England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Shalford St Andrew

The Parish

The parish of Shalford is located in central northern Essex about 5 miles north of the market town of Braintree. Shalford sits on the B1053 road which connects Braintree to Saffron Walden and marks the point at which that road crosses the River Pant. Shalford is a compact and substantial village with most housing clustering along the B road and its junction with the minor road to Great Bardfield which branches off at the northern end of the village. Shalford sits in a largely arable farming area today cereals and oil seed are the major crops. The village sits to the south of the River Pant which heads southeastwards to Braintree from whence it becomes the Blackwater. Shalford is sited at about 60 metres above sea level and a good 10 metres above the height of the Pant leading to a dry position above flood plain meadows. Shalford is a typically sized Essex parish and supported almost 850 parishioners on the good agricultural land. In Domesday times the land land was divided three ways between the King, himself, the son of Count Gilbert (Richard) and one Walter the cook. The parish was wealthy and supported 8 ploughs, woodland, meadows and a mill.

The Church

St Andrew's church is hidden away from the B road down a long driveway which heads towards the River Pant opposite the first housing arrived at from the south. The church is a typical example of a 14th century Perpendicular church, probably built as a single effort during that century. The church shows the standard nave, chancel and western tower layout but has an additional north aisle to accommodate the large population. Like most Essex churches, the Victorians had their way and a restoration of 1871 overlaid and masked many original features. The church is accessed down a long graveled drive way and hides behind farm buildings. A feature of the site is the stream running through the graveyard which is also surrounded by tall willows.