England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Knighton St Edward

The Parish

The parish of Knighton, Tref y Clawdd in Welsh, sits in the extreme east of Radnorshire forming part of the county's boundaries with both neighbouring Shropshire and with Herefordshire at a 3-counties meet, which is also a 2-countries meet. Knighton is located roughly 17 miles west of the Shropshire town of Ludlow and a similar distance northeast of Llandrindod Wells, it sits at the crossing of the River Teme of the A588 road from Clun to Penybont. The Welshname for the town translates as "town on the dyke" and it is impossible to mention Knighton without referencing Offa's Dyke, this late 8th century construction which marks the border between England and Wales was designed to run from "sea to sea", it's role as a defensive structure is disputed but its crossings served to funnel trade and movement between the two states at that period, today it is followed by Offa's Dyke National Trail and Knighton is a way-station of great importance along that route roughly marking its midway point. Knighton is a market town which was founded soon after the arrival of the Normans who built the castle and planned the settlement below it. Knighton was granted its market in 1203 and it remains till today an important livestock market for the border region. For much of its existence Knighton flourished as a centre for trade and specialist skills for its hinterland, there was little industry in the town except for the typical country market town trade of weaving and spinning the by-product of wool from the sheep of the largely pastoral farming area in which it sits. Following the establishment of factory production in northern England this trade collapsed as it did in so many other areas. Given the situation at a crossroads of A-roads and the crossing of the Teme Knighton developed as as collection point for the many drove roads that took animals to English markets in the Midlands and London, a role aided by its livestock market. Today Knighton is still the main market town of this section of the border area and a tourism centre for the Trail and the other outdoor activities of the area. Modern developments have come to the area, the railway line which crosses mid-Wales from Craven Arms to Llandovery and beyond passes through granting Knighton a station. Knighton is drained eastwards by the River Teme which passes through Ludlow turns more southerly and eventually meet the Severn to the south of Worcester, the Severn heads determinedly south through Gloucester to reach the sea as the Bristol Channel. Knighton covers a broad range of height from around 170 metres above the sea at the Teme's bridge to 230 metres in its southern reaches, the hills that surround it rise to over 400 metres in most direction except directly eastwards giving the Trail a grueling start if heading northwards after an overnight in the town. Knighton parish was typically sized for the area covering just over 2,600 acres which would have supported a population of close to 1,400 parishioners. Atypically for Wales Knighton does have a sparse Domesday entry as a holding for Hugh the Ass without recorded assets but potential for 12 ploughs it is described as "waste".

The Church

Unlike many planned border towns Knighton's parish church was not built as part of that planned settlement rather it sits almost on the banks of the Teme to the northwest of the bridge and is accessed by Church Street. St Edward's church stands on a little knoll giving it a little prominence. There is very little remaining of this church from the medieval period as most of the main body was rebuilt during the mid 18th century. The western tower remains as the most significant medieval piece, it dates from the 14th century albeit capped with a much late pyramidal bell-stage. The main body of the church was rebuilt in 1752 as what Pevsner terms a "preaching box", galleries were subsequently added in both 1770 & 1816. That preaching box was relatively short-lived as in 1877 the nave was once again rebuilt followed by the chancel in 1897 making the church a thoroughly modern edifice and barely recognisable to the participants in these marriages. Both Church Street and the narrower Church Road have on-street parking outside the churchyard. For the photographer the churchyard will present issues with trees planted in clumps around the church  with only the view from the southwest totally clear, some scouting around will be required to find the better aspects.