Editing Stevenage (section)

===Middle Ages===
According to the [[Domesday Book]], in 1086 the [[Lord of the Manor]] was the [[Abbot of Westminster|Abbot]] of [[Westminster Abbey]]. The settlement had moved down to the Great North Road. In 1281 it was granted a [[Royal Charter]] to hold a weekly market and annual fair, still held in the High Street.

The earliest part of [[St Nicholas' Church, Stevenage|St Nicholas's Church]] dates from the 12th century, but it was probably a site of worship much earlier. The list of rectors (parish priests) is relatively complete from 1213. Around 1500 the church was much improved, with decorative woodwork and the addition of a [[clerestory]].

North of the Old Town is Jack's Hill, associated with the legendary archer [[Jack O'Legs]] of [[Weston, Hertfordshire|Weston]]. According to local folklore, Jack stole flour from the [[baker]]s of [[Baldock]] to feed the poor during a [[famine]], like [[Robin Hood]].

The remains of a [[Medieval architecture|medieval]] moated homestead in Whomerley Wood comprise an 80-yard-square trench almost five feet wide in parts. It was probably the home of Ralph de Homle. Pieces of Roman and later pottery have been found there.

[[Grade II* listed buildings in Stevenage|The oldest surviving house in Stevenage]] is Tudor House in Letchmore Street, built before 1500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/education/educational-images/tudor-house-letchmore-road-stevenage-2193|title=Tudor House, Letchmore Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire &#124; Educational Images &#124; Historic England|website=historicengland.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMMJE0_The_Old_Workhouse_by_Mabel_Culley_2_Letchmore_Rd_Stevenage_Herts_UK|title="The Old Workhouse" by Mabel Culley – 2 Letchmore Rd, Stevenage, Herts, UK - Paintings Then and Now on Waymarking.com|website=www.waymarking.com}}</ref> During the 16th century it was a [[butcher]]'s shop owned by a man named Scott.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101348095-2-letchmore-road-stevenage-old-town-ward|title=2, Letchmore Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire|first=Good|last=Stuff|website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref> From 1773 onwards it served as the town's [[workhouse]], and later became a school from 1835 until 1885.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.workhouses.org.uk/Hitchin/|title=The Workhouse in Hitchin, Hertfordshire|website=www.workhouses.org.uk}}</ref><ref name="Herts genealogy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/places/places-s/stevenage/stevenage-old-workhouse.htm|title=Hertfordshire Genealogy: Places: Stevenage Old Workhouse|website=www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk}}</ref> It was the headquarters of the local [[town gas]] company from c.1885 until 1936, when it was converted into a private dwelling.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hertsmemories.org.uk/content/herts-history/towns-and-villages/stevenage/a_stevenage_picture_book|title=A Stevenage Picture Book}}</ref>

[[Chells Manor]], a medieval [[hall house]] located three miles from the Old Town, was built in the 14th century for the Wake family on the foundations of a much older [[moat]]ed [[manor house]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/stevenage-museum/history-of-stevenage/articles-about-the-towns-early-history/settlement-in-the-stevenage-area-in-the-mediaeval-period|title=Settlement in the Stevenage area in the Mediaeval period|first=Stevenage Borough|last=Council|website=www.stevenage.gov.uk}}</ref> mentioned in the [[Domesday Book]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=365003&resourceID=19191|title=Heritage Gateway - Results|website=www.heritagegateway.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1101434|title=CHELLS MANOR, Non Civil Parish - 1101434 &#124; Historic England|website=historicengland.org.uk}}</ref> The site of the [[lost village]] of Chells was redeveloped during the extension of the [[#Stevenage New Town|New Town]] in the 1980s, and a hoard of [[Roman coin]]s was discovered.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourstevenage.org.uk/content/category/place/chells-manor|title=Chells Manor}}</ref> In the present day, Chells is a suburb of New Stevenage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/herts/vol3/pp139-148#h3-0007|title=Parishes: Stevenage &#124; British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref>