The Estate of Stratton

Binhamy from the earliest of times was settled by different prehistoric peoples, but if we think of its location as being part of the estate of a larger Stratton, then we introduce a wider question. This area represents the gateway to Cornwall with the easiest crossing of the river Tamar just to the east; it has the watershed highway, north to south, passing through the hamlet of Stratton and with the harbour and Neet estuary close at hand.

Perhaps it is no surprise that Saxon King Egbert eventually took up an estate at nearby Kilkhampton and the later King Alfred took estates at Stratton. The area was a favourite hunting area with deer parks at nearby Launcells and elsewhere. This was a comparatively prosperous area and with the coming of the Normans, they too settled in local estates, displacing the incumbent owners. Tintagel castle added sparkle and intrigue to the area and had been a large wealthy trading site and summer residence of probable Cornish kings. The structured society of the Normans appointed their earls to Cornwall and they too chose to base themselves at Launceston and later at Tintagel.

In time, wealthy family from regions farther afield in England came to this area and to Stratton. In1216 we have the first reference to Bartholomew Turet, the brother of Lucy Turet the wife of Ralph de Albo Monesterio or Blanchminster. Bartholomew clearly had land in this area, which may well have been at or included land at what would become Binhamy. He was actively involved in the Bishops War against King John and was deprived of his lands, which included Stratton in 1216. However, a year later King Henry 111 came to the throne and Bartholomew expressed his allegiance to the new King and his estates were returned to him.

Bartholomew is understood to have died around 1235 without descendants and his estates passed to his sister Lucy and effectively to Ralph de Blanchminster. In 1254, we see land that had become the possession of Lucy Turet at Healaugh Park, Yorkshire, being transferred by charter to Ralph de Blanchminster. Lucy had married Ralph de Blanchminster around 1198 and may well have lived at the Blanchminster or the Turet’s estates for some years. However, with the death of Bartholomew the Blanchmisters may well have decided to make Stratton or Week St Mary their home; in time setting up home at Binhamy.

Stratton was in Medieval times an important centre and was at the centre of the “Stratton Hundred”, that is the medieval division of land division. In theory, it was based on the acreage necessary to support one family that could be ploughed by a team of oxen. Each hundred is supposed to have contained one hundred such land areas or family holdings. In practice, it varied according to the quality of the land within the holding and, no doubt, other factors.