Pitney

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Pitney
Pitney (Somerset)
Pitney

Pitney shown within Somerset
Population 416[1]
OS grid reference ST455285
District South Somerset
Shire county Somerset
Region South West
Constituent country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Dialling code 01458
Police Avon and Somerset
Fire Devon and Somerset
Ambulance South Western
European Parliament South West England
UK Parliament Somerton and Frome
List of places: UK • England • Somerset

Coordinates: 51°01′52″N 2°28′23″W / 51.031024, -2.473121

Pitney is a village and parish in Somerset, England, located 2.5 miles east of Langport and 3 miles west of Somerton in the South Somerset district. In 2002, the village had a population of 416.[1]

The name means "Pytta's place" from Pytta the Saxon, however there is evidence of much earlier occupation from a Bronze Age sword dating from 200 BC found on Pitney Moor.[2] It was recorded in the Domesday book as Petenie supporting the alternative meaning of 'the traversing stream' from the Old English pæþþan and ea.[3]

The medieval manors originated in grants made to Richard Rivel (of Curry Rivel) from the Royal manor of Somerton between 1190 and 1003. Pitney Warne manor was granted to the Compton family in 1610 and split up and sold by their descendant the Duke of Devonshire in 1919. The lesser manor of Pitney Lorty was held by the Pyne family,[2] the manor house may be the building now known as The Old Court, which has its origins prior to the 16th century.[4]

Pitney is home to St. John the Baptist Church, the Pitney Farm Shop, and the Halfway House, selected as England's Pub of the Year in 1996 by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale).

Several significant archaeological finds have been made at Pitney, including the remains of a Roman Villa (roof tiles, pottery, and mosaic) uncovered in the 19th century,[5] and the Pitney brooch, a Saxon cast bronze openwork brooch, modeled after a late Viking design and now in the British Museum.[6]

The 1848 publication, A Topographical Dictionary of England,[7] describes Pitney as an agricultural village of 465 people and writes of the Roman Villa:

At this place has been discovered perhaps the most perfect pavement of an ancient villa yet found in England; the ruins cover about an acre and a half of ground, and the remains of the mosaics show the former splendour of the buildings. In the principal apartment are four pavements of great beauty, with nine figures in good preservation, and four well-drawn busts; in another room is the figure of a youth striking a serpent. The late Sir Richard C. Hoare, who had the subjects illustrated by engravings, supposes, from the English costume of the chief figures, that the villa belonged to the lord of the manor, and was not raised till after the departure of the Romans.

[edit] Sites of interest

Sunset rays catch the Somerset tower of St. John the Baptist Church in the village of Pitney
Sunset rays catch the Somerset tower of St. John the Baptist Church in the village of Pitney

Pitney's church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The west tower and south doorway to the nave date to the 14th century, with other parts from the 15th century. The chancel was restored in 1853, with additional restoration to the church in 1875.[8] It was a daughter chapel to Huish Episcopi.[2] It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building.[9]

The Pitney Farm Shop is noted in the area for its local and organically produced food. The shop is on Glebe Farm, a 100-acre farm run by the Walrond family -- as it has been for the past 200 years. The shop uses environmentally friendly practices wherever possible, including local sourcing of products, minimizing packaging, and offering discounts to customers who walk or ride a bike to the shop.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b 2002 population estimates. Somerset County Council. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  2. ^ a b c Bush, Robin (1994). Somerset: The complete guide. Wimbourne: Dovecote press. ISBN 187433627X. 
  3. ^ Robinson, Stephen (1992). Somerset Place Names. Dovecote Press. ISBN 1874336032. 
  4. ^ The Old Court. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  5. ^ Romano-British Villa - Pitney, Somerset. Roman Britain .org. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  6. ^ The Pitney Brooch. British Museum. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  7. ^ Pisford - Playford, A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 573-76.. British History Online. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.
  8. ^ Pevsner, Nikolaus (2003). The buildings of England, South and West Somerset (page 274). Yale Univ Press. 
  9. ^ Church of St. John Baptist. Images of England. Retrieved on 2007-10-07.