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Made by Betton & Evans of Shrewsbury in 1822, the stained glass East Window at Winchester College Chapel depicts what is believed to be the image of Upchurch, Royal Carpenter Hugh Herland. |
Although former vicar Edmund Drake, father of famous seaman Sir Francis Drake is generally regarded as the first famous historical figure to be connected with Upchurch, research has shown that there was another 200 years earlier during the 14th century.
Hugh Herland is believed to have lived in Upchurch with his wife Joan from 1378 to 1391 at a time when the village was divided into the four manors of Gore, Otterham, Ham and Horsham. He became chief carpenter to Richard II and designer of the great roof of Westminster Hall from 1373 to 1399. He was also responsible for work at Rochester, Leeds and Winchester castles.
Hugh Herland initially worked with his father William who was also carpenter to the king and learnt the trade. On August 16th, 1360 the Patent Rolls record that Hugh and his father were appointed to take carpenters for the King’s work at Westminster Palace, the Tower of London and elsewhere. On September 28th, 1370 the king rewarded Hugh for his work with the following:
Commitment during pleasure, to Hugh Herland of the office of pesage of wools in the port of Queenborough, taking in that office the accustomed fees.
This position probably established Hugh as a member of the merchant class which would have been very small but very prestigious during the 14th century. His father was also presented with a tenement in London as a reward for long service on March 21st, 1371.
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David Wood.
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Hugh Herland’s connection with the royal family began in 1360 when he and his father were issued with funeral robes for the funeral of Philippa Hainault who became consort to King Edward III. Hugh is believed to have made the tester located over Philippa’s tomb in Westminster Abbey but his greatest achievement was his design and erection of the hammer-beam roof for the Palace of Westminster, regarded as one of the great architectural and artistic masterpieces of the Middle Ages. He did this in co-operation with stone mason Henry Yevele. It won praise from the king and brought fame for Hugh Herland.
By 1375 with the death of his father Hugh continued to work on the Palace of Westminster and the Tower of London. For this work he was paid 12d a day and given a winter garment. The work continued until 1393. During the same period the Patent Rolls record that Hugh completed other jobs for the king. On March 14th, 1381 he took fifty carpenters from Kent, Essex and Middlesex and delivered them to the sergeant at arms for the King’s service in Brittany. After this in 1397 he was employed to repair Winchester Castle and in August, 1398 he was appointed to conduct the construction of a new harbour at Great Yarmouth.
In 1391 Hugh Herland began a connection with Kingston-Upon-Thames in Surrey when he and his wife became beneficiaries of property in the town and obtained a mansion known as Bishop’s Hall. This is when they probably moved away from Upchurch. The Close Calendar Rolls of July 20th, 1391 reports:
Phillippa, daughter of William Voirdyre to Hugh Herlande of Upchirche of Kent and Joan his wife and to the heirs and assigns of the said Hugh. Quitclaim with warranty of all the lands with houses, buildings, tofts, commons rights etc in Kingston-Upon-Thames sometime of her said father.
According to the Patent Rolls on April 28th, 1396 Hugh Herland was also granted a house for the work he had done for the king. The building was located on the site of the present 24/25 Upper Thames Street in the City of London:
Grant for life to Hugh Herland, keeper of the king’s carpentry works, of a little house lying in the outer ward of the Palace of Westminster near the house of the clerk of the works for keeping within it his tools and for making models and moulds for his carpentry works.
Finally, in 1400 Hugh Herland was granted several sums of 10 marks yearly for life, 12d daily for life and of 18 marks 6 shillings for life by Richard II. After this records about him and his work as a carpenter cease but dates show that he lived to the grand old age of 81 and died in 1411. Surviving brasses now hanging on Upchurch church wall from a tomb under the organ in the vestry depicts an unnamed wealthy individual and his wife from the same period. Could this possibly be Hugh Herland and his wife Joan? The image of the man is difficult to match with a recorded likeness of Hugh Herland in the stained glass window of Winchester College’s east chapel, but available documentation shows the royal carpenter to be the first recorded famous historical figure from Upchurch.
About David:
David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + p+p £2.
David Wood
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