NOTES TO THE LIST OF VICARS
Our list of Vicars was mainly compiled by Rev Frederick Fuller, a longtime Stratton resident, whose list is in his pamphlet, which is also on this website. His list stops at 1948 and has some gaps in the early years as well. The present list also draws on the work of local history man Nigel Chalke, the volunteer “Online Parish Clerk” (http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/genealogy/index.php/parish-directory/item/91-stratton-st-hmargaret), who himself uses local pamphlets, photos and newspapers. These sources sometimes allow him to find more precise dates (day and month). The gaps since 1948 have been filled from the memories of parishioners. One key source for us in the earlier years is the records of the Fellows of Merton College Oxford, who [once had][still have] the right of ‘Presentation’ of new vicars.
The parish and Merton College. The Rector of a parish had the right to appoint the Vicar (who actually ran the Church and took the services – if there was no curate, a further appointment who answered to the vicar). The Rector also received the tithes, an important source of wealth and perhaps the main reason why the rights of Rector could be bought and sold as investments. Consider the size of the tithe barn at Great Coxwell as a sign of that wealth. Around 1250 Walter de Merton, who was in holy orders, became Rector of Stratton, one of several livings he held. He founded Merton College, Oxford around 1260 and gave the new college the rectorial right to Stratton as part of the college’s endowments. He was active at national level and became Chancellor of England under Henry III and again under Edward I and finally Bishop of Rochester. (A modern reader might recall Thomas Cromwell under Henry VIII – although Cromwell was not a priest) Although the parish no longer pays tithes, the historical link remains. Vicars of Stratton are now chosen by the Bishop of Bristol, but at a new vicar’s licencing service, the vicar is formally presented to the bishop by the Chaplain (or other member) of Merton College.
The earliest Vicars. It is thought that there was a church in Stratton at the time of Domesday Book, but the earliest vicar recorded by Fuller was Reginald de Altawirth (1308), “Altawirth” being a Latin form of Highworth. Laurentius (1338) is said to have been a native of Stratton.
Church or King? Sampson Aleyn (1484) reveals a fascinating story. The Merton College records show that his predecessor as vicar (Nicholaus Peryson) died early that year and on 10th March the Bishop of Salisbury advised Merton College that he proposed Aleyn as vicar. On 12th March, the King, Richard III, stated that he wanted to appoint Edmund Cressey (his personal Chaplain) but 14 days later, Richard withdrew and allowed Aleyn to be appointed. These exchanges say a lot about the power of the Church at the time. It is interesting to wonder how it was all done, at a time when the fastest communication was on horseback and the King was fighting the Roses war. How did the King find out and why did he climb down? There is a mystery story here waiting to be written.
English civil war. Christopher Iole (1635) is recorded by Fuller as being deposed during the Commonwealth of Oliver Cromwell and then replaced. He is buried in the Churchyard [needs cross ref to find the grave]
Victorian era. Septimus Crawhall (1879) must have been a good fund-raiser! Look around the Church and see how many windows and pieces of furniture bear his name. [List to follow]
Graveyard Two vicars are buried in the Churchyard. Christopher Iole (1635 – see above) and the ashes of Martin Howell (1984) [cross references to follow] Thereis a tradition that Vicars who die in office are buried in the church itself. If that was followed, then Iole died after retirement.