Crediton
Encyclopedia
Crediton is a town and civil parish in the Mid Devon
district of Devon
in England
. It stands on the A377 Exeter
to Barnstaple
road at the junction with the A3072 road to Tiverton, about 7 miles (11.3 km) north west of Exeter. It has a population of 6,837. The town is situated in the narrow vale of the River Creedy
, between two steep hills and is divided into two parts, the east or old town and the west or new town.
was born here in c. 672. He propagated Christianity
in the Frankish Empire
during the 8th century and is the patron saint
of both Germany
and the Netherlands
. In 909 a see
was established here with Edwulf
as the first bishop. Nine more bishops
ruled here until 1050, when Leofric
obtained papal permission from Pope Leo IX
to transfer the seat to Exeter
, a more culturally aware, larger and walled town. Since 1897 Crediton has been the seat of a suffragan bishopric in the Diocese of Exeter
; since 2004 this has been Robert Evens
.
At the Domesday survey (1086) much of the land was still uncultivated, but its prosperity increased, and in 1269 each of the twelve prebends of the collegiate church
had a house and farmland within the parish. The bishops, to whom the manor belonged until the Reformation
, had difficulty in enforcing their warren and other rights; in 1351 Bishop Grandisson
obtained an exemplification
of judgments of 1282 declaring that he had pleas of withernam, view of frankpledge
, the gallows
and assize of bread and ale. Two years later there was a serious riot against the increase of copyhold.
The jury of the borough are mentioned in 1275, and Crediton returned two members to parliament during the reign of Edward I
, in 1306-1307, though it was never afterwards represented again. A borough seal dated 1469 is extant, but the corporation is not mentioned in the grant made by Edward VI
of the church to twelve principal inhabitants. The borough and manor were granted by Elizabeth I
to William Killigrew
in 1595, but there is no indication of town organization then or in 1630, and in the 18th century Crediton was governed by commissioner
s.
The wool trade was established by 1249 and certainly continued until 1630 when the market for kerseys
is mentioned in conjunction with a saying as fine as Kirton spinning.
During the English Civil War
the Earl of Essex
passed through the town on 20 July 1644 on his way towards Cornwall
, and evidently left the town and surrounding countryside in some disarray. He was closely followed by Charles I
who arrived in the town on 27 July to review the army gathered there by his nephew, Prince Maurice
, before returning to Exeter for a council of war. The following Sunday, the King spent the night at Crediton and then began his expedition of "Essex-catching". In the winter of 1645-46 the town was used as a base by Thomas Fairfax
and the New Model Army
from where they marched on the Royalist
forces gathering in North Devon, and to where they returned on 29 March 1646 after success both at the Battle of Torrington
and in overturning the siege of Plymouth.
On 14 August 1743 (a Sunday morning), a great fire started, completely destroying High Street and buildings in the "West Town". At that period of time it was the second largest fire in the country, second only to the Great Fire of London
. Sixteen people lost their lives, with over 2,000 made homeless and 450 houses destroyed. Other large fires occurred in 1766, 1769 and 1772.
The town is twinned with Avranches
, France.
(Köppen climate classification
Cfb).
In the early 20th century shoe-making, tanning, agricultural trade, tin-plating and the manufacture of confectionery and cider
had superseded the former large woollen and serge industries. Today, the town has two industrial parks at Lords Meadow and Fordton, a dairy and a small collection of units at Westward Business Park. It is the centre for shopping and business for the surrounding area, and has industries such as graphics and pharmaceuticals.
In 2001 the Crediton area was given priority status with regard to the government's Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
. By 2006, of 45 projects in the plan, 18 had been completed, resolved, or begun.
Pubs include the Crediton Inn on Mill Street, the General Sir Redvers Buller (a Wetherspoon's), the Three Little Pigs, The Ship, the White Swan on High Street, the Plymouth Inn on Dean Street and The Mitre on High Street.
, founded by Edward VI
and refounded by Elizabeth I
, is today a state run, part boarding school
, and a community Technology College
, named Queen Elizabeth's Community College
which gets good GCSE and A level results . There are two primary schools; Hayward's Primary School and Landscore Primary School. Nearby in the village of the same name is Sandford School
mentions Crediton as Cridianton in his books The Pale Horseman
and The Last Kingdom
. Both books are set during the reign of Alfred the Great
.
