- Translation: In this year, they (the Vikings) visited Devonshire and at the mouth of the Severn, pillaging in Cornwall, Devon and Wales. They went to Watchet, and there caused much damage by dint of arson and wholesale slaughter. Then they turned at Penwith Tail to the south and up into the mouth of the Tamar, travelling to Lydford, burning and slaughtering anything they came across, and burned down Ordwulf's monastery at Tavistock, carrying vast amounts of loot back to their ships.
[edit] Lydford Church
The first Christian church in Lydford was a wooden structure built c. 650 AD. It is probable that this church was burnt down by the Vikings in their raid of 997 AD (q.v.).
The dedication of the parish church to St. Petrock would seem to indicate that it was built on the site of an existing British settlement.
The church was later rebuilt in the perpendicular gothic style, and although ostensibly Norman, some of the architectural furniture, for example the font, were of the Anglo-Saxon style (or at latest, early Norman), thus it would appear that the church was rebuilt upon the site of the earlier building.
Until the 12th century parishioners from across more or less the entirety of Dartmoor were brought to Lydford for burial. The path used to make this final journey is known as the Lichway.
The church was enlarged in the 13th century, the tower being added in the 15th century. A further enlargement occurred c. 1890 with the addition of the vestry and northern aisle.
The 'Lych way' is a track lying to the south-west of Devil's Tor on Dartmoor. The dead from remote moorland homesteads were taken along this track to Lydford church for burial. Many reports have been made of monks in white and phantom funeral processions seen walking along this path.[3]
[edit] Lydford Castle
Two castles have been built at Lydford, the first immediately in the wake of the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The second castle was built on the site of the first castle in c. 1132 AD. It was a 3-storey tower, commanding a strategic view over much of the surrounding countryside, and was eminently defensible, with Lydford Gorge on one side, and the land sloping steeply away from it.
Its use changed under the aegis of Edward I of England who made the castle the Stannary prison; its reputation was not good. Sir Richard Grenville used the prison as an oubliette for his political opponents. An order of Parliament during the reign of Henry VIII describes the prison in 1512 as: one of the most hanious, contagious and detestable places in the realm, and Lydford Law was a by-word for injustice. It was also one of the seats of the Bloody Assizes of Hanging Judge Jeffreys.
The prison is commemorated in the poem Lydford Law by the Tavistock poet William Browne:
- I've often hear of Lydford law,
- How in the morn they hang and draw,
- And sit in judgement after
At the time of Cromwell's Commonwealth, the castle was entirely in ruins, but in the 18th century it was restored and again used as a prison and as the meeting-place of the manor and borough courts. The site is now maintained by English Heritage[4], and entry is free of charge.
[edit] Lydford during the Civil War
During the English Civil War, Lydford was the haunt of the then notorious Gubbins band, a gang of ruthless cut-throats and highwaymen, who took advantage of the turmoil of the times to ply their villainry. According to one account of the time:
- Gubbins-land is a Scythia within England, and they pure heathens therein. Their language is the drosse of the dregs of the vulgar Devonian, They hold together like burrs: offend one and all will avenge their quarrel.
[edit] Lydford's toll road
Lydford is located on the former stage-coach route between Tavistock and Okehampton. On this old toll road near Beardon is a 'Take-off' stone set in the verge. On steep hills heavily laden waggons or coaches could add an extra toll-free horse to help pull the vehicle up the hill, but this horse had to be taken off at the top. Very few of these stone still exist in situ.[5]
[edit] Lydford's railway stations Gallery
Lydford's former London & South Western Railway station (LSWR) on 16 November 1969. The line to Exeter via Tavistock had opened on 14 October 1874 and closed in 1968. The track was being lifted on the day this photograph was taken.
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The Great Western Railway (GWR) part of the joint station with the LSWR was taken on 16 November 1969. The station had opened in 1865 and closed in 1966.
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The junction between the LSWR and GWR lines.
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[edit] Twin Towns
Lydford is twinned with:
[edit] See also
[edit] Sources and External links
[edit] References
- , Devon County Council, 2001. "West Devon parish population estimates."
- , National Trust, 2004. "Lydford Gorge."
- , Hippisley Coxe, Anthony E. (1973). Haunted Britain. Pub. Hutchinson. ISBN 0-09-116540-7. P. 30.
- , Palmer, D.W., 2004. "Lydford Castle."
- , Minchinton, Walter, 1974. Devon at Work : Past & Present. Pub. David & Charles. P. 77.
(Source: Wikipedia) |