England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Barnburgh St Peter

The Parish

The parish of Barnburgh lies in southern Yorkshire roughly 6 miles west of the town of Doncaster. Barnburgh sits just over a mile south of the A635 road which links Doncaster with Barnsley. There are twin settlements, formerly separate but now joined, Barnburgh to the north is a straightforward crossroads village with modern developments expanding it to both the west and north, Harlington, closer to the River Dearne has its properties lining two parallel lanes running from north to south, the former space between the two settlements has been closed by newer development. Whilst much of the Dearne Valley has become highly industrialised both Barnburgh and Harlington remains stoutly rural. The wider parish was largely farmed in a mixture of both arable and pastoral methods. Modern developments have come to the parish, the River Dearne being canalised in early times, a railway line which passed through has, however, closed and largely disappeared. Barnburgh is drained eastwards by the Dearne which soon meets the Don at Conisbrough before passing through Doncaster, the final stages of the journey to the North Sea pass through heavily man-influenced drainage with most water using the Dutch River to reach the Humber Estuary. Harlington is the lower of the twin villages being only 20 metres above the sea whilst Barnburgh is at 50 metres on the valley sides of the Dearne Valley, land continues to rise reaching 110 metres to the north of nearby Hickleton. Barnburgh was one of many such smaller parishes found in this area, it covered just over 1,900 acres and would have supported a population of around 500 parishioners. Only Barnburgh is mentioned of the two settlements in Domesday Book but had 2 landholders, Roger de Bully and William de Warenne, their shared assets mustered 10 ploughs, typical meadows and woodland and there was a mill.

The Church

St Peter's church sits at the heart of Barnburgh at the main crossroads junction between Doncaster Road and Church Lane. Outwardly this is a typical 14th century church but there are significant parts which are much older. The earliest fabric is that of the basal stages of the western tower, the slit windows, one now blocked, betray its 12th century Norman Romanesque date. The arcades, both northern and southern, are early too, the northern given a tentative date of c1200 the southern slightly later but both in the 13th century Early English Gothic style showing circular piers and double chamfered arches. The remainder of the main body is typical 14th century styling, the chancel in the earlier Decorated style of the 1st half of the 14th century, the nave, complete with characteristic clerestory, in the later Perpendicular style. Also Perpendicular but 15th century are the top stages, including the battlements, of the western tower. The church received a partial restoration in 1849 directed mainly at the chancel. There is an extensive parking area outside the main entrance on Doncaster Road with room for many vehicles and making for a relaxed visit. A single tree to the northwest is the only one present leaving excellent uninterrupted views from the usual favoured angles for the photographer.