The Six Articles of Protestantism imposed. Compton still known as All Halownde.
-1540Henry VIIIAnthony BarkerHenry marries Anne of Cleves & soon divorces her to marry Catherine Howard. Cromwell is executed.
-1542Henry VIIIAnthony BarkerHenry has Catherine beheaded and in 1543 marries Catherine Parr who survives him. d 1547
1547-1553Edward VIAnthony BarkerCranmer publishes the Catechism & Book of Common Prayer & enforces Act of Uniformity
-1551Edward VIJohn ErleA former monk & Lay Clerk at Winchester Cathedral. He manages to balance the faiths.
-1553Lady Jane GreyJohn ErleCranmer publishes the 42 Articles of Religion
1553-1558Mary IJohn ErleMary restores the Mass & begins to persecute Protestants as heretics. John Erle becomes sacristan at Winchester Cathedral
-1554Mary IJohn ErleMary marries Philip of Spain in Winchester Cathedral
-1555Mary IJohn ErleRevd John Philpott (Compton Place) Archdeacon of Winchester accused of heresy, burnt at stake.
1558-1603Elizabeth IJohn ErleRestores Church of England.
-1559Elizabeth IJohn Coxe2nd Act of Supremacy, clergy to sign an oath
-1560Elizabeth IDavid PadyePrebendary of St Pauls & Winchester Cathedrals
-1562Elizabeth IThomas OdillPrebendary of Winchester. Kings Highway again impassable. Villagers ordered to repair it.
-1564Elizabeth IThomas OdillBirth of Shakespeare.
-1566Elizabeth IEdward WalkerCurate John Wright.
-1574Elizabeth IRobert RaynoldsFormer Master St Cross. Non-resident of Compton uses Curates Walter Heycrest & Thomas Stemp.
-1587Elizabeth IRobert RaynoldsMary Q of Scots executed leaving son James.
-1588Elizabeth IRobert RaynoldsSpanish Armada defeated
-1595Elizabeth IJohn HarmerJohn Harmer was also Professor of Greek at Oxford, Headmaster and Warden of Winchester College and one of the translators of the Authorised Version
1603Elizabeth IJohn HarmerElizabeth dies at 69yrs, James I named successor.
1603James IJohn HarmerCompton has 70 communicants
1603James IJohn HarmerWalter Raleigh tried in Winchester. Executed.
Scholars sent to lodge in Silkstead so lawyers and courtiers in Winchester for the trial could stay at the college.
1604James IJohn HarmerGunpowder Plot. King James Bible printed.
1606James IJohn HarmerTwo colonies founded in Virginia.
1613James IAbraham BrownePrebendary of Winchester Cathedral
1620James IAbraham Browne"Mayflower" sails for America.
1623James IAbraham BrowneCatholics allowed to worship in private houses.
1625Charles IAbraham BrowneAutumn plague rages in Winchester. College students sent to Silkstead for 17 months.
1627Charles IJames WedderburnAlso Prebendary of Ely & Wells & vicar of Mildenhall & Fulbourn. William White, curate.
1628Charles IJames WedderburnNew Barn area still in forest.
1632Charles IJames WedderburnGoldfinch family living at Manor Farm House.
1633Charles IJames WedderburnTurmoil in Parliament, . Archbishop Laud gives leniency to Catholics.
1636Charles IJohn Ramsey then Thomas HackettDr Wedderburn becomes Bishop of Dunblane.
1640Charles IThomas HackettCharles dissolves Parliament, sets up new one. Severe measures passed against Catholics.
1642Charles IThomas HackettParliament in chaos. Start of Civil War. Silkstead Manor in hands of Harris family 160yr
1643Charles IThomas HackettGovernment of church by Bishops abolished
1645Charles IThomas HackettOliver Cromwell head of New Model Army. Storms Winchester Castle. Troops billeted in Compton. (PM. August 2015)
1649Charles IThomas HackettCharles, tried, condemned & executed
1650Monarchy abolishedThomas Hackettalso House of Lords abolished. Survey of church estates.
