Orcheton, Modbury

The Domesday Book of 1086 lists ORCARTONE as the 65th of the 79 Devonshire holdings[1] of Robert, Count of Mortain, uterine half-brother of King William the Conqueror.

The Book of Fees (c.1302, contents earlier) lists Geoffrey de Pridias as holding Orcherdton, as a member of the manor of Modbury, from the Honour of Trematon.

It was one of the most widespread and successful of all the gentry families of Devon, and as remarked upon by Swete (died 1821), exceptionally most of the expansion was performed by younger sons,[8] who by the custom of primogeniture were expected to make their own fortunes.

[9] His elder son and heir by his wife a certain Gilda, was Peter de Pridias (died 1316), who married a certain Clarice.

Roger de Pridias's eldest son and heir was Sir John Prideaux (c. 1347 – 1403), twice a Member of Parliament for Devon in 1383 and 1388,[12] whose much mutilated effigy survives in Modbury Church.