The Birthplace of Sir Walter Raleigh
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We first hear of Hayes Barton in the reign of Henry
VII (1154), when it was given into the possession of
Bartholemew de Poer, a member of a most distinguished family that retained the Manor for
well over 200 years. The time arrived at last when the male Poer family came to an end
and the sole remaining heiress, Cecelia married Mr William Duke a shrewd businessman
from Sherborne and the Manor passed into his hands. It was from the descendants of Mr
Duke that the Raleighs leased the Manor and they settled happily enough in Budley. In
1552 a son was born who was to become a national hero and the favourite of Queen
Elizabeth I. There is little doubt there must have been much renovation since the erection
of the 12th century Manor House, but we can have no possible doubt that the rebuilding to
the shape of an "E" took place in the 16th century at the time of Elizabeth. Nowadays it is
an extremely modern farm and is a family home that is carefully preserved, a house full of
history. "Raleigh's Birthplace by Lilian Sheppard.
Vicar's Mead where Raleigh went to school.
The windows in Vicar’s Mead
have a number of etchings
made by Vicars, some dating
from centuries ago. Also the
house is notorious for its
hidden corridors used by
smugglers many years ago.