A gift of William the Conqueror

IF WE HAD NOT MISSED a turning at a road junction in Essex, we might never have visited Prior Hall Barn (near Widdington). Maintained by English Heritage, this well-preserved, huge timber-framed, wood-cladded 15th century barn. Constructed entirely of timber – without any metal, it has been estimated that its 900 pieces of timber were derived from 400 trees. Some metal structural elements have been added since the barn’s original construction, which judging by the date of the timbers commenced no later than about 1472. It remained in use as a barn until 1976.

A mediaeval barn such as this one is fascinating enough. However, the land on which it stands has a most interesting history. Just before William the Conqueror set sail for England, he assembled his fleet in the river port of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. It is believed that he was made welcome in the town’s priory. As a gift of thanksgiving for his successful conquest of England in 1066, he gave the farm on which the barn stands to the priory in St Valery.

In the 14th century, lands owned in England by foreign owners became a drain on the economy, and properties such as the village of Widdington were confiscated by King Edward III. In 1377, the land where the barn and village stand were given to William of Wykeham, the Bishop of Winchester. In 1379, Wykeham founded New College Oxford and endowed it the farm, The college owned the farm from 1379 until 1920, when a local farmer purchased the freehold. It was resold in 1950, and in 1976 its owner, Mr Jeremy Dillon-Robinson placed the barn into the care of the Department of the Environment. Now, it is cared for by English Heritage.

Although I have no idea whether William the Conqueror ever set foot in Widdington, the place’s connection with St-Valery-sur-Somme adds to the excitement of seeing this historic barn. Had we stuck to the ‘beaten track’, we might well never have even heard of the barn, let alone the land’s interesting ownership history.