Houghton Conquest
Timeline
Places > Houghton Conquest
14th Century: All Saints church was built during this century, the nave dates from 1340 and the tower and chancel from 1393.
1589: Thomas Archer was Rector of Houghton Conquest from 1589-1631. He was also a local antiquarian.
1605: James I went to the church to attend a service and hear the Rector Dr. Thomas Archer preach when he was staying with the Conquest family.
1615: Houghton House built for Mary Countess of Pembroke, the House is thought to be the source for the 'House Beautiful' in John Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress'.
1632: Sir Francis Clarke founded the Houghton Conquest Grammar School.
1725: Zachary Grey, well known antiquarian and author, was Rector of Houghton Conquest from 1725. He wrote more than 33 books.
1738: Houghton House came into the ownership of John Duke of Bedford and his son, Francis Marquis of Tavistock resided there. The Marquis was fatally injured in a hunting accident on the 22nd March 1767 and the Duke had the house dismantled and the roof removed.
c1790: Butchers' Arms first licensed, about a hundred years later the name was changed to The Knife and Cleaver.
1812: The Almshouses built.
1830c: Tower Mill built replacing an earlier 18th century post mill.
1837: Henry John Rose was Rector of Houghton Conquest from 1837-1873,he was a theologian and antiquarian.
1870: Major restoration work undertaken on the church.
1908: Village School opened.
1910: Production ceased at Houghton Conquest Tower Mill and the sails were taken to Cranfield Mill.
1951: Village Hall built.
1970: The Old School and Almshouses demolished.
1975: Roof removed from Tower Mill following its collapse.
1976: New village school opened in April.
1981: Major restoration work required to keep church open, the cost of the work required being estimated at 33,000.
Page last updated: 29th January 2014