Farleigh Hungerford, Somerset

Description
Farleigh Hungerford, a village and a parish in Somerset. The village stands on the river Frome, adjacent to Wiltshire, 2 1/2 miles S by E of Freshford station on the G.W.R., and 8 SSE of Bath; occupies a pleasant spot, commanding picturesque views; claims a very remote antiquity, and has an inn. Post town, Bath. The parish comprises 906 acres; population, 147. The manor was given by William the Conqueror to Eoger de Courcelle, and passed to the Montforts, the Burghershes, the Hungerfords, and the Bayntons. A castle was built on it in the times of Richard II. and Henry IV. by the Hungerfords, and was held, in the civil war of Charles I., for the king. This appears to have comprised an oval double court, with towers upon the walls, but it is now an utter ruin, consisting of a strong arched entrance, two ivy-mantled towers,-and some fragments of thick walls. The chapel still stands-within the enclosure, has Later English windows, with traces elsewhere of Early English, and contains armour, altar-tombs, " and other monuments of the Hungerfords. Farleigh House belongs to Lord Donington. A Roman pavement was found in 1685. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Bath and-Wells; net value, £118 with residence. Patron, Lord Donington. The church is small, but possesses some features of interest. There is a Nonconformist chapel.