THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — these Chronicles are created by Valerie Martin and contain scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

A POTTED HISTORY OF MICHELGROVE NEAR FINDON

Compiled by Valerie Martin 2011

The ruins of Michelgrove near Findon come under the schedule of Listed Buildings which makes me realise they are of real significant importance and have historic content.  (Michelgrove Cottages and Myrtle Grove House are also Listed Buildings).  I will document the long history of MICHELGROVE and its aristocratic families in chronological order for ease of reference.

1086

The year 1086 has the first mention of the existence of MICHELGROVE and proves that it was around at this date and documented as being in the Rape of Roger de Montegomery.   

The Manor of MICHELGROVE in its sheltered site in a dry valley was represented at this time by the two hides belonging to Clapham manor, which were in the rape of Roger de Montgomery in 1086.

 1193

An outlying settlement near Clapham was recorded as once more as MICHELGROVE

1190s

Michelgrove Manor, together with Heene Manor, were disputed between John of Coombes and Robert Falconer.

1201

Beatrice, daughter of Hugh of St. Denys conveyed her right in Heene and Michelgrove to one or other of them.  The Falconer family continued to hold MICHELGROVE by knight-service thereafter.

1202

Robert Falconer was succeeded by his son, Robert.

1239 - 1244

Robert’s son, Godfrey succeeded him.

1242

Michelgrove recorded as “held of the honor of Bramber”.

1248

Godfrey Falconer held MICHELGROVE.

1279

A house recorded at MICHELGROVE.   Godfrey Falconer died and was succeeded by his son, Robert (b. 1291.  d. 1302).

1302

Once again a house recorded at Michelgrove and now held by Robert’s son, John (d. 1320). 

1320

When John died, his son and heir, Henry was a minor, but the manor was restored to John’s widow, Lettice, in 1321, since she had been the joint tenant.

1324

The King again had custody of MICHELGROVE.

1364

A house recorded at MICHELGROVE. .

The property was held by the Falconer family - and as from the 14^th century the Falconers adopted the alternative surname of MICHELGROVE  and later used it exclusively.

Henry Michelgrove (alias Falconer) died.  Perhaps he is the same Henry as “the heir of John” who died in 1320.... and perhaps not.   He was succeeded by his son, John, who was a collector of various taxes in Sussex (d. 1393).

1393

John died and was succeeded by his son, Henry (d. 1395).

1398

When Henry’s son, John, died a minor in 1398, he was succeeded by his father’s brother, another John, who fought at Agincourt in 1415.

He had died by 1439.

1445

John’s son and heir, another John, (d. 1459) was a knight of the shire in 1445. 

1459

John died and was succeeded first by his son, John, who died later in the same year.  Then by John’s daughter Elizabeth (b. 1460).     There are by now so many named John that anyone could get confused!

1474

Elizabeth married John Shelley, thus bringing the MICHELGROVE family estates to the Shelley family, with which they were to remain for three centuries.

Elizabeth Michelgrove was seized of a capital messuage, two granaries, a dovecot and two gardens at MICHELGROVE. .

1527

The Michelgrove family as such was eventually succeeded by the Shelley family.

1534

A grand house was rebuilt higher up the valley by Sir William Shelley who found favour with the king and lavishly entertained King Henry VIII at MICHELGROVE.   

This property in the king's time was quadrangular, with an open internal courtyard and polygonal towers at the outer angles.  It was constructed of brick, and the South or entrance facade had a three-bay Doric or Tuscan arcade, apparently of stone. 

The entrance hall may have been incorporated from an earlier house. 

Upstairs was an impressive gallery ......only to be imagined at 78 ft.  long.    Our imaginations are now allowed to run riot thinking of Henry VIII and his entourage travelling down-country for the visit.

1549

Sir William was succeeded in 1549 by his son, John (d. 1550).

1550

When John died, he was succeeded by his son, William.

1580

William was imprisoned in 1580 for recusancy.

1583

William. Shelley held a secret meeting one dark night at Michelgrove with a gentleman named Charles Paget to plot the invasion of England, deposition of Elizabeth and enthronement of Mary Queen of Scots in her stead.     Charles Paget  was a well-known Catholic conspirator against Queen Elizabeth, in the position of secretary to Archbishop James Beaton, the ambassador of Mary Queen of Scots in Paris; although at times he also played the part of a spy and forwarded information to Walsingham and William Cecil.