1651Monarchy abolishedThomas HackettDrew records that "on Sunday October 12th there passed through the parish a tall dark young man 'over two yards high', and on whose head there was a price of £1000. This was King Charles II fleeing from the debacle of Worcester". In disguise he had left Old Sarum at 3am, reached Hursley by noon along what is now the Monarch's Way. He crossed the Itchen at Shaldefud (Shawford), or possibly the ford at the Malm en route to a channel port and a ship to France.
Parish instructed to repair Kings Highway & church railings.
1653ProtectorateThomas HackettCromwell made Lord Protector
1656ProtectorateThomas HackettParliament recalled.
1658ProtectorateThomas HackettCromwell dies handing over to son Richard, who resigns. Eventually lived in Hursley where he is buried in church yard.
1660Charles IIThomas HackettRestoration of Monarchy.
1660Charles IIThomas HackettPhilpotts leave Compton Place sold to Sir Henry Worsley for another 40 years
1661Charles IIJames HollowayThomas Hackett buried in old church chancel. Corporation Act, persecution of dissenters
1662Charles IIJames Morecroft2,000 non-conforming clergy resign to become Presbyterians. Hearth Tax implemented.
1665Charles IIJames MorecroftGreat plague breaks out & reaches Hursley.
1666Charles IIJames MorecroftGreat Fire of London.
1667Charles IIWilliam BurtMilton's "Paradise Lost" printed. Dr Burt, was warden Winchester College & Prebendary
1677Charles IIJohn BartonFormer Curate. 92 conformists & 14 papists registered in the village.
1678Charles IIJohn BartonBurial records began (burying in woollens). Collections for St Pauls Cathedral, captives in Algiers & protestants in Poland & France. "The Compton people were(are) generous folk."
1683Charles IIJohn WebbLived 38years at Parsonage.
1685James IIJohn WebbMonmouth rebellion leading to Bloody Assizes with Judge Jeffreys. Some held in Winchester.
1687James IIJohn WebbDeclaration of Indulgence proclaims liberty of conscience.
1688James IIJohn WebbJames deserted by family & faced with a Protestant revolt, flees to France.
1689William III & Mary IIJohn WebbAct of Settlement for Royal succession. Country unsettled. Ireland invaded. Battle of The Boyne
1690William III & Mary IIJohn WebbMassacre at Glencoe. At war with France.
1694William III & Mary IIJohn WebbMary dies. Jacobite Rebellion.
1695William III & Mary IIJohn WebbRegister of Baptisms & Marriages started
1702AnneJohn WebbCompton Place demolished., acreage includes Shawford Close up to the ford at Shawford..
1712AnneJohn WebbEuropean wars with army led by Duke of Marlborough. Armistice with France.
1714George IJohn WebbStart of Hanoverian dynasty.
1710George IJohn WebbItchen Navigation "Barge Canal" completed.
1714George IJohn WebbComposer Handel comes to England.
1721George IJohn ThistlewaiteCanon of Chichester. Curate William Harvey. Walpole government.
1722George IJohn ThistlewaiteWascelyn-Philpott land sold. "Little Cranford Cottage" Shawford existed
1724George ICharles ScottRector for 38 yrs. Built "Red House" parsonage next to church. Compton Population 130.
1727George IICharles ScottUnpopular King. Wife Caroline more effective. Time of composer JS Bach & highwayman Dick Turpin. 1731 Gallery built at west end of old church for musicians.
1739George IICharles ScottJohn Wesley founded Methodism. War of Jenkin's Ear against Spain.
1742George IICharles ScottPermission granted to "burn, bake, plough & till" land at Southdown.("Bakelands") First performance of Handel's "Messiah".
1744George IICharles ScottDifficult years for farming. War with France.
1745George IICharles Scott"Bonnie Prince Charlie" defeated at Culloden
1750George IICharles ScottAgricultural revolution with bigger farms and new technology. Beginnings of Industrial revolution.
