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Coordinates: 51°03′05″N 3°00′26″W / 51.0515°N 3.0071°W / 51.0515; -3.0071
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{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox UK place
{{Infobox UK place
|static_image=[[File:Durston church.jpg|alt=Stone building with square tower and arched windows.|240px]]
|static_image_name=Durston church.jpg
|static_image_alt=Stone building with square tower and arched windows.
|static_image_caption=Church of St John, Durston
|static_image_caption=Church of St John, Durston
|country = England
|country = England
|coordinates = {{coord|51.0515|-3.0071|display=inline,title}}
|latitude= 51.0515
|longitude= -3.0071
|official_name= Durston
|official_name= Durston
| population = 136
| population = 136
| population_ref = <ref name="popn">{{cite web|title=Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes&nbsp;— SUMMARY Profiles|url=http://www.somersetintelligence.org.uk/files/Somerset%20Census%20Key%20Statistics%20-%20Summary%20Profiles.xls|publisher=Somerset Intelligence|accessdate=4 January 2014|format=Excel}}</ref>
| population_ref = (2011)<ref name="popn">{{cite web|title=Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes&nbsp;— SUMMARY Profiles|url=http://www.somersetintelligence.org.uk/files/Somerset%20Census%20Key%20Statistics%20-%20Summary%20Profiles.xls|publisher=Somerset Intelligence|accessdate=4 January 2014|format=Excel}}</ref>
| unitary_england = [[Somerset Council]]
|shire_district= [[Taunton Deane]]
| shire_county = [[Somerset]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[Somerset]]
|region= South West England
|region= South West England
|constituency_westminster= [[Taunton Deane (UK Parliament constituency)|Taunton Deane]]
|constituency_westminster= [[Taunton Deane (UK Parliament constituency)|Taunton Deane]]
|post_town= TAUNTON
|post_town= TAUNTON
|postcode_district = TA7
|postcode_district = TA3
|postcode_area= TA
|postcode_area= TA
|dial_code= 01823
|dial_code= 01823
|os_grid_reference= ST295285
|os_grid_reference= ST295285
}}
}}
[[File:Higher Durston.jpg|thumb|Aerial view of Durston]]

''DURSTON'' is a village and [[Civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in [[Somerset]], England, situated on the [[A361 road]] {{convert|5|mi|km|1}} north east of [[Taunton]] and {{convert|6|mi|km|1}} south of [[Bridgwater]] in the [[Taunton Deane]] district. The parish lies on undulating ground between the lowest slopes of the [[Quantock Hills]] and the valley of the [[River Tone]] at the [[Curry and Hay Moors]]. The village has a [[population]] of 136.<ref name="popn"/>
'''Durston''' is a village and [[Civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in [[Somerset]], England, situated on the [[A361 road]] {{convert|5|mi|km|1}} north east of [[Taunton]] and {{convert|6|mi|km|1}} south of [[Bridgwater]]. The parish lies on undulating ground between the lowest slopes of the [[Quantock Hills]] and the valley of the [[River Tone]] at the [[Curry and Hay Moors]]. The parish has a population of 136.<ref name="popn"/>


==History==
==History==


The place-name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word 'deór-tún’, being a combination of the word for a wild animal, a deer (deór,) and the word for a fenced enclosure (tún). The most likely interpretation is 'deer park’.<ref>Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, http://bosworth.ff.cuni.cz. Retrieved 2014-10-9./</ref>
The place-name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word 'deór-tún', being a combination of the word for a wild animal, a deer (deór,) and the word for a fenced enclosure (tún). The most likely interpretation is 'deer park’.<ref>Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, http://bosworth.ff.cuni.cz. Retrieved 9 October 2014./</ref>


