History of Westcourt Farm

In the Domesday records of 1086, West Court is called South Shorwell and North Court, North Shorwell.

After the Norman Conquest, the Island was given to William Fitzosbern, kinsman of the Conqueror, and he, in turn rewarded many of his followers with gifts of Island land.  One of these was Gozelin Fitzazor, who was given several manors on the Island, including that of South Shorwell.  It became common practice amongst Norman landowners who settled on the Island to become known by the name of their possessions, and the Fitzadors became know as "de Insula".  This later translated into "de l'Isle" and eventually became Lisle.  The Lisle family are still connected with Wooton.

The Lisle family remained at West Court until 1530.  Sir John Lisle built the East end of the present house in 1519.  His initials are carved on the spandrels of the inner porch.  During this period the land was farmed by tenants and in the early 1200's Robert Carpenter administered some of the "de Insula" lands.  He wrote a manuscript handbook, (now at Cambridge University) describing his use of documents of administrative and judicial interest and a treatise on accountancy.   There is also a specimen manorial account for West Court dated 1257-58 listing corn sales, wages, expenditure and farm and dairy equipment, grain yields and livestock numbers.  These records give a fascinating insight into a tenant farmers' rights.  For instance one farmer had 240 sheep and 12 rams and was allowed to graze some Quarr Abbey land until 11am each day!  Also listed in 1257 was the tithe for the vicar of Shorwell.  He received annually two thirds of 17 lambs, 6 piglets, 56 fleeces, 2 sheepskins and 28 cheeses.

The Dennis family held West Court from 1539 to 1717 but they lost it through failing to produce a son.  The most notable of the Dennis family was Sir Edward who was Deputy Governor of the Island and a colleague of Sir John Oglander.  It was possibly Sir Edwards' father Sir Thomas Dennis, who built the main part of the present manor house towards the end of the Elizabethan reign.  During the latter part of the 16th century the manor house was occupied by Sir John Leigh until he bought North Court in 1586.

The Russel family came to West Court in the 1900's as tenants when it was owned by North Court.  They purchased it in the 1930's.