The village was recorded as Duntesburne in 1055 and Duntesborne in the 1086 Domesday Book, the name coming from the Old English for "stream of a man called Dunt".[2] The manorial affix came from a family called le Rous, who were at one time the lords of the manor.[2][3] By 1287, the village was known as Duntesbourn Rus.[2]
Duntisbourne Rouse is in the county of Gloucestershire, and lies within the Cotswolds, a range of hills designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) south-east of Gloucester and approximately 6.5 km (4.0 mi) north-west of Cirencester. Nearby villages include Duntisbourne Abbots, Duntisbourne Leer, Bagendon and Daglingworth.
The church at Duntisbourne Rouse is dedicated to St. Michael and is located on the side of a hill overlooking the Dunt valley.[7] The church, which dates from Saxon times, includes a small crypt beneath the building.[8] The chancel was added in Norman times.[9] The choir stalls contain five misericords.[9] Whether they were originally installed in this church or imported from elsewhere is unknown.[10] The windows date from the 12th century, the tower from the 15th century and the pews and panelling from the 18th century.[7] The organ was donated by Vera, Charlotte and Jeanne Beauchamp in memory of their sister, modernist writer Katherine Mansfield. A plaque to this effect is located on the side of the organ.[11] The church was designated a Grade I listed building by English Heritage on 26 November 1958.[12]
