The North was added to distinguish North Weston from South Weston. Both were originally just Weston, which is Anglo Saxon for a Homestead or Township to the West of some other place. The Quartermayn Family remained at North Weston for over 300-yrs, such that by the time of Richard Quartemain in the 15thC they were no longer Norman conquerors but part of the English Landowning Classes. Richard Quartermain Inherited the manor of North Weston, but he moved to nearby Rycote, through his marriage to Sybil Englefield.
Richard III,1483. Sibilla Quartermayns. Inquisition taken at Oxon die Jovis 29th January. The Jurors say that Sibilla on the day she died held to herself, the Heirs of the Body of Herself & her late husband Richard Quartermayn, the Manor of North Weston called Quartermayns Manor & 6-Messuages, 4-Cottages, 300-acres of Land, 60-acres of Meadow, 200-acres of Pasture, in North Weston, of the Gift of John Trevett to Richard & Sibilla, by a certain Indented Deed which Settled them in remainder to Richard Fowler, Jane his wife, daughter of Jane, wife of John Danvers & daughter of Matilda, one sister of Richard Quartermayne & their Heirs Male, with remainder to the Male Heirs of their Female Heirs, remainder in order to daughters of Richard & Joane Fowler, remainder to Richard Boteler, Son & Heir of Isabel, etc, & his Heirs Male, remainder to Thornes Boteler his brother & his Heirs Male, remainder to Richard Rous & his Heirs Male, remainder to John son of Margaret Feteplace & his Heirs Male, remainder to the said Jane who was the wife of John Danvers & her Heirs Male, remainder to right Heirs of Richard Quatermayne. Jane, wife of Richard Fowler, is alive & succeeds to the said Manor & Lands. The said Manor, etc., worth 21-Marks, are held of the Bishop of Lincoln as of his Manor of Thame. Sibilla also held in the same way the Manor of Great Ricott, etc, 300-acres of Pasture, 6-acres of Wood & 5s rent of the Gift of Robert Burton, who Settled them on the Heirs of Richard Quatermayne & Sibilla, with remainder to Heirs of Sibilla, remainder to said Richard Fowler the Son & Heir of Cecilie, sister of Sibilla & Heirs, then to Heirs of body of Cecilie, then to Thomas Boteler, younger son of Baldwin Boteler & Isabel lately his wife, daughter of the said Nicholas Englefeld & Elizabeth his wife, sister of Richard Quartermayne in Fee simple, then to Richard Boteler, eldest son of Baldwin Boteler in Fee simple, remainder to Sibilla sister of Richard & Thomas Boteler in Fee simple, then to Elizabeth wife of Eustace Grenville, Esq & sister of Richard & Thomas Boteler, in Fee simple & then to right Heirs of John de Ricote. Richard, Son & Heir of Richard Fowler, is alive & succeeds & the said Manor, L:ands, etc., are worth 40-Marks & were held under Edward V the Bastard, late-King of England, of the Manor of Wallingford. Sibilla died 22nd May in the 1st-yr of Edward V, & Richard Fowler, son of Richard, is her Heir & of the age of 17-yrs.
North Weston OS Map Sheet XXXVI
Surveyed: 1878 to 1880, Published: 1885
The Hamlet of North Weston in the Parish of Thame is situated about a 1¾ miles to the West of the Town, having the Hamlet of Moreton to the South, Long Crendon to the North, Shabbington to the North-west & Rycote to the South-west. From the Hill of North Weston a large tract of undulating & picturesque Country may be seen, both to the North & South. The Northern portion is well Watered by the River Thame, while in every part the Hamlet itself contains some rich Grazing Land, fairly Wooded & sparsely inhabited.
Here in Medieval times, under the Bishop of Lincoln, various Persons held the Property. 2-Manor Houses from time Immemorial have stood in the Hamlet: one known as the Hall Place, on the Hill to the North; the other as Quartermain’s Manor, in the Valley below looking South. A certain John de Weston held 1-Manor in the year 1239, Nicholas de Weston in 1375 & Muriel his daughter in 1392. Prior to that date the Quartermains appear to have already owned a Mansion & Lands & occupied a position of importance here as well as at Thame & Rycote. There is some evidence to shew that in the early part of the 15thC both the Manors in question were in the Possession of the Quartermains; & that the South Aisle of the Chapel at North Weston was at that time their most Ancient Burialplace. On the other hand it is certain that long previously they had buried their Relations & Kinsfolk before the Altar of St Christopher in Thame Church.
