1564 Petre Survey of Charmouth
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I have recently discovered that Sir William Petre had a Survey commissioned of Charmouth in 1564. It can now be seen amongst the Petre Papers ( 123M/E30) at the Devon Record Office in Exeter.I was very fortunate to have Steven Hobbs, who edited "THE CARTULARY OF FORDE ABBEY" for the Somerset Record Society in 1998, transcribe this important document in the history of the village.The original sheets from the Survey appear below with their transcription underneath them.
Sir William Petre was immensely wealthy and used his position of Secretary of State under four Monarchs to improve his position. He is known to have had over 36,000 acres in Devon alone. He lived in a huge Mansion at Ingatestone in Essex, where succeeding generations continued to live.

SURVEY OF THE MANOR OF CHARMOUTH : made October 1564
Customary tenants:
Joan, Payne, widow of John Paine, holds, during her widowhood, a cottage and grist mill with 30 acres (a); viz; curtilage, garden and orchard (½ a), Brodemede (10 a), mydell Wellesleye (5 a), Mydell mead (3 a), Wellesley pasture (4 a), Dollyns mead (2 d), Ryver mead (3 d), Le moore (1 d), and Le Common close (1 d) by copy 22 Apr 1509; fine £6 13 s 4d, rent 64s 5 ½ d. The reversion of the premises granted to Alice Speringe, dau of Roger Garlande and John Speringe, Alice’s son, by copy 15 Sep 1573; fine £10.

John Maine (dead) holds by copy dated 8 Mar 1561, lands called Nulandes, lying in 12 parcels, with le Common, (90 a) viz; meadow (6 a), pasture (73 a), under wood (1 a), and out of le Common (10 a); to hold for the lives of himself and of his son William; fine £4, rent £4 13s 4d

The said John holds by copy dated 8 Mar 1561, a cottage with 2 acres of land viz; curtilage (1a) and le Common close (1a); to hold for the lives of himself and sons Thomas and Robert; fine 40s, rent 3s 4d.

Thomas Bassall alias Best holds by copy dated 23 Apr 1526, 29 acres out of the lord’s demesnes; viz; 3 closes of pasture called Lylleyes (23 a), Lylleyesmead (3 a), & Groveland (3 a); also Commons of pasture for 15 sheep in Rodehorne Common; to hold for life; fine 40s, rent 53s 4d. The reversion of the premises granted to William Bassall alias Best, for life by copy dated 15 Sep 1550.
The same Thomas Bassall alias Best holds by copy dated 8 May 1538, a cottage with curtilage or orchard, (1 a) for the lives of himself, Thomasine, his wife (dead) and George his son (dead); fine 40s, rent 2s 9d. Reversion granted to William Bassall alias Best and Margaret Rawe, - Jul 1570
Agnes Lymbery, now the wife of John James, holds by copy 16 Apr 1548, a cottage and 16 acres viz; curtilage (1 a), Common close (1 a), Le ragge (2a), Overhole mead pasture (5 a), Netherhole mead pasture (3 a), & Foxley acre (3 a), lying in 2 closes; to hold for lives of herself, the said John James and John Lymbery; fine 54s 4d, rent 31s 4d.

Joan Borcombe, widow of Richard Borcombe, holds during her widowhood, lands called le Graunge (32 acres) lying in several closes or parcels viz; le Graunge close pasture (5 a), 2 closes called Nythbarres  pasture (6 a), le Parke pasture (12 a ), Park mead (3 a), Chelcrofte meadow (21 a), Burrye moor meadow (3 a), & Field mead (1 a), held by copy 22 Apr 1509; fine £6, rent 43s 4d. Reversion granted to Thomas Tybbes (dead), Richard his son and Anne his daughter by copy 8 Mar 1561.

