Pillerton Priors / Over Pillerton / Pilardetune

There are two entries for Pillerton [Priors] [variant spelling] in the Domesday survey [http://domesdaymap.co.uk/place/SP2947/pillerton-priors/] [accessed 12 January 2015], but neither mentions cleric or church in it. The 'Priors' part of the name must have been due to the lordship of the Abbey of Saint-Evroult, in France, in Domesday time. The Victoria County History (Warwick, vol. 5, 1949) notes: "In the village the site of the ancient church, or chapel, is now marked only by its churchyard. [...] Hugh de Hercy's grant to the priory of St. Neots of Nether Pillerton church (q.v.) included the chapel of the Blessed Mary of Over Pillerton. No other reference to it appears to be known until 1513, when John Walton was curate here. [...] It does not figure in the Valor of 1535, but it is said that at that time the curate serving it had tithes to the value of £5. [...] The chapel seems to have survived until 1672, when it was burnt down, all that was saved being 'pieces of the three bells, part of the clock, a silver chalice and cover, the great church Bible and Book of Common Prayer'. [...] The chalice seems to have come into the hands of the family of Gardner at Sandpit Farm in the 19th century, but its present whereabouts is unknown. [...] The register of baptisms, beginning in 1604, is preserved at Pillerton Hersey," The Pillerton Priors Parish Council [www.pillertonpriors-pc.gov.uk] [accessed 12 January 2015] informs: "The Church of St Mary Magdalen was burnt down in 1666.The churchyard is still consecrated and in use. A service is held there once a year, normally on the Sunday nearest St Mary Magdalen's Day which is 22nd July."