Semer, Suffolk
Village in Suffolk, England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Semer is a small village and civil parish in Suffolk, England.[2] Located adjacent to a bridge over the River Brett on the B1115 between Hadleigh and Stowmarket, it is part of Babergh district. The parish also contains the hamlets of Ash Street and Drakestone Green.
| Semer | |
|---|---|
All Saints Church | |
  Semer Location within Suffolk | |
| Population | 130 (population of the whole parish in 2011)[1] |
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode district | IP7 |
| UK Parliament | |
The parish was recorded in the 2011 census as having a population of 130, down from 158 in the previous census.[1]
History
The name Semer is derived from the Old English elements "sǣ" (lake or sea) and "mere" (pool or lake).[3] As the name therefore means "lake pool", it may be that the mere element was added at a later date.[3]
Semer is recorded in the Domesday Book as belonging to Bury St Edmunds Abbey in both 1066 and 1086.[4] The abbey acted as both Lord of the Manor and Tenant-in-chief.[4] It is recorded as home to 20 households: six villagers, 13 small holders and one slave.[4] It is recorded as having enough ploughland for 3 lord's plough teams and 3 men's plough teams; and the village also had 12 acres (4.9 ha) of meadow, a mill, a church, 0.25 acres (0.10 ha) of church land, 16 cattle, 2 cobs, 24 pigs and 97 sheep.[4]
In 1086 the village is valued as worth £6 a year to its lord, the Abbey, a £1 increase on its value in 1066.[4] Its taxable value is recorded as 3.8 geld units and 2.5 villtax.[4]
All Saints Church
The small church is set a few hundred yards off of a minor road across a meadow beside the River Brett, It is almost entirely Victorianised with a chancel that was rebuilt in 1870. One notable feature of the graveyard, to the east of the church, is a marble Edwardian angel scattering roses.[5]
The church has a plain square-cut font which is thought to be 14th-century, as is the nave. There is also a Royal Arms of King George III, painted before the union with Ireland.[6] The church has been a Grade II listed building since 10 July 1980.[7]
Hamlets
Ash Street
The small hamlet of Ash Street is centred approximately 0.5 miles (1 km) east of Semer church; it is located to the north of a bridge over the River Brett.
Ash Street is recorded in the Domesday Book as a very small settlement of just five smallholders, with 6 acres (2.4 ha) of meadow and a mill; the hamlet had a taxable value of 1.5 geld units.[8] Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066, the hamlet was owned by an unnamed "Free Woman".[8] After the Conquest it is recorded as under the Lordship of William the Conqueror's half-brother, Robert, Count of Mortain.[8]
Drakestone Green
The small hamlet of Drakestone Green is centred approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Semer church.