Joan Tybbes widow of Ralf Tybbes, holds during her widowhood, lands called Nythewayes, parcels of land called Newlond lying in 4 closes, 18 acres of land, 2 of meadow and 16 of pasture; to hold for lives of herself and Thomas Tybbes (dead) by copy dated 23 Apr 1525, under no fine because the rent of 16s 8d has increased in total to 26s 8d pa. Reversion alleged granted to William Lymbery (dead), Philip Lymbery (dead) and Henry Lymbery, sons of William, 16 Apr 1548
John Lymbery holds by dated  copy 18 May 1519, a cottage, curtilage (1 rod), le Common close (1 a) and 35 acres of demesne; viz; Cowe Moore wood (20 a), being wood of ‘diverse ages’ and very thinly growing, 4 closes of pasture called Netherwode (15 a); held for his life; rent 31s 6 ½ d. Reversion granted to John Kenerye alias Lymbery, Henry Paine and John Osborne for their lives by copy 8 Mar 1561

The said John Lymbery holds by copy dated 29 Sep 1545, 24 acres of land viz;; 2 closes of pasture called Yandeover (18 a), and les Cleves there (6 a); for the lives of himself and John his son; fine 66s rent 26s 4d.
John James holds by copy dated 16 Apr 1548, 49 acres viz;; 2 closes of pasture Brodeley (7 a), Littelhey (2 a), Woodclose (2 a) Churchwaye (2 a), Chappell field (5 a), Dodland (4 a), Higheye (7 a), lying in 2 closes of pasture and land, and le Clyves (20 a); for lives of John and William Lymbery; fine 26s 8d, rent 53s 4d
The said John James holds by copy dated 29 Sep 1536, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage (1a) and a close called Common close (1 a) for his life and that of his brother  Walter; fine 40s, rent 18 ½ d.
Joan wife of Edward Lymbery holds by copy dated 23 Mar 1555 a cottage with curtilage and orchard (1 a), le mead close (1 a), le Common close (1 a); commons of pasture for 2 beasts in Herons Ground alias Rodhorne; for lives of himself, his father and his sister Edith Webber; fine £4 6s 8d, rent 3s ½ d

 

Joan Lymbery widow holds during her widowhood, an orchard and hay house and 16 acres of demesne viz; Northe Yeandover (15 a), lying in 4 closes of pasture and orchard (1 a); rent 26 8d. The reversion granted to John Lymbery jun son of William Lymbery (dead), Henry Lymbery and Edward Lymbery his brothers, 14 Jan 1558.
The said Joan Lymbery widow holds during her widowhood a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close; rent 18d. Reversion to John Lymbery sen and Edward Lymbery, sons of William Lymbery 16 Apr 1511; fine 40s.
William Bowdythe holds by copy dated 22 Jul 1546, a messuage or cottage and 2 acres of land viz; a curtilage and le Common close.for lives of himself and brother Robert; fine 40s , rent 20s  ‘this is fairest house [in] the town and buylded by the last abbot of Foorde.’ This house granted to Roger Collwill and his children, Nicholas and Rebecca, by copy 28 1561; fine £6.

Agnes Best now wife of William Osborne holds by copy dated 14 Jan 1548, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close, and Come moor (2a) pasture for lives of herself and daughter Anne; fine 40s, rent 7s  2 ½ d
John Guppaye holds by copy dated 29 Sep 1546, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close;  for his life; fine 40s, rent 3s ½ d. Granted to said John and sons Thomas and John  by copy 28 Aug 1570.
William Rokeye holds by copy dated 16 Apr 1548, a cottage and 6 acres viz; curtilage or orchard (1a), Common close (1a), le Meade (2a), and Rodorne close (3a); commons of pasture for 5 sheep on Rodhorne Common; for his life; fine 40s, rent 4s ½ d. Granted to said William and sons John and George, 28 Aug 1570.
John Rookeye holds by copy dated 29 Sep 1546, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close; commons of pasture for 5 sheep on Rodhorne Common; for his life; fine 40s, rent 2s 4 ½. Granted to said John and sons John and Edward 28 Aug 1570.

Cecilia Brimstone now wife Stephen Guphay, holds by copy dated 15 Sep 1550, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close. Fine 40s, rent 2s 6 ½ d. Premises surrendered by the said Stephen and Cecily and Anne daughter of John Harte 14 Apr 1565; fine 66s 8d
Stephen Lymbery holds by copy dated  4 Oct 1525, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; a curtilage(1 a) and le Common close (1 a); fine 33s 4d, rent 2s ½ d. Reversion granted to Anthony, Roger and Robert Lymbery for their lives 8 Mar 1561; fine 40s
John Sprake holds by copy dated 23 Apr 1526, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; a curtilage and le Common close, for his life; fine £4, rent 2s 6d. Granted to said John and John his son 27 Aug 1570.

