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

The Parish

The parish of Hinderclay lies in northern Suffolk, forming part of the border with neighbouring Norfolk, roughly 6 miles southwest of Norfolk's market town of Diss. Hinderclay is a small and relatively compact crossroads village which sits a little over 2 miles north of the A143 road which connects Diss with Bury St Edmunds. Whilst Hinderclay is centred upon a crossroads of lanes most properties line the lane from west to east with only minor stretches to north and south, wherein lies the church. The northern edge of the parish is formed by the newly risen Little Ouse, which is also the border with Norfolk, the indistinguishable watershed with the Waveney lying in the joint morass of Redgrave Fen. Like most Suffolk parishes Hinderclay's economy would have been underpinned by arable farming, the same applies today, there are a few pastures along both the Little Ouse and the small stream that separates the village from both Redgrave and Rickinghall. The Little Ouse drains the parish westwards heading out into the Fens to join the Great Ouse and reach the sea through The Wash. Hinderclay is sited at around 40 metres above the sea in very gentle terrain there being few places higher for distance. Hinderclay parish was fairly typically sized for its area, covering around 1,300 acres it would have supported a population of close to 400 parishioners. In Domesday times Hunderclay was also a fairly typical rural settlement, a property of Bury St Edmunds Abbey it could offer 9 ploughs as well as the usual meadows and woodland.

The Church

St Mary's church sits to the south of the village on the eastern side of Rickinghall Road and just north of the grounds of the 19th century Hinderclay Hall. The church has its origins in the 13th century showing a range of features across most of the styles from13th to 15th centuries. The earliest features and 13th century in origin are the simple northern doorway and the 4-bay southern arcade, the Early English Gothic shown well in the latter. The chancel represents the subsequent Decorated style period of the early 14th century while much else is of the latter half of that century and Perpendicular in style, both nave and southern aisle show this style as does the western tower despite its extensive restoration of 1896. The church is well-screened by foliage being practically invisible from the road, fortunately a small white sign points the way, opposite this sign there's room for a car to park. A shady pathway leads through into an equally tree-influenced churchyard where the photographer will struggle to adequately capture encompassing views.