MidhurstHistory-Glatting,a 13thCenturyFarm

Glatting - A 13th centur y farm

By local author & artist David Johnston

An old country road winds its way through Duncton to Barlavington, where, a little further on a sunken lane branches off in the direction of the downs. Overhanging trees cover this time-warn byway giving the appearance of a cloister that drops gradually down to an ever Glatting painting flowing stream. There it levels out, but soon rises again to reach an ancient farm – Glatting. How often have I lingered by this old farmstead and wondered at its age? With its weary Sussex barn, ivy clad cart-shed and cattle-yard enclosed by a crumbling flint wall. It had to be at least 16th century, I always concluded. Well, it's even older than that, so I was informed by its new owner, Paul Goddard – “It is in fact, a medieval hall house”, he said. “The very name in itself, is evidence for its antiquity of a settlement. It is recorded as 'Clotinga' in 1086, - one of the 'ingas' group of place names, indicative of Saxon tribal territories, the local group being defined by their original leader 'Clot' or Glott': the sneerer.' To which, one wonders whether he looked derisively down on his four neighbours who, in those ancient far off times, all lived in houses within the bounds of the settlement”. Mr Goddard's passion for discovering more about the history of Glatting Farm, has generated in him, venturesome tasks. For he has thatched the great barn, repaired the flint wall and worked with great sympathy on that wonderful old farmhouse, discovering in the process the architectural features and building methods used in those medieval days. He invited me in – and I followed eagerly as he led me through the back door and into the spacious rooms, the appearance of which, looked for all the world, as old as time. We wandered on and into the great parlour, where a massive mid 17th century inglenook fireplace caught my attention – a huge beam carried the weight of the chimney breast, and there, scribed onto the centre of this oak support was an 'apotropaic' circle, put there to protect inhabitants and visitors from witches and evil spirits. For this was a time when belief in witchcraft and the supernatural was widespread and the use of magical symbols was part of everyday life. And so it was, that the early occupants of this dwelling, must have been convinced of the protection that these witch marks held, for yet another 'apotropaic' symbol is etched in the plaster at the top of the first flight of stairs. The greatest care within the house has, with the safeguard of conservation, skilfully revealed the roof rafters, and ancient crown post, all stained black with wood smoke from the fire that at one time constantly burned in the centre of the great hall. Great care too, I noticed, has been taken to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the medieval 'aisle posts' and the massive tie beam. This ancient open hall abuts a 'probable' nineteenth century cross-wing of four floors. The topmost attic room of this extension looks out on fine views over the landscape to as far as Petworth; the worthy town being incidently, directly connected with the ancient farm. For it is recorded that Glatting was purchased by the Duke of Somerset for £2,650 in 1740; who in 1746, built The Somerset Hospital in North Street for twelve poor widows. The surrounding farmland is still owned by the Somerset Hospital, and continues to provide care for local people. The other rooms in this nineteenth century extension are of little interest save that there exists an undercroft, or possibly a replacement to a much older cellar. It is however clear, that innovative alterations have taken place within the whole medieval structure for many centuries. For there, in a smaller room to the west of the house there is a beautifully domed bread oven, with close by a small extension, that during the latter half of the Victorian period, had been used as pig pens, but later restyled and used as a dairy with a sloping floor to drain spilt milk. The whole farmstead is for sure a most unique complex – a picturesque farmyard of bygone days. Please contact David Johnston if you would like to purchase any Giclee prints on high quality 100% cotton Somerset velvet paper of the illustration that accompanies this article. David R.G. Johnston: Sussex author: photographer and Artist. www.davidjohnston.org.uk or email: johnston.david.rg@gmail.com