 

William Blackford alias Webber jun holds by copy 14 Apr 1550, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close. Fine 40s, rent 2s 6 ½ d
Joan Webber alias Stephens (dead) widow of Stephen Webber holds by copy dated 10 May 1529, a cottage and , 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close, for lives of Joan and son John (now tenant) Fine 20s, rent 2s 4d. Reversion granted to Nicholas Blackford alias Webber, C..., his sister and his son John 28 Aug 1570.
Joan (dead) dau of John Soper , wife of Thomas Irland deceased, holds by copy 16 Apr 1524 a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close; fine 20s, rent 21 ½ d. >The said Joan now the widow of Thomas Irland, holds by copy dated 16 Apr 1550; for lives of herself Thomas Irland and their son John<. Granted to Dorothy and Joan daughters of said Joan 28 Aug 1570.
William Hollard (dead) holds by copy dated 18 Apr 1537, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close, for his life; fine 26s, rent 18 ½ d. Reversion granted to Thomas and John Hollard, William’s sons, by grant 8 Mar 1561; fine 50s. Thomas is tenant in possession.

Joan Blackford alias Webber holds by copy 20 Apr 1524, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close; fine 100s, rent 18 ½ d. Reversion granted to John Blackford jun. John (dead) and Stephen his sons, 8 Mar 1561; fine £8. William Best is tenant now.
Joan James holds by copy dated 23 Mar 1555, a cottage in Charmouth called Le Mylles Shyttelhowse, for lives of herself and sons William and Thomas; no fine, rent 12d. This house is very simple and has no ground unto it.
Thomas Tower holds by copy dated 8 Mar 1561, a cottage and 2 acres of land viz; curtilage and le Common close. Porters croft pasture (6 a); for lives of himself, John son and Thomas Sprake. Fine 100s, rent 8s 2 ½ d. >mr Thomas Fulbroke claims to hold the premises for lives of himself and children Anthony and Cecilia by copy dated 14 Apr 1550<. Reversion granted to John Follett, Henry and Richard, sons of John Sprake, 28 Aug !570; fine 66s 8d; John Follett now tenant.
Joan Tybbes widow holds during her widowhood 2 cottages and 4 acres viz; curtilage and orchard (2a), 2 closes of pasture called lez Common close (2 a). Rent 3s 1d. This tenant dwells in Exeter and hath copy of licence. Reversion granted to Robert Rockett (dead) and Walter his son and Robert son of Stephen Lymbery; fine £7 10s [date not given]
The said Joan Tybbes holds lez shambles and pays 3s 4d pa. Granted to Thomas Lymbery (dead), John and Thomas his sons, 14 Apr 1565. Stephen holds during pleasure (wish of the lord) the fishing of the river Char and pays 12d pa.
Total rent of customary tenants £26 11s 8 ½ d
Free Tenants
John Wadham holds in free socage 4 burgages, rent 2s & suit of court.
Thomas Molens holds similarly 4 burgages , rent 2s.
John Balston (dead) holds one burgage, rent 6d. Anthony Balston now tenant.
William Crafte holds 2 half burgages and a ¼ part of one, rent 12d. William Lymbery  tenant, rent 13 ½ d.
Thomas Tybbes (dead) <Richard Tybbes> holds 2 half burgages and a ¼ part of one, rent 12d. Richard Tybbes tenant, rent 13d.

Honor Borcombe daughter of Richard Borcombe holds one burgage, rent 6d.

Thomas Bull holds one burgage, rent 6d.
Elizabeth Lymbery (dead) holds one burgage, rent 6d. William Lymbery now tenant.
Salama Dune holds one burgage, rent 6d. (Roger Lymbery in margin)
John Lymbery holds one burgage, rent 6d.
William James holds one burgage, rent 6d.
John Gumme holds a burgage in Bridport & 1 rood of land bounded S on the street, N Brappoll field, W  the queen’s burgage now occupied by  John Jonson, E a burgage of widow Dulinges now occ by John Knyght. John Beare now occupies the burgage, and holds 3 roods of land on W side of south church, adjoining the churchyard; George Hyggons occ this land. The said John Game (sic), pays 6d rent to the manor of Charmouth. Marginal note that rent not paid for 2 years, and Game failed to meet with John Hourde (surveyor).
Thomas Gregorye holds a free tenement in Whitchurch [?Canonicorum] called Longeharris, 12 acres and pays rent 2d and suit of court.
Total of free rents: 10 4d. Total of all rents £272s ½ d

