England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Cambridge St Andrew the Less

The Parish

The city of Cambridge lies in the south central area of its county about 50 miles north of the city of London. Cambridge sits at the junction of the A14 (east coast ports to the Midlands) and A10 (London to King's Lynn) roads. As its name suggests Cambridge grew up at the crossing of the River Cam. Cambridge undoubtedly has a Saxon origin but was repeated sacked by invading Danes, it wasn't until post Norman conquest that the city became established, this was further enhanced by the establishment of the University in the 13th century. It is, of course, famous as one of the highest quality universities in the world today. Besides the university and associated infrastructure Cambridge flourished as a market for the rich agricultural lands of the east of England and in particular the Fens to its north. Today Cambridge is still relatively small but rapidly growing as high-tech industries spin-off and move to the city to be close to its academic facilities. There are excellent communications by road (M11) and rail to the capital less then an hour to the south. The medieval centre of Cambridge is divided into 14 parishes each covering no ore than a few acres, St Andrew the Less formed a parish immediately outwith the walls of the city to its east, a literal suburb, and was a growing area for population during the period of this transcript, rising from a few hundred to over 6,500 parishioners soon after its completion. The River Cam, scene of punting and parties, drains the city to the north, reaching the North Sea through the Great Ouse and the port of King's Lynn. Cambridge is low lying, much of the centre sits below 10 metres above the sea and St Andrew the Less parish is no exception, the surrounding area is also flat and low lying for many miles. St Andrew the Less parish, as a suburb, covered an area more typical of a rural parish, roughly 1,500 acres and as stated its population expanded greatly during the period of this transcript, commencing with fewer than 300 and rising to over 6,500 parishioners with most of that growth falling between 1820 and 1830. In Domesday times the majority of Cambridge was held by the King with a small parcel in the hands of Count Alan of Brittany, it was a wealthy place but not specifically enumerated.

The Church

St Andrew the Less church sits immediately outside the boundary of the former city being some 200 yards along the Newmarket Road and sitting on the northern side. The church is also known as "The Abbey Church" which Pevsner takes pains to describe as a double-muddle. Barnwell was a priory and not an abbey and the church was one for the citizens and not the priors. St Andrew is a simple church of nave & chancel with no structural division and built in the early 13th century in an Early English Gothic style. Little changed between the 13th century and modern times with the exception of replaced window in the chancel which shows Perpendicular styling and is 14th century. In the 19th century further windows were replaced and a refresh, minimal in extent, took place. Finally in mid-20th century a southern porch was added. Newmarket Road is a busy dual-carriageway with no parking so the church is best approached on foot after parking (often difficult in this city) has been found. A low brick wall backed by heavily lopped trees separates churchyard from urban pavement and whilst the churchyard is tight to the church there is just about sufficient room for acceptable photography.