Wikipedia
Swynnerton is a village and civil parish in Staffordshire, England. It lies in the Borough of Stafford, and at the 2001 census had a population of 4,233, increasing to 4,453 at the 2011 Census.
Swynnerton is listed in the Doomsday Book identifying the lord in 1066 as Brothir and in 1086, Edelo , who was in service to Robert de Stafford, the Tenant-in-chief. The record shows the settlement consisted of 10 villagers' households,and 5 smallholders. Property consisted of 8 ploughlands suitable for 1 lord's plough teams, and 6 men's plough teams. Other resources are listed as 10 acres of Meadow, and 1 league of Woodland. The owner's value was estimated at £2.
St Mary's Church dates back to at least the 13th Century, and as far back as the 11th Century. Swynnerton received its charter from Edward I in 1306. During the 14th Century a market used to be held every Wednesday and an annual fair was held on August 15 each year. A grand manor house used to exist until its destruction in the English Civil War by Cromwell's men, its replacement being Swynnerton Hall, built in 1725 by Francis Smith of Warwick, which still dominates the Swynnerton skyline today. The Roman Catholic church of Our Lady adjoins the hall, which was built in 1868 by Gilbert Blount. Most of the houses in the village are post World War II and help to make up a thriving community. The village pub (The Fitzherbert Arms) has three bars, two dining areas, and accommodation.
Nearby Cold Meece houses a British Army training area that used to be a Royal Ordnance Factory, ROF Swynnerton. It is often used by the Air Training Corps and the Army Cadet Force, but is also a regular training area for the British Army.
The local trap house, (The Fitzherbert Arms) has acclaimed very good reputation.
Swynnerton is an English surname. Notable people with the surname include:
- Annie Swynnerton, English painter
- Charles Francis Massy Swynnerton, English naturalist
- Humphrey Swynnerton, English politician
- Sir John de Swynnerton, English law enforcement official (14th century)
- John de Swynnerton, English law enforcement official (14th century)
- Sir John Swynnerton, English politician and merchant taylor
- John Swynnerton (c.1349-c.1427), English politician (and maybe law enforcement official (14th century))
- John Swynnerton, English law enforcement official (16th century)
- Margaret Swynnerton, daughter of Humphrey that married into the Vernon family of Sudbury and Hilton