Research carried out by our members
Details from David Witt’s talk on the fascinating background to art work in the Whole Hog in Malmesbury.
Many thanks to Hazel Humphries for her fascinating talk on her ancestor William Chappell of the Green Dragon Inn, Malmesbury. Her research is in two parts, the first is about William himself, called “Tale of a convict”. The story of his family continues in “A tale of those left behind”.
Although the interior of Malmesbury Abbey is primarily Norman, this splendid, early 19C., Gothic Revival window dominates the west end of the nave. It is all that remains of extensive works of 1822-26 and is by Henry Edmund Goodridge, the most significant architect practising in Bath during the first half of the nineteenth century.
The story of the Malmesbury Chasse, a 12th century reliquary which is reputed to have come from Malmesbury Abbey and is now in the Art Gallery of Ontario.
One of several brickyards and tilerys in the area around Malmesbury, research by MHS Chair Christina Staff examines the history of Rodbourne Brickworks and many of the characters involved over time.
Interesting research on the stone chair in the Church of the Holy Rood, Rodbourne, Malmesbury carried out by the MHS Chair Christina Staff
Research on the history of Hankerton village through the ages and tales of the work carried out by Hankerton History Group.
Summary of the meeting where three books were presented The Doctor's tale, The Lawyer's tale and The Vet's tale. Together presenting a history of Malmesbury over nearly the last century
Research into the Wallace family as part of the Tetbury Hill Cemetery project.
As invasion threatened in 1940 watercolour artists were commissioned to record the Britain in peril. 15 paintings were produced of Malmesbury scenes. Read their story.
Malmesbury’s Market Cross stands in the centre of the town at the north end of the High Street and south west of adjacent Malmesbury Abbey. Unusually there has been little detailed research around such an important structure. The paper below which brings together the different sources of information on the Market Cross, examines its architecture and iconography, its history and links to the Abbey. The aim is to better understand key questions such as when was it built, who paid for its construction and how has it survived.
The Royal Arms above the altar of Malmesbury Abbey are flanked by heraldic symbols which, taken together, provide a reasonable theory as to its origin.
Stop Line Green was to act as Bristol’s outer defence at the start of the Second World War, it ran for 91 miles with 319 pillboxes and 20 miles of ditches, making use of natural features such as rivers. Locally it followed a line from Lacock to Malmesbury and on to Tetbury.
Two well known local families who had a long running feud which came to a head at the end of the 16th century..
Cam's Hill is a small circular earthwork that sits on the spur of a ridge overlooking the River Avon about 1.5 km south of Malmesbury. The earthwork is possibly all that remains of one of the three siege castles built during the Anarchy in order to besiege Malmesbury Castle.
Malmesbury United Reformed Church commissioned in the 1860s and designed by architect William Jervis Stent of Warminster.
A mystery surrounding a Prime Minister at Easton Grey
Saint Aldhelm the 7th century Abbot of Malmesbury was, as a young man, a Latin scholar and fascinated by Aenigmata (riddles).
When Aldhelm died in Doulting on 23rd May 709, in accordance with his wishes his body was brought to Malmesbury for burial. The cortège rested every seven miles and, ultimately, a stone cross was raised to mark these holy spots. This research sheds light on his journey.
Tom O’Malmesbury and his fascinating story as told in song.
A chance remark at a History Society meeting led me to uncover Malmesbury connections with my Father’s bible.
The fascinating story of .Alfred Beuttell, founder of Linolite an important local employer in Malmesbury..
The Hans Rausing Building in Malmesbury provides a multi-purpose educational, heritage, cultural and arts centre. It was formerly the Moravian Church this research examines the history of the Moravian Church
The story of Harry Jones, a famous Malmesbury character
Most people from Malmesbury are familiar with the ancient inscription that can be seen on St John’s Almshouses close to the town bridge. It commemorates the generosity of a man called Michael Wickes who gave money to both the almshouses at St John’s and to the school for local boys that was held in the nearby old Courthouse. The inscription states that Wickes made his gift to the town on 24 March 1694, but who was Michael Wickes?