Manor Profile
Hamble-le-Rice, Hampshire· Mainsbridge Hundred· 1100 – 1908
Also known as: Hamele, Hamble
Hamble-le-Rice is one of the smallest parishes in Hampshire, comprising nearly 950 acres, of which more than half is tidal water or foreshore. The parish lies in the extreme south of the county, forming a triangular peninsula between the mouth of the Hamble River and Southampton Water. The village consists of a single street of riverside cottages rising from the landing place to the hilltop, where the church and a few modern houses stand near the site of the ancient priory (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471).
Hamble is not mentioned in the Domesday Book. In the mid-twelfth century, monks from Tiron Abbey (a Benedictine house) settled at Hamble after obtaining land from William Giffard, Bishop of Winchester (1100 to 1138). The priory functioned as a cell of Tiron Abbey for over two hundred years. The priors likely leased the manor to laymen during this period (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471).
In 1294, Edward I seized the alien priory during war with France. The annual value was recorded at 18 pounds 14s. 8d. French raids caused severe damage, and the priory was granted exemption from its farm rent for rebuilding (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471).
In 1391, William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, bought Hamble-le-Rice with its appurtenances for the endowment of St Mary's College, Winchester. The wardens of the college gained full possession in 1401 upon the deaths of Sir Bernard Brocas and Tidman the monk. Significant improvements were made, including the construction of a new dovecote. The college has retained possession to the present day (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471).
The church of St Andrew has a twelfth-century nave and thirteenth-century chancel of equal width, approximately 19 feet. The chancel originally served the priory, while the nave served the parish. The east window comprises three lancets with cusped circles. The church contains a cinquefoiled piscina and sedile. The treble and second bells were cast by Clement Tosier in 1715, and the tenor bell is of the fifteenth century, inscribed "Ave Gracia" (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471).
Pope Eugenius III confirmed the church to the Abbot of Tiron in 1147, and Pope Alexander III reconfirmed the grant in 1175. Since 1391 the advowson has been held by the wardens of St Mary's College, Winchester (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471).
As far back as the fifteenth century Hamble was famous for its oysters. The prior rendered 20,000 oysters annually at mid-Lent to the monks of St Swithun's as a corrody. Other trades included shellfish (lobsters and crabs from Devon and Ireland) and yacht building. The parish had 380 acres of arable land and 297 acres of permanent grass, with wheat, oats and barley as principal crops (VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471).
| # | Name | From | To | Acquired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Giffard(Bishop of Winchester) | 1100 | 1138 | held as bishop | Granted land at Hamble to monks from Tiron Abbey. Bishop of Winchester 1100 to 1138. |
| 2 | Priory of Hamble (cell of Tiron Abbey)(Benedictine priory) | 1294 | grant from Bishop Giffard | French raids caused severe damage. Priory granted exemption from farm rent for rebuilding.Functioned as a cell of Tiron Abbey for over two hundred years. Priors likely leased the manor to laymen. Annual value at seizure: 18 pounds 14s. 8d. | |
| 3 | The Crown | 1294 | 1391 | seizure as alien priory during war with France (1294) | Edward I seized the priory. Held intermittently by the Crown during periods of Anglo-French conflict. |
| 4 | William of Wykeham(Bishop of Winchester) | 1391 | 1401 | purchase (1391) | Founder of Winchester College and New College, Oxford.Bought Hamble-le-Rice for the endowment of Winchester College. Full possession passed to the wardens in 1401 upon the deaths of Sir Bernard Brocas and Tidman the monk. |
| 5 | Wardens of St Mary's College, Winchester(Winchester College) | 1401 | endowment from William of Wykeham (1391, full possession 1401) | Winchester College has held the manor continuously for over six centuries.Significant improvements made including construction of a new dovecote. College retained possession to the present day. Institutional holder: confirmed unobtainable. |
Priory of St Swithun, Winchester
Annual render of 20,000 oysters at mid-Lent to the monks of St Swithun's, attested from the fifteenth century.
Source: VCH Hampshire Vol. 3, pp. 469-471
St Mary's College, Winchester (Winchester College)
college · held manor · 1391
William of Wykeham purchased Hamble in 1391 for the endowment of Winchester College. Full possession from 1401. Retained to present day.
Tiron Abbey
abbey · mother house of Hamble Priory · 1391
Monks from Tiron Abbey settled at Hamble in the mid-twelfth century. Pope Eugenius III confirmed the church to the Abbot of Tiron in 1147. Pope Alexander III reconfirmed in 1175.
Priory of Hamble
priory · held manor as cell of Tiron Abbey · 1391
Benedictine priory, cell of Tiron Abbey. Seized by Edward I in 1294 as alien priory. Annual value 18 pounds 14s. 8d.
Priory of St Swithun, Winchester
priory · received corrody of oysters
The prior of Hamble rendered 20,000 oysters at mid-Lent to the monks of St Swithun's as a corrody.
The church of St Andrew survives with a twelfth-century nave and thirteenth-century chancel (c. 1250) of equal width (19 ft.). The chancel originally served the priory and the nave served the parish. Three lancet east window with cusped circles. Cinquefoiled piscina and sedile. Treble and second bells by Clement Tosier (1715); tenor bell of the fifteenth century inscribed "Ave Gracia". The village retains its single-street plan of riverside cottages rising from the landing place to the hilltop church.
Principal source for Hamble-le-Rice. Covers priory, lordship, church of St Andrew, and advowson.
VCH Closing Statement
“In 1391 William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester, bought Hamble-le-Rice for the endowment of St Mary's College, Winchester, with which it still remains.”
VCH Hampshire, Vol. 3, pp. 469-471
