England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Shute St Michael

The Parish

The parish of Shute lies in the east of Devon close to its border with neighbouring Dorset and only a few miles from its English Channel coast. Shute is located about 3 miles west of the market town of Axminster and south of the A35 road which connects Axminster to Honiton. Shute is about 5 miles from the coast at Seaton. The most striking aspect of the village is its domination by the Manor House which at one time was held by the Grey family (of Lady Jane Grey from whence it was forfeit to the King). The village is small with most properties along the lane which connects Colyton to the A35. The parish largely consists of a ridge of higher ground between two rivers, to the east the River Yarty and to the west the Umborne Brook. Shute sits on a shoulder of the ridge about 40 metres above the rivers at 80 metres above sea level but land rises to the northeast to form Shute Hill which tops out at 165 metres. The landuse has changed remarkably little in being dominated by small hedged pastures with dairy cattle, to Shute's south, however, is a modern diversion as Lyme Bay Winery now grows vines on south facing slopes as well as the traditional cider and perry orchards. The parish, in common with most in the district, is rather small but still supported almost 700 parishioners. The parish did not merit a separate entry in Domesday Book.

The Church

St Michael's church stands close to the main junction of the village and to the west of the lane that leads from there towards Kilmington. The church has its origins in the 14th century and its design with a central crossing tower is clearly the heart of the building. Unfortunately much was altered by the Victorians in 1869 who not only re-roofed the building but also replaced all of the window tracery masking much of the dating evidence. This was not the first modern change as in 1811 the northern aisle had been added too. The church sits behind a low stone wall which faces Haddon Road in a curiously elongated site which is much longer east to west than in north/south depth. Unfortunately with the many trees this restriction on the graveyard does somewhat limit the photographic opportunities.