Alwig (a [[Saxon]]; also written Alwi) held DURSTON manor from [[King Edward the Confessor]] before the [[Norman Conquest]]. Durston appeared in the [[Domesday Book]] in 1086 as follows:
Alwig (a [[Saxon]]; also written Alwi) held DURSTON manor from [[King Edward the Confessor]] before the [[Norman Conquest]]. Durston appeared in the [[Domesday Book]] in 1086 as follows:
''Richard holds of Roger Arundel, DURSTON. Alwig held it TRE and it paid geld for 2 hides and 3 virgates of land. There is land for 4 ploughs. In demesne is 1 plough and 4 slaves; and 4 villans and 5 bordars and 4 cottars with 3 ploughs. There are 15 acres of meadow, and 20 acres of pasture and 20 acres of woodland. It was and is worth 40s.''.<ref>Great Domesday Book, Folio 94v. www.domesdaybook.co.uk/. Retrieved 2014-09-12.</ref>
''Richard holds of Roger Arundel, DURSTON. Alwig held it TRE and it paid geld for 2 hides and 3 virgates of land. There is land for 4 ploughs. In demesne is 1 plough and 4 slaves; and 4 villans and 5 bordars and 4 cottars with 3 ploughs. There are 15 acres of meadow, and 20 acres of pasture and 20 acres of woodland. It was and is worth 40s.''<ref>Great Domesday Book, Folio 94v. www.domesdaybook.co.uk/. Retrieved 12 September 2014.</ref>


John of Erleigh, a [[Norman]] knight, later (after 1133) received the Hundred of North Petherton (including Durston) from [[William the Conqueror]]'s son [[Henry I]].<ref>Collinson, John, History and antiquity of the county of Somerset''(volume 3). books.google</ref>. John died in 1165.<ref>[https://archive.org/details]</ref> John was succeeded by his son William de Erlegh who founded at Durston a priory of regular canons of [[St. Augustine]], about 1167.<ref>Brennen, Christopher, EARLS FAMILY CHRONICLES: CHAPTER ONE, ANCIENT TRACES, 1999. http://www.dankat.com/earls/chap1.htm Retrieved 2014-09-11</ref> Soon after their institution, these canons ''behaved in a very riotous and disorderly manner, especially in killing their steward''.<ref>Collinson 1791</ref> Therefore, in 1180, the King removed them to other monasteries, at [[Taunton]] and elsewhere, and gave their priory to the sister Hospitallers of the order of St. John of Jerusalem.<ref>Collinson, John, History and antiquity of the county of Somerset''(volume 3). books.google</ref> A Preceptory of the [[Knights Hospitaller]] of St. John was built nearby.<ref>Page, William (editor)A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 2,'Houses of Knights Hospitallers: The preceptory of Minchin Buckland'(1911),http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40937. Retrieved 2014-09-10.</ref> The site was and is still known as Buckland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18668|title=Durston|last=Dunning|first=Robert|author2=C R Elrington |author3=A P Baggs |author4=M C Siraut |work=A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6: Andersfield, Cannington, and North Petherton Hundreds (Bridgwater and neighbouring parishes) 1992. Victoria County History|publisher=British History Online, http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18668|accessdate=2014-09-11}}</ref>
John of Erleigh, a [[Normans|Norman]] knight, later (after 1133) received the Hundred of North Petherton (including Durston) from [[William the Conqueror]]'s son [[Henry I of England|Henry I]].<ref name=collinson>{{cite book|last1=Collinson|first1=John|title=The History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset Volume 3|date=1891|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoIgAQAAMAAJ&q=The+history+and+antiquities+of+the+county+of+Somerset+Volume+3}}</ref> John died in 1165. John was succeeded by his son William de Erlegh who founded [[Buckland Priory]] at Durston a priory of regular canons of [[St. Augustine]], about 1167.<ref name=brennen>{{cite web|last1=Brennen|first1=Christopher Earls|title=Chapter One. Ancient Traces|url=http://www.dankat.com/earls/chap1.htm|website=Earls Family Chronicles|publisher=Christopher Earls Brennen|accessdate=13 September 2014}}</ref> Soon after their institution, these canons ''behaved in a very riotous and disorderly manner, especially in killing their steward''.<ref name=collinson/> Therefore, in 1180, the King removed them to other monasteries, at [[Taunton]] and elsewhere, and gave their priory to the sister Hospitallers of the order of St. John of Jerusalem.<ref name=collinson/> A Preceptory of the [[Knights Hospitaller]] of St. John was built nearby.<ref name="british-history.ac.uk">{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40937 |title=Houses of Knights Hospitallers: The commandery of Templecombe |editor=William Page |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |date=1911 |work=A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 2 |accessdate=13 September 2014 }}</ref> The site was and is still known as Buckland.<ref name=dunning>{{cite web |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18668 |title=Durston |editor1=R W Dunning |editor2=C R Elrington |author1=A P Baggs |author2=M C Siraut |publisher=Institute of Historical Research |date=1992 |work=A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6: Andersfield, Cannington, and North Petherton Hundreds (Bridgwater and neighbouring parishes) |accessdate=13 September 2014 }}</ref>