(Some text may have been edited).
Mid Devon
Mid Devon is a local government district in Devon, England. Its council is based in Tiverton.The district was formed under the Local Government Act 1972, on 1 April 1974 by the merger of the borough of Tiverton and Crediton urban district together with Tiverton Rural District, and Crediton Rural...
district of Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It stands on the A377 Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
to Barnstaple
Barnstaple
Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the local government district of North Devon in the county of Devon, England, UK. It lies west southwest of Bristol, north of Plymouth and northwest of the county town of Exeter. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete.It is the main town of the...
road at the junction with the A3072 road to Tiverton, about 7 miles (11.3 km) north west of Exeter. It has a population of 6,837. The town is situated in the narrow vale of the River Creedy
River Creedy
The River Creedy is a small river in Devon, England. It gives its name to the local town or ton of Crediton, which is on its west bank. Just below the town, the river merges with the River Yeo and it ends where it meets the River Exe at Cowley Bridge....
, between two steep hills and is divided into two parts, the east or old town and the west or new town.
History
The first indication of settlement at Crediton is the knowledge that Winfrith or Saint BonifaceSaint Boniface
Saint Boniface , the Apostle of the Germans, born Winfrid, Wynfrith, or Wynfryth in the kingdom of Wessex, probably at Crediton , was a missionary who propagated Christianity in the Frankish Empire during the 8th century. He is the patron saint of Germany and the first archbishop of Mainz...
was born here in c. 672. He propagated Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
in the Frankish Empire
Frankish Empire
Francia or Frankia, later also called the Frankish Empire , Frankish Kingdom , Frankish Realm or occasionally Frankland, was the territory inhabited and ruled by the Franks from the 3rd to the 10th century...
during the 8th century and is the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of both Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. In 909 a see
Episcopal See
An episcopal see is, in the original sense, the official seat of a bishop. This seat, which is also referred to as the bishop's cathedra, is placed in the bishop's principal church, which is therefore called the bishop's cathedral...
was established here with Edwulf
Edwulf
Edwulf was a medieval Bishop of Crediton.He was elected to Crediton in 909. He died in 934.-External links:*...
as the first bishop. Nine more bishops
Bishop of Crediton
The Bishop of Crediton was originally a prelate who administered an Anglo-Saxon diocese in the 10th and 11th centuries, and is presently a suffragan bishop who assists the diocesan bishop.-Diocesan Bishops of Crediton:...
ruled here until 1050, when Leofric
Leofric, Bishop of Exeter
-Early life:Little is known about Leofric, as his cathedral town was not a centre of historical writing, and he took little part in events outside his diocese. This led to little notice being taken of his life and activities, with only a few charters originating in his household and one listing of...
obtained papal permission from Pope Leo IX
Pope Leo IX
Pope Saint Leo IX , born Bruno of Eguisheim-Dagsburg, was Pope from February 12, 1049 to his death. He was a German aristocrat and as well as being Pope was a powerful secular ruler of central Italy. He is regarded as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, with the feast day of April 19...
to transfer the seat to Exeter
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, a more culturally aware, larger and walled town. Since 1897 Crediton has been the seat of a suffragan bishopric in the Diocese of Exeter
Diocese of Exeter
The Diocese of Exeter is a Church of England diocese covering the county of Devon. It is one of the largest dioceses in England. The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter is the seat of the diocesan bishop, the Right Reverend Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter. It is part of the Province of...
; since 2004 this has been Robert Evens
Robert Evens
Robert John Scott Evens is an English Anglican churchman, the Suffragan Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter....
.
