NUNWELL

The deeds here listed show how the Oglander family bought out the various freeholders in the manors of West Nunwell and later East Nunwell, which they acquired in 1522. This process was almost completed by the mid-sixteenth century, when the family began to turn their attention to other properties on the north side of Nunwell; Whitfield, Barnsley, Hardingshute, Smallbrooke, Nettlestone, Park and St. Helens.

The Oglander family's title to the manor of West Nunwell, now called Nunwell Farm, almost certainly stretches back into the 12th century, before title deeds were in general use.

Robert de Oglandres, a signatory to the foundation charter of Quarr Abbey (about 1131) may have held Nunwell, as may Herbert de Oglandres, presumably his son, a signatory to Island documents a generation later. The first certain holder of the manor of West Nunwell was Henry, son of Turbert, perhaps a son of the above Herbert, who appears as the Lord of Nunwell, in a confirmation by William de Vernon, Earl of Devon and Lord of the Isle of Wight to the Abbey of Lyre of their possessions in the Island. This can be dated to the period 1193 - 1217, when William de Vernon was Earl of Devon. An almost identical confirmation by Godfrey, bishop of Winchester, reduces the period to 1193 - 1204 when Godfrey died (Carisbrooke Cartulary (4,23,232)). Henry son of Turbert was succeeded at Nunwell by Roger de Oglander, who in the early years of the 13th century granted 2 acres in Nunwell on the bounds of Kerne to his servant Geoffrey Escoutard who granted them to the monks of Carisbrooke about 1226. The grant was confirmed by Robert de Oglander, who died in 1246, the son of Roger, and the 2 acres were repurchased by Roger de Oglandre, doubless son of Robert in 1256. (Carisbrooke Cartulary 152 & 153 and infra. No. A5). This establishes the early chronology of the family.