Key Dates in the History of Swanbourne

Key dates in the History of Swanbourne 

A summary agreed by The Swanbourne History Group, containing links to relevant articles within the Website

  792         First mention of ‘Suanaburna’ in a document relating to King Offa’s grant of land to St Albans.

1066         Norman Conquest – Saxon lands taken over by Norman warlords.

1086         The Doomsday Book – Swanbourne was divided between 5 landholders, although one holding was extremely small. King William took over land belonging to King Harold. Other landholders – William’s half-brother the Count of Mortain, Walter Giffard and William, son of Ansculf.

1201         A grant of land was made to Woburn Abbey, the first vicar was installed in 1218 and the Parish Church is dated to 1230.

1538         Dissolution of Woburn Abbey. Their lands in Swanbourne eventually sold off. 

1599         Earliest map showing the village shows the Fortesque estate included Swanbourne. Sir John Fortescue, had a very large house built for himself at Salden, near Mursley. Manor House built in Swanbourne probably for his family.

1624         John and Thomas Adams purchased main manor. 1626 Thomas Adams murdered.

1643         Swanbourne, on the side of Parliament in Civil War, burnt by troops loyal to the King.

1706         William Godwin left a bequest of £100 for the foundation of a school for the education of poor children. 1715 – Nicholas Godwin, William’s brother, left an additional £9 per annum. 8 boys from Swanbourne and 4 from Mursley.

1722         Aylesbury-Buckingham turnpike road created, passing through Swanbourne parish.

1762-3     Field Enclosure divided the village land between about 50 different land-owners.

1798         The Old House purchased  by Captain Thomas Fremantle, for himself, his wife Betsey (nee Wynne) and new-born son, Thomas Fremantle.

1809         First Baptist Chapel built (rebuilt 1863. Closed 1969)

1819         Admiral Thomas Fremantle died whilst in command in the Mediterranean. His eldest son, Thomas Francis Fremantle was made a Baronet the following year.

1829         Charles Fremantle (Admiral’s 2nd son) claimed Western Australia for the crown.

1832         Church of England  School built (replaces Godwin School).

1850         Railway came to Swanbourne (Station closed Dec 1967).

1858         First Methodist Chapel built (present building replaced it in1907)

1863         Parish Church refurbished.

1867-71   Swanbourne House built for Sir Thomas Fremantle (1st Lord Cottesloe from 1874)

1871         Infant School built. (Closed 1913. Now the Village Hall)

1890         1st Lord Cottesloe died. 2nd Lord succeeds him.

1914–18   World War 1 –  Swanbourne men, including TFH Fremantle, killed.

1918         2nd Lord Cottesloe died. 3rd Lord remained living in the Old House. Swanbourne House empty.

1920         War memorial unveiled. Swanbourne House School established.

1939–45  World War 2 – Anthony Bartley serves as an RAF fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain.

1948         District Council agreed to the building of Ridgway Cottages (16 houses) for village people.

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