100 years war

The 100 years war is generally stated to have started when Edward III declared himself king of France in 1340. He did have some rights to that throne through his mother but he was more concerned about legitimising his rejection of the king of France’s control over him as duke of Aquitaine. Edward III owned a significant amount of France as the duke of Aquitaine and was supposed to submit to the authority of the king of France which he refused to do so he started a war instead.

The King of England was no longer the Duke of Normandy so Jumieges Abbey, which owned the church lands of Chewton Mendip, was now part of the enemy. The relationship between Jumiege and Chewton Mendip had always been financial more than spiritual as the 1241 agreement shows. The first impact of the 100 years war on Chewton Mendip may have been the resignation of John de Petrestre as the vicar and his replacement by John de Bristol. There are no dates for his tenure but Philip de Burcestre was appointed as vicar in 1340 when Edward III was listed as his patron.

Men from Chewton Mendip may have gone to fight in the early part of the 100 years war but there is no record of this so the known history concentrates on the incumbents of Chewton Mendip church.

The black death in 1348 killed approximately one-third to half of the population, possibly including Philip de Burcestre who was replaced by Nicholas de Fiskerton in that year. A later record in the register of Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury (1329 – 1363) contains an entry which partially confirms this.

“February, 1348. The lord instituted Nicholas de Fyskerton, priest, to the vicarage of the church of Chyuton at the presentation of the King this time by reason of the lands and tenements of the convent of Jumièges, holding the said church to their proper uses, being in the King’s hands,”

This record confirms that Nicholas de Fiskertone was appointed as vicar of Chewton Mendip and that the church lands were in the Kings hands but it does not explain what had happened to Philip de Burcestre.

Another record confirms that Nicholas de Fiskertone resigned, but no reason is given why, whilst a new vicar, Sir Nichoal Uske, was prepared to swap a parish in Bristol for the living of Chewton Mendip. This record confirms that Edward was still holding Chewton Mendip directly because of the 100 years war.

“April, A.D. 1350, at Wyvelscombe. The lord admitted Sir Nicholas Uske, priest, to the vicarage of Chywton, vacant by the resignation of Nicholas de Fiskerton by reason of exchange for the church of the Apostles, Philip and James, Bristol at the presentation of the King by reason of the war“. (With France).”

This record also marks the end of Edward III’s direct control of Chewton Mendip church lands which were assigned to Hayling Priory.

The only confirmed inhabitant to have fought in the 100 years war was Sir William Bonville. He came of age in 1416 and was involved in the tail  end of the 100 years war but in a significant way. He served as Seneschal, or governor, of Aquitaine but the war was already lost by this time.