H o o k
N o r t o n
L o c a l
H i s t o r y
G r o u p
Vicars and Rectors of Hook Norton
Here is an almost full listing of the men known to have served the Parish of St
Peter’s as priests, vicars, ministers and rectors over the last 800 years; the dates are
those of their institution.
Most of the information comes from the original parish records as seen by Margaret Dickens.
Vicars under Oseney Abbey:
Date of institution
1224
Hugh –
1234
Robert de Barnton (or Bamtun)
1271
William de Worthe
1274
William –
1300
John de Chelesworth
Unknown
Thomas de Bannebury
1349
William de Thornes
1361
Thomas Gerdeler
1364
William Geves
1387
Thomas Furdon (or Jurdon)
1388
Alan Gardiner
1389
Sir John Lethinbourgh
1404
Sir John Nuby
1414
John Sprot
1419
Sir Roger Cotum
1420
Sir Thomas Dod
1435
William Sugge
1439
John Moreton
1439
John Resun
1454-1455
John Skarborow
1
www.hook-norton.org.uk/history
H o o k
N o r t o n
L o c a l
1455
Sir Robert Cutt
1465
John Tregye
1465
Sir Thomas Cameron
1478
Sir John Altherton (or Alderton)
1478
John Morgan
1485
William Norbury
1504-1505
Sir John (or William) Coton
1505
William Norbury
H i s t o r y
G r o u p
Page in the register is missing:
In 1526 Sir Robert Underwood was the stipendary priest.
With the Reformation, and the move of authority from Oseney Abbey to the
Bishop of Oxford, vicars became known as ‘Ministers’ and then, after about
1700, ‘Perpetual Curates’.
The record continues to be incomplete for Hook Norton for nearly 200 years, and it is
uncertain whether many of those listed were vicars or simply curates, or whether,
indeed, all temporary curates in charge are named. For many, only a date when they
were in office is known, not their dates of tenure.
In 1540 Sir James Whyt was curate.
The historical authority for the next five names and dates is unknown:
1559
Edwardus Goodman
1576
Radulphus Allen
1593
John Pittam
1597
David Jones
1598
Allen Pittam
1638
Thomas Tounour (date of institution, according to Bishop’s Register)
In 1651 Thomas Browne was minister.
In 1669 Edward Jennings was minister.
2
www.hook-norton.org.uk/history
H o o k
N o r t o n
L o c a l
H i s t o r y
G r o u p
In 1687 Thomas Fletcher was minister.
Date of institution
1717
Thomas Goodwin
1740-1745
vacant: temporary curates in charge –
1741 Coventry Lichfield
1742 Richard Bryan
1745
John Frost
1754-1769
vacant: temporary curates in charge –
1754 Hender Mountsteven
1759 Thomas Manners
1767 M. Hitchens
1769
John Jones
1776-1779
vacant: temporary curates in charge –
1776 William Price
1779 Theophilus Jones
1779
George Turner, D.D., non-resident:
temporary curates in charge –
1780 John Roberts
1781 James Williams
1782 William Williams
1782 John Williams
1783
George Turner, M.A., non-resident:
temporary curates in charge –
1784 Evan Pughe
1785 Thomas Owen
1788 William Evans
1802 William Thorp
1814 Thomas Price
1816-1841 George Saunder
1841
John R. Rushton, B.D.
In 1866 the perpetual curates became Rectors:
1866
John R. Rushton, B.D.
1881
A.V. Cox, M.A.
3
www.hook-norton.org.uk/history
H o o k
N o r t o n
L o c a l
1894
A.W. Russell
1907
E.C. Freeman, M.A.
1924
Maurice Beardshaw, M.A.
1932
Ernest H. Nind, M.A.
1955
Robert H. Arnold, B.A.
1959
F.H.P.C. de Costobadie, M.B.E.
1964
Eric W. Whitworth
1968
Charles E. Wigg, M.A.
1974
Geoffrey Michael Hooper
1983
Martin R. Connop Price, MA
1992
John Acreman
H i s t o r y
G r o u p
Donald Ratcliffe
References
Margaret Dickens: History of Hook Norton, pages 131-135.
Ralph Mann, Notes on the Diocesan Registers, Village Archive.
A listing originally posted on an internal wall of the church.
4
www.hook-norton.org.uk/history