Stockbridge

History of Stockbridge

The Beginning

No-one is sure when Stockbridge began but it is at a narrow point in the river valley, an obvious point for a crossing over the marshy terrain for men from the nearby Iron Age camps of Danebury, Meon Hill and Woolbury. Their causeway was probably made from bundles of withies, leading to a log bridge. But at some point huge amounts of chalk were brought in to make a firmer basis for a crossing and, even more puzzling, this chalk promontory was wide enough to underlie the wide main street we know today. Did the Romans build it? Did traders widen it in the Middle Ages to make room for a market area? In the absence of new archaeological evidence we shall never know

A Rotten Borough

After the Norman Conquest the town began to develop and by 1190 it was granted the right to hold a weekly market, the first sign of becoming a borough. This market continued until 1932.

In 1562-3 Queen Elizabeth granted the town the right to send two members to Parliament: only seven electors returned the first two! Over the centuries the practice of bribing the voters grew and Stockbridge became notorious as a 'rotten borough'. By 1790 the going rate was 70 guineas a head, £3,700 at today's values. The Reform Act of 1832 ended such abuses

Droving

Stockbridge Races
Racehorse training in the area began in the late 1700's but racing really became established in 1831, when the Bibury Club moved its programme to the racecourse at Danebury. Stockbridge Races, in late June, became a major feature in the racing calendar. Visitors poured into the town, many using the railway. The most prominent racegoer was the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. For a time he came with his mistress, the famous beauty Lillie Langtry. The houses in which each stayed lie either side of the river Test, but their gardens are connected by a footbridge. Racing came to an end in 1898 when part of the land on which the course lay was inherited by a lady who strongly disapproved of racing - a disaster for the local economy.

The twentieth century

For the first half of the century Stockbridge remained a quiet, busy market town, self-sufficient for most goods and services. There was neither mains water nor drainage until the 1960's and most people traveled by the railway, which ran from Andover to Southampton.

Stockbridge High Street today

As elsewhere in the country the second half of the century has brought many changes. At the start of the century there were 13 inns: today there are five, with three other restaurants. The railway finally closed in 1967 and the line became the Test Way, popular with cyclists and walkers. The High Street has as many shops as before though some have become antique shops, galleries or gift shops. Nevertheless there is still a butcher, a bakery and a delicatessen as well as two substantial convenience stores. Stockbridge, with the ready parking provided by its wide main street, continues to flourish.

The Courts Leet and Baron

Many other communities in England have a Lord of the Manor but few others, if any, maintain the traditional courts which are still alive in Stockbridge. These courts date back to at least the 12th century when the Lord of the Manor was given the right to hold them by the King. There were two types, called the Court Baron and the Court Leet.  At the time they were the only form of local government and they were also the forerunners of the system of justice we have today. The Court Leet met twice a year to hear various alleged crimes and misdemeanours. It had a jury, which was summoned by the Steward, the most senior court official. It could impose fines, a whipping or a period in the stocks. These punishments were implemented by other officials, the Bailiff and the Constable (now called the Sergeant-at-Mace). The Court Baron was more concerned with the running of the Lord's estate, the Manor, and the relationship with its tenants. Here an important official was the Hayward, who herded the common cattle of the town and was responsible for its fences, hedges and enclosures.

Over the centuries the lands of the Manor have dwindled to two areas, the Common Marsh and Stockbridge Down, both now in the hands of the National Trust. Despite this the courts have kept alive the age-old practices and today the Courts of Leet and Baron meet yearly, usually in March. After a formal introduction the Lord of the Manor, asks the Steward to enrol a jury, fifteen in all, who are then sworn in. He then gives an address, surveying the events of the previous year and recording 'with affection' the citizens of Stockbridge who have died since the last meeting.  Next he discusses various matters relating to the life of the community which the jury may consider, since the courts have some funds to disburse: they are also asked to appoint the various court officials for the year. Furthermore they have to determine the period in the summer months during which grazing will be allowed on the Common Marsh.

While they are out there may be a short talk on the topic connected with the work of the Courts or of the National Trust. When the jury returns the foreman announces their recommendations and they are thanked for their work. The meeting is then drawn to a close.

Although the control of the lands was given to the National Trust in 1944 by the previous Lord of the Manor, the Trust encourages local involvement through the work of the Courts and its officials. The result has been a pleasantly collaborative spirit between town and trust. The Courts have, of course, changed hugely since the Middle Ages but their continuing existence helps to foster the community spirit in Stockbridge.