England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Nazeing All Saints

The Parish

The parish of Nazeing lies in far western Essex, indeed it forms part of the border with neighbouring Hertfordshire and is also close to neighbouring Middlesex. Nazeing is a compact village lying, in lanes, about 4 miles southwest of Harlow New Town. Nazeing sits about a mile west of the B181 road which connects Epping with Hertford. The parish sits on the eastern banks of the River Lea and rises onto the sandy soils of the high ground which, to the south, is occupied by Epping Forest. The combination of poor sandy soils and river plain meadows lead to a primarily pastoral farming regime uncharacteristic of the county. Today there are three main settlements in the parish, Nazeing itself is a small village, whilst to the south lies the equally small Bumble's Green, to the west Lower Nazeing, on the edge of the floodplain, has grown into the principal settlement. The River Lea flows southwards to join the Thames in the East End of London. Nazeing is sited at 70 metres above sea level, although Lower Nazeing, as its name suggests, sits some 40 metres lower. The parish, by Essex standards, is large it covered almost 3,900 acres and supported a population of around 800 parishioners. In Domesday times the parish was shared between one Ranulf and the Canons of Waltham Holy Cross, the parish boasted 7 ploughs but extensive woodland and meadows with a notable assortment of documented animals, especially pigs, as well as a fishery.

The Church

All Saints church sits in the village of Nazeing at the end of a dead-end lane running north from the main village crossroads. The church has ancient origins, the nave being Norman and probably 11th or 12th century. The rest is later mainly 15th century work notably the porch, northern aisle and western tower. In common with most churches in the area the Victorians did their usual restorations and for All Saints there were two in 1870s and 1890s which substantially altered the building. The access track leaves Nazeing heading northwards towards Roydon Hamlet, followed by a local trail (Three Forests Way), there is a large parking area at the entrance to the churchyard. The church sits at the western end of a large churchyard, much of the eastern end is restricted by mature trees but there are adequate views further in.