1755George IICharles ScottSamuel Johnson's dictionary printed
1757George IICharles ScottEngland characterised by Hogarth's paintings. British adventures in India(Clive),Canada(Wolfe)
1759George IICharles ScottBritish Museum opens to the public.
1760George IIICharles Scott
1763George IIIJohn MitchellRobert Shipman curate.
1765George IIIJohn ShipmanCurate George Huntingford later Bishop of Hereford buried at Compton Church. Malt Houses by Shawford bridge & Parsonage Barn(1771) Last record of full Rogation walk around parish. Private school of William Goldfinch moves to Twyford.
1768George IIIJohn ShipmanWatt's steam engine, Arkwright's spinning frame.
1772George IIIJohn ShipmanSlavery abolished in England
1773George IIIJohn ShipmanStart of American War of Independence.
1775George IIINewton OgleDean of Winchester. Captain Cook's tour.
1776George IIIThomas RickmanA methodical rector.
1780George IIIThomas RickmanCatholic Relief Bill
1781George IIIPhilip WilliamsPrebendary of Winchester & Canterbury, Chaplain to Speaker House of Commons. Sally (Sarah) his wife manages church in his absence. ref Shurlock
1783George IIIPhilip WilliamsConstruction begins on Compton-Otterbourne Turnpike road (follows Roman road). Parliament of Pitt the younger.
1787George IIIRevd Williams returnsSarah Williams dies. Memorial in church. Golden age of horse & carriages 1780-1840
1788George IIIPhilip WilliamsFirst recorded cricket match in village. George III deemed insane. Travis of Silkstead employs poor children of parish in flax spinning.
1789George IIIPhilip WilliamsFrench Revolution
1790George IIIPhilip WilliamsPoor house in village at Shawford (nr current hall)
1798George IIIPhilip WilliamsRise of Emperor Napoleon, threatens England
1803George IIIPhilip WilliamsSilkstead Manor demolished.(bits remain)
1805George IIIPhilip WilliamsBattle of Trafalgar
1809George IIIPhilip WilliamsAt war with Spain
1812George IIIPhilip WilliamsNapoleon invades Russia & is defeated by winter.
1815George IIIPhilip WilliamsBattle of Waterloo. Napoleon defeated. Corn Law.
1817George IIIPhilip WilliamsFirst savings banks established. Industrial strikes.
1820George IVPhilip WilliamsUnrest in agriculture, bad time for farmers.
1829George IVPhilip WilliamsStevenson's "rocket" steam engine.
1830William IVJohn Old ZillwoodRevd Williams dies at 88, after 50yrs at Compton.
1832William IVJohn Old ZillwoodFirst steam vehicle arrives in Compton. 52 Houses in the parish. Chequers Inn at corner of Compton St & main rd, opposite blacksmiths & across from the wheel-wright.
1833William IVJohn Old ZillwoodAbolition of slavery. First Education Grant. Factory's Act guarding rights of children.
1834William IVJohn Old ZillwoodPoor Law increase number of workhouses
1836William IVJohn Old ZillwoodReform of marriage laws. Now church & Chapel. Railway line being built through the village using mainly Welsh navvies
1837VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodWilliam is succeeded by his niece Victoria. Poor Law gives rise to Socialism & Chartism
1838VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodCompton Church elementary school established.
1839VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodFirst passenger train in Shawford on 10th June.
1840VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodPenny post. Victoria marries Albert
1841VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodCanada united.1st Afghan war
1843VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodScottish church schism leads to Free Kirk
1845VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodIrish potatoes famine compounds poverty & in a year quarter million people die of famine.
1851VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodThe Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace.
1853VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodLyne family at Compton Manor Farm for next 30yrs
1854VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodCrimea War & Florence Nightingale's nurses.
1857VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodContinued unrest in India
1860VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodMaori Wars in New Zealand
1861VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodAmerican Civil War which ends in 1864
1868VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodDisraeli administration followed by Gladstone. Chequers Inn closes and becomes a dairy ‘til 1890.
