Lower Swell
Encyclopedia
Lower Swell is a village and a parish
in Gloucestershire
. It is located at the River Dikler, one mile from Stow-on-the-Wold
. The village has "finest countryside, a tranquil village green and plenty of mellow stone cottages". The village church is dedicated to St. Mary
.
, a noted Victorian
scholar of Anglo-Saxon
history and literature, is certain that "swell" means "burning", or "funeral pile". He says that there was a battle fought by Offa of Mercia
in the vicinity of Lower Swell. David Royce, who is the Vicar
of Lower Swell, has said that during the reconstruction of the church "a long deep bed of ashes was discovered in his churchyard, and that, of eleven barrows in the parish, the largest is called Picked Morden, a name which seems equivalent to "selected slain". After he heard this testimony, Haigh came to the conclusion that the place where the Lower Swell church stands now was once used to bury "the burnt corpses of the nobles".
According to another theory, the name "Swell" came about from "the protuberant contours on the western side of the [Dikler] river".
the village's name was Little Swell. Documents indicate that the village was well developed by the 17th century, but was probably initially developed even earlier. The oldest extant buildings are dated to 17th Century. A notable 18th century building that was built in 1786 is named the "Golden Ball", but locals call it simply "the Ball".
Another interesting building was constructed in Hindu style
in 1807. It was formerly a spa
because of the mineral rich well that was discovered there, but the well has since become dry.
In 1086 the manor
of Lower Swell was owned by Raoul II of Tosny
and William II, Count of Eu. In the 13th century the Lower Swell manor was sold to Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall
(formally "King of the Romans
", from 1257). In the 16th century it was exchanged back and forth between the Crown
and the Bishop of London
. Other notable owners include Sir Robert Atkyns
, who was an English Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer
, Member of Parliament, and Speaker of the House of Lords. His son Sir Robert Atkyns
lived in Lower Swell and wrote Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire.
s - standing stone
standing stones. One of this stones is named the Whittlestone, or Whistle stone as it used to be called.
There is a local legend that the Whittlestone once belonged to immovable megalith
s. The legend also includes the claims that the stones of Zennor Quoit
are typically immovable. They cannot be moved by all the King's horses and all the King's men, and that if they are moved they will return to their initial places the morning after they are moved.The Whittlestone was moved, however, and contrary to the legend it remains at the location that it was moved to in the center of Lower Swell.
Another legend states that the Whittlestone is a moving megalith, and every night, "when the Whistlestone hears Stow clock (a mile off) strike 12, it goes down to Lady-well (and the hill’s foot) to drink".
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
in Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
. It is located at the River Dikler, one mile from Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold is a market town and civil parish in Gloucestershire, England. It is situated on top of an 800 ft hill, at the convergence of a number of major roads through the Cotswolds, including the Fosse Way . The town was founded as a planned market place by Norman lords to take...
. The village has "finest countryside, a tranquil village green and plenty of mellow stone cottages". The village church is dedicated to St. Mary
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
.
Origin of the name
Daniel Henry HaighDaniel Henry Haigh
Daniel Henry Haigh was a noted Victorian scholar of Anglo-Saxon history and literature, as well as a runologist and numismatist.-Biography:...
, a noted Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
scholar of Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxons
Anglo-Saxon is a term used by historians to designate the Germanic tribes who invaded and settled the south and east of Great Britain beginning in the early 5th century AD, and the period from their creation of the English nation to the Norman conquest. The Anglo-Saxon Era denotes the period of...
history and literature, is certain that "swell" means "burning", or "funeral pile". He says that there was a battle fought by Offa of Mercia
Offa of Mercia
Offa was the King of Mercia from 757 until his death in July 796. The son of Thingfrith and a descendant of Eowa, Offa came to the throne after a period of civil war following the assassination of Æthelbald after defeating the other claimant Beornred. In the early years of Offa's reign it is likely...
in the vicinity of Lower Swell. David Royce, who is the Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of Lower Swell, has said that during the reconstruction of the church "a long deep bed of ashes was discovered in his churchyard, and that, of eleven barrows in the parish, the largest is called Picked Morden, a name which seems equivalent to "selected slain". After he heard this testimony, Haigh came to the conclusion that the place where the Lower Swell church stands now was once used to bury "the burnt corpses of the nobles".
