Hawkridge (St. Giles)

HAWKRIDGE (St. Giles), a parish, in the union of Dulverton, hundred of Williton and Freemanners, W. division of Somerset, 4 miles (W. N. W.) from Dulverton; containing 79 inhabitants. It is intersected by the river Barle, and is in some parts mountainous, and diversified with moors well stocked with black game: the wood consists principally of oak copses which abound with red deer; the hills are grazed by sheep, and the grain raised is chiefly oats. The living is a rectory, with that of Withypoole annexed, valued in the king's books at £13. 8. 4., and in the gift of the Rev. George Jekyll: the tithes of Hawkridge have been commuted for £84. 5., and the glebe contains 316 acres. Near Castle Bridge, so designated from its vicinity to an ancient fortress called Monceaux Castle, is an encampment named Hawkridge Castle.