Marshfield, Gloucestershire
Marshfield | |
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Avon and Somerset | |
Fire | Avon |
Ambulance | South Western |
Thornbury and Yate | |
Marshfield is a town in the local-government area of
The history of the town is reflected in the buildings and their architecture, including the church and the market place. Troops occupied the town in 1643 during the English Civil War.
A range of customs and cultural events take place in the town.
Location
Marshfield is at the southern end of the
High Street is the single main thoroughfare of Marshfield and is approximately 350 m in length and straight. The eastern part of the town contains the
Historic buildings
Almost every house along the high street is more than 100 years old, from the
The Malting house is a typical example of the village's former prosperity in that trade.
The former vicarage, now known as "Marshfield House", whose front was rebuilt in the 1730s by Mrs Dionysia Long, is particularly handsome with its barn, stable block, and large walled garden fringing the market place. It has four storeys, including a basement and extensive attics. The vicarage did not have electricity until the 1950s, in fact only two of the floors had electricity in the early 1980s. The last vicar to inhabit the old vicarage was Rev John Miskin Prior. Following his departure from the village in 1982, a new vicarage was built on land in Church Lane, and the old vicarage was sold as a private residence.
Public houses
The Crown, now converted into flats, the Lord Nelson, the Old Inn, and several farms still in the heart of the village are also noteworthy: Weir farm in Weir lane, with its gables, was once a malting house, and Pitt farm, at Little end, is 17th century.
Vernacular buildings
The Tolzey or Town House was built in 1690 for the people of Marshfield by John and Mary Goslett. As well as being the old town's administrative headquarters it also housed a Marshfield fire engine and served as a
Castle farm is about half a mile to the north of Marshfield. In its 2-acre (8,100 m2) farmyard is an ancient longhouse with the original fireplace and the dividing screen between the human and animal dwellings.[9] On the neighbouring land where lynchets show in some fields, many Bronze Age and Stone Age implements have been picked up and a skeleton in a stone coffin discovered.
Formerly there were two
History
The town is rich in history because of its location in the heart of Cotswold
The majority of buildings lining the street are of 18th-century origin although several buildings date from the 17th century. The building style is largely
Civil War
Marshfield was a casualty of the
It is not known just what damage may have been done as a result of the Civil War. Canon Trotman, a prominent authority in Marshfield's more recent past, speculated publicly about the likely missing treasures. He noticed the large stones on either side of the east window, with rough infilling under them. The large stones evidently formed canopies for figures now missing and which have been the marble figures found in 1866 during alterations at the Angel Inn (now 42 high Street) and later removed from the parish. Two or three other figures probably completed the statuary. Canon Trotman further presumed that the figure of the Virgin may have been taken from its niche in the porch by the Parliamentary troops, but adds forcefully,
"Even they could scarcely have done more havoc with the church than the hand of the so-called restorer in 1860 who, while substituting the pitch pine seats...for the old carefully locked pews and capacious gallery, effaced at the same time much that should have been interesting to us today."
Canon Trotman (1906).
With Cromwell's victory in the Civil War, the period of the Commonwealth ensued during which time marriage was treated as a secular rather than religious ceremony. John Goslett as a magistrate therefore married 92 couples during that period from the parish and around, in may cases the banns having been called on three successive market days in the market Place at Marshfield (as an alternative banns could still be read in church). There was clearly no long-term disadvantage in all this for Mr Goslett for a tablet to his memory was nevertheless placed in the church, beside the east window of the north aisle.
David Long, from Pennsylvania, reports that on the flat open land between his village and the lane you can often find musket balls, on the battlefield of Lansdown. Looking towards the battle site from the field it would appear to be a logical distance away particularly as they would have been firing uphill at about 45 degrees thus landing some distance from the battle site.
Fire
The village fire engine was purchased in 1826 for £50:00 and was still in use in 1931.[16] It had to be operated by a gang of men on either side of it using a hand pump. In 1896 the Fire Brigade had its capabilities tested to the utmost. Two houses with thatched roofs, in the main streets, caught fire at midday, when all hands were engaged in the fields, but the Brigade mustered quickly in sufficient force to prevent fire spreading to other houses.
The church
St Mary's parish church with its tower provides an important focal point that can be observed from numerous points in the village and is a landmark visible from miles around. The church is on the eastern side of the village. A church has stood on that site for more than 1,000 years.[17] The first was dedicated to St Nicholas, and at west Marshfield there was another, of which no traces remain, to St Pancras. It is thought that a field called St Pancras Close marks the site. In Bristol Museum there is an ancient deed of about 1125 confirming to the Abbot of Tewkesbury various tithes and ecclesiastical benefices, among them Marshfield church, at that time very much smaller than the church we see today.
