The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
Sturminster Marshall is a village on the river Stour, four miles west of Wimborne in Dorset. The name Sturminster in fact means ‘large church on the river Stour’.
The first church was built in Norman times (12th century) and during the 13th & 14th centuries additions and improvements were made. There was little further work until 1802 when the tower fell down and was rebuilt. A restoration took place in 1859-60.
The registers of the Church of St Mary the Virgin date from 1563. My earliest ancestor here was my 7-great grandfather William AUSTIN, born here around 1675. His descendant, my 4-great grandmother Sarah AUSTIN, was christened here in 1773 and lived in Lytchett Matravers with her husband Joseph GILES.
Here are a few pictures of the Church and its surroundings…
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset - Red Lion Inn seen from the churchyard
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset - the Red Lion Inn does a lovely Sunday lunch
The village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset - the Red Lion Inn opposite the church
The village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The Church of St Mary the Virgin in the village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
The village of Sturminster Marshall, north of Poole, Dorset
Interesting to know the origin of “Sturminster” but what about “Marshall.” Just reading a book about William Marshall (a hero of mine) who was granted the Manor of Sturminster by King John, so assuming this is where the Marshall bit came from (?) Rifling through the internet, I’ve yet to find any acknowledgement of this.
Mmm, thanks for that, interesting…
I’ve managed to find an acknowledgement of your information in this parish plan PDF. It’s on page 2 of the booklet, third column, in the section headed “history”.
I see William Marshall was Earl of Pembroke and had connections with Chepstow Castle, too (that’s all on my Welsh “patch”). He did seem to get around a bit (ah, those Normans!) I must go back and read all about him
William Marshall (I’ve now discovered) was born – and quite possibly died – in Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
I guess not everywhere with “Marshall” in the name belonged to that family, but with the gift of the Sturminster Manor by King John, sounds distinctly possible in this case.