Several historical documents give tantalizing glimpses of the lives of these Sisters, who originally cared for sick pilgrims and crusaders in [[Jerusalem]]. For whatever reason, the royal grant stipulated that this be the only Hospitallers' house in England that could receive Sisters of that order.<ref name="(Collinson 1791).</ref> It was later written that ′′in all respects the sisters were looked on only as servants, and as not capable of receiving or holding anything other than from the surpreme powers of the order''.<ref>(Collinson 1791)</ref> In 1229 they were granted the right to a cart-load of dead wood and three cart-loads of faggots per week from the park of [[Newton]].<ref>name="Page, editor, 1911"</ref>. In 1234 the king ordered that each Sister be given a tunic and a pair of slippers every year<ref>name="Page 1911"</ref> In 1398 the Grand Master of the Order of Knights Hospitallers urged that a preceptor be named ′′''whose age and character should prevent any scandal arising from his association with the nuns''′′. <ref>name="Page 1911"</ref>
Several historical documents give tantalizing glimpses of the lives of these Sisters, who originally cared for sick pilgrims and crusaders in [[Jerusalem]]. For whatever reason, the royal grant stipulated that this be the only Hospitallers' house in England that could receive Sisters of that order.<ref name=collinson/> It was later written that ′′in all respects the sisters were looked on only as servants, and as not capable of receiving or holding anything other than from the supreme powers of the order''.<ref name=collinson/> In 1229 they were granted the right to a cart-load of dead wood and three cart-loads of faggots per week from the park of [[Newton, Dorset|Newton]].<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/> In 1234 the king ordered that each Sister be given a tunic and a pair of slippers every year.<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/> In 1398 the Grand Master of the Order of Knights Hospitallers urged that a preceptor be named ′′''whose age and character should prevent any scandal arising from his association with the nuns''′′.<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/>
Disputes with the Knights Hospitallers at Buckland, whose [[Preceptor]] had authority over the Sisters, occurred from time to time. Around 1267 the prior of the Hospitallers in England, attending a conflict between the priory and the precept, ordered that the Sisters have their own Steward.<ref name="Page 1911"/> Again, in 1338, the Preceptor of the Knights complained that the Sister´s were more of a burden than a help.<ref>(Page, editor, 1911)., Retrieved 2014-09-11.</ref> In 1500, however, this Preceptory was closed, while the Sisters´ Priory remained <ref name="Page, editor, 1911"/> Finally, in 1539, after the creation of the [[Church of England]], the Sisters surrendered their house to [[King Henry VIII]] <ref name="(Page, editor, 1911)."/> as ocurred with many monasteries and convents in that time. Around 1565 two of the former Sisters were married, one to Thomas Speed and the other to the Vicar of [[Ling]].<ref name="(Collinson 1791)"/>
Disputes with the Knights Hospitallers at Buckland, whose [[Preceptor]] had authority over the Sisters, occurred from time to time. Around 1267 the prior of the Hospitallers in England, attending a conflict between the priory and the precept, ordered that the Sisters have their own Steward.<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/> Again, in 1338, the Preceptor of the Knights complained that the Sisters were more of a burden than a help.<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/> In 1500, however, this Preceptory was closed, while the Sisters´ Priory remained.<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/> Finally, in 1539, after the creation of the [[Church of England]], the Sisters surrendered their house to [[King Henry VIII]].<ref name="british-history.ac.uk"/> as occurred with many monasteries and convents in that time. Around 1565 two of the former Sisters were married, one to Thomas Speed and the other to the Vicar of [[Lyng, Somerset|Lyng]].<ref name=collinson/>


