Manor Profile
Alverstoke, Hampshire· Alverstoke Hundred· 1086 – 1904
Also known as: Beddenham
Bedenham may have been identical with the half-hide at Alverstoke held before the Conquest by Sawin and in 1086 by a certain knight. The manor occupied three farms on a peninsula at the head of Portsmouth Harbour and was held throughout its documented history of the Bishop of Winchester (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 202-208).
John de Drokensford held the manor in 1303 as Keeper of the Wardrobe; he became Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1308. In 1303 he granted the manor with its advowson to Roger Lanceleue for life, with reversion to himself and his heirs. John's brother and heir Philip de Drokensford was aged 40 in 1329 and obtained licences for divine service in his private oratory. Philip died in 1356 (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 202-208).
Margaret, granddaughter of Philip, held a moiety and married Peter Courtenay, who died in 1404. Their daughter Elizabeth inherited and married Sir William Botreux. Sir William Botreux held the whole manor jointly with his wife Margaret and died in 1462. Their daughter Margaret Hungerford inherited the moiety, which was purchased by Robert White of Farnham (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 202-208).
Henry White died seised of a moiety in 1535; his heir was Robert. Robert White died in 1546 and settled his moiety on Agnes, wife of Richard Bennett. Agnes's daughter Margaret Tichborne held the property, which reverted on her death to John Marriner. John Marriner died in 1593, and his son Peter Marriner died in March 1613/14. Peter had purchased the other moiety from Robert White, reuniting the manor. His daughter Mabel, aged 17, married Edmund Plowden (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 202-208).
Robert Bold of Portsea acquired possession in 1624. His son William Bold conveyed the manor to his kinsman John Mason in 1628. Thomas Beverley settled the property on his son Thomas and wife Anne in 1713. Anne Beverley, widow, was in possession in 1729; the manor later passed to coheiresses Anne Bonham Smith and Susannah Carter. Sir John Carter held one-sixth of Upper Bedenham in 1774 and died in 1808; his son John Bonham Carter held five-sixths (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 202-208).
Henry Stares purchased both farms in 1868 and passed them to Woodman Hill. Montague Foster purchased from Hill in 1904 (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 202-208).
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A certain knight | 1086 | Domesday holder | Held a half-hide at Alverstoke in 1086. This may have been identical with Bedenham. Sawin held the same land before the Conquest. | |
| 2 | John de Drokensford(Keeper of the Wardrobe; later Bishop of Bath and Wells) | 1303 | 1329 | unknown | Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1309.Held the manor in 1303 as Keeper of the Wardrobe. Became Bishop of Bath and Wells in 1308. Granted the manor with advowson to Roger Lanceleue for life, with reversion to himself and heirs. |
| 3 | Philip de Drokensford | 1329 | 1356 | inheritance (brother and heir) | Brother and heir of John. Aged 40 in 1329. Obtained licences for divine service in his private oratory. Died 1356. |
| 4 | Margaret (granddaughter of Philip) | inheritance | Held a moiety of the manor. Married Peter Courtenay. | ||
| 5 | Peter Courtenay | 1404 | marriage to Margaret | Married Margaret, granddaughter of Philip de Drokensford. Died 1404. | |
| 6 | Elizabeth Botreux (nee Courtenay) | 1404 | inheritance | Daughter of Peter Courtenay and Margaret. Married Sir William Botreux. | |
| 7 | Sir William Botreux(Knight) | 1462 | marriage to Elizabeth | Held the whole manor jointly with his wife Margaret. Died 1462. | |
| 8 | Margaret Hungerford (nee Botreux) | 1462 | inheritance | Daughter and heir. Her moiety was purchased by Robert White of Farnham. | |
| 9 | Henry White | 1535 | inheritance (from Robert White) | Held a moiety. Died seised in 1535; heir was Robert. | |
| 10 | Robert White | 1535 | 1546 | inheritance | Died 1546. Settled his moiety on Agnes, wife of Richard Bennett. |
See of Winchester
diocese · overlord · 1086
Bedenham was held of the Bishop of Winchester throughout its documented history.
Bedenham was within Alverstoke parish and held of the Bishop of Winchester. Bedenham may have developed from a half-hide recorded at Alverstoke in 1086.
Both Bedenham and North Fareham were held of the Bishop of Winchester. Montague Foster purchased both manors in the early twentieth century.
Half-hide at Alverstoke held by a certain knight in 1086, previously held by Sawin. Possibly identical with Bedenham.
Referenced in VCH for deaths of Philip de Drokensford (1356), Peter Courtenay (1404), Sir William Botreux (1462), Henry White (1535), and Robert White (1546).
Principal source for the manorial descent of Bedenham, within the Alverstoke parish article.