1870VictoriaJohn Old ZillwoodElementary Education Act
1871VictoriaCharles WickhamCorn at Compton Farm mechanically threshed.
1872VictoriaCharles WickhamBallot Act.
1879VictoriaCharles WickhamImprovements to old church, gallery dismantled, 13thC fresco & windows revealed, new E window
1882VictoriaCharles WickhamShawford Station opens. Area now fashionable for building. Until then an Inn, a mill, poor houses & ancient cottages overlooking the river.
1884VictoriaCharles WickhamSudanese war
1888VictoriaCharles WickhamCompton Farm had 20 horses & 20 men. Everyone went to church on Sunday. Women shopped in Winchester walking there and back. 1888 Local Government Act creates County Councils.
1894VictoriaCharles Wickham1894 Local Government Act creates Parish Councils, grants additional rights to women
1896VictoriaCharles WickhamParish Hall opened on 16 Dec, built for £750 including land. First in the county under the 1894 LGA
1899VictoriaCharles WickhamSouthdown sold by Ecclesiastical Commission for housing. Boer War in S Africa.
1901VictoriaCharles WickhamVictoria dies aged 81 years.
1901Edward VIICharles WickhamLondon Underground Railway
1902Edward VIIAlfred BlakeWomen's suffragette movement 1903
1904Edward VIICecil CooperJapan and Russia at war, Entente Cordiale, Panama canal
1905Edward VIICecil CooperMajor church extension blends old with new. Memorial window to Revd Wickham.
1908Edward VIICecil CooperOrgan put into church. Music time of Elgar & V Williams.
1909Edward VIICharles DurhamRevd Cooper goes on to be Archdeacon of York & Dean of Carlisle. Returns to live in Compton. Cars produced. 1st air flight across English Channel.
1910George VCharles Durham1912 Titanic sinks. White Star Line plates in Village Hall.
1914George VCharles DurhamStart of 1st World War. Thousands of soldiers march along main road to Southampton, stop for refreshments by top of Shawford Down. Irish Soldiers guard railway.
1915George VCharles DurhamVillage welcomes Belgium refugees from Malines. Royal Artillery stationed on Southdown. Hospital in Village Hall.
1917George VJohn BlackettRussian Revolution.
1918George VJohn BlackettEnd of Hostilities 11:00 11/11/1918. 10 million dead, 17 from village. Wayside Cross erected. Women get the vote.
1919George VJohn BlackettGreat War formal end with Treaty of Versailles. 1st Atlantic air flight.
1921George VJohn BlackettShawford Down War Memorial dedicated 4 April
1922George VJohn BlackettGeneral strike/depression. Ireland partitioned.
1928George VPhilip CunninghamHouse building at Attwoods Drove & Martins Field
1932George VPhilip CunninghamGreat depression. Rise of Hitler & Mahatma Gandhi
1936Edward VIIPhilip CunninghamKing abdicates. Start of Spanish Civil war.
George VIPhilip Cunningham1937 Rectory sold and new one built in garden. Start of A33 Winchester bypass which affects Compton.
1939George VIPhilip Cunningham2nd World War starts.
1940George VIEdwin UttertonGrandson of Mary Sumner, founder Mother's Union. See Mary window in SW aisle. Stray bomb falls near church.
1945George VIEdwin UttertonWar ends with millions dead, 14 from the village. Atom bombs on Hiroshima & Nagasaki. Shawford Mill closes.
1946George VIEdwin UttertonNHS begins.
1947George VIEdwin UttertonTransport Nationalisation, 1st Scout Troop in Village. Memorial Playing Field purchased for the parish from Judd for £540.
1948George VIEdwin UttertonEconomic & Social Treaty of Brussels.
1951George VIHenry BurdettFestival of Britain
1952Elizabeth IIHenry Burdett1st television broadcast to nation
1953Elizabeth IIHenry BurdettCounty Council buys Shawford Down to guarantee its future as an open space.
