Bredon, St. Giles Exterior Photo Gallery
Bredon St. Giles Interior Photo Gallery
Bredon St. Giles Memorials Photo Gallery
Bredon Graves Photo Gallery
Bredon Worcestershire Delineated C. and J. Greenwood 1822
Bredon an extensive parish, in the hundred of Oswaldslow, middle division, 3 miles N.N.E. from Tewkesbury, and 109 from London; containing 202 inhabited houses. The church is an ancient structure, chiefly of Saxon architecture, built in the form of a cross, and considering its antiquity is in tolerable good repair.
John Prideaux, who was Bishop of Worcester during the civil war, in 1641, lies buried in this church. He was dismissed with an allowance of only 4s. 6d. per week; and although obliged to sell his books and furniture, to procure himself necessaries, yet he bore his reverses with fortitude and cheerfulness. One day passing through the village with something under his gown, a neighbour inquired what he had got; he replied, he had become an ostrich, and was forced to live upon iron; at the same time producing some old iron he was going to sell, to procure himself a meal.
Here is a good free school, for all the children belonging to the parish, well endowed, the funds of which appear to be judiciously applied. The chapelries of Norton, Mitton, and Cutsdean are annexed, with the hamlets of Westmancote, Kelmsham, and Hardwick. The living is a rectory, and one of the most valuable in the diocese; the Rev. John Keysall, incumbent; instituted 1806; patron, John Keysall, Esq. Population, 1801, 749 1811, 886 1821, 928.
Bredon Hill, on which are the remains of a Roman encampment, with a double ditch. On the declivity are a number of farms, villas, and plantations, with good pasture for sheep. Its perpendicular height is upwards of 800 feet, and on the summit is a lofty summer-house, commanding a most extensive view over the adjoining counties. In the side of the hill, is a chasm in the solid rock, about 200 yards long, and 15 feet wide, which opened a few years since, without any previous warning.
Source: Worcestershire Delineated: Being a Topographical Description of Each Parish, Chapelry, Hamlet, &c. In the County; with the distances and bearings from their respective market towns, &c. By C. and J. Greenwood. Printed by T. Bensley, Crane Court, Fleet Street, London, 1822.
Useful Links
Historical Information and Directory Transcriptions