Doug Matthews grew up in Newtown, Handsacre, before wartime service aboard HMS Brissenden took him from D-Day to the Arctic. Returning home, he combined family life and a demanding working career with an extraordinary footballing record, scoring more than 1,000 goals during a playing career that lasted into his forties.
In 1415, William de Handsacre marched to France with Henry V’s army and stood among the English men-at-arms at the Battle of Agincourt. This article follows his journey from the siege of Harfleur to one of England’s greatest military victories, before tracing the final chapter of the medieval family whose name has survived for centuries in the village of Handsacre.
Sir William de Handsacre fought in some of the most famous campaigns of the early Hundred Years’ War, serving under Ralph, Earl of Stafford, in Gascony before taking part in Edward III’s invasion of France. From the victories at Bergerac and Auberoche to the decisive Battle of Crécy and the long siege of Calais, his military career placed a Staffordshire knight at the heart of events that reshaped medieval Europe.
William de Handsacre chose the wrong side in one of medieval England’s greatest civil wars. After supporting Simon de Montfort against King Henry III, he lost his lands, fled to the rebel stronghold on the Isle of Axholme and became one of the “Disinherited”. Yet through royal reconciliation he eventually regained his estates and returned to public life, revealing how national events transformed the fortunes of the Lords of Handsacre.
In 1306, William de Handsacre travelled from his Staffordshire manor to Westminster to take part in one of the most spectacular ceremonies of medieval England. Knighted alongside more than 260 young squires at the famous Feast of Swans, he witnessed a royal oath, magnificent pageantry and the beginning of Edward I’s final campaign against Scotland—a remarkable connection between a small village and a defining moment in English history.
Step back to June 1925 and discover everyday life in Armitage and Handsacre a century ago. From smoky bottle kilns, crystal wireless sets and cricket matches to church events, dances, road accidents and the founding of the local Buffs Lodge, this article recreates a single month in the life of the parish. Together these contemporary stories reveal a community on the brink of modern change while still firmly rooted in Victorian traditions.
For more than two centuries, the de Handsacre family were the lords of the manor from which the village took its name. Their story reaches far beyond Staffordshire, encompassing civil war, royal service, the Hundred Years’ War, and even Crecy and Agincourt. Explore the lives and fortunes of a family whose history reflects the wider story of medieval England through a series of linked articles.
Gifford, a retired teacher, has devoted his life to community service, founding Meeting Point in 1999 to combat isolation. Now in his mid-80s, he remains actively involved, supporting vulnerable residents and fostering connections. His dedication was honoured with a British Empire Medal in the 2025 New Year’s Honours List.
Gifford Foote’s life is one of dedication and service, from his early years in Suffolk to his impactful teaching career and faith-based community work. A passionate educator and advocate, he co-founded Meeting Point, fostering support and connection. His legacy is one of faith, commitment, and unwavering service to others.
Step inside St. John the Baptist Church as it appeared in the 1790s. Using Stebbing Shaw’s contemporary description, this reconstructed tour brings the medieval building to life, exploring its Romanesque doorway, ancient font, painted glass and other features lost during the nineteenth-century rebuilding.