1955Elizabeth IIHenry BurdettPageant of Parish History. 1956 Non Conformist Chapel in Shawford closes.
1958Elizabeth IIGeorge FawkesRetired Naval chaplain. West window memorial.
1962Elizabeth IIGeorge FawkesTelstar Communication satellite.
1963Elizabeth IIGeorge FawkesPresident Kennedy assassinated.
1965Elizabeth IIGeorge FawkesDeath of Sir Winston Churchill. Vietnam War & troubles in Ireland.
1969Elizabeth IIGeorge FawkesBy-pass extended from Compton to Southampton. Man sets foot on the moon.
1971Elizabeth IIGeorge FawkesDecimal currency
1973Elizabeth IINigel OvendenFormer Fleet Air Officer. Last priest to live in Compton. Country joins EEC. Energy crisis – 1974 3-day week
1977Elizabeth IINigel OvendenQueen's Jubilee.
1979Elizabeth IINigel Ovenden1st female PM Margaret Thatcher.
1982Elizabeth IINigel OvendenFalklands war with Argentina.
1984Elizabeth IINigel OvendenCoal miners strikes. Social unrest.
1987Elizabeth IIPhilip BarrettFirst Rector of Compton & Otterbourne. Much respected priest, scholar and pastor. 1989: Hurricane sweeps southern England, fall of Berlin Wall, freedom in Europe. 1994: Channel Tunnel opens, Nelson Mandela first President of a united South Africa.
1994Elizabeth IIPhilip BarrettCompletion of the M3 motorway, which carves its way through Compton & Shawford; bridges link the villages.
1999Elizabeth IIEdward John WiddowsPriest whose high church leanings didn't sit well with the congregation's established practice.
2003Elizabeth IIPaul BairdMuch loved & respected by his flock. Harshly treated by church authorities.
2008Elizabeth IIWilliam PrescottFirst Rector of Compton, Hursley & Otterbourne. Very conscientious, very good teacher and spiritual leader.
2016Elizabeth IIWilliam PrescottQueen attains 90 years of age & has served 63 years as monarch, the longest serving monarch in our history.
xxxxxxxxxxend of table

References

  1. “The Speaker’s Chaplain & The Master’s Daughter” Barry Shurlock. See winchestercollege.org/the-williams-letters-
  2. Whitaker, Austin. “Compton & Shawford” 1985 Large & Whitaker. Boyatt Wood Press, Southampton.
  3. Drew J S. “Compton Near Winchester” Warren & Son Ltd., 1939
  4. Course E. “The Itchen Navigational” Southampton University 1983
  5. Corcoran C & Matthews M. “The Five Mills of Twyford” 2014. https://comptonshawford-pc.gov.uk/about/parish-history/five-mills-twyford-1300/
  6. The Trial of Sir Walter Ralegh: a transcript https://mathewlyons.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/the-trial-of-sir-walter-ralegh-a-transcript/
  7. The Shawford Serendipity Trail,“a historical treasure-hunt in Compton and Shawford”, Tom Threlfall, 1997. https://comptonshawford-pc.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/walking/the-shawford-serendipity-trail/
  8. EE Project: Digital correspondence of Philip Williams, 2012
    http://www.e-enlightenment.com/coffeehouse/project/williams2012/doc01_preface.html
  9. John Harmar (Harmer) http://kingjamesbibletranslators.org/bios/John_Harmar/
  10. James Wedderburn (Bishop) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Wedderburn_(bishop)
  11. Kelly’s Directory of Hampshire (1898) http://forebears.co.uk/england/hampshire/compton#sid13736

John Wilkinson
Compton & Shawford Local History Group

editor: Adrian Walmsley


Originally published in five instalments in Compton & Shawford Parish Magazine, February-June 2016

This version contains a few minor editorial changes and the search capability is a useful enhancement over the printed version.