Note every house or burgage in the manor of  Charmouth has ½ acre of land adjoining.
There did belong to the manor a ‘fayre’ house in Lyme wherein Thomas Dare, now mayor, dwells, which John Daye, father of Nicholas Daye has purchased.
John Gummage gent, has purchased a cottage in Charmouth lying near the church with 2 acres of ground, which before this purchase , paid 2s rent to this manor.
 It is alleged that the said John Gummage purchased, in the time of king Edward VI, a tenement, sometime part of the manor, called Mouncton Wyle [Monkton Wylde], 100 acres adjoining the manor of Wyle [Wylde] which had paid to this manor rent of 26s 8d.
Widows by custom of the manor do enjoy widows’ estate on land in the manor.
The land is by custom not heriotable [ie heriots are not paid].
There belongs to the manor 2 Commons of pasture lying on the west part of the town which adjoin together, one of which belongs to certain tenements as appear by the survey, and contains 50 acres; the other, 3 acres, belongs to all the tenants.

There is a wood of sundry ages in the manor, 16 acres, which being upon the several tenements as may appear, is of mean growth & very thin, and the timber generally through[out] the manor very small, I suppose the whole woods and trees in all the manor be worth £13 6s 8d.
The parsonage there is thought to be worth £13 6s 8d yearly, which in the Queen’s books as it is said, is valued at £8 or thereabout. The parson’s living rises very much on tithe fish.
There is a stay or resting place for boats at the mouth of the river Char, and 9 fisher boats belong to the same, whereof it is said that the lord has no advantage, but query the head fishers.
It is thought the said fresh river would yield some commodity to the lord, for there is certain wayers[? fish weirs] now within the same and nothing born to the lord for it.
The tenants of the manor have been sued in the Admiral’s court but have always rested within the manor and justified such matters by the lord of the manor.
It is said that John Steere has a patent of £5 a year for the exercising of the office of steward of the manor, but I have not seen the patent at this survey.

Also Thomas Tybbes has at this time shown me a patent of £5 a year if the exercising of the office of Bailiff, granted it appears, by the last abbot of Ford, albeit Tybbes has not enjoyed the same as it is reported in his time. The patent was granted to the father of Tybbes & to himself jointly as may appear.
This manor is bounded South, the sea; East, the sea and land of the lord chief justice Cathyn Hyde? called Barne; West, a hedge leading to an old house of John Wadham esq of Ketherston [Catherston] and from there by the river Char to Charme bridge, saving that the said John Wadham has a little piece of ground lying within the same; North, lands of said mr Wadham and in the west part lands of mr Williams of Dorssh...
The homage allege that they have yearly the 27 cottages born ½ d a piece as part of their rent before
In this survey expressed, paid always at Michaelmas which they have used to have 3 seams of wood a piece in the wood before called ‘Come more’ which is in the tenement of John Lymbery.
By me John Hourde

I have detailed below relevant documents and lists from the 16th century to provide more inforamtion regarding the 1564 Survey of Charmouth - Neil Mattingly
1525 - Lay Subsidy for Charmouth

There is some evidence of 16th century prosperity; the building of a new church circa 1503 (presumably on the old site) may possibly indicate a population increase and the Lay Subsidy of 1525, with 23 taxpayers may suggest a total population of around 200 [Da we, n.d.]. Leland in 1540, called C.harmouth "a good fisher town" [Itin., 245] and Dugdale [V, 376-84] noted of Charmouth's value:
Free tenants worth 10s. 4d. p.a.
Customary tenants worth £20 10s. lid. p.a.
Monkynwell, one tenant worth £1 6s. 8d. (the mill?)
Newland worth £6 0s. 0d. p.a.
This Dorset roll consists of an individual assessment and certificate of assessment for the second collection of the subsidy granted to Henry VIII 21 May 1523. The commissioners, William Hodys, John Strode and Gyles Samways, were responsible for Whitchurch, Eggerton, Godderthorn, Beaminster, and Beaminster Foreign and Redhone hundreds, Powerstock and Broadwindsor manors, Halstock Liberty, and Bridport and Lyme Regis boroughs. The certificate is dated and endorsed with a date of return to the Exchequer. The date of return to the Exchequer reads 3 May 16 Henry VIII (1524)
Transcript from Lay Subsidy Roll for 1525 (E179/103) in Public Record Office detailed below:

