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St Nicholas, Wilsford, Wiltshire

Location
(51°18′49″N, 1°51′18″W)
Wilsford
SU 102 572
pre-1974 traditional (England and Wales) Wiltshire
now Wiltshire
medieval Old Sarum
now Salisbury
medieval unknown
now St Nicholas
  • Allan Brodie
23 May 1991, 10 May 1996

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Feature Sets
Description

Wilsford is a village about 4 miles SW of Pewsey, standing on the S bank of the River Avon. The church lies to the W of the village and dates from the 13th to the 15thc. It is an ashlar building consisting of a chancel, nave with S porch, and W tower. On the N side of the church there is a blocked chamfered arch. Inserted into the blocking is a reset 12thc door.

History

Before 1066 Wilsford was held by Brismar. In 1086 it passed to Alfric of Melksham, whilst Edward of Salisbury held it in mortgage. The vill was inherited by Matilda (or Maud) of Salisbury and her husband Humphrey I de Bohun. In 1229 Humphrey IV de Bohun, 2nd Earl of Hereford, maintained his ownership over the manor against the claims of Ela Longspée of Salisbury.

The church was first mentioned in the early 12thc when it was claimed by the Abbey of St Wandrille de Fontenelle and the Bohun family, the lords of the manor. In 1142 it was confirmed to St Wandrille Abbey. In 1227 the church was appropriated by Richard Poore, Bishop of Salisbury, to the use of the Hospital of St Nicholas at Salisbury.

Features

Exterior Features

Doorways

Comments/Opinions

In 1864 the nave roof and the S porch were restored; the building was restored again in 1960.

Bibliography

J. Buckler, Unpublished album of drawings. Devizes Museum, vol. V, pl. 19.

Victoria County History: Wiltshire, vol. X, 204-14, especially 210, 211-3.

N. Pevsner and B. Cherry, Buildings of England: Wiltshire. Harmondsworth 1975, 2nd edition.

DCMS Listing Description.