This month’s Midsomer Norton Society talk, by Monica Evans, Michael Rich and Paul Myers, will be examining the findings of new research into the history of the town discovered on a recent visit to Christ Church College archive in Oxford and will take place on Thursday, 25th April at 7.30pm in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall.
From the early 12th century, Merton Priory held one of the two Midsomer Norton manors. However, at the time of the Reformation in the 16th century, Merton Priory was surrendered on 16th April 1538 and the lands at Midsomer Norton were eventually transferred to Christ Church College. The College had in fact been started by Thomas Wolsey many years earlier in 1525, but he fell from grace in 1529 and it was King Henry VIII who then in 1532 re-founded the College using wealth from the church.
Members of the Midsomer Norton Society spent a day exploring rare surviving documents in the Christ Church College Archive relating to the history of the town. Going through the indexes and looking at centuries-old maps, the intrepid Society team made some fascinating discoveries, which will be presented at the meeting next week.
“It was an incredible visit and special thanks are due to Christ Church College for allowing the Society access and being so helpful with our research, as well as Society Chairman Michael Rich for arranging the visit,” said Paul Myers as President of the Midsomer Norton Society.
Please note that the meeting will be in the Town Hall Assembly Room and at the moment there is no lift access whilst a new lift is being installed.