Dorset OPC

West Knighton

Dorset OPC


St Peter's Church, West Knighton
© Kim Parker 2010

West Knighton is only 3 miles from Dorchester, but being situated well away from the main road, it is blessed with rustic tranquillity. John Hutchins, in his "History and Antiquities of Dorset", made the romantic assertion that West Knighton was named for the Knights Templar or Hospitaller who held land in the parish from the late 13th century, including at the now vanished hamlet of Friar's Mayne, where they established a preceptory. However, an analysis of the name of the village through the ages reveals that 'Knighton' is a corruption of 'Chenistetone' – which is how it was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and which is from the Old English for 'farm of the thanes'.

At nearby Little Mayne, another hamlet within the parish, there was once a circle of megalithic stones said to be similar to those at Avebury, but sadly it was destroyed by an 18th century landowner by the name of Talbot – although some of the stones themselves have recently been dug up. There was a free chapel at Little Mayne dedicated to St. Stephen, which was in use until the end of the 15th century. Its bell was later removed to Fordington.


 

St. Peter's Church sits on a raised mound opposite Manor Farm, which possibly explains the presence of an elaborate boot-scraper built into the wall lining the steps that lead up to it. Despite many alterations over the centuries, the Norman origins of the building are still very much in evidence, including the east window and the arch separating the chancel from the nave. High up above the level of the rafters on the nave side of the arch is a worn painting, known of old as "the crusader's shield". Symbolising God as light by rays of sunshine eminating from the centre, there is a triangle representing the Trinity superimposed, framing the name "Jehovah" written in Hebrew. The crusader theme is echoed in the stained glass windows, mostly of 19th and early 20th century origin, which depict scenes such as King Richard Lionheart asking that his sword be blessed and the works of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller.

In 1893 the Church again underwent a restoration, this time under the direction of Thomas Hardy, who was working simultaneously as an architect and novelist. Hardy approached the work with great care and he was responsible for replacing the gallery at the west end of the nave, new tracery in two windows in the north wall of the nave and a completely new window in the tower. Whilst engaged in this work, he was also writing his last published novel, 'Jude the Obscure', whose hero is a stonemason.


Old School House, West Knighton
© Kim Parker 2010



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Census 1841 Census [Glenda Lightowler]
1851 Census [Royston Clarke]
1861 Census [Glenda Lightowler]
1871 Census [Christel Muncaster]
1881 Census [Ralph Woolfrey]
Parish Registers Baptisms 1693-1727 1731-1755 1756-1812 [Kim Parker]
Marriages 1693-1850 [Kim Parker]
Burials 1693-1727 1731-1755 1756-1812 [Kim Parker]
Trade & Postal Directories  
Other Records West Knighton Rectors
Wills Index for West Knighton residents
Dorset Militia Ballot List 1758
Photographs  
Monumental Inscriptions West Knighton Roll of Honour

View Larger Map
   
Records held at the Dorset History Centre
[Ref PE-WKT]
 
Registers
Christenings 1693-1728 1746-1908. Marriages 1693-1728 1746-1985. Burials 1693-1728 1746-1993
Registration District
(for the purpose of civil registration births, marriages & deaths)
1 Jul 1837-30 Jun 1949: Dorchester
1 Jul 1949-31 Mar 1997: Weymouth
1 Apr 1997-30 Sep 2001: South Dorset
1 Oct 2001-17 Oct 2005: South & West Dorset


West Knighton Cottages
© Kim Parker 2010


Disused Granary, West Knighton
© Kim Parker 2010


Old School House, West Knighton
© Kim Parker 2010


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