COTHELSTON, a parish in the hundred of TAUNTON-and-TAUNTON-DEAN,
county of SOMERSET, 7
miles (N.W. by N.) from Taunton, containing 108 inhabitants.
The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to
the vicarage of Kingston, in the archdeaconry of Taunton,
and diocese of Bath and Wells, endowed with £200
private benefaction, and £800 royal bounty. Cothelston
hill is one thousand two hundred and fifty feet above
the level of the sea, commanding an extensive view
over eleven counties: on the summit is a round tower
of great antiquity. The old manor-house, formerly the
residence of the Stawells, who held the manor from
the period of the Conquest until it was alienated to the
family of its present possessor, still exists, but is inhabited
by a farmer. A curious and very ancient custom
prevails in this manor, certain tenements being held by
the payment annually of so many bushels of rye, on
Martinmas-day, at the manor-house j from which practice
the tenants are called " Rye Renters." Limestone
strata of blue lyas run north and south through the
parish; and some indications of copper having been
observed, an attempt at mining was made, but it was
soon discontinued.