[2] The manor was held, around 1187, by Alan de Furneaux who gave the church and 30 acres (12.1 ha) of land to Wells Cathedral to found the Cudworth prebend.

The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning.

Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.

It is also part of the Yeovil county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The Anglican parish Church of St Michael has 12th-century origins, with the north doorway and one small window of that period remaining.