Author Archives: Ian

Shotgun security

Posted on 2nd March 2023 by Ian

A colleague has a Seventeenth Century flintlock musket standing in the corner of his classroom. In need of restoration, we have been trying to discover something of its history. It has more the appearance of a piece of art than … Continue reading →

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Langport Lollardy

Posted on 27th February 2023 by Ian

Reading of John Dyer, the rector of High Ham from 1459-1499 who was married with two sons and whose works were cited in support of Henry VIII’s break from Rome recalled that the area had been known for ‘Lollardy’ for … Continue reading →

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Protestant ideas in Fifteenth Century High Ham!

Posted on 25th February 2023 by Ian

Reading the details of the life and the will of John Dyer, who was Rector of High Ham at the end of the Fifteenth Century, there seemed nothing remarkable in the details. Dyer graduated from Oxford University with a Bachelor … Continue reading →

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Settling disputes in the parish

Posted on 16th February 2023 by Ian

Adrian Schaell’s 1598 account of High Ham parish includes his consideration of a disagreement with certain people in Low Ham and his account of the end of the Midsummer celebrations at Bere. Now remaineth for mee to speake somewhat of … Continue reading →

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A 1598 History of High Ham Church and Rectory

Posted on 14th February 2023 by Ian

Last year, an exhibition of historical documents in High Ham church included R.G. Crossman’s Adrian Schaell’s Memoir of High Ham Church and Rectory, A.D.1598. There is a PDF of the document available online,  but it seemed appropriate to post an … Continue reading →

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