59.     John Hooker / Reynolds I                                                          1892 


Herbert Edward Reynolds, a local historian and author of a short history of the diocese, edited a number of items from the Cathedral Archives including some plans and writings by John Hooker and brought them to the attention of a wider public in his An Original Manuscript Of John Hooker, Chamberlain Of The City Of Exeter 1555. This was published in 1892 and included illustrations of two of John Hooker’s manuscript plans made 300 years earlier.[1] Reynolds’ book included a Preface from Hooker’s ‘Great History of Exeter’ – now in the Guild Hall of the same City Written by his own hand, and never before printed – and included descriptive notes and an introduction. Hence, although John Hooker’s original manuscript plan was executed in 1590 it was not until 1892 that the plan of St. Sidwell´s (below) or the Churchyard (next entry) were first printed.

Though there is no actual title to the plan described below there is text written within a rectangle which describes the limits of the Fee ‘And so forth by the middle of ye same waye to a lile water there called Shyttebrooke, And downe by ye midle of the same brooke unto ye Southe ende & corner of a garden of ye sayde Prior of St. Johns adioynante yto the same brooke wch garden lyeth in the West Syde of the same brooke and within the soyle Fee & ground afore sayde. And so from ye same South ende & corner by and by dytch of ye same garden into a pathe westewardes lyinge betwene ye landes called St Johns  feeldes on ye one partie, and ye Soyle Fee & ground aforesayde on the other partie. And so forthe in the same pathe westewardes unto a close of William menardes. And so by ye  midle of ye same close over the close sometimes of Roger Golde in y southe partie and ye barne of ye sayde Thomas Bernes ats Renolde in ye north partye And so out into the high waye called Croldich waye, And so forth by ye midle of ye same waye Northwards betwene ye garden and tenement of John at Forde in the west parte into ye high waye cominge from Exeter to St Annes Chappell &c.’ 

Title: No title but shows the area of St. Sidwell’s Fee

Size: 260 x 285 mm. A compass (top) but no scale. 

The plan shows the Fee of St. Sidwell, part of the castle and the city walls from the east gate round to the south gate. Features of note include the Guildhall[2] at the corner of Paris Street; the doorway through the wall into the close; the Alms houses; three county stones; and St. Karlet’s Cross.

In 1911 William Pollard published An Account of the sieges of Exeter by John Hoker – transcribed by William J Harte. This work contained other plans executed by Hooker usually with his imprint: William Pollard & Co. Ltd. Lithographers, Exeter & London.

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[1] The original drawing and that of the churchyard are part of the collection of Hooker manuscripts formerly held by the Dean and Chapter as D&C.Ex.3530 f.37 and D&C 3530 f.59-60. They are now lodged at the Devon Record Office. Both maps are listed in a Table of Contents to Hooker's history (ECA Book 52) but the maps have no titles: Platt of St Sidwells Fee; and A Platte of the Churchyarde.

[2] The courts of the Lords of the Fee were held in this guildhall.

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