But it is also said to have been given by Edward the Confessor in 1055, and is included among the 36 manors acquired by Abbot Ethelwig (1055–77); the 8th-century charter is probably a forgery made about this time to strengthen the title.

Of these 36 manors, 28, including Grafton, were seized by Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, quasi lupus rapax, (like a ravaging wolf) after Ethelwig's death.

[4] The village is then recorded in the Domesday Book as part of the lands of Osbern son of Richard, having been given to him by Odo,[4] where the entry states, "In Ferncombe Hundred Gilbert holds 5 hides in (Grastone) Temple Grafton.

[3] In 1275–6 they were holding 2 carucates, formerly belonging to Ralph and Bernard de Grafton, which were declared to have evaded taxation for forty years.

When morning dawned his friends wished to renew the encounter but he wisely said "No I have drunk with "Piping Pebworth, Dancing Marston, Haunted Hillboro', Hungry Grafton, Dodging Exhall, Papist Wixford, Beggarly Broom and Drunken Bidford" and so, presumably, I will drink no more."

[6] Temple Grafton is part of the Bardon ward of Stratford-on-Avon District Council and represented by Councillor Valerie Hobbs, Conservative Party.

[4] The blunder regarding the Knights Templar is repeated in the symbols of that order being depicted in the glass and encaustic tiles of the interior.

They currently have two Saturday sides competing in the Cotswold Hills League, as well as regular Sunday friendly fixtures, a full calendar of midweek 20-over social games, junior cricket and a newly formed Ladies team.

[11] The land rises to an altitude of over 300 ft. in the northern part of the parish and slopes down to about 180 ft. by the river-bank at Hillborough, 2 miles to the south.