A manor called since the 17th century BARNFIELD MANOR or FARM,
belonged to the dean and chapter of Ely and was sold by the
Commissioners for the sale of Dean and Chapter Lands to Giles
Calvert, a London stationer. It was returned to the dean and chapter
at the Restoration. (fn. 36) A few claims were made under it at the
time of the Inclosure Award, but the property being mostly leasehold
was sold through the Ecclesiastical Commissioners after the Order in
Council of 1870.
At the time of the Domesday Survey (1086) the Abbot of Ramsey had
half a hide in Bluntisham, which was assessed to the geld. (fn. 37)
This is probably the land in Bluntisham held by Guy de Auco, a
tenant of Ramsey Abbey, early in the 12th century. It descended to
his son Gilbert son of Guy, the sewer (dapifer), who was dealing
with it in the time of Reynold, Abbot of Ramsey (1114–30). (fn. 38)
Apparently it followed the descent of Stow Manor in Woodhurst (fn.
39) (q.v.) until the time of Simon, Bishop of Salisbury (1297–1315),
when the Abbot of Ramsey regained possession, (fn. 40) and it
probably became absorbed into another of the abbot's manors.
The manors of Colne and Colne Dunholt extended into Bluntisham, but
their descents are given under Colne parish (q.v.).
