HISTORY
Chawleigh – The Chronological history of our village.
In its early days, Chawleigh had variations in spelling for its name, but ultimately, the meaning behind the name, remains the same – Calves Clearing.
Calveleia – used in 1086, in the Domesday Book (Ref 3), and the name stems from the Saxon period (Ref 5). Other spellings include: Chalvelegh(e), Chaveleg’, Chauelega, Chauuvelegh and Chauveleg (Ref 3); Chavelege (Ref 2) and Chelvelegh (Ref: 1).
Risdon quoted that Chawleigh has a castle “whose ruins only shew its circuit, in a wood, lately apparelled with tall timber tress, now felled”, however no date or further location is given. (Ref 2).
In the Domesday Book, Chawleigh is included in the Winkleigh Hundred (Ref 4) and in 1238, Chawleigh is identified as a minor borough, by Lord of the Manor (Ref: 1).
In the late 1200’s named places within the village, included Burridge, Carpenter’s Cross, Chawleigh Week, Chenson Farm, Dockworthy Cross, Duckham, , Edworthy, Fiddlecott, Ford Farm, Hardingsleigh, Hill, Leigh, Moortown, Nethercott, Nutson, Southcott, Stone Bridge, Toatley, Upcott and Wood House (Ref 3).
Beacons were used throughout Britain, and as Devon was vulnerable, the beacons alerted the County of imminent attack, during Roman, Saxon and the Middle ages. The Beacon systems were also prepared, for the predicted invasion of the Armada, in Tudor times. Chawleigh was home to a beacon, which aimed to communicate invasions to and from the beacons at Beacon Moor in Chulmleigh, Beaford Moor, Beacon Cross near St. Georges Hill, Stretch Down, and Beacon Cross – (SouthSouthWest) (Ref: 1).
In the mid 1600’s Puritism grows within Devon, as does the demands of money from the King, Charles I. This caused tension throughout the county, resulting in Civil War (Ref: 1). Eggesford House, just beyond the Chawleigh parish line, was the site of a minor fort or Garrison, which was stormed in December 1645. (Ref: 1).
In 1801, the year of the first Census, the population of Chawleigh is 755 people (Ref 4).
In 1901, the census counted the population of Chawleigh as Census 649 people (Ref 4).
Sellman (1962) reports that in 1902, the school in Chawleigh had an average attendance of over 100 (Ref: 1).
References
(1). Sellman, R. R. (1962) Aspects of Devon History. Methuen & Co. LTD
(2). Risdon, T. (1811) The chorographical description or survey of the county of Devon.
Rees & Curtis, Plymouth.
(3). Glover, J. Mawer, A. Stenton, F. (1932) The place names of Devon – Part Two.
Cambridge University Press.
(4). Chawleigh Community Page. Devon County Council.
www.devon.gov.uk/etched?url=etched/ixbin/hixclient.exe&_IXP_=1&_IXR=110189
(5). The Domesday Book Online. www.domesdaybook.co.uk