1585

MICHELGROVE at this time was said to contain more than 50 rooms, but was scantily furnished and in a sad poor condition which suggests neglect and non-residence.

1586

William was attainted in 1586-7 for his part in Throckmorton’s plot.  The sentence of death was, however, commuted and he was sent to the Tower of London..

1593

MICHELGROVE was described as “in great decay and urgently needing repair” in the absence of William Shelley.

1596

William was released from the Tower of London. 

The family estates were leased by the Crown to John and Henry Shelley, Sir John Caryll and others.

1604

The family estates were restored to William Shelley’s nephew, John (d. 1641), on payment of  £11,000.

1611

John was created one of the first baronets in 1611 and was later a commissioner for Sussex.

1641

John’s son, Sir William, having predeceased him, he was succeeded by his grandson, Sir Charles, (d. 1681) a minor.

1649

Sir Charles was abroad in 1649 and though resident at MICHELGROVE in 1671, was abroad again from c. 1678 until his death in 1681.

1681

Sir Charles was succeeded by his son, Sir John (d. 1703).  MICHELGROVE was then let to the Butler family for a number of years.

1703

Sir John died.  His son and namesake (d. 1771) succeeded him.

1727

John was the Member of Parliament for Arundel and Lewes between 1727 and 1747.

1747

The postal address for the village was “Findon near Arundel” in

c. 1755

A pigeon house built on the hill south of MICHELGROVE.

1769

Alterations were made to MICHELGROVE and the property was encased in cream coloured brick.    In 1769, a brickmaker by the name of Hazelgrove was commissioned by one named John Tompkins to provide 20,000 bricks for the reconstruction of Michelgrove.

The internal courtyard was converted into a hall 53 ft. by 27 ft. and 40 ft. in height;  rising above the main building, and having four square towers at the corners.

Later the same year, Stephen Bakers of the Lower Kiln at nearby Clapham, was charged with supplying 16,500 bricks for the same purpose.

Also that year, 29,000 trees were conveyed from other estates by nurserymen, to further beautify the estate, including a much famed heronry.

1770

Sir John Shelley and the Duke of Norfolk met at Shoreham to agree to the construction of a turnpike or toll road between Brighton and Chichester, via Salvington and Arundel.    The "new" road was to become the A27.

They also agreed to the building of a bridge over the River Adur, or Shoreham River, as it was then called.    The Shelley and Norfolk families did not often agree.   There was a regular tussle at General Elections as to who should represent the district in the House of Commons.   Eventually, a gentleman's agreement was come to and at Arundel one "friend" of the Duke and one "friend" of the Shelley family would be the chosen candidates... as the town returned two Members in those days.

1771

John died and was buried on 13th September, 1771 and he was succeeded by his son, another Sir John (d.  1783).   Besides sitting in parliament he held various other offices of state.

It was around this time that a bull was fattened to be slaughtered on every St. Thomas' Day (21st December).   This was a traditional day for charitable giving..... and the meat was distributed to the Michelgrove Estate workers and their families for Christmas.

1793

The park at MICHELGROVE consisted of a magnificent 660 acres.  Much of this had been planted during the mid 18^th century.

1802

649 deer recorded at Michelgrove.

1809

In 1800 the last-named John’s son, Sir John Shelley (died 1852), sold the MICHELGROVE estates due to lack of finance.  By then they included the greater part of the parish and went to Richard Walker of Liverpool.

Alterations in the Gothic style were made to the house for the Walker family, to the designs of George Byfield.   One-storeyed wings were added on both sides of the house,  on the West including a conservatory.   The East contained a dining-room 50 ft. x 27 ft.  and an impressive drawing-room 46 ft. x 40 ft. with a fine groined chestnut ceiling. 

There was a very elaborate marble staircase incorporated at the same date (later moved to Burton Park near Petworth).  The staircase incorporated a  16 inch high seated greyhound on each side of every step.  What a sight it must have been.

A new stable block was built north of the house to replace the earlier stables at the East.

