Dinton Historical Society

The speaker was local historian and programme secretary of the society, Lucille Campey.

Lucille began her talk, entitled Life Goes on: How Baverstock coped with the Black Death of 1348, by introducing her listeners to St Edith, the patron Saint of Baverstock Church. She told members that a 19th century stained glass window to commemorate St Edith can be seen in St Mary’s Church in the Market Place in Wilton and a golden shrine was erected in her memory in Wilton Abbey.

Lucille explained that, as can be deduced from entries in the Domesday Book of 1086, Baverstock was a tiny hamlet with a population of around 20 villagers, increasing to around 35 people by 1332.

The Black Death undoubtedly had an effect on the population growth of Baverstock, but was probably more devastating in nearby West Hurdcott. It is thought that the bodies of victims of the plague were carried to Baverstock churchyard for burial, and Baverstock’s raised churchyard suggested that a mass grave was dug for around 80 bodies, but this may be a conservative estimate and perhaps up to 200 victims of the Black Death were buried there, from both villages of Baverstock and West Hurdcott.

Lucille told members that after the Black Death Hurdcott became deserted, but in Baverstock life went on and sheep farming became important as it provide wool, milk, cheese and was not labour intensive, a vital factor as there was a shortage of agricultural labour after the Black Death. Sheep enclosures, with banks and ditches were formed and their remains can still be seen today. By 1801 the population of Baverstock was 120.

The annual January Social will take place on January 9.