WOKING THROUGH THE AGES
Woking in Saxon, Norman and Medieval times
The place names of an area can reveal a great deal about its past. The name ‘Woking’ comes from a 6th or 7th century chief by the name of ‘Wocca’, whose people presumably settled in what is now Old Woking. The name ‘Wocchingas’ was first recorded in the early 8th century in a grant to a Monastery dedicated to St Peter - and it seems likely that the present St. Peter’s Church lies on the old monastic site. The Saxon ironwork on the old west door of the church strengthens this assumption.
The Saxon Ironwork on St. Peter's Church Door, Old Woking.In Saxon times Woking was the heart of one of the fourteen ‘Hundreds’ of Surrey. It stretched from Ash in the west to the Horsleys in the east, with Merrow to the south and Windlesham in the north; but PYRFORD, HORSELL and BYFLEET were not part of Woking. They came under the Hundred of Godley (based on Chertsey).
HORSELL (possibly ‘foul’ or ‘dirty’ hill) was not recorded until the 13th century, but PYRFORD (the ford by a pear tree) and BYFLEET (by the ‘fleet’ or river) were both recorded in Saxon times. Other ancient names include KNAPHILL (1225), BROOKWOOD (1225), GOLDSWORTH (1229) HOOK HEATH (1280) and MAYFORD (1210-12).
BYFLEET, PYRFORD, WOKING and SUTTON were all recorded in the Domesday Survey of 1086 - the latter area (Sud-tone) being the southern manor of Woking.
Chertsey Abbey, from whom Wulfwin (a Saxon) held the manor, owned BYFLEET, at the time of the Survey. He also held it in 1066, making him one of the few Saxon lords to hold on to his land.
Thomas Taylor's brass in St. Mary's Church, Byfleet.King William gave PYRFORD to Westminster Abbey. The land included not just present-day Pyrford, but also HORSELL. The Survey records 37 villagers, 14 smallholders and 3 slaves!
The King held WOKING. It included a church (held by Osbern), a mill (valued at 11s.4d.) and woodland paying 133 pigs in taxes.
Robert Malet, the son of William Malet, who fought at the Battle of Hastings and was responsible for burying King Harold afterwards, held SUTTON after the conquest.
The history of the four Domesday Manors throughout medieval times is long and complicated, with various changes of ownership as national politics dictated. The four ancient churches at PYRFORD, OLD WOKING, HORSELL and BYFLEET also saw many changes over time.
St Nicholas’ at Pyrford dates from about 1140 with very few later alterations. It is perhaps best known for its fine Norman wall paintings and consecration crosses.
St Peter’s, Old Woking, also dates from the 12th century but, as mentioned above, includes Saxon ironwork on its old west door. The south aisle was added in the 13th century, with the base of the tower dating from between 1200-20 and the top being added in about 1340.
Horsell’s St Mary’s Church was originally a chapel built in the mid 12th century. It was rebuilt in the early 14th century, with the south aisle being added in the 15th century.
The ruins of Newark Priory.St Mary’s at Byfleet contains some stonework from the early 14th century, along with wall paintings over the north door (c1310) and a brass to Thomas Teylor, the Rector between 1454-1489.
All, except Byfleet, were at one time held by Newark Priory at Ripley.
Linked Pages.
More information on the Saxon, Norman and Medieval period may be found under the pages of the relevant places mentioned in the text above.
Booklets.
Booklets on ‘The Place Names of the Borough of Woking’, ‘The Medieval History of the Manor of Woking’, ‘A Brief History of Newark Priory’, ‘A Brief History of Sutton Place’ and ‘A Brief History of the Manor of Byfleet’ are also available - please see the list of publications on the HERITAGE WALKS page.
