marchamhistory

As many villages in this part of Berkshire, Marcham was once part of the great Abingdon Abbey, given by the Saxon King Egbert. Marcham's church is early Norman but its old tower dates from Saxon times. The church is well deserving of a visit. Before the Reformation when the Abbey was at its most influential, there were 7 dovecotes in the village. This suggests a thriving, reasonably prosperous settlement with many mouths to feed. In 1538 came the Dissolution of the Monasteries and Marcham, along with its Tudor houses and rich farmlands, passed to Henry VIII. Later still it came into the possession of the Elwes family.

Marcham Priory, partially 16th century but with earlier foundations, has an interesting history. It was once a rest house for the Abbey of Abingdon and like many other old church properties, is said to be haunted. Apparently the ghost is never seen but footsteps can be heard going up and down the stairs and along the corridors. Another dwelling is Hyde Farm, built about 1600. It is widely believed that it had been given to James Hyde for services rendered. Hyde had been the executioner of Charles I. Domesday Book mentions Marcham Hill Barn. By the 1970s, it was still going strong. Having been modernised, it became a comfortable private home.

Marcham thrives on endless colourful tales concerning the eccentricities of the 18th century John Elwes. He was an MP., and although eccentric and miserly, was also wealthy and a man of taste who enjoyed travelling. Apparently his hat was removed from a scarecrow and he claimed to have spent a mere 1 shilling and 6 pence on election expenses. When he was dying and his lawyer was drawing up the will, he was forced to do it by firelight as that would save the cost of a candle. John Elwes' granddaughter Emily, ran away and married a local farmer, Thomas Duffield. He too became a Member of Parliament. The Duffield family rebuilt Marcham Park in fine Georgian style and the house eventually became a Women's Institute property, known as Denman College of Further Education, for the use of W.I. members from all over England and Wales.

Marcham is a grey stone village. It is mellow and very attractive. The additional modem housing estates have been well-planned. They included several homes for the elderly and a fine Community Centre. It is thought Marcham means 'The Village of Wild Celery' and sea celery does indeed grow in the salt marshes between Marcham and the River Ock.

For Mare informrtion

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~villages/berks/marcham.htm

From Pagan Temples to Christian Abbey Lands. In the extreme west of modern Marcham parish stands the former Noah's Ark Inn. The name derives from Saxon ark meaning "casket" or "coffin". Thus, it is no surprise that an ancient Roman and early Saxon cemetery has been discovered nearby. The pub is, in fact, at the centre of a Roman village (and Iron Age predecessor) where some or all these deceased persons would have lived. Usually referred to as the Roman town of Frilford (it is just south of that village), the place has been extensively surveyed and selectively excavated over the last sixty years. It appears to have been a major tribal centre, focused around an enclosed religious complex, probably containing five or more temples! Central to this area was a pagan building of the usual Romano-Celtic type: an internal sanctuary with surrounding ambulatory. Another temple was circular with a sacred fire within. Most fascinating, however, is a Roman 'amphitheatre' found further to the east. Theatres were often associated with temples, but amphitheatres w ere usually for gladiatorial shows. Both could be utilised for festive religious ceremonies though; and there is some doubt whether there were ever many gladiators in Britain. Bull and bear baiting were probably more the thing. A small alcove on the south side of the Noah's Ark amphitheatre may have been a beast-cage, though a religious shrine seems more likely in this case. In fact, another theory, based on the extremely wet conditions in the area, suggests that the whole structure was not an amphitheatre at all but an enclosed sacred pool. A probable pilgrims hostel has also been uncovered nearby, but no other domestic buildings have yet been identified, despite their roof tiles and other signs of occupation having been found over an extensive area. Marcham village began life as a Saxon settlement and its first residents may have been buried in the cemetery at Frilford. The name means 'Wild Celery covered Water Meadow' after the sea celery which still grows in the salt marshes between Marcham and the River Ock. It was one of the many places in this part of the county which belonged to the Abbey of Abingdon, being gift from King Edgar the Peacemaker in AD 965.

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