Merevale
Merevale Abbey & Church
Robert, Earl Ferrers, founded Merevale Abbey in 1148; he gave to it ‘all my forest of Arden’. Because of the remoteness of their sites, the Cistercian rule specifically required the provision of a Chapel outside the Gate of their Abbeys for visitors, servants etc. The ruins of the Abbey are situated in the grounds of Abbey Farm.
Merevale Hall
The construction of Merevale Hall was compete around 1840, replacing a former manor house. The building was designed by architect Edward Blore. The Hall was placed on the end of the a thin peninsular high above Atherstone and loomed over the town. The building makes for an imposing and impressive sight when viewed from below and afair. Simply it has a spooky, even scary look about it.
Merevale Park
Merevale Park is the official name for the grounds and area that surround Merevale Hall.
Sir William Dugdale
Sir William Dugdale (September 12, 1605 – February 10, 1686) was an English antiquary.He was born at Shustoke, near Coleshill, Warwickshire, of an old Lancashire family, and he was educated at King Henry VIII School, Coventry. Please note, this is not the Dugdale who was responsible for the building of Merevale Hall and Park. Sir William Dugdale though is the most famous of the Dugdales in his own right.
Edward Blore
Edward Blore (1787 - 1879) was a 19th century British architect and antiquary. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Some sources claim he was originally from Derby, England.) He was the architect who designed Merevale Hall, near Atherstone, North Warwickshire.
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April 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
My wife is descended from the Irish branch of the Stratford family. We have always understood that their origins were at Merevale. Can anyone shed some light on this?
May 6th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I have been tracing my family tree and always thought we were from Kensington in London. Not so! The Alcott name appears to be from Merevale according to the 1861 census. 1871 Census finds James Alcott in London, thus starting the connection! Where can I look at the records for BDM’s in the parish of Merevale? Can anyone help? Are there Alcott’s still in the area?
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:23 am
September 23, 2009
I am a direct descendant of Robert Ferrers, Earl of Derby. If there is anyone out there who has information regarding my family, please contact me. My e-mail address is YOURFAIRLADY@comcast.net
Thank you,
Judi
January 9th, 2010 at 10:11 am
For Louis Coltane,
Merevale births would have been registered at Atherstone from Sept 1837. Parish registers on film at Warwick Record Office or Atherstone Library. I have Merevale marriages 1754- 1837. I will check for Alcotts. There are a few Alcott entries in the phone book. There is also the local name of Aucott which has many spellings.
Merevale parish was an odd one, part of Atherstone town was in it, and the farmland around the Church and Merevale Hall and also isolated patches over the border in Leicestershire.
So residents may have used Merevale Church itself, St Peters, Mancetter,All Saints,Grendon (a long way from presentday Grendon)and St Mary’s in Atherstone.
All can be found, though not fully, on http://www.familysearch.org , in the IGI section.