East Stoke

A Village Steeped in History

East Stoke is a lovely village located a few miles from Newark-on-Trent. Known for its rich history and beautiful landscapes, East Stoke is a fantastic place for a 5km loop walk that takes in many historical sites. It's also a wonderful spot to view sunsets and see snowdrops and bluebells at the right time of year. Some of these points have been added to the Newark Map.

Historical Significance

East Stoke has a long and memorable history, dating back to Roman times. The Fosse Way, which divides the village in two, was originally part of the Roman road from Bath to Lincoln. It is believed that the Roman fort of Ad Pontem was sited here

Domesday Book: The manor at Stoke is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The village became known as East Stoke to differentiate it from Stoke Bardolf
St. Leonard's Hospital: East Stoke had its own hospital, founded before 1135 by the Ayncourt family of Thurgarton. The hospital stood on the site of the present hall and was dedicated to St. Leonard. It was dissolved in 1573 by Queen Elizabeth I

Notable Citizens

Sir Julian Pauncefote: Sir Julian Pauncefote, the first British Ambassador to the USA, has a Grade II listed monument in the chuh chyard of St. Oswald's Church. His remains were buried here in 1902

Thomas Smith: Born in 1631, Thomas Smith founded a thriving banking business in Nottingham, which eventually became the National Provincial Bank, Ltd

Church of St. Oswald

The Church of St. Oswald dates from the 13th century and was largely rebuilt in 1738, with further restoration on the chancel in 1873. The church is Grade II* listed and features supposed evidence of sword sharpening on its exterior wall

Stoke Hall

Stoke Hall is a Grade II listed Georgian mansion house dating from the mid-16th century or earlier. It was much enlarged by Lewis Wyatt in 1812 and connected to a formerly independent house said to be on the site of St. Leonard's Hospital

The Battle of East Stoke Field

East Stoke is the site of one of the bloodiest battles in English history, the Battle of Stoke Field, which took place on June 16, 1487. This battle was the last major conflict between the Houses of York and Lancaster and marked the end of the Wars of the Roses

Battle Details: The battle was an attempt to unseat King Henry VII in favor of a 10-year-old boy named Lambert Simnel, who was an imposter pretending to be Edward, Earl of Warwick. The rebel Yorkists, led by the Earl of Lincoln and Colonel Martin Schwartz, faced King Henry’s forces. The battle resulted in over 7,000 deaths, with the River Trent said to have “run red with blood”

Red Gutter: The Red Gutter is said to be the area where the massacre took place, although it is unclear whether the name derives from the blood spilled during the battle or from red clay deposits

Cultural Impact

East Stoke's rich history and beautiful surroundings make it a wonderful place to explore. Whether you're interested in its Roman past, medieval history, or the infamous Battle of Stoke Field, East Stoke offers a unique blend of past and present.