What is the Town & Manor?

Website services for the Town & Manor of Hungerford
by Hugh Pihlens

Town and Manor of Hungerford
and Liberty of Sanden Fee




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The Town & Manor of Hungerford and Liberty of Sanden Fee probably became established in the 14th Century for the protection of the Rights of Common jealously exercised by the inhabitants of the Town.

It is probable that the Rights to hold Markets and Fairs and the Assize of Bread and Ale were first granted during the reign of King Henry III (1207-1272). These rights were confirmed during the reigns of King Edward I and King Edward III. In addition Grazing Rights were gained on the Royal Estate land around the town. It was John O’Gaunt, the fourth son of Edward III who granted Fishing Rights to the inhabitants and to this day is always considered a generous gift by any standards hence he is considered the town’s benefactor of this legacy.

The ancient rights were always attached to the houses where the inhabitants lived and carried out their trades, those original dwellings have long since gone but the buildings that have taken their places continue to retain those rights which may be exercised by one person living or working in the property to this day. That person is known as a Commoner who may exercise rights to fish, graze cattle, shoot and to collect watercress within the seasons.

These days the Town & Manor of Hungerford owns a considerable estate of land and property and extends to 300 acres of permanent grassland where 250 cattle graze the Common Port Down and Freeman’s Marsh, 4.5 miles of Chalk Stream Trout Fishing, the riparian owners of 3 miles of the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Town Hall and Corn Exchange and the John of Gaunt public house in Bridge Street. The homes of the Cricket and Football Clubs are on part of the Common Port Down also the War Memorial Ground of WWII.




		John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster

The Ancient Rights are administered by the Hocktide Court whose Jury appoint the officers each year from the eligible Commoners. The Hocktide Court being a Court Leet or a Country Court that sits in the spring of the year on the second Tuesday after Easter. The officers being the Constable, Portrieve, Bailiff, 4 Tithingmen, 10 Water Bailiffs 10 Overseers of the Common, 3 Keepers of the Keys to the Common Coffer, 2 Ale Tasters, a Bellman and a Blacksmith.

A Steward is appointed to run the Court who is not normally a Commoner but is called to see justice and fair play.

Hocktide is celebrated during the 2 weeks immediately following Easter which commences and a number of events take place which commences with the Selection of the Hocktide Jury, the Office Holders meet at Macaroni Supper, Ale Tasting, Tutti Day when the Hocktide Court is convened and followed by the Hocktide Lunch. The new Officers are sworn into office at the Court Leet, the new Constable then leads the officers and inhabitants to St Lawrence’s Parish Church for Constable’s Sunday Service. This finalises the events of Hocktide for the year.

Robert W.James
Trustee of the Town & Manor of Hungerford

Follow this link for More on the Town & Manor by Jack Williams.

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