RBH: History of Clewer, Berkshire

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David Nash Ford's Royal Berkshire History

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Clewer Village
In the Shadow of Windsor

The name derives from Clifwara meaning Cliff-Dwellers, i.e. those who lived below the hill on which Windsor Castle was built. The castle site was actually in Clewer manor until acquired by William the Conqueror for his new residence. Clewer Church is said to be the oldest building in Windsor, dating from 1100 or before. Its font is certainly of Anglo-Saxon date. The Brocas Chapel there was founded by the Black Prince’s great friend, Sir Bernard Brocas of Clewer Brocas Manor, in 1384. It is a memorial to his wife, Mary, who brought him the hereditary position of Master of the Royal Buckhounds. The hermits of nearby St Leonard’s Chapel appear to have been the chantry priests.

Read more history of Clewer and associated Windsor suburbs in David Nash Ford's book, 'East Berkshire Town and Village Histories'.
Click to Order direct from the Author.

NEW BOOK
Whether you are from East Berkshire or just visiting, this book is the place to find out all about the history of some 126 different towns, suburbs, villages and hamlets around Windsor and Maidenhead, Slough and Bracknell Forest. Join David Nash Ford from berkshirehistory.com as he examines the structures, people and events that have shaped each place. Some of these histories were first published in part here on this website, but they have all been considerably expanded and are joined by many new histories of places often missed by historians, including those which only joined Berkshire in 1974 or later. Click for full details and purchase options.