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WARDOUR

Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Copper engraved antique print of Old Wardour Castle c1770
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Ariel view of Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
View across the Lake from Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The Courtyard at Old Wardour Castle
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The Grotto in the grounds of Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Stairway to the Hall, Old Wardour Castle
Old undated postcard
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle
Old undated postcard
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Copper engraved antique print of Old Wardour Castle c1770
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Ariel view of Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
View across the Lake from Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The Courtyard at Old Wardour Castle
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The Grotto in the grounds of Old Wardour Castle, 2012
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Stairway to the Hall, Old Wardour Castle
Old undated postcard
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Old Wardour Castle
Old undated postcard
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
New Wardour Castle, Autumn 2010
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The magnificent staircase in New Wardour Castle was used in the film 'Billy Elliott'
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
All Saints Chapel at New Wardour Castle is semi-circular at both ends
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
All Saints Chapel at New Wardour Castle
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The magnificent interior of All Saints Chapel, New Wardour Castle
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
New Wardour Castle 1934
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Interior of All Saints Chapel, New Wardour Castle
Old undated postcard
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
New Wardour Castle, Autumn 2010
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The magnificent staircase in New Wardour Castle was used in the film 'Billy Elliott'
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
All Saints Chapel at New Wardour Castle is semi-circular at both ends
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
All Saints Chapel at New Wardour Castle
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The magnificent interior of All Saints Chapel, New Wardour Castle
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
New Wardour Castle 1934
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Interior of All Saints Chapel, New Wardour Castle
Old undated postcard
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Entrance to Wardour Cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
View across Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Memorials in the cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Unknown memorial in Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
View across Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
John & Mary Burt
"Farmed all their lives in their beloved Wardour"
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Thomas & Elizabeth Gurd
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Jesse Witt
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Memorials in Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Thomas Kivell, 8 Bn East Lancs Regt
Died 3 November 1914 age 23
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
John William Horrigan, R.F.A.
Accidentally killed 7 February 1915 age 35
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Joseph Mullins, Wiltshire Regiment
WW2 Casualty
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Donald E Cremin, RAF
WW2 Casualty
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Entrance to Wardour Cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
View across Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Memorials in the cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Unknown memorial in Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
View across Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
John & Mary Burt
"Farmed all their lives in their beloved Wardour"
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Thomas & Elizabeth Gurd
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Jesse Witt
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Memorials in Wardour cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Thomas Kivell, 8 Bn East Lancs Regt
Died 3 November 1914 age 23
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
John William Horrigan, R.F.A.
Accidentally killed 7 February 1915 age 35
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Joseph Mullins, Wiltshire Regiment
WW2 Casualty
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Donald E Cremin, RAF
WW2 Casualty

New Wardour Castle

Between 1770 and 1776, Henry, the 8th Lord Arundell, returned to Wardour and built a very grand mansion house, known as New Wardour Castle, a mile from the old castle ruins.  At this time, the law forbade the construction of Catholic churches and chapels as separate buildings, so Henry built a chapel inside his new mansion house, taking up the entire west wing.  It was the first Catholic chapel built for public worship to meet these restrictions.

 

In 1754 a new Marriage Act became law - all marriages had to take place during daylight hours in an "open ceremony" and only marriages held at approved places (Anglican, Jewish and Quaker churches) were deemed legal.  Although the law required Catholics to marry in Anglican churches, according to historians only 50% of such marriages in and around Tisbury conformed to the law. 

 

All Saints Chapel in New Wardour Castle is semi-circular at both ends; the interior is lavishly decorated with fine fittings, paintings and vestments, many of which came from continental Europe. The cemetery dates from 1836.  The Chapel served the Catholic community until a new church was built in Tisbury in 1898.  Two years after the last Lord Arundel, John Francis, died in 1944, part of the estate was sold to pay death duties.  (see further down page).   Plan of New Wardour Castle

 

 

Beneath the rugged elm and yew tree shade

Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap

Each in their narrow cell forever laid

The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep

Education

A mixed boarding school at Bridzor (just south of New Wardour Castle) in 1780  is mentioned in an advertisement at the time:

 

Mr. Jones at Bridzor nr Wardour Castle, Salisbury, Wiltshire  

Terms: eighteen pounds a year for reading, writing, accompts, board, lodging, washing, mending, etc. 

Particular care will be paid to the morals and knowledge in religious duty  

Admittance from six to eleven years of age

 

By 1838 the school, having undergone many structural and educational changes, had moved to its present site.  In 1952  official aided status was granted from the Ministry of Education.  The first board of managers consisted of Mr J Arundell, Fr Paine, Fr Mortland, Dr Kennedy GP and, for Tisbury Parish Council, Mr J Burt and Mr G Bull JP.  In 1966, it became a Primary School and still educates the Catholic community today.  

 

 

Old Wardour Castle

Built in the late 14th century, the castle was acquired by Thomas, the first Lord Arundell in 1547.  During the English Civil War, it was besieged by Parliamentarians while the second Lord Arundell was away fighting for the Crown; his wife Lady Blanche tried to defend the castle with only a handful of men, but surrendered when it was was threatened with complete destruction.  With the castle uninhabitable, the Arundell's moved away.  The Old Castle is now owned by English Heritage.  Seige Surrender Terms 1643

Contributing to Photo Galleries etc

The information and images on this page are of great interest to researchers in the UK and Worldwide who are tracing their family history. If you would like to share photographs of your ancestors who were born or married in Wardour, picture postcards, or any other information, please email us.  Your contribution really will be appreciated.  Thank you.  

