Semer, Suffolk
| Semer | |
 All Saints Church |
|
  Semer |
|
| Population | 130 (population of the whole parish in 2011)[1] |
|---|---|
| District | Babergh |
| Shire county | Suffolk |
| Region | East |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ipswich |
| Postcode district | IP7 6 |
| EU Parliament | East of England |
Coordinates: 52°04′52″N 0°55′05″E / 52.081°N 0.918°E
Semer is a small village and civil parish in Suffolk, England.[2] Located adjacent to a bridge over the River Brett on the B1115 between Hadleigh and Stowmarket, it is part of Babergh district. The parish also contains the hamlets of Ash Street and Drakestone Green.
Semer Wood, a designated wildlife site, is classified as ancient woodland.
The parish was recorded in the 2011 census as having a population of 130; down from 158 in the previous census.[1]
History
Semer is recorded in the Domesday Book as belonging to Bury St Edmunds Abbey in both 1066 and 1086.[3] The abbey acted as both Lord of the Manor and Tenant-In-Chief.[3]
The village is recorded as home to 20 households: six villagers, 13 small holders and one slave.[3] It is recorded as having enough ploughland for 3 lord's plough teams and 3 men's plough teems; and the village also had 12 acres of meadow, a mill, a church, 0.25 acres of church land, 16 cattle, 2 cobs, 24 pigs and 97 sheep.[3]
In 1086, the village is valued as worth £6 a year to its lord (Bury St Edmunds Abbey: a £1 increase on its value in 1066.[3] Its taxable value is recorded as 3.8 geld units and 2.5 villtax.[3]
Hamlets
Ash Street
The small hamlet of Ash Street is centred approximately 0.5 miles (0.80 km) east of Semer church; it is located to the north of a bridge over the River Brett.
Ash Street is recorded in the Domesday Book as a very small settlement of just five smallholders, with 6 acres (2.4 ha) of meadow and a mill; the hamlet had a taxable value of 1.5 geld units.[4] Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066, the hamlet was owned by an unnamed "Free Woman".[4] After the Conquest it is recorded as under the Lordship of William the Conqueror's half-brother: Robert, Count of Mortain.[4]
Drakestone Green
The small hamlet of Drakestone Green is centred approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Semer church.
References
- 1 2 "Semer: Key Statistics". 2011 Census. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ↑ Kelly, E. R., ed. (1875). "SEMER". The Post Office Directory of Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk. London: Kelly & Co. p. 907.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Semer". Domesday Map. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Ash Street". Domesday Map. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
External links
Media related to Semer at Wikimedia Commons- Media related to Ash Street at Wikimedia Commons
- Ash [Street] in the Domesday Book