Our Story

An Interesting History

lewtrenchard21

THE HISTORY OF LEWTRENCHARD MANOR IS RICH AND EXTENSIVE

Our Story


Mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086AD as a royal manor owned by Rogerius de Mole, the property passed into the possession of the Trenchard family during the reign of Henry III. Silver coins from this time have been found in the walls and below the floors of the house. The Monks of Potheridge later owned the property but during the reign of James I, Sir Thomas Monk fell into financial difficulties and was put into a debtors’ prison in Exeter. He sold the estate to Henry Gould in 1626 and the manor has stayed within this family for many generations. Over the years, Lewtrenchard Manor became the home of some rather colourful members of the Gould family, some of whom are depicted in the portraits displayed in the house.

In the 19th Century, the Reverend Sabine Baring Gould, an author and poet who famously wrote the hymn Onward Christian Soldiers, inherited the property. It was he who transformed the house to the wonderful manor it is today.

In 1949, the Paynter family opened it as a hotel, as it remains to this day. In 1988, Sue and James Murray and their young family made Lewtrenchard their home and created the hotel it is today. The hotel is now owned once again by the Murray family after nine years away, and Lewtrenchard Manor continues to impress and inspire its guests.

1300s – 1600s

1662 LEW HOUSE, BUILT BY HENRY GOULD

THE HISTORY OF LEWTRENCHARD MANOR OR LEW HOUSE

1300s – 1600s

The history of Lewtrenchard Manor is rich and extensive. It was first mentioned as Lew House in the Doomsday Book in 1086AD as a Royal manor owned by the Sheriff of Devon. It was leased to one of his relatives, Rogerius de Mole, for a rent of £4.00.

 

Rogerius and his descendants are believed to have lived in the property until the beginning of the reign of Edward III in 1327, when the Trenchard family took over. Although the Trenchard’s gave their name to the manor it was not their main estate. It is believed that their name comes from ‘Les Trenchen’ – the wood hewer.

 

The estate passed from the Trenchard’s to the Monk family from Potheridge through marriage in 1556. In 1623, Sir Thomas Monk fell into debt and ended up in Exeter jail and as a result Lewtrenchard was sold off to pay Thomas’ creditors.

 

His eldest son, George Monk, who would have inherited the Lew estate, was Admiral of the fleet and it was mainly due to George and his uncle, James Monk who was the Mayor of Exeter, that Charles II was restored to the throne after Cromwell’s death.  As Admiral of the fleet, George escorted the king back to England and as a result he was given the title Duke of Albemarle.  His portrait currently hangs in the front hall.

1600s – 1700s
Late 1700s – 1800s
1800s
1900s