MOTTISFONT
"MOTTISFONT, a parish in the hundred of Thorngate, county Hants, 4½ miles N.
of Romsey, its post town, and 12 from Salisbury. It has a railway station
at Dunbridge. The village, which is of small extent, is situated in a
valley on the river Anton, and is chiefly agricultural. Prior to the reign
of Henry VII. Mottisfont was of some importance. The tithes have been
commuted for a rent-charge of £500. The living is a rectory* with the
curacies of Lockerley and East Dean annexed, in the diocese of Winchester,
value £900. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, is an ancient flint and
stone structure with a square wooden belfry containing five bells. The
church is partly covered with ivy, and is adorned with several stained
windows. The principal residence is Mottisfont Abbey, an ancient mansion
erected on the site of an Austin priory founded by William de Briwere in
the reign of King John. It was intended to have been suppressed by Henry
VII., who procured a bull to that effect from Pope Alexander, but it
continued till the Dissolution, when its revenues were valued at £167 15s.
8d. The site was given to Lord Sandys by Henry VIII. in exchange for
Chelsea, in Middlesex."
[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of
Great Britain and Ireland (1868) - Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]
[Last updated: 4th August 2003 - Brian Pears]
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