Easthampstead Park & Manor, Berkshire, England

The manor of EASTHAMPSTEAD was held in 1086 by Westminster Abbey. It was then assessed at 5 hides, formerly at 10 hides, and was worth 50s., but in the Confessor's time 100s. In the 13th century Richard Abbot of Westminster (1223–36) granted the manor at farm to the Prior of Hurley (a cell to Westminster) at a yearly rent of 100s. In 1276 it was returned that the Abbot of Westminster had gallows and assize of bread and ale and pleas of namio vetito at Easthampstead, and in 1285 the Prior of Hurley claimed pleas of namio vetito under a charter of Henry III. In the 14th century differences arose between the prior and the inhabitants of Easthampstead regarding the rights of herbage, pannage and turbary, when the prior allowed the claim of the inhabitants.

After the dissolution of Hurley Priory in 1536 the manor followed the descent of Hurley Manor (q.v.). In 1561 William brother of John Lovelace alienated a purparty of the manor to William Gretam, who a few months later transferred it to Sir Richard Rede. In 1583 Innocent and Elizabeth Rede, with Alexander and Ann Wildgoose, alienated it to John Wildgoose the younger. In 1591 John Wildgoose, sen., and John Wildgoose, jun., conveyed the manor to John Rotheram, a clerk of the Chancery Court, probably in trust for Sir William Willoughby, who in 1614 conveyed it to Sir Richard Lovelace of Hurley. It descended to John third Lord Lovelace,who had to part with the manor in 1673 to Richard Johnson of Reading, who in 1682 conveyed it to William Stephens and John Oldbury, possibly in trust for John Doncastle, who sold it in 1696 to Sir William Trumbull, already owner of Easthampstead Park, from which date it follows the descent of that manor (q.v.).

The royal park or manor of EASTHAMPSTEAD does not seem to have formed an estate separate from the neighbouring royal lands until the beginning of the 14th century. In 1329 Gilbert de Ellesfield, the keeper, exchanged his estates in Wiltshire with the king for the manor of Easthampstead); but in 1332 he was removed by Sir William Trussell, the escheator, from the manor,which reverted to the Crown and remained in the king's hands.

Both Edward III and Richard II spent some time at Easthampstead and many public documents were signed there. Henry VIII visited it and Catherine of Aragon was there in the summer of 1531 when she received messengers from the king, who requested her to consent to the divorce. James I was a frequent visitor for the purpose of hunting and enlarged the park at a cost of £250.

From Norden's survey of 1607 it appears that Easthampstead was one of the walks of the forest. (fn. 33) Easthampstead Walk included not only the park and the whole of the parish, but extended into neighbouring parishes. It was 5 miles in circumference, much of the land being barren soil covered with heather. The area of the park at this time was 265 acres of 'very mean land well timbered, stocked with between 200 and 300 fallow deer; in the walk were about 60 red deer.'

In 1629 Charles I granted William Trumbull, then keeper of Easthampstead Walk, Easthampstead Park, with Cunworth and Queen's Meadows, Barres Coppice, with free chase and warren within the park. He was to preserve 200 head of deer for the king and all future sovereigns to hunt. William Trumbull died in 1635.His son and successor William obtained from the king a renewal of the grant on the same terms, with the privilege of felling timber and freedom from forest laws. No more than 50 acres were to be ploughed in any one year. After the Restoration William Trumbull petitioned the king to abolish the order to preserve the deer. As these had been destroyed during the Civil War, it was almost impossible to replace them. His petition was granted, but the rent was increased from 40s. to £10. William Trumbull died in 1678. His son William, born in 1639, was Secretary of State in 1694, and in 1695 was elected member for Oxford University. He died in 1716 at Easthampstead.

Hill, Marquess of Downshire. Sable a fesse between three spotted pards or with three scallops gules upon the fesse.
William Trumbull, fourth of the name, who died in 1760, left a daughter and heir Mary, who married Colonel the Hon. Martin Sandys. Colonel Sandys died in 1768 and his widow in the following year, when Easthampstead passed under a family settlement to their daughter Mary, who married Arthur Hill, second Marquess of Downshire. The Marchioness of Downshire was in 1802 created in her own right Baroness Sandys of Ombersley, and on her death in 1836 was succeeded by her eldest son Arthur third Marquess of Downshire. The present owner is Arthur seventh Marquess of Downshire, great-grandson of the above-mentioned Arthur second Marquess and Mary his wife.