Manor Profile

Hamble-le-Rice

Hamble-le-Rice, Hampshire· Mainsbridge Hundred· 1100 – 1908

Also known as: Hamele, Hamble

Summary

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).

Chain of Lords(5)

#	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.

Tenurial Obligations

corrody

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

Institutional Connections

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.

Sources

[aerial_mapping]Historic England, LINEAR EARTHWORK\PROMONTORY FORT: LINEAR EARTHWORK\PROMONTORY FORT
486m from manor coordinates. Period: IRON AGE. Evidence: EARTHWORK. Project: South East RCZAS (CCC).
[aerial_mapping]Historic England, WRECK: WRECK
475m from manor coordinates. Period: POST MEDIEVAL. Evidence: EXTANT STRUCTURE. Project: South East RCZAS (CCC).
[aerial_mapping]Historic England, DRAINAGE SYSTEM: DRAINAGE SYSTEM
462m from manor coordinates. Period: POST MEDIEVAL. Evidence: EARTHWORK. Project: South East RCZAS (CCC).
[aerial_mapping]Historic England, REVETMENT: REVETMENT
239m from manor coordinates. Period: POST MEDIEVAL. Evidence: EXTANT STRUCTURE. Project: South East RCZAS (CCC).
[aerial_mapping]Historic England, WRECK: WRECK
290m from manor coordinates. Period: MEDIEVAL. Evidence: EXTANT STRUCTURE. Project: South East RCZAS (CCC).
[aerial_mapping]Historic England, BOAT HOUSE: BOAT HOUSE
320m from manor coordinates. Period: POST MEDIEVAL. Evidence: EXTANT STRUCTURE. Project: South East RCZAS (CCC).

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