The junction of Hogmoor Lane with Broadwater Lane is known as Warde's Cross. This reminds us of Richard Warde (originally from Winkfield), Henry VIII's sub-treasurer who was given the main Hurst manor at the Reformation. The Abbot's steward had only ever had a small house in Whistley, but Warde built himself the large Hurst House, near the church, in about 1545. Unfortunately, it was totally reconstructed in 1847, although the builders did reuse the old materials. Richard Warde has a fine family monument and brass (1577) in Hurst Church. Alongside him, lie many other local dignitaries, commemorated by a wide array of elegant monuments. His daughter, Alice Harrison, has a brass depicting her in childbirth during which she died in 1558. Lady Savile, the mother-in-law of Alice's grandson, Richard Harrison, who retired to Hurst, has a vast draped monument with kneeling figures of various family members (1631) including her last husband, Sir Henry Savile. He was the Warden of Merton College, Oxford, and Provost of Eton, who helped translate the King James Bible. There is a chunky wall monument (1683) to Richard's son (and namesake) and his wife. Then there is Henry Barker of Hurst Lodge, who has a recumbent effigy with a finely carved figure of skeletal death kneeling at his feet (1651). The Barkers were patrons of the almshouses built opposite the church in 1664.

Next to the church is the Castle Inn. The so-called Coffin Room within was where bodies would be laid out while awaiting burial, as it was originally a 'church-house' where the clergy sold ale to raise ecclesiastical funds. The bowling green adjoining the pub is the oldest in the county. King Charles I is said to have played on it. He may have been visiting his Secretary of State, Sir Francis Windebank, at Haines Hill on the northern edge of Broad Common. His high position at court had been obtained for him through the influence of his great friend and the King's right-hand man, Reading-born Archbishop Laud. His Grace often visited Hurst and sometimes preached in the parish church. The Harrisons, like Windebank, were also Royalists during the Civil War and spent most of their fortune raising three troops of horse for the King. However, as they were away fighting most of the time, a small party of parliamentarians was able to station itself in the village. In 1643, there was an armed skirmish when some of the royalist garrison at Reading rode out to attack them, but the Roundheads were eventually triumphant.

Read more history of Hurst and other nearby settlements, like Whistley Green, in David Nash Ford's book, 'Mid-Berkshire Town and Village Histories'. Click to Order direct from the Author.

 

NEW BOOK Whether you are from Mid-Berkshire or just visiting, this book is the place to find out all about the history of some 113 different towns, suburbs, villages and hamlets in the Boroughs of Reading and of Wokingham and the eastern portion of the District of West Berkshire. From Streatley to Padworth and Ruscombe to Finchampstead, join David Nash Ford from berkshirehistory.com in his second volume examining 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 1911 or later. Click for full details and purchase options.