History of Snitterfield Village, Warwickshire
Snitterfield is a small village and civil parish in the Stratford-on-Avon district of Warwickshire, England, situated approximately 4.5 miles northeast of Stratford-upon-Avon. With a population of 1,226 as of the 2011 census, this picturesque village has a rich and varied history spanning over a millennium.
Origins and Early Settlement
Prehistoric and Roman Periods
The earliest evidence of human activity in the Snitterfield area dates back to the Roman period. Archaeological investigations have uncovered fragments of a Roman sepulchral urn dating to the mid-to-late 1st century AD, discovered in a garden on Church Road. Additional Roman pottery fragments from the 2nd-3rd century have also been found, indicating continued occupation during the Romano-British period.
Anglo-Saxon Settlement
The origins of Snitterfield stretch back to Anglo-Saxon times, with the village’s name believed to derive from Old English. The name “Snitterfield” is thought to refer to a “field of the snitter,” with “snitter” possibly meaning a split or division of land. An alternative interpretation suggests the name evolved from “Snytenfeld,” meaning “open field of snipe,” where “Feld” signified a cleared stretch of land amid the Forest of Arden and “Snyten” referred to snipe birds frequenting the meadows near the Sherbourne Brook.
Evidence suggests that Saxon settlers established themselves on the present village site during the first decades of the eighth century and were already Christian by this time.
Medieval Period
Domesday Book Entry
Snitterfield is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as “Snitefeld” in Ferncombe Hundred. The entry records that before the Norman Conquest, the village was held by Saxi, a free man who also possessed lands at Walton, Charlecote, Bramcote, Dorsington and Werlavescote. By 1086, it had passed to the Count of Meulan.
The Domesday survey describes Snitterfield as having:
4 hides of land suitable for 14 ploughs
2 ploughs in lordship with 10 slaves
11 villagers with a priest and 4 smallholders operating 6 ploughs
12 acres of meadow
A value of £4 before 1066 and in 1086, reduced to 100 shillings
Manor and Markets
During the medieval period, Snitterfield was part of a larger manor with connections to local noble families, including the Beauchamp family. The manor passed from the Catilupe family to Thomas West and Eleanor.
The village received significant commercial privileges in the 13th and 14th centuries:
Market Charter granted for Wednesdays on September 24, 1257, by Henry III to John de Cantilupo
Market Charter granted for Tuesdays on May 7, 1324, by Edward II to Thomas West and Eleanor
Fair charters granted for the vigil, feast, and morrow of Saint Kenelm (around July 17) in both 1257 and 1324
Church Development
The presence of a priest recorded in the 1086 Domesday survey implies the existence of a church at Snitterfield. The current Church of St. James the Great began construction in the late 13th century with the chancel, followed by the nave and transepts in the early 14th century. The distinctive west tower was erected in several successive stages between the early 14th century and c.1400, with construction reportedly halted by the Black Death in 1349.
The church features a notable 14th-century font with eight carved heads representing various callings, including a bishop and knight. The building was completed in the 15th century with the addition of a clerestory and heavy oak roof, creating a structure that seemed large for a village with fewer than 200 inhabitants at the time.
Shakespeare Connections
Snitterfield holds particular significance in literary history through its connection to William Shakespeare’s family. Richard Shakespeare, the poet’s grandfather, settled in Snitterfield as a tenant farmer sometime before 1525. He was a prosperous farmer who leased 80 acres of farmland from Robert Arden, the father of Mary Arden who would later marry John Shakespeare.
Richard Shakespeare was frequently mentioned in court and manorial records, often for minor infractions such as overburdening the commons with cattle and failing to attend manor court. At his death around 1560-1561, his estate was valued at £38 17s, a substantial sum for the time.
Richard’s sons John (William Shakespeare’s father) and Henry were both born and farmed in Snitterfield. John moved to Stratford-upon-Avon after marrying Mary Arden in 1581, while Henry remained in the parish until his death in 1596. Henry was excommunicated in St. James church in 1581 for refusing to pay his tithes.
The church register, which began in 1561 and still survives today, contains several entries referring to members of the Shakespeare family, including the burials of Henry Shakespeare in 1596 and his widow Margaret in 1597.
Post-Medieval Development
Gunpowder Plot Connection
Snitterfield gained notoriety through its connection to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. John Grant, born in Snitterfield of an old and respected family, lived at the now-demolished moated house of Norbrook. He was recruited into the plot as brother-in-law to Thomas Wintour and used Norbrook as the conspirators’ Warwickshire headquarters, storing gunpowder and weapons during the summer of 1605. Following the plot’s failure, Grant was captured, tried, and executed at St. Paul’s Cathedral in January 1606.
The Philips and Trevelyan Era
The 19th century marked a transformative period for Snitterfield under the stewardship of the Philips and Trevelyan families. Robert Philips expanded his holdings by purchasing the manor of Wolverton in 1820, and his sons Mark and Robert Needham Philips continued acquiring properties throughout the village until Robert’s death in 1890.
The family undertook extensive improvements, effectively creating what became known as a “model village”. They demolished the old Snitterfield House (built around 1680) and used its stone and brick to improve many cottages and houses throughout the village. The typical Philips houses featured stone mullions, lattice windows set in iron frames, wooden finials at gable points, ornamental barge-boards, and tall Tudor-style chimneys.
Mark Philips, who served as Manchester’s first Member of Parliament from 1832 to 1847, built ‘The Philips and Trevelyan Institute’ (now known as ‘The Gables’) in 1873. When Sir George and Lady Caroline Trevelyan (Mark’s niece) took over Welcombe House, they converted The Institute for village use, creating reading rooms, a library, billiards room, bowling green, and tennis courts.
20th Century and Modern Era
World War II
During World War II, Snitterfield played a significant role in military aviation. RAF Snitterfield was established as a satellite airfield in 1943, serving various training functions. The airfield featured three concrete runways and was used primarily by Flying Training Command, housing No. 18 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit and Belgian training schools. Notably, it’s rumored that rubble from the bombing of Coventry was used as hardcore for the airfield’s construction. The base closed in 1946, and parts of the site are now used by the Stratford-upon-Avon Gliding Club.
Contemporary Development
In the modern era, Snitterfield has continued to evolve while maintaining its historical character. The village expanded in the 18th, 19th, and again in modern times, making it one of the largest village communities in the Avon valley area during the 18th century. Recent developments include new housing estates and improved community facilities, such as the £1 million sports clubhouse that opened in October 2024, featuring tennis courts, bowling green, football facilities, and modern amenities.
The village has established itself as a center for various businesses, including the Welcombe Hills vineyard (established in 2001), the Stratford Manor Hotel, and several corporate training companies housed at Prospero Barn. The village continues to balance historical preservation with modern development, maintaining its character as an important part of Warwickshire’s cultural and historical heritage.
Throughout its long history, Snitterfield has evolved from a small Anglo-Saxon settlement to a thriving modern village, while retaining its connections to some of England’s most significant historical figures and events. Its story reflects the broader narrative of English rural development, from medieval manorialism through Victorian improvement to contemporary community life.
