Hope Mansell - History

History

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book where it is referred to as ‘Hope' (an old English word for valley). The manor was then held from the King by William Fitz Baderon. It was assessed for tax purposes at 40 shillings. The Lord of the manor had two ploughs, there was one villager with land, and a smallholder with one and a half ploughs. There was no mention of a church, but this is not significant as the Domesday survey was merely for tax purposes. The entry also states that a third of the land was in the hands of St Peter's Church, Gloucester (this was later to become Gloucester Cathedral).

The Mansel part of the name was added later when the Maloisel family held the manor in the 13th century. In the 14th century the name became Hope Meleishulle and by the 16th century the name was referred to as Hope Maynesell or Mauncells Hopp. In the 17th century Hope Mansel (as it became known) comprised a group of cottages and small farmers, including one or two more substantial yeomen, occupying dispersed farmsteads set in land enclosed early by agreement. It was noted that there were 23 houses in 1664. In common with much of England, a good deal of rebuilding took place in the early 17th century, and several of the older farm buildings date from this time.

In an extract from Kelly's Directory 1895 edition the Post Office was mentioned, and the School, which was built in 1867. There was also reference to the Crown Public House. These three businesses have since closed (the school in 1954). The area of the parish was noted as 1123 acres (454 hectares). In 1891 there were known to be 210 people living in the parish. In 1931 there were 216 people and in 2000 there were 209, so very little change in 109 years.

Mansell or Mansel? This question is often asked. St Michael's Church records indicate one ‘L' and all church matters continue to be referred to with this spelling. In general, civil records indicate two ‘L's - but even the civil authorities cannot agree on the correct spelling as there are sign posts close to the village with different spellings.

Church

The church building has, quite naturally been added to and altered over the centuries. The oldest part is to the north of the nave which as the thickest wall. This has been dated to the 12th century. The font and the north door in the chancel are probably from the same period although both have been altered and repaired. Unusually, the nave is wider than the chancel, the extra width is on the sought side and there could quite probably have been a south aisle at some stage. The east window with three pointed lights in a two-centred head is a typical 13th century design. In the south wall of the chancel is a piscina with a drain and a credence - a stone shelf for the elements before they have been consecrated.

The roof of both the chancel and the nave consists of 14th century rafters, single framed with ‘scissor' bracing and wall plates. The south porch was added in the 17th century. All the stained glass was put in during various restorations in the 19th century. The west wall was rebuilt during the same period when the original small wooden tower was removed and replaced by the present bellcote. The gallery at the back of the church was also removed.

In the churchyard, near the south wall, are several chest tombs which are grade 11 listed. These tombs may have been copies of the medieval tombs found inside churches to support recumbent effigies. They became popular during the 18th century and continued until the ornate monuments and crosses of the next century took over.

The grounds immediately adjacent to the church display several features characteristic of an old country churchyard which has evolved over the course of several centuries. The churchyard completely surrounds the building, but is most spacious on the south and south-east, having been thrice extended in the 20th century.

Sources: Paul Coones, Guide to the Church

Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England

The Domesday Book, Herefordshire

	Ross Team Ministry



	Parish of St. Michael, Hope Mansel
	History The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book where it is referred to as ‘Hope' (an old English word for valley). The manor was then held from the King by William Fitz Baderon. It was assessed for tax purposes at 40 shillings. The Lord of the manor had two ploughs, there was one villager with land, and a smallholder with one and a half ploughs. There was no mention of a church, but this is not significant as the Domesday survey was merely for tax purposes. The entry also states that a third of the land was in the hands of St Peter's Church, Gloucester (this was later to become Gloucester Cathedral). The Mansel part of the name was added later when the Maloisel family held the manor in the 13th century. In the 14th century the name became Hope Meleishulle and by the 16th century the name was referred to as Hope Maynesell or Mauncells Hopp. In the 17th century Hope Mansel (as it became known) comprised a group of cottages and small farmers, including one or two more substantial yeomen, occupying dispersed farmsteads set in land enclosed early by agreement. It was noted that there were 23 houses in 1664. In common with much of England, a good deal of rebuilding took place in the early 17th century, and several of the older farm buildings date from this time. In an extract from Kelly's Directory 1895 edition the Post Office was mentioned, and the School, which was built in 1867. There was also reference to the Crown Public House. These three businesses have since closed (the school in 1954). The area of the parish was noted as 1123 acres (454 hectares). In 1891 there were known to be 210 people living in the parish. In 1931 there were 216 people and in 2000 there were 209, so very little change in 109 years. Mansell or Mansel? This question is often asked. St Michael's Church records indicate one ‘L' and all church matters continue to be referred to with this spelling. In general, civil records indicate two ‘L's - but even the civil authorities cannot agree on the correct spelling as there are sign posts close to the village with different spellings. Church The church building has, quite naturally been added to and altered over the centuries. The oldest part is to the north of the nave which as the thickest wall. This has been dated to the 12th century. The font and the north door in the chancel are probably from the same period although both have been altered and repaired. Unusually, the nave is wider than the chancel, the extra width is on the sought side and there could quite probably have been a south aisle at some stage. The east window with three pointed lights in a two-centred head is a typical 13th century design. In the south wall of the chancel is a piscina with a drain and a credence - a stone shelf for the elements before they have been consecrated. The roof of both the chancel and the nave consists of 14th century rafters, single framed with ‘scissor' bracing and wall plates. The south porch was added in the 17th century. All the stained glass was put in during various restorations in the 19th century. The west wall was rebuilt during the same period when the original small wooden tower was removed and replaced by the present bellcote. The gallery at the back of the church was also removed. In the churchyard, near the south wall, are several chest tombs which are grade 11 listed. These tombs may have been copies of the medieval tombs found inside churches to support recumbent effigies. They became popular during the 18th century and continued until the ornate monuments and crosses of the next century took over. The grounds immediately adjacent to the church display several features characteristic of an old country churchyard which has evolved over the course of several centuries. The churchyard completely surrounds the building, but is most spacious on the south and south-east, having been thrice extended in the 20th century. Sources: Paul Coones, Guide to the Church Nikolaus Pevsner, The Buildings of England The Domesday Book, Herefordshire