England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Alrewas All Saints

The Parish

The parish of Alrewas lies in southeastern Staffordshire, indeed it forms part of the border with neighbouring Derbyshire. Alrewas is a large village, almost a small town, standing in the valley of the River Trent about 5 miles northeast of the market town of Lichfield. Alrewas sits just west of the busy A36 road which connects Birmingham with Derby and here follows the line of the Roman Icknield Street. Alrewas largely sits on a neck of land which separates the Trent from a major tributary, the Tame and is bisected by the Trent & Mersey Canal, the parish is also home to the modern National Memorial Arboretum. Alrewas would have largely earned its living through a mixed agricultural regime although some manufacturing, notably of tape, was present in the village itself and a cotton mill from the late 18th century gave some employment. The Trent drains eastwards to reach the North Sea through the Humber Estuary. Alrewas is sited at around 50 metres above the sea and there are few contours to trouble the map-makers for some distance, it being a fairly level flood plain hereabouts. Alrewas parish was typically sized for its area, it covered just over 4,300 acres and would have supported a population of around 1,700 parishioners. In Domesday times Alrewas was held directly by the King, himself. The parish could offer just 8 plough, small meadows & woodland and a fishery.

The Church

All Saints' church sits to the north of the Trent & Mersey canal slightly detached from the main body of properties and sits on the southern side of Church Lane. The church shows evidence of a very early origin with two doorways showing the Norman style of design, however both have been reset and modified over the centuries. The chancel, showing fine lancet windows is in the Early English Gothic style of the 13th century whilst the western tower is of the 14th century. The nave, much modified is probably of a similar date albeit increased in height during the 16th century. The northern arcade dates from the 19th century restoration whence much was refreshed & enhanced. The church sits inside a very large churchyard, with entrances from Church Lane and the main entrance on Mill End Lane, where a lych gate grants access via a tarred pathway. The church is rather hemmed in by trees on its southern side making for a tricky piece to photograph adequately.