Lymbry John 8
Cornewall John 2
Payne Wiliam 10
Lymbry Thomas 10
Sprake John 2
Agan Thomas 20
Guppy William 3
Toukes Alys 6
Lymbry John Sen. 10
Lymbry Flowre 2
Webber John 2
Bessall Thomas 8
Lymbry John 2
Webber Steven 2
Webber William 3
Tybbe Raffe 5
Lymbry William 2
Dare William 5
Danyell Harry 3
Millward Ric 20
Best William 40
Woodcock John 4
Hyll John 1
  Sum £3-4-6d
1542 - Muster Roll for Charmouth

The Dissolution of Monasteries was unpopular in Dorset. King HenryVIII also freared War with France. Every County Town had to muster their available manpower. The following Charmouth Men with their weapons reported at Dorchester on September 28th and 29th 1542.

“ Musters taken of Certayn Hundreds, Burroughs & Manors in the County of Dorset by John Poulet and John Wadham esquires Commisioners amongst others within the said counties assigned by the same".

Tethying of Charmouth

William Guphey (Guppy) the elder a Harenys (Harness)
William Guphey (Guppy) the younger, able bylman
William Dare a harnys for a man a bylle
John Webber able archer a Bowe/ Sheff arrowes
John Bagwell able bylman a bylle
John Best a harnys
William Dolying able archer a bowe di sheff arrowes
Thomas Rocke
a salett a bylle
John Lymbery a harnys
William Jamys a bowe di sheff arrows
Peter Atwylle a bylle
John Hunte a bylle
William Cornyshe a bylle
Thomas Fulbrooke able archer a bowl di sheff arrowes
William Tutchyn
able archer a bowe di sheff arrows
Jamys Hodder able archer a bowe di sheff arrowes
John Moleyns able archer a bowe di sheff arrowes
Henry Dune a bowe di sheff arrowes
William Mymphley a bylle
William Lymbery a harnys
John Webber Senior, a salett, payre of splints a a bowe, di sheffe arrowes
John Webber the younger able archer a bowe di sheff arrows
Henry Borcombe able archer
Stephen Webber a bowe, di sheffe arrows
Edward Tybbe able bylman
John Lymbery able archer a bowe, di sheffe arrows
John Tower a bowe, di sheffe arrows
William Guphey (Guppy) able archer a bowe, di sheffe arrows
Thomas Hunte able bylman
John Payne a harnys a bowe, di sheffe arrows
John Antony a bylle
Stephen Lymbery able archer a harnys a bowe, di sheffe arrows
Thomas Ireland able bylman
William Lawrence able archer a bowe, di sheffe arrows
John Danyell able archer a bowe, di sheffe arrows
Raffe Tybbe able in a harnys

A Harnys ( harness) was a suit of armour
A Bylle was a weapon with a head loke a modern bill- hook, set upon a 7 foot shaft, with which one choppedat ones foes.
An able Bylman was one who was medically fit.
A salett was a steel helmet
A payre of Splents consisted of breast and back plates
di – demi – half ,probably a demi sheaf of arrows . That is ten as a full sheaf was 20.

1588 - Charmouth Merchants assessed towards the Charge of the Queens Ship.

Name Tax
William James 6s 8d
Roger Colwell 10s 0d
Edward Limbry 10s 0d
William Best 10s 0d
William Lymbry 8s 1d
Anthony Tutchye 8s 4d
John Stevens 8s 4d
John Edwards 5s 0d
William Edwards 5s 0d
John Checkley 6s 8d
William Webber 6s 8d
 
The first really detailed map of Charmouth is the 1841 Tithe Map of which this is only a part. It clearly shows the Burgage plots stretching back from the street on both sides with the stone boundary wall to the north and bank to the south
Creation of a Borough in Charmouth by the Abbott in 1290-7

The Cartulary held at the Abbey today provides a picture of the extent of the estates that it owned. The Cartulary includes evidence of purchase as well as exchange to create a cohesive block of lands around Forde Abbey. Monkton Wylde in Wootton Fitzpaine was exchanged for land in Leigh in Winsham. Land management is revealed in the Cartulary with the creation of a borough in the Manor of Charmouth between 1290 and 1297. and the reciting of the church granted in 1281 following the destruction of the previous church by the sea. The monk's established their methods of farming with granges worked by lay brothers. By the mid 13 th century granges were established in the principle estates at Tate, Charmouth, Street, Leigh.. etc. Thomas Chardes lavish living quarters are revealing the substantial landowners. Cartulary was compiled in the third quarter of the 15 th century. It was lost and bought back by Roper family for £235 at Phillips in1911.