In the Middle-Ages there was a Chapel, dedicated to St James, attached to North Weston Manor-house. The right of Presentation belonged to the Lord of the Manor, who no doubt paid the Chaplain. The Chapel was in existence at least by about 1390, when Guy Quatremain was Baptised there by the Lord’s Chaplain, & it was probably used for Marriages & Burials also. In 1526 Richard Birde was Curate there & the Curacy was worth more than that of Tetsworth. In the late-17th & early-18thCs it was used by the Clerkes of North Weston, several of whom were Buried there & occasionally by other people, for Marriages & Burials. It also served as a Chapel of Ease for the Village until the Clerkes Sold the Manor in 1755, the Preacher receiving about £20 a year.
Thame Church: On the Wall above, a Helmet, surmounted with a Ram’s Head, the Crest of the Clerke‘s, remained suspended on a projecting Rod. Late in the last Century there were 3–Banner-poles remaining, with tattered fragments of Funereal Ornaments & several Eschutcheons & Hatchments, but these latter have all been lost. The present Baronet, Sir W F Clerke, possesses his Ancestor’s Sword large, but plain, & having no Sheath. Anciently, the dignity & degree of a person of rank was duly & carefully Acknowledged at his Funeral; & in the case of Barons, Knights & Esquires it was the custom to Suspend Armour, Shield, Surcoat, Helmet & Sword over the place of Sepulture or the Monumental Memorial. As Knights of old received their Swords, duly Blessed, from the Altar; so no doubt the Custom arose of their thus Bequeathing them to the Church of their Parish. In later times, however, instead of the actual Military Armour being suspended, Special Armour, used in the Funeral Obsequies, was made for the purpose.
The Brass to Sir John Clerke (d.1539) has already been mentioned. There are 3–Shields on the Purbeck Marble Tomb with the Arms of Clerke & above there is a Funerary surmounted by a Ram’s head, the Crest of the Clerkes. On the Chancel Floor is the Gravestone, with a long Latin Inscription on Brass, surmounted by the Arms of Clerke Impaling Carr, father-in-law of Sir John Clerke, Baronet (d.1667) & on the Chancel Wall is a White Marble Monument to his Widow Philadelphia (d.1698).
The House itself, Built in the Main, no doubt, by Sir John Clerke, c.1535, & completed about the time of his Death 1539, appears to have been a large & effective Specimen of 16thC Domestic Architecture, with highly-pitched Gable Roofs. Its Ground Plan was simple; a long & Lofty Hall, bearing an Open Timber Roof, with Porch & Minstrels’ Gallery at the East end, formed the Chief Central part of the Mansion, which stood East & West, with an imposing Gable-end facing South at each end of the Hall & with 2 considerable Wings placed towards the South at right angles to the whole & forming 3-Sides of a Square. Parts of the Old House appear to have been Erected in the Reign of Henry VIII,* on the Site of a much older Building, out of the proceeds of the Ransom of the French Duke; but many changes with the varying tastes of succeeding ages – had from time to time been made in its character, both by Owners & Tenants.
* “When the Principal part of the Old House was pulled down, a Noble Beam of Spanish Chestnut taken from the Front, which extended along the whole of the so-called ‘Dancing Room Hall. It bore a deep cut of the 30th year of Henry VIII.” i.e. 1539]. – Information given by the late Mr Harry Lupton Surgeon & Historian of Thame d.18th June 1861.
At the Hamlet of North Weston, now consisting only of the Manor Farm & a few Cottages, the Chief House of interest was once the Manor-House, which was largely pulled down in the early-19thC. In the 14thC it was the Home of the Quatremains & was called Quatremains Place & after it had passed to the Clerke’s it was probably re-built by Sir John Clerke out of the Proceeds of the Ransom of the Duke de Longueville, whom he had Captured at the Battle of the Spurs. A Sketch of the Old House shows that it was a picturesque 2-Storeyed & Gabled Building, composed of a Central Range of Rooms & 2-Projecting Wings at each end. It was Taxed on 16-Hearths in 1665. Lupton, writing in the mid-19thC, says that he saw a Beam taken from the Hall on which was cut the date 1527. The present Farmhouse & Outbuildings represent part of the East Wing and the Kitchen Offices of the Old House. The House is Built partly of Brick & Rubble, partly of Timber, and has a massive outside Chimney Stack with Brick Chimney Shafts set diagonally.
The Red-Brick Walling of an 18thC Garden also Survives. The end facing South is rounded & contains a Stone Alcove with Ionic Columns & a Pediment above with the Arms of Clerke. A Medieval Chapel lying to the West of the House was pulled down about 1810 or 1820. The date of its Construction is unknown, but a new Window had been inserted towards the end of the 14thC when Guy Quatremain was Baptised. The Baptism took place before his father’s death in 1399. The Chapel was used for a Baptismal Service as late as 1750 and in the mid-19thC, the Pillars of the Nave were still to be seen supporting the Roof of a Cart-shed.
