Marden

The other ran, north of the house called The Grange, westwards to Chirton Street. Two down-land tacks called Hinder Way and Acre Ditch ceased to be used in the early 19th century when the War Department bought Marden Down in 1898.

An early Iron Age settlement was found in the north east corner of the village. A ditch, called locally ‘the long ditch’ runs eastwards along the valley on Marden Down. This is un-dated, as is a small earthwork to the south. The parish had very low taxation assessments in 1334, but by 1801 there were 162 inhabitants, rising to 247 in 1871, however, by 1931 this had declined to 138 and by 1971 there were only 90 parishioners. In 1875 a maltster and a miller and beer retailer were trading in the parish. By 1895 the traders were a carpenter, a shoe maker, a miller and beer retailer, a brewer and a grocer at Marden Mill together with a post office. In 1911 there was a miller (water) a carpentry company and the New Inn, and in 1931 a wheelwright, a miller, the New Inn and Pig Breeders.

In 1086 Marden consisted of 10 hides, with land for 8 ploughs, 24 acres of meadow and pasture 3 furlongs by 2 furlongs, valued at £10. 4 serfs worked the demesne, together with 10 villeins, 14 coscez and 2 bordars. By 1331 the manor was worked by a shepherd, a drover and a carter and ploughman. Until the 19th century corn and sheep were the main produce.

In 1331 there were said to be 350 sheep on the down, but by 1705 there was a flock of 1300 in the parish. 18th century parishioners were ‘presented for felling trees and enjoyned to plant trees on the common land.’

The mill was first mentioned in 1086. A mill was still working in the parish in 1923. By 1970 animal feed was being produced on the site of the mill. The present mill dated from the early 19th century. The mill building to the east of the house has a date tablet G.H. 1842, and on a second building to the west, the inscription J.W. 1876. The mill was operated by steam in 1894. The water wheel was removed in 1932 and replaced by a water turbine. Corn was ground using electricity in 1970.

Courts for Marden Manor are recorded 1561-3 and 1751-90. During the 1750’s the lord of the manor was frequently asked to provide new stocks. On three occasions Richard Hayward was presented for felling trees in Gooseham and for inclosing common land. In 1772 it was ordered that a bridge be placed at the end of Cob’s Lane. A parish rate was levied in the years 1673, 1690 and 1693, but for what purpose is unknown. Marden became part of Devizes Poor Law Union in 1835. In 1844 Devizes Guardians administered Parish Houses standing to the east of the church, but for how long is not known.

The main settlement of the parish is based around the church. Marden Manor, in parkland to the west of The Street is at the village entrance.

The Green, to the east of the Manor, was first recorded in 1566. Part of it was included in the park in the early 19th century when the manor house and grounds were established. In 1841 the manor house was called Marden House. It is said to have been built on the site of a number of cottages by John Young, who had acquired half of the manorial estate. The house is a square, brick built, with a hipped slate roof. The back half is in 3 storeys, the front, 2 storeys of much taller rooms. It has a large central staircase hall, lit from above by a domed lantern. The three wide bays of the front entrance are faced with ashlar. The slightly projecting central bay has a doorway with fan-light and Doric porch. A cast iron balcony is above the porch to the first floor French windows. The gardens to the north are enclosed by a wall of thatched cob. Older cottages were replaced by red brick- built ones in the early 20th century. This was done by George Harris, the then owner of Marden Manor. There are 18th century brick with thatch cottages to the east of the church yard, possibly the parish houses mentioned in the early 19th century. The pair of cottages stands on a bank behind the former school. To the north east of the church is a timber framed cottage from the 17th century, this was originally three dwellings. The Swan Inn was noted in 1670, also in 1765, it is thought to have been a cottage near the church.

The New Inn, late 19th century, stands opposite the driveway to Marden Mill. The Grange, built after the Second World War occupies the site of an earlier house, also called The Grange. Manor Cottage, the farm house of Manor Farm is an early 19th century cottage orne. Marden House Farmhouse is 18th century with chequered brick and a slate roof. South of the vicarage is a brick built, thatched house from the late 18th century and an extension built to the west gives the building a T shape.

John Phillips, who was born in Marden in 1800, was a geologist who worked on the Geological Survey of England, 1840-44, and was keeper of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford from 1854 until his death in 1874. He published a ‘Guide to Geology’ in 1834 and ‘The Geology of Oxford and the Valley of the Thames’ in 1871.

An estate at Marden was held by Wenesi T.R.E., but by 1086 it had passed to Hugh, son of Baldric. Robert de Bonezboz held the manor next, but before 1205 he forfeited it to the crown. In 1229, Marden was granted to Gilbert Basset, and passed through that family until 1327 when it was granted to Queen Isabel for life (d. 1358).In 1359 the manor passed to Queen Philippa, and 1373 saw Sir John Dauntsey and his wife received a royal grant of the manor. The manor passed through his family and by marriage until 1760 when, in accordance with the will of Willoughby, 3rd Earl of Abingdon, Marden Manor was sold.

Around 1812 the manor appears to have been divided and again sold. One portion, west of Marden Street is now known as Manor Farm. In 1898, the then owner of Manor Farm sold 133 acres of down-land to the War Department. The second portion, land to the east of Marden Street, and in 1898 known as Marden House Farm, was owned by Wm. Thos. Richens Atherton, he also sold 217 acres of down-land to the War Department.