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The History of Burley
The earliest records are of the bronze age. Definite proof
has been found at Castle Hill, covering about 5 acres is a Bronze or Iron
age camp which stands on a rounded hill 308 feet above sea level. Among
many times discovered in 1926, was a very fine hoard of twelve palstave
axes - these were found in a small gravel pit only 18" below the
surface. these are now in the British Museum dated 1200B.C.
There is also evidence of Saxon occupation as the very name Burley is
composed of two Saxon words 'burgh' which means fortified palace, connected
with the verb 'boergan' which means to protect, and then 'leah' which
means an open meadow or clearing in a wood. Burley is also mentioned in
the Doomsday book.
Burley Manor A.D 1251 - 1936
Records show that by the beginning of the 13th Century the family of de
Burley was firmly established here. Richard de Burley we know held the
estate of King Edward 1 who gave the village of Burley and Manor of Lyndhurst
as Dowry to his second wife Margaret, sister of Philip of France. There
were many more occupants. then in 1852 the Manor passed in to the possession
of Colonel Esdaile who pulled down the old house and built the one standing
at present. Considerable enlargements have been made since that date and
various pieces of land sold. The Manor is now an attractive 3-star hotel.
Burley Chapel
This calvanistic chapel was erected in 1789 for a total of £4. No
pews were to be allowed inside the chapel nor at any time was it to be
used as a school. As far as we know, there was no place of worship in
the village previous to this date. Thomas Eyre was the instigator of the
idea and donations for the costs came from other small villages in the
area.
Burley Church
The Church of St. John the Baptist was built in 1839 and Burley was constituted
an ecclesiastical Parish, so no longer was it necessary to tramp the long
miles to Bransgore or Ringwood to be christened or buried.
Burley has a long connection with witches and during the
late 1950's, Sybil Leek, a self-confessed white witch, lived in this village
.White witches spread goodwill, live close to nature, practice healing
and astrology. Many of the gift shops now sell witch-related gifts and
ornaments.
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