Snitterfield is a small, picturesque village located in the county of Warwickshire, England, with a rich history stretching back centuries. Situated about three miles southeast of Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, Snitterfield has long been part of the cultural and historical fabric of the region.
The origins of Snitterfield date back to Anglo-Saxon times, with the village’s name believed to derive from Old English. It is thought that the name “Snitterfield” refers to a “field of the snitter,” with “snitter” possibly meaning a split or division of land. This suggests that the village may have been settled in an area characterized by divided land, which was a common feature of the landscape at the time. Evidence of early human activity in the area supports the idea that Snitterfield has been inhabited for many centuries.
The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey commissioned by William the Conqueror to assess land and resources across England. At that time, Snitterfield was part of the Saxon estates, and the land was assessed for taxation purposes. During the medieval period, Snitterfield was part of a larger manor and had connections to local lords, including the Beauchamp family. The economy of the village was predominantly agricultural, with small farms and rural life at the center of daily activities. Like many villages of the period, Snitterfield would have depended heavily on the surrounding forest for timber and other resources, as it lay near the vast Forest of Arden, a significant feature of Warwickshire’s landscape.
The connection between Snitterfield and William Shakespeare adds an interesting dimension to the village’s history. Shakespeare’s maternal family, the Arden family, had roots in the area, with his mother, Mary Arden, being born in the nearby village of Wilmcote.
Snitterfield featured on an old map by John Speed c.1610
It is possible that Shakespeare visited Snitterfield, and he likely had relatives living in the village. While the village did not have a direct role in Shakespeare’s life, the proximity to the great playwright’s family adds an extra layer of historical importance to Snitterfield.
As the centuries progressed, Snitterfield remained a rural village with a focus on agriculture. In the 17th century, the region experienced religious and social changes, as Protestantism spread through England, and many areas, including Warwickshire, saw the rise of Puritan and nonconformist communities. However, Snitterfield itself continued to be largely agricultural, with farming as the backbone of the local economy.