Description
Book SynopsisAuthoritative and detailed account of the history of important Somerset parishes, from prehistory to the present day. This volume, the twelfth in the Somerset series, describes the history of the eastern part of Carhampton Hundred. Bounded by the Bristol Channel and Exmoor with steep hills forming a backdrop to a coastal plain, the area is now dominated by the seaside town of Minehead whose port overtook its neighbour, Dunster, from the early 15th century. The picturesque village of Dunster is one of the county's most enduring tourist attractions, with its castle formerly home to the Mohuns and their successors the Luttrells, the area's dominant landowners. Earlier, the royal estate of Carhampton dominated the whole area and in the Iron Age, the uplands were controlled by a grouping of defensive enclosures. Minehead thrived on trade with Wales, Ireland, Europe and the West Indies and -from the 19th century - tourists, brought to the area first by steamer and from 1871 by the railway. In the early 21st century Minehead, the genteel seaside resort enlarged in 1962 following the construction of its holiday camp, serves as the commercial hub of the area. Carhampton includes the small resort of Blue Anchor and on the higher ground to the south, the parishes of Timberscombe, and most of Rodhuish and Withycombe lie within the boundaries of Exmoor National Park.
Table of ContentsContents List of Illustrations List of Tables List of Maps and Plans List of Colour Plates Editorial Note Key to Volumes Published and Forthcoming Note of Sources Note on Abbreviations INTRODUCTION: CARHAMPTON HUNDRED: NORTH EAST DIVISION MARY SIRAUT AND ADAM CHAPMAN with contributions from MATTHEW BRISTOW The origins of Carhampton Hundred Administration of the Hundred Landscape Geology and Topography Communications Settlement Built Environment Population Lordship and Local Government Agriculture Natural Resources Trade and Tourism Social Life War and National Events Religion MINEHEAD MARY SIRAUT additional material by ADAM CHAPMAN and MATTHEW BRISTOW with architectural descriptions by MATTHEW BRISTOW Introduction Landownership Economic History Social History Local Government Religious History DUNSTER MARY SIRAULT additional material by ADAM CHAPMAN and architectural descriptions by MATTHEW BRISTOW Introduction Landownership Economic History Social History Local Government Religious History CARHAMPTON MARY SIRAUT additional material by ADAM CHAPMAN and architectural descriptions by MATTHEW BRISTOW Introduction Landownership Economic History Social History Local Government Religious History TIMBERSCOME MARY SIRAUT architectural descriptions by MATTHEW BRISTOW Introduction Landownership Economic History Social History Local Government Religious History WITHYCOMBE MARY SIRAUT architectural descriptions by MATTHEW BRISTOW Introduction Landownership Economic History Social History Local Government Religious History BIBLIOGRAPHY Directories and reports Theses and unpublished materials Books, edited volumes and articles INDEX
