Mapperton - opening the archives By Fergus Byrne

Mapperton — opening the archives

A glorious sandstone manor house and romantic valley garden in Dorset, Mapperton has graced the silver screen in movies like Far From the Madding Crowd and Emma. It has also been the backdrop to many a romantic wedding. Now local historian Dr Tim Connor has written the first history of the estate.

Following on from his books about Wytherston, North Eggardon Farm, West Milton and The Literary and Scientific Institute, Bridport, locally based historian Dr Tim Conner has recently written a book about the Mapperton Estate near Beaminster. Describing it as a ‘lockdown’ book, Tim Conner says that although it benefitted from a huge amount of information available online it was ‘impoverished by the inaccessibility of archives and libraries’. However, that doesn’t detract from what is a fascinating examination of the history of the house and estate.

It begins in the mid-sixteenth century when the then owner Robert Morgan left instructions in his will that his widow was to continue living at Mapperton after his death. The same declaration also insisted that four daughters were to receive a financial remuneration if, and only if, they obeyed their mother in the matter of whom they would marry. His instructions also dictated that his eldest son John was to receive no legacy if he interfered with his father’s wishes. Morgan’s concerns turned out to be wellfounded when his eldest son not only immediately installed himself at Mapperton but later murdered his brother-inlaw over an argument about his sister’s religious loyalty. He was subsequently hanged in Chard in 1580.

Through marriage, the next inhabitants of Mapperton were the Brodrepps and Tim Conner relates a detailed history of the family’s involvement in local community activity as well as Whig politics. The family’s tenure is all set against a background of great upheaval in England. He also highlights Brodrepp marriage links to the Strode family at Parnham.

In 1775 an advert in the Evening Post advertised Mapperton as available to let. It was promoted as a ‘very good house, fit for a genteel family’ and described as ‘situated in a cheap, healthy and pleasant country one mile from Beaminster and five from Bridport’. The long period that Mapperton was occupied by tenants meant the building remained unaltered and this is the sort of detail where Tim Connor excels. His knowledge and fascination with architectural heritage ensure constant revelation about the house and the surrounding estates, as well as links to architecture in nearby buildings.

He writes about Henry Francis Compton who helped pay for the building of the vestry to the church in 1908 as well as the gamekeeper’s cottage in 1910. Compton, who also owned substantial estates in Melplash, is credited with bringing the Jacobean chimneypiece to the big house in Mapperton. Tim Connor suggests this may have been a much-needed diversion after Compton had been elected to parliament for only a brief moment before his government resigned just two days after his poll. Compton’s efforts to improve the buildings came to an abrupt end with the advent of the first World War. He decided to sell his holdings and a map from the sale catalogue of 1919, reproduced in the book, shows the estate being sold off in various lots. The house was described as a ‘Lovely specimen of the Tudor and Jacobean periods harmoniously blended’.

It was bought by Mrs Ethel Labouchère the widow of Charles Henry Labouchère, a partner in Barings Bank. Tim Conner writes about the now much admired Mapperton Gardens where Mrs Labouchère appears to have focused her attention. It was after her death in 1955 that the property was purchased by Vicount Hinchinbrooke better known as ‘Hinch’ or Victor Montagu after he disclaimed his peerages. Thus began the Montagu tenure which was handed on by Hinch’s son John to his son Luke Montagu. Today, Luke along with his wife Julie now run the estate.

Tim Connor’s book is a welcome addition to the history of the area. The Countess of Sandwich says: ‘This is the first complete history of Mapperton, telling gripping stories of the Morgans, Brodrepps and other families who have lived in this parish over the last 600 years, descending often through the female line.

‘The author has found his way into libraries and archives during the lockdown and has produced a range of incidents and lives of characters connected with Mapperton and surrounding farms. He also links in the national story of Catholics versus Protestants, cavaliers and roundheads, Whigs and Tories, so that the reader is given a refreshing history lesson, just in time for Christmas.’

The Earl of Sandwich added: ‘Tim Connor’s new social history of Mapperton deserves a wide readership, combining a remarkable depth of research with skilled storytelling.’

Mapperton by Dr Tim Connor is available at £15 from the Mapperton Estate Office or website, as well as some local bookshops.