Grant by brother William, abbot of Forde, desiring to improve the manor of Charmouth (Cernemue), that the vill of Charmouth shall be a free borough within the following bounds: on the east side of the vill all that place called Sevenaker by the water below the road from Charrereystone up to the road between Charmouth and Bridport, then along the watercourse which runs to the monks' mill; from there along the course of the river to the sea and to the chapel of the vill; thence along the road ascending to le pillory and then to the cross which stands on the road to Lyme above Radehorne; on the west side of the vill as far as le Sheote by the corner along the ditch to the bank adjoining Sevenaker on the north side.
Grant to those wishing to build within these bounds plots measuring 4 perches by 20 perches, by the view of the monks' bailiff, rendering 6d a year for each burgage in equal portions at Michaelmas and Easter. Holders of burgages present and future will have the freedom of residing there, returning with their chattels or of returning the licence and their houses, as well as giving, assigning, bequeathing or mortgaging them to whomever they wish except religious, Jews or ecclesiastics without their licence, together with the power to transfer these into which ever use it pleases them, saving only for the monks' compensation in all things.
They will owe suit to the monks' court twice a year on the Tuesday following Hockday and on the Tuesday following Michaelmas in the guildhall (gyhalda) of Charmouth and not at other times unless an unforeseen event occurs and they make a reasonable excuse or unless they are at sea or in very remote parts; and that they might enjoy the liberties everywhere such as the monks are able to give justly and guarantee properly. The burgesses owe suit to the monks' mill at Charmouth and will have priority at the mill (stemphri) after the corn of the miller. If any harmful dispute arises within the bounds of any of their messuages the litigants will have free power to settle between them­selves; the monks will have no claim to customary due or compensation, saving in all things royal jurisdiction and privilege. None of the monks will have the power to distrain unless in default of the bailiff of the burgesses; saving for the monks and their successors amercements and rents from each burgage collected from the vill by the said bailiff. It is forbidden for anyone to sell untreated animal skins in the vill unless he is of the rank and authority (lima et lagha) of a burgess.
Grant also that every burgess may keep a draught animal in the common pasture, namely from the road adjoining the moor of Geoffrey Heron (Heyrun) extending west to the land of Stephen Pain (Payn) and along the bounds of Stephen's land as far as the ditch on the land formerly of Robert Russell (Rosel) and from this ditch up to Langmoresgeth and then along to la Strippam adjoining the land of Geoffrey Heron (Heyron) and finally along the bounds of the land of Stephen Pain (Payn) to the said road, paying each year on the eve of Michaelmas Id for each head in the guildhall to the monks and their successors for ever. The monks may distrain for amercements and arrears of rents and take and keep goods and chattels until the arrears have been settled.
Witnesses: Robert de Wootton (Wadton), Walter de Luveney (Loweyngay), William de la Berne, Richard Gardener (de Gardino), [blank] de Cotley (Cutehegh).

The internal details, supported by the palaeographical evidence of the original (Devon Record Office ED/M/300) and deeds 44-6 in the cartulary suggest the date (and not 1320 as in Hutchins, Hist. Dorset ii. 223). The original charter was witnessed also by Robert de Cotley, Stephen de Hogchester (Hoggeshurste) and Walter Welsh (le Walays).

Birds Eye view of Coast showing Charmouth, Lyme Regis and its Cobb in 1539.
This astonishing map from 1539 provided a detailed defence plan for Dorset. Beacons were to summon the local populace to the invasion point and new blockhouses were to house cannon. Beyond the military advice, however, there is an attractive depiction of trading vessels and fishing boats.King Henry VIII`s plan was to stop any invasion fleet before it was able to land an army. On the orders of Thomas Cromwell, his chief minister, an extraordinary mapping operation of the south coast was carried out in great haste and the drawings displayed at Whitehall Palace. Although the final maps were pictorial, showing ships and fortifications in some detail, they were also usefully factual, with sea and coast measurements. The key aim was to identify landing points, anticipating how an invasion commander might think. Such beaches were highlighted by exaggerating their size, and sites for possible forts were added in appropriate locations. Charmouh with its Church surrounded by a group of houses is show on the left and Lyme Regis on the right. The quay with a group of boats alongside it in the distance depicts the Cobb, which was seperate from the mainland at that time.