Around 1200 William's daughter Mabel married Philip Arbalistarius, who was given the manor of Mansel (Maunsel, a mile and a half NE of Durston). Philp had to give William two young pigs every Whitsun, ″at his court of Durston″.<ref>(Brennen 1999)</ref>
Around 1200 William's daughter Mabel married Philip Arbalistarius, who was given the manor of Mansel ([[Maunsel House]], a mile and a half NE of Durston). Philip had to give William two young pigs every Whitsun, ″at his court of Durston″.<ref name=brennen/>


A deer park existed in 1223, a little north of the Durston manor house. These deer were brought from [[Blackmore]] forest, in [[Dorset]]. In the 14th century, buildings at [[North Petherton]] were constructed of wood from some of the park´s trees. In 1434 the park included 200 acres of wood and 60 acres of meadow.<ref name="Dunning, et al., op. cit">) (Dunning, and others 1992)</ref> A later John of Erleigh, born in 1322,left the manor of Durston and woods to his daughter Margaret, who married Sir Walter Sandy.<ref name="Dunning, et al., op. cit"/> The property passed through several other families, including such surnames as St. Maur (or Seymour), Stawell and Portman.<ref name="(Collinson 1791)"/>
A deer park existed in 1223, a little north of the Durston manor house. These deer were brought from [[Blackmore]] forest, in [[Dorset]]. In the 14th century, buildings at [[North Petherton]] were constructed of wood from some of the park´s trees. In 1434 the park included 200 acres of wood and 60 acres of meadow.<ref name=dunning/> A later John of Erleigh, born in 1322,left the manor of Durston and woods to his daughter Margaret, who married Sir Walter Sandy.<ref name=dunning/> The property passed through several other families, including such surnames as St. Maur (or Seymour), Stawell and Portman.<ref name=collinson/>


In 1391 there werel several craftsmen at Durston, such as a tanner, a smith, a skinner, and a barber, outside the gates of the priory.<ref>) (Dunning, and others 1992), british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=18668Retrieved 2014-09-11</ref> A spring north of Durston fed fishponds established in the later 12th century and supplied the priory with water. The water supply was channelled from a conduit by the 1260s. These fishponds were filled in by 1725.<ref>)(Dunning, and others 1992)</ref>
In 1391 there were several craftsmen at Durston, such as a tanner, a smith, a skinner, and a barber, outside the gates of the priory.<ref name=dunning/> A spring north of Durston fed fishponds established in the later 12th century and supplied the priory with water. The water supply was channeled from a conduit by the 1260s. These fishponds were filled in by 1725.<ref name=dunning/>


Cogload Farm is on the site of a hamlet established by the later 13th century. Lodge Farmhouse dates from the 15th century and may once have been an ecclesiastical residence. It has been designated as a grade II* [[listed building]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=270606|title=Lodge Farmhouse|work=Images of England|publisher=English Heritage|accessdate=2009-01-08}}</ref> The Buckland inn was in use in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1752 the Taunton-Glastonbury road became a turnpike. The Durston inn was opened by 1841 <ref name=")(Dunning, and others 1992)"/>
Cogload Farm is on the site of a hamlet established by the later 13th century. Lodge Farmhouse dates from the 15th century and may once have been an ecclesiastical residence. It has been designated as a grade II* [[listed building]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1060491|desc=Lodge Farmhouse|accessdate=8 January 2009}}</ref> The Buckland inn was in use in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1752 the Taunton-Glastonbury road became a turnpike. The Durston inn was opened by 1841.<ref name=dunning/>


==Governance==
==Governance==
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The [[Parish councils of England|parish council]] has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and [[Neighbourhood Watch (UK)|neighbourhood watch]] groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.
The [[Parish councils of England|parish council]] has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and [[Neighbourhood Watch (UK)|neighbourhood watch]] groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.