The pigeon house was converted into a clock tower with the addition of a further storey.   The building was square and of three storeys, each narrower than the one previous.   It was constructed of brick and flint with some cement rendering.

Plans for improving the park, made by Humphrey Repton c. 1800/1 were not carried out.

Richard Walker died and he was succeeded by his son, Richard Watt Walker.

1810

The first meeting held at the Old Findon Race Course (between Muntham Well and Chantry Post), covering three days and taking place in May.  

Richard and  John Walker of Michelgrove were supporters of it and the town of Worthing gave a cup to the value of  £50. for one event.

1813

Richard Watt Walker came of age.

In the early 1800s, Richard Watt Walker attempted to have a coach service running from Littlehampton to London.  A road was constructed from Michelgrove to Findon.  He made a private turnpike road along the dry valley, now Long Furlong, to take advantage of the Worthing turnpike road.  The castellated toll house may have been then built, or may have been converted from an existing lodge on the site.  The intention was to be in opposition to the commercial coach service via Arundel, Bury Hill and Pulborough, run by a Mr. Cross who operated a service from Littlehampton to the capital.

One of Mr. Walker’s favourite horses had been sent by mistake by his stud groom to Tattersalls.  It was sold to the Mr. Cross, who promptly refused to return the horse to Mr. Walker.   The outraged owner of Michelgrove threatened to ruin Mr. Cross and proceeded to have the new road constructed so that he could run coaches to London in a shorter time that Mr. Cross in the hope of ruining him.  Mr.

Cross’s coaches continued to run long after the Walker enterprise and they did not stop until the coming of the railway finally put an end to them.

1816

A single race meeting was held at Michelgrove.

 1823

Richard Watt Walker’s scheme failed and the road running from the Gun Inn by Long Furlong was incorporated in the public turnpike road between Findon and Littlehampton. 

1827

Richard Watt Walker lived so extravagantly that he was forced to sell his estates to the 12^th Duke of Norfolk.

c. 1827

When a housekeeper at Michelgrove leaving Mr. Walker’s service, in passing through Findon she called on the butcher to enquire what present he meant to make to her.  He said he was sorry he could only offer her two pounds.  This she scornfully refused, considering it not worth acceptance.   Maybe she had put an amount of business his way from the large house at Michelgrove.

1828

The estate was purchased by the Duke of Norfolk.

click to enlarge

The scene in 2010

Some 50 years later the magnificent house on which so much money had been spent (by three previous owners), was demolished and the whole fabulous edifice was gone and abandoned.     He even ploughed up the parkland and felled the heronry.

The clock on the tower from the hillside now forms an attractive feature in Steyning High Street.

It was in 1828 that William Goater took over the stables.

c. 1877

The house at Michelgrove was demolished and the park partly cut down and abandoned. 

The marble staircase from Michelgrove went to St. Michael’s at Burton Park.

1878

The Long Furlong road was disturnpiked.

1896

William Goater who had trained horses at the Michelgrove Stables, died.

Second World War Years

The racehorses owned by the 16^th Duke of Norfolk were trained by Victor Gilpin at Michelgrove.   

At the outbreak of war, Gilpin rejoined the army and the Duke moved his racing operation to Castle Stables and Arundel Park, while his stud remained at Angmering Park close to Michelgrove.   It was a major undertaking with the limited labour resources available in wartime.  

Many ancient trees had to be uprooted in order to make the new Turf Gallop that ran parallel to the present All Weather Gallop on the east side of the park.  

The Duke lent a hand in the work whenever he could get away from his duties as Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture during these troubled times.

The clock tower on the hillside was said to be the victim of friendly fire and used as target practice in military exercises and was in ruins.

c.1970

Remains of the ruins of the clock tower still in the woods on the slopes above the farm.

1974

By this date the clock tower had been completely demolished.

Only one wall of the grand property of MICHELGROVE  ...... and a turret apparently of the early 19^th century remained, besides the stables and a walled garden to the east.

1996

The marble staircase from MICHELGROVE which had been installed at St. Michael’s at Burton Park was ripped out and stolen.

Continue if you would like to read more about Michelgrove in The Tussle Between Richard Watt Walker and George Cross.

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com is a continually growing record created by Valerie Martin exclusively for documenting life in Findon.