Wardour People
Newspaper Articles

Primarily, articles selected are those that contain names of parishioners to assist family history researchers however, the articles shown should not be presumed to be the only ones that appear in the given years, or that there are no articles in any of the years omitted. 

 

Arundell History

Eye-witness accounts, written in 1982, by local people who worked for and knew the Arundell family including photographs and contributions from estate staff; many local people who lived in Wardour and Tisbury are named.   Life at Wardour - Not So Long Ago

The Guild Hall

The Guild Hall at Bridzor was built in 1885 by the Arundell family for the Catholic community.  It had a large stage for dramatic performances;  dances, whist drives, wedding receptions and other social events were regularly held there.  In the 1950's the Guild Hall became a private house.     The Guild Hall

The Great War 

The war memorial in Tisbury commemorates 45 casualties of WW1 many of whom were born in Wardour, but it is not possible to conclusively identify which ones.

 

There are two WW1 soldiers buried in Commonwealth War Graves at Wardour Catholic Cemetery, neither of whom had any connection with Wardour apart from their burials but biopics have been included to assist family history researchers.

 

John William Horrigan (1)                  John William Horrigan (2)                  Thomas Kivell

 

 

Misc Information

All Saints Chapel 

Registers held at Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre

Births/Baptisms    1744-1875

Marriages               1749-1766 

Burials                    1820-1875

Registers from 1875 held by the incumbent

Transcriptions

Baptisms                                  1744-1751       

Marriages                                 1749-1843       

Marriage Announcements    1738-1948

      

Census                                      1841      1851      1861      1871      1881      1891      1901     1911

 

Voters Lists                              1872      1874      1880      1912      1915    

Electoral Registers                  1918      1919      1925

 

Kelly's Directories - see the Tisbury page

Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Roman Catholic School 2007
Image Wiltshire Community History
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Roman Catholic School 2003
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Stone bus stop outside Wardour R.C. Primary School
Image Simon Burchell
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The school 1907
Image Wiltshire Community History
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Pupils and Nuns at Wardour Roman Catholic School in the 1890's
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Roman Catholic School 2007
Image Wiltshire Community History
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Roman Catholic School 2003
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Stone bus stop outside Wardour R.C. Primary School
Image Simon Burchell
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The school 1907
Image Wiltshire Community History
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Pupils and Nuns at Wardour Roman Catholic School in the 1890's
Family & Parish History : Wardour : Thomas, lst Lord Arundel

Arundell Family Tree 1694-1944

Heir's Attainment 1853

Marriage Festivities 1861

Obituary - John Francis Arundell 1906

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Obituary - Anne Lucy Arundell 1934

Obituary - Gerald Arthur Arundell 1939

Obituary - John Francis Arundell 1944

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Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The Presbytery c1895
Opposite the entrance to Wardour Cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Lady Blanche Arundell.
Defended Old Wardour Castle with just a handful of men when the Parliamentarians attacked during the Civil War
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Gerald Arthur Arundell 1861-1939
15th Baron Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
John Francis Arundell 1907-1944
16th (last) Baron Arundell of Wardour.
Casualty of WW2, commemorated on Tisbury War Memorial
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The marriage of the Hon Mary Isabella Arundell (dau of 15th Lord Arundell)
to Flight Lieutenant Thomas Fagan 1935
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Hugh George Burt
Born Wardour 1875
Fought in the South African Campaign
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Silas Lever born Wardour 1861 with grandsons
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
William Mercer baptised All Saints Chapel Wardour 1849
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The Presbytery c1895
Opposite the entrance to Wardour Cemetery
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Lady Blanche Arundell.
Defended Old Wardour Castle with just a handful of men when the Parliamentarians attacked during the Civil War
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Gerald Arthur Arundell 1861-1939
15th Baron Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
John Francis Arundell 1907-1944
16th (last) Baron Arundell of Wardour.
Casualty of WW2, commemorated on Tisbury War Memorial
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
The marriage of the Hon Mary Isabella Arundell (dau of 15th Lord Arundell)
to Flight Lieutenant Thomas Fagan 1935
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Hugh George Burt
Born Wardour 1875
Fought in the South African Campaign
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Silas Lever born Wardour 1861 with grandsons
Family & Parish History : Wardour
Family & Parish History : Wardour
William Mercer baptised All Saints Chapel Wardour 1849

Catholic Priests 1643-1995

Map of Wardour Estate

Catholic Ancestors 1791 & 1844

Paternity Claims 1827-1897

WFS Membership 1843-1870

Poll Book 1865

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Death in the Afternoon 1892

Obituary - John Edward Jeffery 1900

Inquest - Caroline Hurst 1910

Inquest - Alfred Thomas Penny 1915

Inquest - Thomas Gurd 1920

Obituary - Mary Jane Burt 1939

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Wardour was the ancestral seat of the Lords Arundell for 400 years, from 1547 to 1944.  After the Reformation, the family remained staunchly Catholic as did the vast majority of their servants and estate workers, at one time numbering 500, who all lived at Wardour. 

 

The Arundells were generous benefactors of the school and other buildings and were kindly towards their tenants.  Together with the priests and nuns, they led the locals in the practice of the Catholic faith.  Many of the former Lords Arudell including Thomas, the first Lord, are interred in a private vault beneath the altar in St John the Baptist Church in Tisbury.

 

Once a parish in its own right, in 1927 Wardour merged with East Tisbury and West Tisbury  to become the civil parish of Tisbury. 

1700-1799

1800-1849

Non-Conformist Congregations 1829

One Hundred & Twenty Confirmed 1838

Sheep Stealing & Evidence Tampering 1843