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Question
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What does the 'Maiden' part of Maiden Bradley mean?
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Question asked on
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04 July 2011
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Answer
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The 'Bradley' part of the name is likely to mean a wide open space in woodland but the later prefix 'Maiden' comes from the period when there was a leper hospital here for maidens afflicted by the disease. Originally founded c.1152 by the powerful baron Manser Bisset, who appointed a Proctor and Assistants to look after the maidens (all of whom were of high birth) and administer their dowries that had been paid on admission. In 1184 the foundation was converted to a Priory of the Black Canons or Augustinians. The unmarried daughter of Manser, Margaret Bisset, took a great interest in the hospital, providing gifts and building a house nearby in 1180. From this it was often assumed that Margaret was a leper girl who had founded the hospital, but this was not the case.
By the end of the 13th century it seems likely that there were no lepers in residence and mention is only made of the Brethren and Sisters. The Priory was rebuilt around 1380 and continued to prosper. The last Prior before the Dissolution was Richard Jen-nings (1506-1536) whose life provides a very good reason for this suppression. He claimed to have a Papal licence to keep a mistress and took 'maidens, the fairest that could be got' and 'married them off right well' when they became pregnant. By the time of the Dissolution in 1536 he had fathered six sons and several daughters and had quarrelled violently with many of his neighbours.
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Bibliography
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The Wiltshire Village Book, by Michael Marshman. Countryside Books, 1999, 1 85306 583 8.
