Broad Hinton St Peter ad Vincula, St Peter in Chains is not a common dedication for a country church, so perhaps a reminder from the Acts of the Apostles is in order.
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 12:3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 12:6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 12:8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 12:9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 12:10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
I'm always surprised that this church does not feature in “1000 best English Churches”, because once inside there are a feast of details, tombs and engravings to fascinate the mind. All contained in a structure largely unchanged since the 17'th century. Evidence exists of a church here in Saxon times, though the current church dates originally from around the 13'th century, by the 17'th century the structure was considerably dilapidated and was rebuilt. The tower and the fine roof date from then.
The church sits on a substantial site to the south of the village, with a well maintained graveyard.
Loath though I am to provide recommendations that discriminate between churches, may I suggest that any visitor examining the churches of Wiltshire who omits St Peter ad Vincula will have made a significant mistake. This church is usually open.
