Author Archives: miltonabbashistorygroup

Found in Milton Abbas

This stunning object was found by a metal detectorist somewhere in Milton Abbas. It is of unique design according the the British Museum. The image is from the Portable Antiquities Scheme where you will find more information.

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, archaeology, Milton Abbas, Old Town of Milton Abbas | 1 Comment

The Reredos of Milton Abbey Church

A dissertation by James Bowler at the University of St Andrews has recently come to our notice which is titled ‘The Life and Afterlife of an English Reredos: A Contextual, Restorative and Aesthetic Analysis of the Great Screen of Milton … Continue reading

Posted in history, Medieval history, Milton Abbey | Leave a comment

James Jacob  of Waterloo

(1790-1856)   Research by Clive Barnes Veteran of Waterloo  The returning soldier was a common theme in  early 19C literature. This illustration is taken  from an 1803 collection by Whatcombe-born  poet William Holloway. James Jacob was the third son of  carpenter … Continue reading

Posted in Dorset, local history | Leave a comment

St Catherine’s Chapel – medieval tiles

The Milton Abbas Local History Group have been recording all the medieval tiles in the Chapel. We have photographed them at high resolution. The tiles were moved from the Abbey Church during its Victorian restoration. They show the results of … Continue reading

Posted in Dorset, Milton Abbey, St Catherine's Chapel | 1 Comment

Milton Abbas Lake

Our member Clive Barnes gave a presentation summarising his excellent research on the design and building of the dam and lake by Lord Milton to our history group on 1 June. This presentation with maps ‘Lord Milton and the Lake’ … Continue reading

Posted in Damer, document, Dorset, landscape, local history, transcription | Leave a comment

St Catherine’s Chapel

New LIDAR Digital Terrain Model data is now available at Archi Maps. This is a revelation for the area around St Catherine’s Chapel. Compare the map on our website showing the entrenchment with the latest DTM The Chapel itself is … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, archaeology, landscape, Milton Abbey, St Catherine's Chapel | Leave a comment

Abbot’s Hall, Milton Abbey, 

Part 1 development of medieval halls The Abbot’s Hall is securely dated 1498 and was part of Abbot William of Middleton’s refurbishment of the buildings destroyed in the fire of 1309 (yes it took nearly 200 years!). His rebus is … Continue reading

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Six Little Girls Dressed in Blue: Lady Caroline’s “Spinning School”

Clive Barnes writes: On September 7 1789, six village girls walked up to Milton Abbey mansion house to meet King George III and his wife, Queen Charlotte. When the queen returned to Weymouth with “the K”, as she referred to … Continue reading

Posted in Damer, family history, local history, Milton Abbas, Overseers of the Poor, social history | 2 Comments

Fisherman’s Grave

While researching the field names of Milton Abbas and adding to our spreadsheet of 1185 of them, I was reading A D Mills ‘Place Names of Dorset, Part 3’. Page 225 mentions a field called Fisherman’s Grave. He found a … Continue reading

Posted in Anglo-Saxon, Hutchins, local history, Milton Abbas, records | Leave a comment

Field Names in Milton Abbas

The Milton Abbas Local History Group have some great resources for locating the field names of this parish. We have large scale maps of 1652, and 1770 which name the fields. We have put all this information into a spreadsheet. … Continue reading

Posted in landscape, local history, Medieval history, Milton Abbas | Leave a comment