At the Domesday survey (1086) much of the land was still uncultivated, but its prosperity increased, and in 1269 each of the twelve prebends of the collegiate church
Collegiate church
In Christianity, a collegiate church is a church where the daily office of worship is maintained by a college of canons; a non-monastic, or "secular" community of clergy, organised as a self-governing corporate body, which may be presided over by a dean or provost...
had a house and farmland within the parish. The bishops, to whom the manor belonged until the Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
, had difficulty in enforcing their warren and other rights; in 1351 Bishop Grandisson
John Grandisson
John Grandisson was a medieval Bishop of Exeter.Grandisson was born at Ashperton near Hereford in 1292. His father William, Lord de Grandisson, was a Burgundian in the household of Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, brother of King Edward I of England. He studied theology at the University of Paris, and...
obtained an exemplification
Exemplification
Exemplification is a mode of symbolization characterized by the relation between a sample and what it refers to.- Description :Unlike ostension, which is the act of showing or pointing to a sample, exemplification is possession of a property plus reference to its label...
of judgments of 1282 declaring that he had pleas of withernam, view of frankpledge
Frankpledge
Frankpledge, earlier known as frith-borh , was a system of joint suretyship common in England throughout the Early Middle Ages. The essential characteristic was the compulsory sharing of responsibility among persons connected through kinship, or some other kind of tie such as an oath of fealty to a...
, the gallows
Gallows
A gallows is a frame, typically wooden, used for execution by hanging, or by means to torture before execution, as was used when being hanged, drawn and quartered...
and assize of bread and ale. Two years later there was a serious riot against the increase of copyhold.
The jury of the borough are mentioned in 1275, and Crediton returned two members to parliament during the reign of Edward I
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
, in 1306-1307, though it was never afterwards represented again. A borough seal dated 1469 is extant, but the corporation is not mentioned in the grant made by Edward VI
Edward VI of England
Edward VI was the King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death. He was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine. The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward was the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty and England's first monarch who was raised as a Protestant...
of the church to twelve principal inhabitants. The borough and manor were granted by Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
to William Killigrew
William Killigrew
Sir William Killigrew was an English court official under Charles I and Charles II.He was the son of Sir Robert Killigrew and Mary Woodhouse, of Kimberley, Norfolk, his wife. He was the elder brother to Thomas Killigrew...
in 1595, but there is no indication of town organization then or in 1630, and in the 18th century Crediton was governed by commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner is in principle the title given to a member of a commission or to an individual who has been given a commission ....
s.
The wool trade was established by 1249 and certainly continued until 1630 when the market for kerseys
Kersey (cloth)
Kersey is a kind of coarse woollen cloth.It derives its name from the village of Kersey, Suffolk, having presumably originated in that region. However the cloth was made in many places. By 1475, the West Riding of Yorkshire including Calderdale was also a major producer. Kersey was a lighter...
is mentioned in conjunction with a saying as fine as Kirton spinning.
During the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
the Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex was an English Parliamentarian and soldier during the first half of the seventeenth century. With the start of the English Civil War in 1642 he became the first Captain-General and Chief Commander of the Parliamentarian army, also known as the Roundheads...
passed through the town on 20 July 1644 on his way towards Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
, and evidently left the town and surrounding countryside in some disarray. He was closely followed by Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
who arrived in the town on 27 July to review the army gathered there by his nephew, Prince Maurice
Prince Maurice von Simmern
Prince Maurice of the Palatinate KG , Count Palatine of the Rhine, was the fourth son of Frederick V, Elector Palatine and Princess Elizabeth, only daughter of James I, King of England and Scotland and Anne of Denmark....
, before returning to Exeter for a council of war. The following Sunday, the King spent the night at Crediton and then began his expedition of "Essex-catching". In the winter of 1645-46 the town was used as a base by Thomas Fairfax
Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron
Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron was a general and parliamentary commander-in-chief during the English Civil War...
and the New Model Army
New Model Army
The New Model Army of England was formed in 1645 by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War, and was disbanded in 1660 after the Restoration...
from where they marched on the Royalist
Royalist
A royalist supports a particular monarch as head of state for a particular kingdom, or of a particular dynastic claim. In the abstract, this position is royalism. It is distinct from monarchism, which advocates a monarchical system of government, but not necessarily a particular monarch...
forces gathering in North Devon, and to where they returned on 29 March 1646 after success both at the Battle of Torrington
Battle of Torrington
The Battle of Torrington was a battle of the south-western campaign of the First English Civil War, marking the end of Royalist resistance in the west country.-Prelude:...
and in overturning the siege of Plymouth.
On 14 August 1743 (a Sunday morning), a great fire started, completely destroying High Street and buildings in the "West Town". At that period of time it was the second largest fire in the country, second only to the Great Fire of London
Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the English city of London, from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall...
