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A Concise History of Weoley Castle

A Concise History of Northfield

From: Martyn Northfield [martyn@unclejum.co.uk]

Dated: 12/05/03

Hi,

As you may guess from my surname my interest is in the place name Northfield.

FH research back to the 16th. century is local to Cambridge for my line, although the name also occurs in Beds.,Suffolk and Essex and London at those times and earlier.

Research of the origins of my family name has lead me so far to believe that it originated with people from Northfield, Worc.(as was). I have found references to John de Northfeld rector of St John the Baptist in Oxford (1217), William de Northfield (1260), Hugh de Northfeld (1275), Thomas de Northfeld (1323), Thomas de Nortfelde (1327).

The reason for connecting the name with the place is due to the fact that William was a Prebendary at Mulhuddart in Ireland. In 1185 Richard de Tyrell, son of Hugh de Tyrell, gave a grant to the Benedictine Monks of the Abbey of Little Malvern to endow a religious hose at Castleknock in honour of St. Brigid. In 1219 the great tithes of the parish were appropriated by Archbishop Henry de Londres to the Priory of Malvern, in Worcestershire, on condition that they add five Monks to their number. In 1226 the first Prebendary of Casleknock,Richard de Gnouessale, was appointed. His income came from the tythes levied on the southern part of the parish - Castleknock. In 1260 tythes from the norther part of the parish - Mulhuddart - made the provision of a second prebend possible and William de Northfield became the first Prebendary of Mulhuddart.

Also, Hugh (1275) and Thomas (1327) are both mentioned in the Worcester Subsidy Rolls (S R Wo).

I would be interested to know if you have any additional information in respect of the above or are aware of anyone who is conducting such research.