Century Highlights

The Portman family acquire the Tudor Tavern
Walter Portman marries Christina de Orchard
St Michael’s Church expanded by Walter and Christina

The Tudor Tavern. Image credit: Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society

1417-1435

Walter Portman, the grandson of William, MP for Taunton in ten Parliaments

c1425

The Portman family acquire the Tudor Tavern, Taunton

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1417

1417-1435

Walter Portman, the grandson of William, MP for Taunton in ten Parliaments

c1425

The Portman family acquire the Tudor Tavern, Taunton

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View of Orchard House by JC Buckler, 1832. Image credit: Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society

c1440

Through Walter Portman’s marriage to Christina Orchard the Portman family’s social position was considerably improved – they were already established as an important local family but for the first time they also became landowners. The Orchard family had owned land here since 1135 and by the 14th century were lords of the manor of Orchard. This inheritance now passed to the Portman family.
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c1440

Through Walter Portman’s marriage to Christina Orchard the Portman family’s social position was considerably improved – they were already established as an important local family but for the first time they also became landowners. The Orchard family had owned land here since 1135 and by the 14th century were lords of the manor of Orchard. This inheritance now passed to the Portman family.

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1460

Walter’s son, John, a lawyer at the Middle Temple
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1460

Walter’s son, John, a lawyer at the Middle Temple

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St Michael’s Church, Orchard Portman, from a watercolour of 1832 Image credit: Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society

St Michael’s Church

South aisle of St Michael’s Church, Orchard Portman, added by Walter and Christina
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St Michael’s Church

South aisle of St Michael’s Church, Orchard Portman, added by Walter and Christina

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