BROXHEAD

For further information, see Broxhead Manor in Victoria County History, 1911

We are not sure where this collection of notes came from. They are held on two typewritten sheets of paper in the Headley Archives (Box 8, Item 4)


BROXHEAD

Extracts from a book on Alice Holt lent by Maj. Wade but lacking title pages.

Almost the same plea for timber from the Forest of Alice Holt is made in a court plea of 1636 when the Manor of Broxhead "within the bounds of the King's forests of Alice Holt and Wolmere" was partitioned between Thomas Brocas and John Fauntleroy (Enfant le roi) whose ancestor was a natural son of one of our kings "who begot him upon a miller's daughter at Crondal when hunting in the adjoining forest called Alice Holt and gave him the Headley (alias Hetheley) estate, situate at the very edge of the forest many hundreds of years ago, then called Heath House" (MSS 31 Dec 1770).

The Forestry Commission has no history of the forest before 1812 when the forest was replanted after the Napoleonic War, during which timber had been cut to build ships for the navy. In 1784 a thousand oaks were cut. [Gilbert White also mentions this]
There are in existence Broxhead manor records. On 27th February 1773 John Mover is recorded as having been keeper of Mr Fauntleroy's flock upon Broxhead Common. A Mr Vickery was then Lord of the Manor of Broxhead.

In the Fauntleroys' title to the Headley Estate is this interesting note: "The Common of Broxhead extends itself from the corner of the Old Lands along the moore Southwards and so along the ditch [which] leadeth up beyond Bordon Lodge so far, as many ancient people have reported, as the Lord can lay his line three times and throw his horn; and so from thence down the ditch Eastwards down to the river which is called by the name of Lyndford River." (This is one of the tributaries of the River Wey – it flows immediately west [actually east] of Headley Park.)


Extract (quoted in the aforementioned book by Maj. Wade) from A. Simpson, for 25 years resident in Forest Lodge and officer in charge of Alice Holt and Woolmer forests. Letter dated 20th February 1945.

The Barony of Goosegreen was situated almost in the centre of the meadow immediately East of Forest Lodge. Should excavation be made I shall be pleased to point out the site if called upon. The moat is well defined to this day and can be traced in an almost true rectangle, the exit-with-drawbridge was probably by the small pond at the North of Pond Piece, which incidentally never goes dry, the test year was 1911[?]. The gateway was probably near to the present exit and near the mound already mentioned, via the gateway to the highway.

To the immediate North side of Forest Lodge, and quite close to the north wall, is seen quite clearly (especially in Spring) the graves or cemetery of the barony, and all are laid West to East.


Date 1640. I, Henry Earl of Holland, Baron of Kensington, Chief Justice and Justice in Eyre of all His Majesty's forests, chases, parks and warrens on this side of Trent.

To all and singular, the officers and ministers of this Majesty's forest of Alice holt and Woolmer in the county of Southton whom it doth and may concern, Greeting. Whereas application hath been made unto me by John Fauntleroy of Headley in the County of Southton aforesaid gent: to grant unto him licence to remove a barn standing upon his land in the Forest, and also to enclose a small piece of his waste containing about 5 acres, parcel of the Manor of Broxhead allotted to him in the partition of the said Manor lately made between him and Thomas Brocas Esq and upon the ground so enclosed to build anew the said barn and little house of about four rooms near to his house called Heath House. In regard the said Heath House by reason of waters and springs there about standing unhealthily now for as much as it appeareth to me by certificate bearing date 14th day of January last part … , Know ye therefore that the said Earl of Holland have thought fit for the reasons aforesaid to licence and authorise Moore Fauntleroy gent, son of the said John Fauntleroy to build the barn aforesaid.


Extract from Farnham Museum Magazine

There was at one time a Manor of Broxhead, much of its land being that which is now used by the Army at Broxhead Common between Bordon and Kingsley. From about 1395 to 1506 this manor was in the hands of the Brocas family, and after a succession of owners "Brocas Head" was in the possession of Henry Bilson Legge in the 18th century. His son, Lord Henry Stowell, succeeded to the Manor and was also the Ranger of Alice Holt and Woolmer forests during the Napoleonic Wars. This manor was later divided and sold off – part of it became the Bordon military area.


Note from the Deeds of Trottsford Farm:
Headley Park comprised one twelfth of the Manor of Broxhead.


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