Acton Burnell
Acton Burnell | |
---|---|
St Mary's church and the 'castle', actually a fortified manor, at Acton Burnell. | |
Location within Shropshire | |
OS grid reference | SJ529020 |
Civil parish |
|
Unitary authority | |
Ceremonial county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | SHREWSBURY |
Postcode district | SY5 |
Dialling code | 01694 |
Police | West Mercia |
Fire | Shropshire |
Ambulance | West Midlands |
UK Parliament | |
Acton Burnell (
The village today has a
History
Running to the north-west of the village is a
The etymology of Acton Burnell is Old English āc (oak) and tūn (farm, estate), joined with the family name Burnell (thus meaning the part of Acton held by the Burnell family).[2]
It was the birthplace of
For 20 years, as guests of Sir Edward Smythe a former pupil, the monks of Douai, following expulsion from France in the French Revolution, lived in community at Acton Burnell until they moved to Somerset, where they founded Downside Abbey, in 1814.[3]
Attractions
There are the remains of
The entire village is designated as a
Acton Burnell Hall is now inhabited by Concord College, an international college, in the grounds of which stand the remaining walls (gable ends) of the 'Parliament Barn' where the first English Parliament at which the Commons were adequately represented met in 1283. Previously Parliament had met at Shrewsbury.
Approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the south of the village is Langley Chapel.
St Mary's Church
Acton Burnell's parish church — St Mary's — was also built by Robert Burnell and dates from circa 1260, though additions were made to it during the 16th century. The church is situated approximately 50 yards from the Castle.
Nearby villages
Nearby villages include
See also
References
- ^ "Civil Parish population 2011". Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ The Cambridge Dictionary of English Placenames, ed. by Victor Watts (Cambridge University Press, 2004).
- ^ "Archives of Downside School" (PDF). National Archives. Retrieved 7 December 2010.
- ^ Shropshire Council Acton Burnell conservation area map
External links
- Acton [Burnell] in the Domesday Book