. Sixteen people lost their lives, with over 2,000 made homeless and 450 houses destroyed. Other large fires occurred in 1766, 1769 and 1772.
The town is twinned with Avranches
Avranches
Avranches is a commune in the Manche department in the Basse-Normandie region in north-western France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. The inhabitants are called Avranchinais.-History:...
, France.
Climate
Crediton has an oceanic climateOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
(Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cfb).
Economy
Cider
Cider or cyder is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from apple juice. Cider varies in alcohol content from 2% abv to 8.5% abv or more in traditional English ciders. In some regions, such as Germany and America, cider may be termed "apple wine"...
had superseded the former large woollen and serge industries. Today, the town has two industrial parks at Lords Meadow and Fordton, a dairy and a small collection of units at Westward Business Park. It is the centre for shopping and business for the surrounding area, and has industries such as graphics and pharmaceuticals.
In 2001 the Crediton area was given priority status with regard to the government's Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease
Foot-and-mouth disease or hoof-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovids...
. By 2006, of 45 projects in the plan, 18 had been completed, resolved, or begun.
Pubs include the Crediton Inn on Mill Street, the General Sir Redvers Buller (a Wetherspoon's), the Three Little Pigs, The Ship, the White Swan on High Street, the Plymouth Inn on Dean Street and The Mitre on High Street.
Landmarks
- The Church of Holy CrossCrediton Parish ChurchThe Church of the Holy Cross and the Mother of Him who hung thereon is a prominent building and worshipping community in the Devon town of Crediton. The church was the cathedral of the Lord Bishop of Crediton in the former diocese until 1050 when the See was transferred to Exeter...
, formerly collegiate, is a Perpendicular building with Early English and other early portions, and a central tower.
- South east of the town, on a ridge overlooking the river, the country house, Downes, was built about 1692. It was the birthplace of Sir Redvers BullerRedvers BullerGeneral Sir Redvers Henry Buller VC GCB GCMG was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
.
- The north west side of the town had a great wall built in 1276 and it is still partly remaining today, although now it looks no different from a normal garden wall.
Education
Queen Elizabeth's Grammar SchoolQueen Elizabeth's Grammar School, Crediton
The former Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Crediton, Devon, England was founded in 1547 by Edward VI and re-endowed and renamed in 1559 by Elizabeth I.-Foundation:...
, founded by Edward VI
Edward VI of England
Edward VI was the King of England and Ireland from 28 January 1547 until his death. He was crowned on 20 February at the age of nine. The son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, Edward was the third monarch of the Tudor dynasty and England's first monarch who was raised as a Protestant...
and refounded by Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
, is today a state run, part boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
, and a community Technology College
Technology College
Technology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
, named Queen Elizabeth's Community College
Queen Elizabeth's Community College
Queen Elizabeth's Community College is a comprehensive school in Crediton, Devon. It is Devon's only state boarding school, and serves over 1600 students, of whom around one in forty are boarders...
which gets good GCSE and A level results . There are two primary schools; Hayward's Primary School and Landscore Primary School. Nearby in the village of the same name is Sandford School
Cultural references
Bernard CornwellBernard Cornwell
Bernard Cornwell OBE is an English author of historical novels. He is best known for his novels about Napoleonic Wars rifleman Richard Sharpe which were adapted into a series of Sharpe television films.-Biography:...
mentions Crediton as Cridianton in his books The Pale Horseman
The Pale Horseman
The Pale Horseman is a novel by Bernard Cornwell, based in 9th Century Wessex and Cornwall, and is the second book in his The Saxon Stories series. The book is the sequel to The Last Kingdom, and starts where that tale left off...
and The Last Kingdom
The Last Kingdom
The Last Kingdom is the first book in The Saxon Stories series by Bernard Cornwell. The series follows the wars between King Alfred the Great and the Danes or Vikings. The Last Kingdom focuses on Uhtred's upbringing and early adulthood. The book begins when Uhtred marches with his father to war...
. Both books are set during the reign of Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great was King of Wessex from 871 to 899.Alfred is noted for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings, becoming the only English monarch still to be accorded the epithet "the Great". Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself...
.
Literature
- T. Reuter (ed.): The Greatest Englishman: Essays on St Boniface and the church at Crediton, Exeter, 1980.
(Some text may have been edited).