Repton and its neighbourhood

by F. C. Hipkins

Mr. Estridge’s House.

Mr. Gurney’s House.

CHAPTER XIII.
CHIEF EVENTS REFERRED TO, OR DESCRIBED.

A.D.
584-93	The Kingdom of Mercia founded, Creoda its first King.
652	Peada, son of Penda, converted to Christianity, [p. 8].
655-6	Penda, K. of Mercia, slain at Winwaedfield by Oswin, [p. 8].
c. 656	Repton Abbey founded, [p. 8].
657	Bishop Duima died, “buried among the Middle Angles at Feppingum” (Repton?) [p. 8].
660	Eadburgh, daughter of Aldulf, K. of East Angles, Abbess, [p. 9].
672	Guthlac enters the Abbey, [pp. 9-12].
c. 695	Ælfrida = (Ælfthryth), Abbess, [pp. 9-12].
755	Æthebald, K. of Mercia, slain at Seccadune (Seckington, nr. Tamworth), buried at Repton, [pp. 6-9].
781	Cyneheard, buried at Repton, [p. 9].
835	Cynewaru, Abbess of Repton, [p. 9].
839	Wiglaf, K. of Mercia, buried at Repton, [p. 9].
849-50	Wystan, son of Wimund, murdered at Wistanstowe, Shropshire, by his cousin Berfert, the body was brought to Repton, and buried by the side of his grandfather Wiglaf, [p. 15].
874	The Danes came to Repton, left again in 875, having destroyed Repton Monastery, &c., [p. 9].
c. 957	Repton Church built, [p. 9].
c. 1034	Canute transfers the relics of St. Wystan to Evesham Abbey, [p. 9].
1086	Repton is mentioned in Domesday Book as having a church, two priests, and two mills, [p. 9].
1172	The Canons of Calke transferred to Repton Priory, which had been built by Maud, Countess of Chester, a few years before, c. 1150, [p. 10].
1207	A portion of St. Wystan’s relics returned to the Canons of Repton, [p. 16].
1330	The owners of the Manor of Repton claimed to be lords of the hundred, and to have within their manor a pillory, tumbrell, and gallows, for the punishment of criminals; they also claimed, by prescription, a market at Repton on Wednesday, and a fair on the 1st of July.
1337-77	Repton Church enlarged to its present size, [p. 20].
1538	Repton Priory dissolved, granted to Thomas Thacker in 1539, destroyed by his son Gilbert in 1553, [p. 53].
1557	Sir John Porte founded Repton School, [pp. 61-63].
1622	A Royal Charter granted by King James I. incorporating Etwall Hospital and Repton School, [p. 64].
1643	The Inhabitants of Repton and other parishes protest against the marauding excursions of the Parliamentary forces, under Sir John Gell, quartered at Derby, [p. 5].
1654	Thomas Whitehead, 1st Usher of Repton School, founded the Whitehead Charity.
1657	Ralph Hough Charity founded.
1687	The grave, with stone coffin, skeletons, &c., discovered in Allen’s close, [p. 5].
1697	Mary Burdett Charity founded.
1699	The river Trent made navigable, up to Burton-on-Trent, by Act of Parliament.
1706	William Gilbert Charity founded.
1717	Dorothy Burdett’s Charity founded.
1719	A singer’s gallery erected at the west end of the Church, [p. 21].
1721	The Church spire rebuilt by John Platt and Ralph Tunnicliffe.
1736	William Hunt’s Charity founded.
1749	Richard Coming’s Charity founded.
1766	The “Common” fields enclosed by Act of Parliament.
1779	The Crypt of Repton Church discovered! [p. 21].
1784	The upper part of the Church spire, which had been struck by lightning, rebuilt by Mr Thompson of Lichfield.
1792	The Church restored, [p. 21].
1802	Repton volunteers enrolled (150).
1804	The weather-cock on the spire repaired by Joseph Barton.
1805	Navigation on Trent ceased, transferred to Trent and Mersey Canal.
1806	The old square shaft of Repton Cross replaced by the present round one.
1815	The Methodist Chapel built.
1836	The Independent Chapel built.
”	Willington Bridge begun, opened in 1839.
1838	The Church School-room built by public subscription.
1839	A two-edged sword, and a large quantity of human bones found, whilst digging out the foundations of the culvert bridge over the “Old Trent.”
1842-8	Galleries on the north and south sides of the Church built, [p. 22].
1843	A troop of yeomanry raised.
1851	The British Archæological Association visited Repton, from Derby.
1854	The two round Saxon arches and piers removed, replaced by the two pointed arches, and hexagonal piers, [p. 22].
”	Repton Institute opened.
1857	Repton School Tercentenary, [p. 75].
1857	Repton Gas Company established.
1858	Repton School Chapel founded, [p. 76].
1866	Tile Kiln discovered on the Paddock, [p. 71].
1867	School Chapel enlarged by the addition of an apse, in memory of Mrs. Pears, [p. 77].
1868	A new clock in the Church, also in her memory.
1874	Dr. Pears resigned, and Mr. Messiter died.
”	Dr. Huckin, headmaster.
1880	School Chapel extended about twenty feet to the west, [p. 77].
1883	Dr. Huckin died. Rev. W. M. Furneaux succeeded.
1884-5	South Aisle added to School Chapel, [p. 77].
1886	Pears School opened on Speech Day, June 17th, by the Hon Mr. Justice Denman, (O.R.), [p. 83].
”	Repton Church restored, [p. 23].
1887	Engineering Works established by W. Stephenson Peach, Esq.
1888	The block of Form rooms erected on the east side of the Priory.
1889-91	Old “Big School” converted into “Sixth Form Library,” [p. 85].
1890	Freehold of Hall Orchard purchased, and Cricket Pavilion enlarged.
1891	Freehold of Hall and Cricket Field purchased.
1894	New Sanatorium opened.
1896	Porter’s Lodge built.
1897	New Fives’ Courts made.
1898	Willington Bridge made free for ever, on August 1st.
1899	Hall Orchard levelled.

Plate 15.

Cricket Pavilion, Pears Hall, &c.

CHAPTER XIV.
THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF REPTON.