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Mail David
Most of the Roman activity from Lambourn
parish appears to have been in the Eastbury area. A highly interesting find
is a
bronze sceptre head in the form of a male bust. It may have been associated with
a Roman temple whose whereabouts is, as yet, unknown. Perhaps it was
the building on Stancombe Down, revealed by its roof tiles and floor
tesserae; pottery, mortars and coins. Although this is usually interpreted
as a villa. The graves of ten 4th century residents have also been found
there. Eastbury must be one of the prettiest
villages in Berkshire. It has many old and interesting buildings which
catch the eye as you pass along the Newbury to Lambourn road. There are
huge medieval thatched barns, little cottages and Jacobean farmhouses. Pigeon House Farm is named after its well
preserved flint and brick dovecote with room for 999 pigeons! Both
buildings are dated 1620. The red-brick manor is also 17th century and
features internal panelling and a fine chimneypiece flanked by caryatids. As his name suggests, the family of the great Lambourn benefactor,
John D'Estbury, who built the village almshouses, came from Eastbury
Manor. His ancestor and namesake acquired it through a number of land
transactions in the 1360s, during the lunacy of the rightful owner, Joan
de Wanting! The little church of St. James only dates
from 1851, but the village has a medieval preaching cross. In the 16th
century, it was stated that "on Wednesday in the procession week the
procession of Esbery goes to Gombelton Cross and meets Lamborne procession
and then both come to Esbery chapel. . . . Then Esbery goes with them in
to the Wodlond on Holy Thursday and the procession of Esbery goes to
Wodebery Crosse and there tarries for Lamborne's procession."
Eastbury
A Pretty Place