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Rotherfield Greys

The following extract is taken from Gardner's Directory 1852

Greys, or Rotherfield Greys or Grays parish, comprise 3,460 acres. Its population in 1831 was 1,145; and in 1841, 1,535 souls. The rateable value is £5,080; and the amount of assessed property in 1815 was £5,156. The chief proprietors of the soil are, Lord Camoys, of Stonor Park; the Misses Stapleton, of Greys Court (who also possess the manorial rights); Henry Baskerville, Esq., of Crowsley Park; and Mr James Champion, of Nettlebed.

The parish acquires the distinctive part of its appellation from John de Grey, created baron Grey in 1297. This John was of a younger branch of the family of Walter Grey, the powerful archbishop of York and chancellor of England, who purchased the manor and estate in the reign of Henry III. The manor continued in this family till Joan, the only daughter and heiress of Robert de Grey, carried it in marriage to Sir John d'Eincourt. The daughter of this Sir John, marrying William lord Lovell, the estate came into the possession of the Lovell's, and with them it continued until the reign of Henry VII; when, by attainder, it reverted to the crown, and was granted to Jasper, duke of Bedford. In the following reign it was granted to Robert Knollys; and it afterwards belonged to the family of Paul. Catherine Paul, an heiress, brought it in marriage to Sir William Stapleton, who was created a baronet by Charles II, in 1679. The lineal descendants of Sir William (the Misses Stapleton, aunts of the baroness Le Despencer, and the Hon. and Rev. Sir Francis Jervis Stapleton, bart.), are the present owners.

The noble family of Grey built an extensive baronial residence here (called Grey's Court), some parts of which still remain attached to the present edifice. The ancient mansion appears to have consisted of two quadrangles. The present building, the seat of the Misses Stapleton, is of the Elizabethean period. It is delightfully situated about 3 miles west from Henley, in the midst of a beautiful and very picturesque park, from many parts of which the views are most enchanting. The park is embellished by noble forest trees, and well stocked with deer. The halls and several rooms in the mansion contain portraits of the Fane's and Westmoreland's, of which family the late lady Stapleton (mother of the Misses Stapleton), was a member; and in the windows are some armorial bearings in stained glass.

This parish is about six miles from east to west, but there is no great assemblage of houses that may be called a village. Grey's Green is situated about 2.5 miles west from Henley. The view from the top of this green is magnificent.

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National Trust, Greys Court

National Trust, Greys Court

Greys Court is a partial survivor of one of the great houses of the Middle Ages and the Elizabethan era. It is named after Lord de Grey who was given permission to crenellate in 1347, whence the Great Tower still survives. In 1514, Henry VIII granted it to a court official, Robert Knollys (d.1521).

The property exchanged ownership regularly and therefore few paintings have survived. It passed down through the Knollys family until 1642, when it was sold. It was sold again in 1686 to William Paul of Braynick, Berkshire. In 1724 his daughter, Catherine, married the West Indian nabob, Sir William Stapleton (1698–1739), 4th Bt, which bought Greys Court into that family, where it remained for the next two centuries. In 1935 Sir Miles Stapleton (1893–1995), 9th Bt, sold it to Evelyn Fleming.