England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Fifield Bavant St Martin

The Parish

The parish of Fifield Bavant lies in southwestern Wiltshire not too far from its border with neighbouring Dorset. Fifield Bavant is located about 7 miles southwest of the town of Wilton and sits within a broad area devoid of significant numbered roads, the closest such road is the A30 Salisbury to Shaftesbury road which sits about 3 miles to its north. Fifield Bavant is a tiny place set on the northern banks of an excellent chalk stream, the River Ebble, and consisting merely of a short run of properties paralleling the course of the river. The Ebble's valley sits between two extensive areas of chalk downs and at the time of this transcript there would have been extensive sheep runs covering them, today the area has largely been ploughed for cereal crops aided by modern machinery & fertilisers. Like much of the area there are many signs of early occupation with tumuli featuring in the landscape whilst the highest point of the downs to the north if capped by Chiselbury hill fort. Fifield Bavant is drained eastwards by the Ebble which meets the Wiltshire Avon to the southeast of Salisbury, here water turns southwards to eventually reach the English Channel through Christchurch Harbour. Fifield Bavant is sited at around 100 metres above the sea in its valley setting, the hill fort, the highest ground around, tops out at just over 200 metres. Fifield Bavant parish was small, covering just 1,000 acres and barely supported a population of around 50 parishioners. In Domesday times Fifield Bavant was little larger, held by one Alfred of Marlborough it mustered just 3 ploughs back by typical meadows, pasture & a small wood.

The Church

St Martin's church sits tucked away behind Manor Farm at the eastern end of the short run of properties that constitute this small hamlet. St Martin has a strong case for being the smallest parish church in its county consisting merely of a combined nave and chancel and capped at the western end by a timber bell-turret. There are indications of an early origin with a 13th century styled lancet window on the northern face but most other windows are Perpendicular in style or later. It is likely that the bulk of the main body is 15th century. The southern side has a 3-light recessed and mullioned window from the 17th century whilst the the priest's door, now blocked, is Tudor in style. The timber bell-turret is stated by Pevsner to be of 1907 whereas Historic England merely commits to late 19th century. The farm entrance is at the bend in the lane which manouevres around Manor Farm, there are ample parking spaces at the farm and a short track leads uphill to the churchyard which is devoid of any obstacles for the photographer.