by Lynn Penfold

The first mention of Littlewick in a written record was in 940AD or at least that is the earliest date when a record has so far been discovered.  But there are some fragmentary evidences of human life at Littlewick many years before that.

“From time to time flint implements have been found, indicating the presence here of the pre‑historic men who used them.  Of the men of the Early Iron Age, the Bronze Age, back through the Neolithic to the Palaeolithic Age, we can know but little, save by the discovery of the weapons of war or of hunting, domestic implements and, in the later of the prehistoric periods, personal ornaments which they made and used.” So wrote villager Henry Bannard in his 1947 history of Littlewick Green.

Other finds throughout the village, but mostly in the south towards the site of an unexcavated villa, bear witness to the Roman occupation.  However, two other historically-driven locals failed to prove beyond doubt that the route of the Camlet Way followed that of what is now a National Cycle Path, at the bottom of School Lane. The Camlet Way was an ecclesiastical highway joining Colchester to Winchester, via St Albans and Silchester.

What is certain is that Littlewick’s development took place in thick woodland, part of the vast Windsor Forest that belonged to the Crown.  Before then it has been suggested that ‘The Island’, in the centre of the Green, was the prehistoric beginnings of the settlement with a wooden palisade and deep ditch to protect against marauding animals and humans.  You can still see signs of the ditch and past residents remembered hiding in it from their parents when it was time for bed!

The first known record of Littlewick is in a 940AD charter by King Edmund when it was called Hildleage.  Because ‘leage’ meant meadow and ‘hild’ a battle, it could refer to an old battlefield (and there were many in the area pre-1066).  However, if the first word were spelt ‘hlid’, it would mean ‘gated meadow or clearing’.  This could, indeed, fit in with many old charters where the Littlewick area is referred to as ‘gated’.  Perhaps it even referred to The Island!

Travelling east, the next settlement mentioned was Swaefes Heale – a hollow owned by a Swabian (from German) – and now The Holloway.  Next was Wufe Leage (Woolley Green) which signified either the meadow of wolves or the meadow belonging to a man named Wulf.

In the intervening years, Littlewick’s name evolved through Lidleage; Lidlewike during Henry III’s reign; Bosces de Lidlegewyk in the 13th century; Lytell Wykewood under Henry VII and Little Wick in the early 1800s.  The word ‘green’ was only added later in the century, probably at the time of the Enclosures Act.

“Littlewick has never been a civil parish, nor has there been a manor of Littlewick, yet it has long possessed a corporate life of its own”, wrote Bannard. “Nor until 1893 did Littlewick have its own church.”

The faithful used to cross the fields to White Waltham church along a present, but ancient, footpath that was known as the Burial Path.

Despite that, ecclesiastical influences resulted in the village and its surrounding area being split between two civil parishes today.  The larger, or southern, portion is in White Waltham and the smaller, or northern, in that of Hurley.  Waltham was given to Chertsey Abbey when it was founded in 699AD. Later, in 1086, Geoffrey de Mandeville, who fought beside William the Conqueror at Hastings, founded a Benedictine priory in Hurley and it became central to village life.

Over the centuries, there have been many references to a chapel in the Littlewick area, probably near FFiennes Farm, but it wasn’t until non-conformist religion developed that a known chapel was built. That was at the bottom of the Green and now part of a garage. Later it was replaced by what is now Chapel House.

Before the Industrial Revolution, life in Littlewick revolved round agriculture.  Villagers carried out mandatory forestry tasks for the Crown and looked after pigs, belonging to the religious houses, which grazed in the woods.  Before a couple of shops began serving the needs of villagers in recent centuries, they grew all the food they could while others, such as smiths, bakers and builders, supported the community.

Now, when virtually everything we need for life is supplied from elsewhere, there are hardly any descendants of original inhabitants living in Littlewick Green.  However, we’re proud of our sense of community and are always happy to add to the family.

Littlewick and its Church
Littlewick’s church was consecrated on Boxing Day 1893.  Since then there have been 11 vicars.  Keith Nicholls is its 12th.  Cruciform in shape, Littlewick church has a west turret above its porch which carries two bells.  They were renovated in 2000, thanks to a collection among villagers and a special donation made by David Penfold in memory of his parents.  The north transept was dedicated by Mrs Miller of Littlewick Place as a children’s corner in memory of her husband and son of six months.  In the south transept is the organ and vestry.  A lilac bush, planted in the churchyard by the south transept, marked the 50th anniversary of the death of Ivor Novello – the famous composer and actor manager lived in Littlewick Green from 1927 to 1952.  Villagers subscribed to a collection to install the present altar rails in memory of their first vicar.

The Great East Window, divided into four main ‘lights’, tells the story of the nativity in mystical form and uses strong colour symbolism.  It was designed and executed by James S Sparrow of King’s Cross, London.  You can see his signature in the shape of a sparrow.  The window was placed in the church by Mrs Gilchrist Thomas in memory of her son.

The Reredos
The focal point behind the altar of Littlewick church, since the 1960s, is a colourful painting showing scenes from the life of Christ.  It was offered to Littlewick church, having lain in the coach house at Wooley Hall for over 50 years and probably came from the chapel installed by a former owner.  Under all the grime, experts said it was an 18th century imitation of 15^thcentury style.  Retiring church warden Arthur Boot and his wife paid for its restoration and it became a real adornment for the church.  It was only after restoration had started that the same picture, in tempera, was found under the oil.  It was removed.  Experts agree the picture dates from the early 15th century, but its origins provoke considerable argument.  First thought to have come from south Germany, later opinion ascribed it to a north Italian school.  The Holy Family and many of the figures near them appear to be north or mid-European in type, but the equestrian figures are more Italian.  More recently an expert has said that it seems to have been painted by a number of different hands.

Experts also believe that parts of the picture were added after the Adoration (bottom left) was painted.  For example, the Venetian-style building on the right and possibly the hill of Calvary (top left). It also seems likely that the Italian greyhound to the right of the stable was added as an improvement to the sleeping dog under St Joseph’s staff which has been half painted out.

The panorama explained.  The panorama of Christ’s life begins under the left-hand castle with shepherds receiving glad tidings from the angel.  Beyond the multitude of the heavenly host is another shepherd standing on a well with his sheep and playing bagpipes.  The scroll in the angels’ hands reads in Latin: ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace’.  The group of naked angels on the stable roof are playing instruments of a medieval band.

Right across the bottom of the picture is the Adoration.  The kings are accompanied by a complete medieval cavalcade of grooms and servants, with onlookers and, in the bottom righthand corner, a troupe of street performers.

On the left is the hill of Calvary.  Looking out of the windows of the building are the 11 apostles speaking in diverse tongues. The various scrolls depict languages such as Hebrew and Arabic.  The top of the picture depicts the Crusades.