England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Bridgham St Mary

The Parish

The parish of Bridgham lies in southern Norfolk not too far from the border with neighbouring Suffolk. Bridgham is located about 6 miles east of the market town of Thetford. Bridgham is a small and rather straggly village built along a lane which follows the northern banks of the River Thet, it sits about a mile and a half south of the busy dual-carriageway of the A11 which connects Norwich with London. Bridgham sits within the confines of Norfolk's Breckland and it's farming ability was inhibited by the poor soils, warrenries and sheep rearing were predominant but even at the time of this transcript large areas of the parish were described as being "heath and furze". The Thet drains the parish westwards, joining the Little Ouse at Thetford and making their way through the eastern edge of The Fens to reach the North Sea through The Wash and the port of King's Lynn. Bridgham is sited at just 20 metres above the sea in land that is relatively flat, local heights rise to 40 metres or so in gentle countryside. Breckland parishes are larger than many areas of Norfolk and Bridgham parish covered 2,700 acres making it large for Norfolk, the population was around 300 parishioners. In Domesday times Bridgham was held by Ely Abbey, it was small, even then, offering 6 ploughs small meadows & woodland but did possess 2 mills.

The Church

St Mary's church sits at the southwestern end of the main grouping of properties on the southern side of the lane heading for Brettenham. The church is largely in the Decorated style of the turn of 13th into early 14th century and thus older than many Norfolk churches. Nave and chancel show contrasting window tracery, the nave with Y-tracery whilst the chancel is reticulated. The curious tower is, Pevsner speculates, a replacement for a western tower which has since disappeared. For one there is no mention of Victorian restoration to the church which, therefore, has remained largely unchanged since its completion in the early 14th century. The church sits on the southern side of the lane, The Street, behind a low brick-topped flint wall with metal gates forming the entry, a small unmade parking area sits opposite. The site is open and with few obstructions to photography.