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
The Squirrelbasket 
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 🙂
Came across your blog whilst following King John’s daily itinerary for 1214, as he stopped at Sturminster (probably Marshall) on 3rd December 1214.
I noticed your comments about Wm. Marshal. I have checked against John’s Letters Patent and, on 9th September 1204, whilst at Newbury, the king granted Wm Marshal the manor of Sturminster. Hence the name I assume. The letter informs the people there to give due homage and service to their new lord, just as they did with the previous one.
What excellent snippets of information!
And today is December 3, we could have organised a party to celebrate exactly 800 years since the King passed by! Although actually it probably isn’t exact because of the change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar in 1582, but a nice thought anyway.
Not sure I’m the sort of person who would give homage to a lord of the manor, I’m always a bit insubordinate, but I wonder how YOU feel on that matter?
All the best 🙂
Well, as one insubordinate to another, I’d have to acknowledge that since it’s Wiliam Marshall we’re talking about I’d have happily joined in any celebration. A pretty independent spirit himself, as I read it, but not one to lose sight of his responsibilities. Thanks for letting me see this. 800 years! Best wishes Arthur
I am hearing from you and Rich Price how great he was, and I think I have come across him in West Wales, so I must read more…
All the best 🙂
The days of the itinerary for 1214, by some form of mathematical luck, match today’s calendar and the 3rd December was also a Wednesday when he came to Sturminster. If there were to be a lord to have to follow, Wm Marshal was at least a decent and a great man, known as The Greatest Knight in his day. He served the Plantagenets with amazing loyalty, even John.
I am hearing from you and Arthur Woodgate how great he was, and I think I have come across him in West Wales, so I must read more…
All the best 🙂
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.
My maiden name is Austin and I am trying to try to trace by great great grandfather John Austin back to his English roots. We were told he was from either Devon or Wimbourne Minister. He would have been born around 1786, married a Mary Dobbie or Dobbin and went to Newfoundland sometime between 1817 and 1829. Since Sturminister is so close to Wimbourne I wonder if there is any connection.