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West Hanney

On the western boundary, just within the parish, stands what is left of the deserted medieval village of North Denchworth. Grange Farm is believed to be the site of the old manor, though a moat down by the Childrey Brook may have enclosed the medieval house (this is in Denchworth parish). This was the home of the famous Fettiplaces. They were a most prolific family who went on to own some forty-nine different Berkshire manors, as well as many in Oxfordshire. Hence:

 The Traceys, the Lacys and Fettiplaces
Own all the manors, the parks and the chases.

But they started out here. Adam Fettiplace, the Mayor of Oxford, rented Wantage Manor from Fulk FitzWarin in 1245. Finding that he liked North Berkshire, he bought North Denchworth eighteen years later. The church has now lost its memorial to John Fettiplace and his wife (1510), but there are brasses to other families and also a late 14th century priest. The building houses a perpendicular screen and stairs to the old rood loft. Much of the church still retains its original Norman style, but note the interesting 12th century lancet window cut through one of the buttresses.