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| Ernle Road |
It is likely named after Sir John Ernle (c. 1620-97) of the old Calne family of Ernles that came to hold Whetham manor when Michael Ernle married Mary, the daughter of Roger Fynamore in the 1500s.
During the 1600s, we have two Sir John Ernle's, father and son. Sir John Ernle (1647-86), was MP for Calne during 1685 to 1686, but died and was probably not an active member of parliament[2].
So, it is much more likely his father is the inspiration for this street name as not only was a school said to have been founded by Ernle for 5 boys, which lasted until c. 1829[3], but he also laid the foundation in 1695 for a widow's charity in Calne[4].
The charity consisted of several premises in Calne given to benefit the poor widows of Calne. The vicar would receive the yearly rents and profits, then nominate beneficiaries among the poor, who were not already receiving poor relief. This was likely cash in the 18th and 19th century[5]. When Marsh writes of this charity, he states that 'The property now consists of houses and cottages in Calne, a piece of land near Fisher's Brook, and £2042.13 invested in Consols in the names of trustees.'[6]
A 1922 advert for the charity placed by the solicitor, C.O. Gough, states that poor widows hoping to fill the vacancies in the charity must have lived in Calne for at least five years, have not received Poor Law Relief in that period and are unable to maintain themselves due to age, ill-health, accident or infirmity. There may have been an expectation of many applicants as it is also made clear that preference will be given to those with the longest residency in the Parish[7]. Between 1924 and 1978, the Enrle charity was regulated with the almshouses and other charities. In 1978, it was unified with other charities as Calne Relief in Need, which still exists and is managed as Calne Welfare Charities. It's astonishing to think that around 325 years later, Erlne's charitable act is still providing benefits to the people of Calne.
References:
[1] Calne: Manors and other estates | British History Online. 2019. Calne: Manors and other estates | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp64-79. [Accessed 20 September 2019].
[2] ERNLE, Sir John (1647-86), of Whetham House, Calne, Wilts. and The Homme, Much Marcle, Herefs. | History of Parliament Online. 2019. ERNLE, Sir John (1647-86), of Whetham House, Calne, Wilts. and The Homme, Much Marcle, Herefs. | History of Parliament Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1660-1690/member/ernle-sir-john-1647-86. [Accessed 20 September 2019].
[3] Calne: Education | British History Online. 2019. Calne: Education | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp111-114. [Accessed 20 September 2019].
[4] ERNLE, Sir John (c.1620-97), of Bury Blunsdon and Whetham House, Calne, Wilts. | History of Parliament Online. 2019. ERNLE, Sir John (c.1620-97), of Bury Blunsdon and Whetham House, Calne, Wilts. | History of Parliament Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1690-1715/member/ernle-sir-john-1620-97. [Accessed 20 September 2019].
[5] Calne: Charities for the poor | British History Online. 2019. Calne: Charities for the poor | British History Online. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol17/pp114-116. [Accessed 20 September 2019].
[6] Marsh, A., 1903. A HISTORY OF THE BOROUGH AND TOWN OF CALNE. 1st ed. London: HAZELL, WATSON AND VINEY, LTD.
[7] 'Ernle Charity, Calne' Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, Saturday 21 January 1922 [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001557/19220121/144/0006 [Accessed: 20 September 2019]