The village falls within the [[Non-metropolitan district]] of [[Taunton Deane]], which was formed on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], having previously been part of [[Taunton Rural District]].<ref name=tauntonrd>{{cite web|title=Tainton RD|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10166688|work=A vision of Britain Through Time|publisher=University of Portsmouth|accessdate=5 January 2014}}</ref> The district council is responsible for [[planning permission|local planning]] and [[Building regulations in the United Kingdom|building control]], local roads, [[council housing]], [[environmental health]], [[Market (place)|market]]s and fairs, [[refuse collection]] and [[recycling]], [[cemeteries]] and [[crematoria]], leisure services, parks, and [[tourism]].
For [[local government in England|local government]] purposes, since 1 April 2023, the village comes under the [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] of [[Somerset Council]]. Prior to this, it was part of the [[non-metropolitan district]] of [[Somerset West and Taunton]] (formed on 1 April 2019) and, before this, the district of [[Taunton Deane]] (established under the [[Local Government Act 1972]]). From 1894-1974, for local government purposes, Durston was part of [[Taunton Rural District]].<ref name=tauntonrd>{{cite web|title=Taunton RD|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10166688|work=A vision of Britain Through Time|publisher=University of Portsmouth|accessdate=5 January 2014}}</ref>


It is also part of the [[Taunton Deane (UK Parliament constituency)|Taunton Deane]] [[county constituency]] represented in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It elects one [[Member of Parliament|Member of Parliament (MP)]] by the [[first past the post]] system of election, and was part of the [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England constituency]] of the [[European Parliament]] prior to [[Brexit|Britain leaving the European Union]] in January 2020, which elected seven [[Members of the European Parliament|MEPs]] using the [[d'Hondt method]] of [[party-list proportional representation]].
[[Somerset County Council]] is responsible for running the largest and most expensive local services such as [[Local Education Authority|education]], [[social services]], [[library|libraries]], main roads, [[public transport]], [[police|policing]] and [[fire service]]s, [[Trading Standards|trading standards]], [[waste disposal]] and strategic planning.

It is also part of the [[Taunton Deane (UK Parliament constituency)|Taunton Deane]] [[county constituency]] represented in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It elects one [[Member of Parliament|Member of Parliament (MP)]] by the [[first past the post]] system of election, and part of the [[South West England (European Parliament constituency)|South West England constituency]] of the [[European Parliament]] which elects seven [[Members of the European Parliament|MEPs]] using the [[d'Hondt method]] of [[party-list proportional representation]].


==Transport==
==Transport==
The [[Bridgwater and Taunton Canal]] also ran though the village, when it opened in 1827. It is crossed by two bridges, Headworthy and Swan's Neck.
The [[Bridgwater and Taunton Canal]] also ran through the village, when it opened in 1827. It is crossed by two bridges, Headworthy and Swan's Neck.


The [[Bristol and Exeter Railway]] opened the [[Yeovil to Taunton Line|Yeovil Branch Line]] on 1 October 1853 from [[Durston railway station|a new junction station at Durston]]. The branch closed on 6 July 1964, with Durston station remaining open only until 5 October 1964. It is located close to [[Cogload Junction]], a vital railway flyover.
The [[Bristol and Exeter Railway]] opened the [[Yeovil to Taunton Line|Yeovil Branch Line]] on 1 October 1853 from [[Durston railway station|a new junction station at Durston]]. The branch closed on 6 July 1964, with Durston station remaining open only until 5 October 1964. It is located close to [[Cogload Junction]], a vital railway flyover.
Line 58: Line 57:
==Religious sites==
==Religious sites==


