East Horsley manor of Bishop of Exeter

Has been described as a Possible Palace (Bishop)

There are no visible remains

NameEast Horsley manor of Bishop of Exeter
Alternative NamesWest Horsley
Historic CountrySurrey
Modern AuthoritySurrey
1974 AuthoritySurrey
Civil ParishEast Horsley

The Bishop's Manor in East Horsley seems to have belonged to the see of Exeter throughout the Middle Ages. It has been conjectured that the Domesday entry to the effect that 'Bishop Osbern of Exeter holds Woking' should more properly be referred to this manor, since there is no trace of any land held by the Bishop of Exeter in Woking (V.C.H. Surr. i, 300). In 1243 the bishop was summoned to show by what warrant he held the moiety of East Horsley Manor, and it was then said to pertain to his chapelry of Bosham in Sussex (Plac. Abbrev. (Rec. Com.), 118b). About the same time the manor was assessed at a quarter of one knight's fee (Testa de Nevill (Rec. Com.), 220a). Domesday Book mentions two homagers who each held four hides of the bishop, (V.C.H. Surr. i, 300) but since this is the only mention of tenants it seems reasonable to suppose that the manor was farmed for the bishop. Manning (Hist. of Surr. iii, 30) states that in the time of Henry VIII the bishop sold the manor to Henry, Marquis of Exeter; and in that case it was forfeited to the Crown with the marquis's other lands in 1538. Edward VI granted it to a certain Thomas Fisher, (Pat. 3 Edw. VI, pt. vi, m. 16) who in 1555 alienated to William Walter. (VCH)

Gatehouse Comments

The actual location of the manor house is not clear. There were two medieval manors in East Horsley which were united in 1689 and the seat of the combined manor, Horsely Towers, was rebuilt on a new site, along with most of the village, around 1820. Map reference is for parish church.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTQ095528
Latitude51.2639808654785
Longitude-0.431840002536774
Eastings509500
Northings152810
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales Vol. 3 Southern England (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p. 549-51 (where called West Horsley)
  • Thompson, M.W., 1998, Medieval bishops' houses in England and Wales (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing) p. 177
  • Malden, H.E. (ed), 1911, VCH Surrey Vol. 3 p. 349-52 online transcription
  • Manning, O. and Bray, W., 1814, The history and antiquities of the county of Surrey (London: John White) Vol. 3 p. 30