Medieval Wiltshire house – Bachelor’s Mead

Posted by Melanie Backe-Hansen on Apr 18, 2011 in Historian |

My latest blog for Country Life looks at the history of Bachelor’s Mead in a small Wiltshire village near Devizes. The core of the house dates back to the 14th century and still retains original timber crucks, as well as other historic details such as timber fireplace and double height living room originally used as a school room.

Bachelor's Mead

I was fortunate to trace the owners and occupiers of the house back to the 16th century when Elizabeth I was on the throne! Prior to that it was part of the manor belonging to the Bishops of Sarum.

Timber crucks dating to 1350

The house passed through a number of prominent local families, until in the 19th century it was sold to the Crown and was the home of Simon Bishop and his family, including his wife Mary, who established a small village school in the newly extended part of the house.