The Oaken Staircase was Broad & Massive & admirably Carved. The Great Hall was panelled to a height of 5-ft all around & entirely Panelled with Renaissance Canopies of Oak at the Upper End, where the Dais stood, near the large Bay-window. In William III‘s Reign the long & lofty Tudor Windows of the Hall had given place to others of a very Inferior character; & 4–Sash-windows were Inserted in each of the Gable-ends in lieu of broad mullioned lights, with Quarries below & Armorial Bearings in Stained Glass above. When a taste for Classic Architecture came in, much Destruction of older work was Wrought & many interesting Memorials of the past unfortunately Perished.
At the same Period Margaret, the wife of Sir William Clerke of North Weston & the daughter of Sir John Bourne, Secretary of State to Queen Mary, was Fined as an Oxford Recusant in 1603. Her father was a strong opponent of the New Religion. In 1604 a Roman Catholic Priest was reported to be with ‘Lady Clarke at Weston nigh unto Thame‘ & according to local tradition Catholic Services were held at North Weston, either in the Chapel or in the Manor-house, until 1624, the year of Lady Clerke’s death.
About the year 1750 Mr Francis Clerke was obliged to Sell his Estate at North Weston. This was Purchased by the then Duke of Marlborough & subsequently bequeathed to his son Lord Charles Spencer of Wheatfield, Oxon, whose son is said to have compelled his father to dispose of it soon after he had come into Possession. It was then bought by the Earl of Abingdon of that day, in whose Family it still remains.*
* 1754. On June 15th of this year a Sale by Mr Ford of London was held “of the Furniture, China, Watches, Curiosities & Library of Books of the Right Hon Bridget, Dowager Lady Bulkeley, deceased, at her Ladyship’s late Dwelling-House at North Weston.” This Lady, the daughter of James, Earl of Abingdon, by Eleanor, daughter of Sir Henry Lee, 3rd Baronet of Dytchley, had married Richard 4th Viscount Bulkeley.
The old Manor House was partly taken down about 60-yrs ago, only the East Wing being allowed to remain – which still stands much Mutilated, used as a Farmhouse. This contains the Ancient Kitchen & Offices to the North & several spacious but Low Rooms panelled with Oak, but now partially dismantled & painted. The Chimneys are massive & the back portion of the Building is exceedingly Picturesque though low & irregular. The Brewing-house & other Outbuildings to the East of this part are of considerable Antiquity; & a large high-Gabled Barn, standing to the South-west, (previously the Stables of the House,) still remains. The old Garden, surrounded by a high & massive Brick Wall, lies to the West of the House. In it are 3-Dilapidated, but once exceedingly handsome, Freestone Alcoves or Summerhouses of a Classic Design, with the Arms of Clerke, (with the added Canton) Carved in front up above.
Barn. c.Mid-19thC. Stone Rubble with Brick in end Wall on left. Rag Slate Roof with half-Hipped ends. Plan: Overall ‘T‘ Shaped Plan. Main Range with Threshing Floor on left & tall wide opposing Doors on right. 2-Storey Wing to front left contained the Grain Store and the Wing to rear left, the Mill-Stones which were driven by a Water Wheel in the Valley below, connected by a series of Rods running across the Fields between.
Exterior: Tall Barn with 2-Storey Wing with half-Hipped Slate Roof & 3-Rows of Pigeon Holes to front left & tall wide Opening in Range to right with heavy unmoulded Timber Lintel.
Interior: Lofty Interior to Threshing Floor with King Post Roof. Forms part of Group in unaltered Farmyard.
The Chapel of North Weston, dedicated to St James, stood a short distance to the West of the Manor House. Its Foundations at the present time can scarcely be traced & traditions differ somewhat as to its style & character. After a reference to the Church Books of Thame & other Authorities & after much consideration of current Traditions, an old & inartistic Sketch & a careful examination of the Site, suggested that it consisted of a Nave, South Aisle & Chancel; & that it possessed Anciently at least 2-Altars: one in Honour of the Patron Saint & another in Honour of the Blessed Virgin. It also contained an image of St Hugh in a Tabernacle. 30-yrs ago some Fragments of the Stone Pillars of the Nave were used to support a Farm Building; but these are now either removed or Destroyed.
