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The Parish of Mosterton
Mosterton Village
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Mosterton is situated in the North West corner of Dorset, near the Somerset border.
It runs along either side of the A3066. The nearest town in Dorset is Beaminster.
Although the village itself is far from picturesque, it is surrounded by lovely countryside.
The village population today are evenly split between manual and professional/managerial workers.
But during the nineteenth century, the village consisted of farmers, agricultural workers and those
who worked at a factory for sailcloth, owed by Mr W.H.Toby of Beaminster. |
| We can trace its existence back to Norman times as it is mentioned in the Domesday book.
‘Richard deRedvers holds Mortestorne. Almer held it in the time of King Edward, and it was gelded
for six hides. There is arable land to five ploughs. There are two ploughs in domesne, and
five bondmen, and eight villains, and five bordars, with three ploughs. A mill there pays seven
shillings and sixpence, and there are thirty acres of meadow. Wood one mile long and half a mile broad.
It was, and is worth twelve pounds.’ |
St Mary's Church - Mosterton |
Mosterton Village |
The manor’s history from then until the latter part of the nineteenth century is traced below.
- The manor passed to the ‘Blounte’ or ‘Blunt’ family until the end of the fourteenth century.
- Richard More de Piket and his wife Elizabeth held the manor of Mortestorne and the capital messuage
called ‘Blunt’s Court’.
- The manor passed to the Paulett family of Melplash and Bredy by the marriage
of Lord Thomas Paulett, second son of the Marquis of Winchester with the daughter of Sir Thomas More.
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- In 1628, it was sold by John Paulett, of Hinton St. George, Esq., who had held the property for
three years, to Robert Henley of Henley Esq.
- The property then passed through several hands.
- A considerable portion of the manor was purchased in 1765 by William Hussey of Salisbury, Esq.
- In 1875 the property was held by Thomas Hussey, Esq. The other principal landowners were
Sir Henry Oglander, bart., W.T. Cox Esq., and Captain Steele.
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Mosterton's Old School House |
Admiral Hood Public House |
The main road through the village is dominated by the ‘Admiral Hood’ public house.
This was originally the Hood family home. The family went on to produce a number of naval admirals
and several Royal Naval ships have been named after them. The most famous was the battle cruiser
HMS Hood sunk during the second world war.
More information can be found by clicking on the following links:-
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| The church of St. Mary at Mosterton is referred to as ‘The Chapel’. It was originally at
Chapel Court but was destroyed in 1832. A new church was built in the village on the main road.
For more information about the churches, please click on the following link. St Mary’s Church |
St Mary's Church Mosterton |
The source of some of the information on this page is a book called ‘Book of the Axe’ by George
P.R.Pulham. Well worth reading, if you can find a copy.
This page last updated 30/12/2004
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