STOKE (RODNEY), a parish in the hundred of
WINTERSTOKE, county of SOMERSET, 5 miles (N.W.
by W.) from Wells, containing 272 inhabitants. The
living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry of
Wells, and diocese of Bath and Wells, rated in the
king's books at £8. 12. 85., endowed with £200 royal
bounty, and in the patronage of the Bishop of Bath
and Wells. The church, dedicated to St. Leonard, is
principally in the Norman style of architecture, and has
a curious ancient font. Here is a small endowed almshouse.
This was long the seat of the knightly family
of Rodney, whose descendant, the distinguished admiral,
was elevated to the peerage, as Baron Rodney of
Rodney-Stoke, in 1782, for the memorable victory he
had achieved over the French fleet commanded by the
Compte de Grasse.