The parish Church of St John was rebuilt in 1853 on the site of an earlier church.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/Details/Default.aspx?id=270603|title=Church of St John|work=Images of England|publisher=English Heritage|accessdate=2009-01-08}}</ref>
The parish Church of St John was rebuilt in 1853 on the site of an earlier church.<ref>{{NHLE|num=1060489|desc=Church of St John|accessdate=8 January 2009}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Durston (surname)]]


==References==
==References==

{{Ibid|date=September 2014}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}



Revision as of 16:28, 9 October 2023

Durston
Stone building with square tower and arched windows.
Church of St John, Durston
Durston is located in Somerset
Durston
Durston
Location within Somerset
Population136 (2011)[1]
OS grid referenceST295285
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
LandEngland
Sovereign stateVereinigtes Königreich
Post townTAUNTON
Postcode districtTA3
Dialling code01823
PoliceAvon and Somerset
FireDevon and Somerset
AmbulanceSouth Western
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Somerset
51°03′05″N 3°00′26″W / 51.0515°N 3.0071°W / 51.0515; -3.0071
Aerial view of Durston

Durston is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated on the A361 road 5 miles (8.0 km) north east of Taunton and 6 miles (9.7 km) south of Bridgwater. The parish lies on undulating ground between the lowest slopes of the Quantock Hills and the valley of the River Tone at the Curry and Hay Moors. The parish has a population of 136.[1]

History

The place-name derives from the Anglo-Saxon word 'deór-tún', being a combination of the word for a wild animal, a deer (deór,) and the word for a fenced enclosure (tún). The most likely interpretation is 'deer park’.[2]

Alwig (a Saxon; also written Alwi) held DURSTON manor from King Edward the Confessor before the Norman Conquest. Durston appeared in the Domesday Book in 1086 as follows: Richard holds of Roger Arundel, DURSTON. Alwig held it TRE and it paid geld for 2 hides and 3 virgates of land. There is land for 4 ploughs. In demesne is 1 plough and 4 slaves; and 4 villans and 5 bordars and 4 cottars with 3 ploughs. There are 15 acres of meadow, and 20 acres of pasture and 20 acres of woodland. It was and is worth 40s.[3]

John of Erleigh, a Norman knight, later (after 1133) received the Hundred of North Petherton (including Durston) from William the Conqueror's son Henry I.[4] John died in 1165. John was succeeded by his son William de Erlegh who founded Buckland Priory at Durston a priory of regular canons of St. Augustine, about 1167.[5] Soon after their institution, these canons behaved in a very riotous and disorderly manner, especially in killing their steward.[4] Therefore, in 1180, the King removed them to other monasteries, at Taunton and elsewhere, and gave their priory to the sister Hospitallers of the order of St. John of Jerusalem.[4] A Preceptory of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John was built nearby.[6] The site was and is still known as Buckland.[7]

Several historical documents give tantalizing glimpses of the lives of these Sisters, who originally cared for sick pilgrims and crusaders in Jerusalem. For whatever reason, the royal grant stipulated that this be the only Hospitallers' house in England that could receive Sisters of that order.[4] It was later written that ′′in all respects the sisters were looked on only as servants, and as not capable of receiving or holding anything other than from the supreme powers of the order.[4] In 1229 they were granted the right to a cart-load of dead wood and three cart-loads of faggots per week from the park of Newton.[6] In 1234 the king ordered that each Sister be given a tunic and a pair of slippers every year.[6] In 1398 the Grand Master of the Order of Knights Hospitallers urged that a preceptor be named ′′whose age and character should prevent any scandal arising from his association with the nuns′′.[6] Disputes with the Knights Hospitallers at Buckland, whose Preceptor had authority over the Sisters, occurred from time to time. Around 1267 the prior of the Hospitallers in England, attending a conflict between the priory and the precept, ordered that the Sisters have their own Steward.[6] Again, in 1338, the Preceptor of the Knights complained that the Sisters were more of a burden than a help.[6] In 1500, however, this Preceptory was closed, while the Sisters´ Priory remained.[6] Finally, in 1539, after the creation of the Church of England, the Sisters surrendered their house to King Henry VIII.[6] as occurred with many monasteries and convents in that time. Around 1565 two of the former Sisters were married, one to Thomas Speed and the other to the Vicar of Lyng.[4]