According to another theory, the name "Swell" came about from "the protuberant contours on the western side of the [Dikler] river".
History of the village
In the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
the village's name was Little Swell. Documents indicate that the village was well developed by the 17th century, but was probably initially developed even earlier. The oldest extant buildings are dated to 17th Century. A notable 18th century building that was built in 1786 is named the "Golden Ball", but locals call it simply "the Ball".
Another interesting building was constructed in Hindu style
Hindu temple architecture
India's temple architecture developed from the sthapathis' and shilpis' creativit, but n general these are from the Vishwakarma . A small Hindu temple consists of an inner sanctum, the garbha griha or womb-chamber, in which the image is housed, often circumambulation, a congregation hall, and...
in 1807. It was formerly a spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
because of the mineral rich well that was discovered there, but the well has since become dry.
In 1086 the manor
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
of Lower Swell was owned by Raoul II of Tosny
Raoul II of Tosny
Raoul II de Tosny seigneur de Conches-en-Ouche was a Norman nobleman of the house of Tosny, son of Roger I of Tosny. He was active in Normandy, England and Wales.-Victor at Hastings in 1066:...
and William II, Count of Eu. In the 13th century the Lower Swell manor was sold to Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall
Richard, 1st Earl of Cornwall
Richard of Cornwall was Count of Poitou , 1st Earl of Cornwall and German King...
(formally "King of the Romans
King of the Romans
King of the Romans was the title used by the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire following his election to the office by the princes of the Kingdom of Germany...
", from 1257). In the 16th century it was exchanged back and forth between the Crown
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
and the Bishop of London
Bishop of London
The Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
. Other notable owners include Sir Robert Atkyns
Robert Atkyns (judge)
Sir Robert Atkyns KB KS was an English Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, Member of parliament, and Speaker of the House of Lords.-Early life:...
, who was an English Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer
Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer
The Chief Baron of the Exchequer was the first "baron" of the English Exchequer of pleas. "In the absence of both the Treasurer of the Exchequer or First Lord of the Treasury, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it was he who presided in the equity court and answered the bar i.e...
, Member of Parliament, and Speaker of the House of Lords. His son Sir Robert Atkyns
Robert Atkyns (topographer)
Sir Robert Atkyns was a topographer, antiquary, and Member of Parliament. He is best known for his county history, the Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire.-Life:...
lived in Lower Swell and wrote Ancient and Present State of Gloucestershire.
Local legend
There are a few ancient ancient burial chambers located around Lower Swell. Some of them are/were marked with menhirMenhir
A menhir is a large upright standing stone. Menhirs may be found singly as monoliths, or as part of a group of similar stones. Their size can vary considerably; but their shape is generally uneven and squared, often tapering towards the top...
s - standing stone
Standing stone
Standing stones, orthostats, liths, or more commonly megaliths are solitary stones set vertically in the ground and come in many different varieties....
standing stones. One of this stones is named the Whittlestone, or Whistle stone as it used to be called.
There is a local legend that the Whittlestone once belonged to immovable megalith
Megalith
A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
s. The legend also includes the claims that the stones of Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit
Zennor Quoit is a ruined megalithic burial chamber or dolmen, located on a moor about a mile east of the village of Zennor, Cornwall. It dates to 2500–1500 BC...
are typically immovable. They cannot be moved by all the King's horses and all the King's men, and that if they are moved they will return to their initial places the morning after they are moved.The Whittlestone was moved, however, and contrary to the legend it remains at the location that it was moved to in the center of Lower Swell.
Another legend states that the Whittlestone is a moving megalith, and every night, "when the Whistlestone hears Stow clock (a mile off) strike 12, it goes down to Lady-well (and the hill’s foot) to drink".