Hudscott

Hudscott is an historic estate within the parish and former manor of Chittlehampton, Devon. From 1700 it became a seat of a junior branch of the influential Rolle family of Heanton Satchville, Petrockstowe and in 1779 became a secondary seat of the senior Rolle family of Stevenstone, then the largest landowner in Devon. Hudscott House, classified in 1967 a Grade II* listed building, is situated one mile south-east of the village of Chittlehampton. It was largely rebuilt in the 17th century by the Lovering family and in the late 17th century became a refuge for ejected Presbyterial ministers. In 1737 its then occupant Samuel II Rolle (1703-1747) purchased the manor of Chittlehampton and thus Hudscott House became in effect the manor house of Chittlehampton.

The estate derives its name from having been before the Norman Conquest of 1066 the cott of the Saxon cottar named Hudda.

Hudescote is listed in the Assize Roll of 1281, and paid a chief rent of 6 1/2 d per annum as one of the 10 freeholdings within the manor of Chittlehampton. Others included Brightley and Hawkridge.

The first known family to have resided at Hudscott was that of Venner. The descent was as follows:

Robert Venner of Hudescot who married Joane Brighte, daughter of William Brighte. The Brett (alias "Brighte", "Brite", etc.) family were from Pilland in the parish of Pilton near Barnstaple and Robert Brett (died 1540) was lord of the manor of Pilland and the last steward of Pilton Priory before the Dissolution of the Monasteries The Brett family was from Whitestaunton in Somerset and had married the heiress of Pilland late in the 15th century. The Brett family is today represented by Viscount Esher.

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