The following 5-Coats of Arms were in the windows when Nicholas Charles, who served as Lancaster Herald, visited it in 1609 & were noted by him:
1. Quartermain of Thame, impaling Englefield of Englefield, Berks.
2. Quartermain of Thame, impaling Fitz Ellis of Waterperry.
3. Quartermain of Thame, impaling (1) Danvers, (a) Bruley of Waterstock.
4. Quarterly, Arms of (1) Fowler, (a) Hester, (3) Englefield, (4) Brecknock.
5. Quarterly, Arms of (1) Fowler, (a) Quartermain,
The Chapel Field shews some traces of the Boundary of the old Burial–ground & a row of lofty Elm-trees stood to the West, marking its position in that Direction. A child named Diana Susanna, daughter of Mr Francis Clerke, was Baptised there so Late as the 8th of July 1750 & Burials of various Folk of the Hamlet took place in the latter part of the last-Century. As at the “Reformation” with regard to Monastic Burying-places, so now, in reference to Destroyed Churches, Swine grubbed up the Graves around them, the Sanctity of the Ground is wholly unrecognised & as a consequence Desolation Reigns.
Towards the close of the last-Century the House was Leased by Lord Charles Spencer to the Rev Thomas Plaskett, on the understanding that the Chapel – which had been long disused & which nobody cared to Repair, the Roof being Rotten, the Walls unsafe, & the windows broken & boarded up – was to be Pulled Down at the Expiration of the Lease, & its Materials Sold. It appears that these included Pews, Timber & Carved Mullions, the Paving-stones of the Building, as well as the Vaults & their Contents. John Bonner & Joseph Eustace of Thame had Authority to recover all the Leaden Coffins & removed them. The Bones & Bodies, it may be hoped, were left. An old Brass of a Priest in Eucharistic Vestments, which was Purchased more than a 25-yrs ago of a Dealer in Metal, came, as there is some reason for believing, from the Chancel Floor of this old House of Sacrifice & Prayer. The Stone in which it had been embedded was turned face downwards & used as a Fire-hearth; but subsequently – that is about 30-yrs ago – re-laid & the Figure removed & Sold for old Metal. This latter is possibly unique as regards the position of the Person represented – a Priest holding a Chalice in his left hand & Blessing it with his right.
There was no Inscription attached to it nor that any Inscription had been Found or was recoverable. The Stones of the Chapel were used to erect Farm Buildings & to mend the Roads.
A Family of Yeomen of the name of Carter lived at Weston for many years from the early-part of the 17thC & subsequently ranked as Gentlepeople & Esquires,* making several good matches. They were persons of considerable substance & high Character, Intermarrying with the Stribblehills, Leavers & Holts; & were Benefactors both to the Church & Parish of Thame.
*One of their Kinsfolk, Edward Carter, Esq, was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1708; & the remains of others rest in their Vault in the Nave of Thame Church.
As may be gathered from the Thame Registers & as will be set forth in the Pedigree of Knollys farther on, Francis Knollys of Lower Winchendon, Bucks, & Elizabeth Stribblehill of Thame were married in North Weston Chapel on the 19th of August, 1696; & the Lady of Mr Francis Clerke was Buried in his Family Vault there, 30-yrs afterwards, – that is on July 1726.
The Tithes of North Weston had long been separate from those of the rest of the Parish. Part of North Weston had been Tithe-Free since at least the late-17thC & by the mid-18thC the Small Tithes on the rest had been Commuted for a Modus of about £3-7s, far less than their real value. In 1844, when Tithe Commutation was being discussed, the Vicar tried to break this Modus & finally agreed to accept a Tithe Rent-charge of £30, which he considered less than half the real value of the Tithes. Accordingly in 1848 they were Commuted for this Sum.
The Gurney Family are 3rd Generation Farmers at North Weston Farm. The Farm has historically been run as a dairy, beef & arable enterprise. However in 2013 the Dairy ceased & New Barn Store now occupies the former Milking Parlour & Dairy. The Barn Store is run as a diversification Business alongside the principle Farming Enterprises of beef & cereals. The Farm produces wheat for milling & feed, oilseed rape for cooking oil & maize for livestock feed. The Farm is lucky enough to have the River Thame running through it & the adjoining Flood Meadows provide excellent grazing for cattle & sheep.
The Gurney’s are dedicated to Conservation and have received a number of Environmental Awards in the past. The Farm is currently part of an Environmental Higher Tier Scheme, which encourages Biodiversity, particularly pollinating insects & wild birds. The Farm has one of the highest concentrations of breeding Curlew & Lapwing in the area. The Farm lost a considerable amount of Elm Trees, due to Dutch Elm Disease, back in the 1970’s & has passionately gone about planting a number of New Woodlands & Shelter Belts since 1984, as well as replanting & restoring over 2-km of Hedgerows since 2021.
None of this would be possible without a dedicated Family Team, all of which have worked hard in creating this Enterprise. North Weston Farm is located less than 5-mins outside of Thame, on the A418 between Thame & Tiddington & within easy reach of the surrounding Villages of Ickford, Shabbington, Long Crendon, Worminghall, Haddenham, Kingsey & Towersey to name but a few.
Aston Rowant & Chilterns Spring Line Villages 