Codicote
Adjacent Parishes: Ayot St Lawrence, Ayot St Peter, Kimpton, Knebworth, Welwyn
It was in Cashio Hundred and the Hitchin Union
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The Church of St Giles is an ancient edifice of flint in the Early English style, situated nearly half a mile from the village, and consists of chancel, clerestoried nave of four bays, south porch, south aisle, a small chapel ... called the Darce chapel, and an embattled western tower, containing a clock and six bells, dated 1782 and 1792; the church was restored in 1853, at a cost of £1800. |
Codicote is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, with the same spelling as at present, although there have been variations over the years. "Cote" is an early form of "Cottage" and The Place-Names of Hertfordshire suggests it was a Saxon name indicating Cüphere's cottage. (I cannot reproduce the phonetic marks in the book accurately or say how this should be pronounced.)
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 The "George and Dragon" Inn, Codicote Card posted 1903 |
The George & Dragon: The Greyhound in 1481; but certainly an inn from 1279, when Laurence the Taverner occupied it. Its annual rent to the lord of the manor was four shillings and 2 capons. The present handsome building dates from about 1550; but when it became the George is unknown, probably at the rebuilding. Brought by Trust Houses Ltd. from Viscount Hampden, lord of the manor, in 1920; before that the lease to W. and S. Lucas, of Hitchin, brewers. It was here that recruits from Mid-Herts were enrolled to defend Hertfordshire from the Young Pretender in 1745. Unsupported tradition links it with a highwayman named William Page, executed at Hertford in 1758. [from Hertfordshire Inns]
Codicote Church - postcard posted 1946
See also Vital Records
If you know of other books, websites, etc, relating to this place, please tell me.
Page updated June 2007
