26 Mar Lordship Title of The Grotto ID14194
Posted at 08:45h
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It appears, therefore, that THE GROTTO consists of the moiety of the manor of Breamores and the third part of Crooks and Dunts conveyed to Humphrey Marriott in 1768. Humphrey Marriott, probably a relative of the widow of Lord Fane, appears to have reserved for her this portion of the estate fronting the Thames at the northern end of the parish. She built here the mansion called The Grotto. After her death in 1792 this was purchased by Richard Benyon de Beauvoir of Englefield, who in 1797 married Elizabeth daughter of Sir Francis Sykes, and was given by him to his nephew the Rev. William Sykes, who died in 1875. It passed by purchase to Mr. Arthur Smith, who was Sheriff of Berkshire in 1878 and died in 1884. The next owner was Mr. D'Arcy Reeve, who sold it to Mr. Gilbert James Collier Harter, the present owner. Henry of Newburgh in 1276 confirmed a grant made by his ancestors of land in 'Bastendene' to the convent of St. Mary of Casa Dei, or Chaisse Dieu, in Eure, a dependency of Fontevrault. In the returns of 1231 the prioress had 3½ carucates in Basildon assessed at 7s. This land passed to Nuneaton, a cell of Fontevrault in England, the Prioress of 'Eaton' having a pension of £1 in the rectory of Basildon in 1291.
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Listed in the Domesday Book:
No