It is recorded in the annals of
A
The
The war memorial
According to inscriptions on the village's
The Community Centre
A Community Centre was built in 1991 following a long running campaign to secure the land and the funding. It was developed to provide the village with a full sized sports hall, a second smaller hall, a large kitchen and a light and open foyer area. In 2003, the Community Centre was extended to provide a carefully designed, bespoke building for the Marshfield Pre-School. During 2011, this was further improved by the development of a special sensory garden, just for pre school to enjoy. The Community Centre is available for rent to local groups and other groups/organisations further afield.[21]
The Mummers of Marshfield
Every
Historical origins of mummers' play
There is evidence of mummers' plays since circa 1141. The Marshfield play was discontinued in the 1880s when a number of the players died of
The Paper Boys' play is a
The Paper Boys have to belong to families that have lived in Marshfield for generations and they must have the Marshfield accent. When a role becomes available, precedence is given to the relatives of present members of the troupe. Because it is a fertility rite, women are not allowed to participate. Each costume comprises a garment made of brown cloth covered in sewn-on strips of newspaper—hence the name 'Paper Boys'. Each mummer maintains his own costume, repairing it as necessary. It is thought that, in the distant past the costumes bore leaves instead of paper strips.
Media and TV
Marshfield is justly proud of its special local tradition revived now for more than 40 years and looks forward each year to the social gathering each Boxing Day. The mummers have been featured on radio and television and at events of the English Folk Dance and Song Society. A few years ago they featured on the Rev. Lionel Fanthorpes "Fortean TV" aired on Channel 4. In 2002 they featured in a programme by Johnny Kingdom. In 2018 and 2019 the Sky TV detective series, "Agatha Raisin" filmed using locations in Marshfield. The lead actress lives nearby.
Historical fair
Until 25 October 1962, two fairs were held annually in Marshfield, one on 24 March and the other on 24 October. The fairs were first held in 1266 when the Abbot of Keynsham purchased the right and this privilege was confirmed in 1462. The rights of the fair must have passed to the Lord of the Manor at some time because in more recent times they were let to a manager at a yearly rental. In about 1885 the fair was rented by Mark Fishlock from Squire Orred of Ashwicke Hall.
Cattle, sheep, and pigs which were brought in for sale were penned in hurdles in front of the houses on one side of the High Street and White hart lane, causing much confusion, and clearing up afterwards. The streets at that time was unpaved. The farmers paid 1d per head for sheep and 2d per head for cattle sold at the fair, but no charge was made for animals not sold. Until more recent times the dealers and farmers bartered among themselves. Tolls had to be paid for all sheep sold at the rate of 4d a score, this being manorial right of the fair. In May 1901 the fair was taken out of the street to a field adjoining Back Lane. It was a large fair at that time and about four or five thousand sheep and 300 cattle were brought on foot from miles around to be sold. The Market Place was generally filled with sideshows of all sorts.
There were often accidents and during the October 1905, one Thomas White, aged 45, was killed on the roundabouts. Gradually the weekly markets at Bath, Chippenham, and Bridgeyate took the business away from Marshfield fairs: they no longer paid their way therefore and so ended.
Notable people connected with Marshfield
For much of 1940 The Maltings, at 78 High Street was home to several well known cultural figures who were trying to escape the effects of the war.[23] -
- Composer Lennox Berkeley
- Composer Arnold Cooke
- Critic John Davenport and his American wife Clement Davenport, a painter
- William Glock, music critic
- Dylan Thomas and his wife Caitlin née MacNamara
- The writer Antonia White
The Hazlitt family also have connections to the village. In 1766
In Oakford Lane leading down to St Catherine's Valley lived Major Jeremy Taylor who was a captain in the 23rd Hussars (Tank Regiment) and was decorated in World War II. He grew up on the estate in its heyday. He later worked as an Animal Wrangler in the film "Lawrence of Arabia" and performed the "long" camel riding shots for Peter O'Toole.
Notes and references
- ^ "Parish population 2011". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ "The Manor". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Crispe Almshouses, Marshfield, South Gloucestershire". Historic England. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Crispe Amshouses of Marshfield". Housing Care. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "The Catherine Wheel". The Catherine Wheel. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Reeves, Millie. "This former malthouse is half luxury living and half fixer-upper". Bath Chronicle. Archived from the original on 24 February 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Marshfield Parish Council". Marshfield Parish Council. Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Tolzey Hall". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Marshfield". History Hunters. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "The Rocks, Marshfield". Parks and Gardens. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Ashwicke Hall". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Marshfield". Gazette. 23 November 2006. Archived from the original on 14 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ a b La Trobe-Bateman, E. "Avon Extensive Urban Survey Archaeological Assessment Report" (PDF). South Gloucestershire Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Lansdown Hill 5th July 1643" (PDF). Battlefields Trust. Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "English Heritage Battlefield Report: Lansdown 1643" (PDF). Historic England. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
- ^ Lewis, James (2009). "Conserving the past at the cost of the future? Self sufficiency and sustainability in Marshfield, South Gloucestershire". Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Church History". St Mary's Church Marshfield. Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Parish Church of St. Mary". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Marshfield". Genuki. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Marshfield War Memorial". Gloucestershire Genealogy. Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Marshfield Community Centre". Marshfield Community Centre. Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Marshfield Paper Boys". Calendar Customs. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Dylan Thomas in Marshfield". The Word Travels. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/95498. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)
- doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/98526. (Subscription or UK public library membershiprequired.)