Baydon, the church of St Nicholas, a comparatively small structure on the 'hill of the blackberries', is not the place where one would first look for murder, adultery and fornication. But alas, human nature has long been weak and a quiet village is not proof against temptation.
Baydon owes it's origins to a Roman Road, which now largely parallels the line of the current M4, and Roman settlements have been found in the areas around the village. Alas perhaps, this route declined after the Roman period and it was never turnpiked, though it's status as a 'free road' (turnpiked roads had toll charges) kept it popular with welsh drovers driving their cattle to market in London, right up-to the 19'th century.
(Baydon, Wiltshire, the Church of St Nicholas from the South)
The church of St Nicholas was built in the 12'th century, and the arches on the South aisle of the nave date from this period, their comparative thickness bearing witness to the construction from limestone/chalk. In the 13'th century the nave was lengthened and the North Aisle built, it's likely that the South Aisle was widened at this time. The tower arch is 14'th century, but the tower itself is largely a 15'th century construct. Indeed the 15'th century saw a major refurbishment of the church, with many windows replaced, and the nave raised to give it a low clerestory pierced with windows. Come the 17'th century and the chancel was rebuilt.
After all of this perhaps one could assume that little was left to be done, but the mid 19'th century saw the North Aisle and porch in the tender care of G.E. Street, whilst the latter part of the 19'th century saw additional restoration in both 1876 and 1892. The casual observer may wonder if any of these restorations ran to the expense of either a set square or a spirit level, there are certainly a variety of angles to be found in the stonework and roof-line.
(Baydon, Wiltshire, the Church of St Nicholas, interor nave, aisles and chancel)
What then of murder and immorality. Well in 1249 the Chaplain of Baydon was murdered in mysterious circumstances. 1405 saw another incumbent accused of adultery, whilst in 1571 the Chaplain admitted fornication.
Sitting in a confined site adjacent to the village school the church of St Nicholas is obviously well loved by the community of Baydon. It is normally open to the visitor.
Photographed in Setember 2011 for theChurchPhotographer by Nick Temple-Fry.