Around 1200 William's daughter Mabel married Philip Arbalistarius, who was given the manor of Mansel (Maunsel House, a mile and a half NE of Durston). Philip had to give William two young pigs every Whitsun, ″at his court of Durston″.[5]

A deer park existed in 1223, a little north of the Durston manor house. These deer were brought from Blackmore forest, in Dorset. In the 14th century, buildings at North Petherton were constructed of wood from some of the park´s trees. In 1434 the park included 200 acres of wood and 60 acres of meadow.[7] A later John of Erleigh, born in 1322,left the manor of Durston and woods to his daughter Margaret, who married Sir Walter Sandy.[7] The property passed through several other families, including such surnames as St. Maur (or Seymour), Stawell and Portman.[4]

In 1391 there were several craftsmen at Durston, such as a tanner, a smith, a skinner, and a barber, outside the gates of the priory.[7] A spring north of Durston fed fishponds established in the later 12th century and supplied the priory with water. The water supply was channeled from a conduit by the 1260s. These fishponds were filled in by 1725.[7]

Cogload Farm is on the site of a hamlet established by the later 13th century. Lodge Farmhouse dates from the 15th century and may once have been an ecclesiastical residence. It has been designated as a grade II* listed building.[8] The Buckland inn was in use in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1752 the Taunton-Glastonbury road became a turnpike. The Durston inn was opened by 1841.[7]

Governance

The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council’s operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

For local government purposes, since 1 April 2023, the village comes under the unitary authority of Somerset Council. Prior to this, it was part of the non-metropolitan district of Somerset West and Taunton (formed on 1 April 2019) and, before this, the district of Taunton Deane (established under the Local Government Act 1972). From 1894-1974, for local government purposes, Durston was part of Taunton Rural District.[9]

It is also part of the Taunton Deane county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election, and was part of the South West England constituency of the European Parliament prior to Britain leaving the European Union in January 2020, which elected seven MEPs using the d'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation.

Transport

The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal also ran through the village, when it opened in 1827. It is crossed by two bridges, Headworthy and Swan's Neck.

The Bristol and Exeter Railway opened the Yeovil Branch Line on 1 October 1853 from a new junction station at Durston. The branch closed on 6 July 1964, with Durston station remaining open only until 5 October 1964. It is located close to Cogload Junction, a vital railway flyover.

Religious sites

The parish Church of St John was rebuilt in 1853 on the site of an earlier church.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Statistics for Wards, LSOAs and Parishes — SUMMARY Profiles" (Excel). Somerset Intelligence. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ^ Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, http://bosworth.ff.cuni.cz. Retrieved 9 October 2014./
  3. ^ Great Domesday Book, Folio 94v. www.domesdaybook.co.uk/. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Collinson, John (1891). The History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset Volume 3.
  5. ^ a b Brennen, Christopher Earls. "Chapter One. Ancient Traces". Earls Family Chronicles. Christopher Earls Brennen. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h William Page, ed. (1911). "Houses of Knights Hospitallers: The commandery of Templecombe". A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 2. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  7. ^ a b c d e f A P Baggs; M C Siraut (1992). R W Dunning; C R Elrington (eds.). "Durston". A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 6: Andersfield, Cannington, and North Petherton Hundreds (Bridgwater and neighbouring parishes). Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  8. ^ Historic England. "Lodge Farmhouse (1060491)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  9. ^ "Taunton RD". A vision of Britain Through Time. University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  10. ^ Historic England. "Church of St John (1060489)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 8 January 2009.

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