England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Castle Bytham St James

The Parish

The parish of Castle Bytham lies in southwestern Lincolnshire forming an extensive part of the border with neighbouring Rutland. Castle Bytham is located roughly 6 miles west of the market town of Bourne and sits a couple of miles west of the B1176 road which connects Stamford with Corby Glen. Castle Bytham is a mid-sized village built around a three-way crossroads and is dominated by the earthworks of the former castle which gives the village its name. Reputed to be a Roman site the castle was developed by the Normans as a naturally defensive site, the castle, in the hands of a local strong man the Earl of Albemarle, offended Edward III such that it was besieged and taken in 1340 by the king's forces. Today just substantial earthworks remain of the former motte and bailey. The village, itself sits upon ironstone and the honey-coloured stone gives a distinct umber tone to the village properties. Like most Lincolnshire villages Castle Bytham's economy would have been underpinned by arable farming and that is still the major land-use today. Modern developments did arrive when a branch line connecting Bourne with Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire was built but this has since closed and little remains other than a short stretch of footpath to the village's southwest. Castle Bytham is drained by the Glen Brook, soon joining the West Glen River and merging into the River Glen, the latter crosses Fenland to join the Welland north of Spalding and thence to the North Sea through The Wash. Castle Bytham is sited at around 70 metres above the sea in undulating countryside, local heights top out at close to 100 metres. Castle Bytham parish was one of the larger in this county of small parishes, covering almost 7,800 acres it would have supported a population of close to 850 parishioners. In Domesday times Castle Bytham was held by one Drogo de la Beauvriere and was a substantial holding offering 13 ploughs as well as extensive woodland and meadows.

The Church

St James' church lies in the southwestern part of the village accessed by the narrow Church Lane which leaves the village centre adjacent to the Castle Inn. The church is largely of the 13th century and dominated by the early English Gothic style. Pevsner, however, identifies the northern arcade as slightly earlier, Transitional in style and dates it tentatively to c1200. The unbuttressed western tower is the best example of the Early English Gothic albeit it was extended or more likely re-capped in the Perpendicular style of the 15th century for its top-most stage. Besides these early works the remainder of the church follows the Decorated style which followed in the early 14th century albeit the chancel is said to have been rebuilt in 1368 which lies late for that style. Victorian work follows as the south transept was rebuilt in 1857 and a major restoration followed in the late 1890s to create today's church. The lane which runs to the site is narrow and it is recommended one park around the village centre and walk the short distance to the churchyard. There are many trees around and the photographer has a limited selection of views available as a result making for a challenging subject to adequately capture.