England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Lydford St Petrock

The Parish

The parish of Lydford lies in west central Devon, the village lies on the western edge of Dartmoor and the parish (the most extensive in Devon) includes vast swathes of the moor within it. Lydford lies about 7 miles northeast of the market town of Tavistock and a half mile west of the A386 road which links Tavistock to Okehampton along the western edge of the moor. Lydford, today, is a compact village built largely along a narrow lane which heads west and then southwestwards from the A386. Lydford was a much greater settlement in earlier centuries, its remains of two castles a tribute to what was a major centre of population at one time. Sadly Lydford was sacked by the Danes in 997 and whilst it was a notable market for the local tin mining industry (this was so profitable that the town was fortified and taxed to the same value as the city of London) its fortunes waned over the centuries. Lydford is largely built on the western banks of the River Lyd, below the village this river flows through an impressive gorge and heads westwards to eventually join the Tamar just east of the Cornish market town of Launceston. Nowadays the tin mines are closed and the area is returned to agriculture, mostly pastoral with cattle off the moor and sheep upon it. This is an upland area, Lydford sits at about 230 metres above sea level but the moor rises to the east almost to 600 metres above the sea. At the time of this transcript Lydford would have supported a population of around 280 inhabitants. In Domesday times Lydford was shared between the King and one Ralph of Pomeroy; there is little detail of the parish in its entry.

The Church

St Petrock's church stands at the southwestern end of Lydford, next to one of the ruined castles and close to the bridge across the River Lyd. There is much use of the local Dartmoor granite which gives the building its rough air. Most of the building dates from the Perpendicular period although there are some Early English features (notably the piscina) which indicate a rebuild rather than commencement at that time. In addition to the mediaeval there are more modern additions - the north aisle and vestry being added by the Victorians who also restored much else. The church sits on the western side of the village main lane and is much hidden behind thick hedges and mature trees. Entrance is at the northeastern corner where a pair of iron gates gives access to the graveyard. Once beyond the boundary trees the site is quite open making for easy photographic angles.