England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Bishops Waltham St Peter

The Parish

The parish of Bishops Waltham lies in south central Hampshire, Bishops Waltham is an ancient market town about 10 miles north east of the port of Southampton. Bishops waltham is a substantial small town built around the crossroads of the B2177 road which runs from Fareham towards Eastleigh and the B3035 running from Botley to Carhampton. Bishops Waltham was founded around the Bishop's Palace which was first built in the mid-12th century by Bishop Henry of Blois. The market town grew up around the main crossroads and nowadays consists of two main settlements, Bishops Waltham to the east of the river and Newtown to its west. The Palace was eventually destroyed during the Civil War and the ruins are now open to the public to view. The surrounding land is largely put to arable agriculture and the traditional market was held on Fridays for a large catchment area of southern Hampshire. Bishops Waltham is sited at around 40 metres above the sea, land rises to the north into the chalk downlands. Close by the River Hamble has its source and it flows southwest to join the Solent at Warsash. Bishops Waltham parish was rather large for a southern parish, covering some 7,400 acres and supporting almost 2,200 parishioners. Bishops Waltham was equally large in Domesday times, it was held by the Bishops of Winchester, and it supported a formidable 37 ploughs, 3 mills as well as meadows and woodlands frequented by swine renders.

The Church

St Peter's church is tucked away behind the shops and houses of the old market town. It is best accessed on foot along St Peter's Street. The Saxon Minster which is reputed to have been here is now gone and the present building has its origins around c1200. Regrettably much has been altered during a series of heavy Victorian restorations as well as a post-Reformation one which resulted in the present form. The building has the traditional nave and chancel arrangement but has an unusually offset tower at the southwest corner, this tower was rebuilt in the late 16th century. Given the size of the parish population it is not surprising to find arcades and aisles in addition and parts of these retain 13th century features. The chancel is 15th century and the bulk of the nave 17th. St Peter's Street is narrow and lined with houses, at its end a pair of metal gates give access to the graveyard which is enclosed by buildings. Once inside there are photographic angles making for easy work.