11 BRIDSTOW (E.d.)
(O.S. 6 in. (a)XLVI, S.E., (b)LI, N.E., (c)LI, N.W.)
Bridstow is a parish and village 1 m. W. of Ross.
The principal monuments are Wilton Castle and Wilton
Bridge.
Ecclesiastical
b(1). Parish Church of St. Bridget stands in the
middle of the parish. With the exception of the West
Tower the whole church was re-built in 1862, but the
chancel arch is of early 12th-century material re-set.
Architectural Description—The Chancel has, in the
N. wall, a re-set arcade of c. 1200, and of two bays with
two-centred arches of two chamfered orders; the capital
of the modern column has a moulded abacus and a bell,
carved with 'stiff-leaf' foliage. The chancel-arch is
semi-circular and of two orders with a chamfered label
towards the nave; the orders are plain on the E. side,
but towards the nave the inner order is enriched with
incised saltire ornament and the outer order is carved
with cheveron enrichment; the responds have attached
shafts to the inner and outer order on the W.; the shafts
have cushion-capitals, carved with scrolls, acanthus-ornament, etc.
The West Tower (13¼ ft. by 12¼ ft.) has walls of local
red sandstone. It is of late 14th-century date, and
is roofed with a modern pyramidal roof. The tower
(Plate 3) is of three storeys and externally in two
stages with a moulded plinth and plain parapet with
a moulded coping. Projecting from the string-course
below the parapet on each wall are two water-spouts,
all modern except one on the S. wall which is a
carved beast-gargoyle. The ground stage has a two-centred tower arch of two chamfered orders, the inner
and the outer order on the E. being continuous and
the outer order on the W. dying on to the side walls
of the tower. The W. window has been slightly
repaired; it is of three lights in a two-centred head
with a moulded label; the middle light is multifoiled
and the side lights are each cinque-foiled; in the S.
wall is a doorway to the tower stair; it has chamfered
jambs and a segmental-pointed head. The bell-chamber
has in each wall an original window of two trefoiled
lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head. Immediately above the string-course dividing the upper from
the lower stages of the tower on the N. and S. walls is
a small square-headed light.
Fittings—Bells: eight; 1st by Robert Hendel of
Gloucester, and inscribed "Sancte Michael Ora Pro
Nobis," 15th-century. Chair: In chancel—of oak
(Plate 26), with turned front legs and arm supports,
enriched rails, shaped and enriched arms and panelled
back carved with enriched segmental arch supported
on carved Ionic pilasters with carved spandrels and
enclosing conventional vine plant; top of back in
form of two enriched scrolls flanking carved man's
head in middle and supported at sides by scrollbrackets; parts of enrichment and carving gilded, first
half of 17th century. Churchyard Cross: small portions
of lower part of octagonal shaft only, standing on
square base on four much-weathered steps, octagonal
on plan, mediæval, now supporting small brass sundial. Door: In S. aisle (Plate 34)—battened and
nail-studded and with four-centred head; front panelled,
with planted-on ribs, in four vertical panels, the two
middle panels being wider than the outer panels and
with trefoiled ogee heads and tracery above; base board
modern and moulded ribs restored to lower part of
door; remains of two wrought-iron hinges fixed on face
of door, early 14th-century. Font: octagonal bowl, with
square panels, filled with conventional leaves or cusped
sub-panels, moulded under edge, with carved paterae,
stem with panelled faces and traceried heads, probably
15th-century, much re-cut. Monuments: In chancel—
re-set in modern recess in N. wall, (1) small altar-tomb
(Plate 44) with front and back in four arcaded bays
with cinque-foiled two-centred arches and trefoiled
spandrels and supported on small attached columns
with moulded capitals; ends each of two similar bays;
top with moulded edge and panelled with sunk cinquefoil-headed recess with crocketed gable supported on
attached shafts with moulded capitals surmounted by
pinnacles and bases resting on shaped corbels; within
recess shield surmounted by a cross and flanked by
'stiff-leaf' foliage; the whole tomb below the level
of capitals to arcade columns is modern, as is also the
whole of the W. end; upper part c. 1300. In churchyard—S. of S. porch (2) to John Barrow, 1683, headstone with ornamental top and carved enrichment at
sides; (3) to Jane, wife of Richard Tommy, 1710,
headstone with shaped top; (4) to Walter Smith,
1697, headstone; against W. wall of churchyard, (5) to
Mary, wife of Thomas Hill, 1699, headstone; S. of
porch, (6) to Micael Ford, 1705, headstone with shaped
top and carved cherub-head; (7) to William Moris,
1683, headstone with shaped top, carved hour-glass
and floral ornament; (8) to John Douding (1698–9 ?),
headstone with semi-circular top and sunk panel.
Piscina: In chancel—re-set in E. wall, recess with
chamfered trefoiled head, 14th-century, sill modern.
Plate: includes a cup of 1576.
Condition—Good, re-built.
Secular
b(2). Wilton Castle, stands nearly ½ m. S.E. of the
church and 60 yards N. of the River Wye. The castle
is in ruins, but the remaining walls are of local red
sandstone with a few portions of tufa which have probably been re-used. According to Leland and Giraldus
Cambrensis, there was a castle at Wilton in the reign of
Stephen, when the Longchamp family were lords of
Wilton. The existing remains, however, date from late
in the 13th or early in the 14th century, the N.W. Tower
being perhaps a little later. At this period the castle
belonged to the Greys. In the 16th century a large
house was built incorporating the S.W. Tower, and
probably at the same time the S. curtain wall and S.
portion of the E. wall were destroyed. During the
Civil War the castle belonged to Sir John Brydges,
and the house is said to have been burnt at this
period. In modern times a house has been built
incorporating portions of the old S.W. tower and part
of the 16th-century building.
The castle apparently consisted of an irregular
quadrilateral court with a curtain wall, a tower at each
angle and one in the middle of the E. wall; within the
courtyard, buildings were erected against the curtain
wall. The remains consist of the W., N. and part of
the E. wall, the S.W. tower which is probably incomplete, the N.W. tower and the middle tower on the
E. wall, all being in a ruinous state. There are also the
remains of the 16th-century house.
Wilton Castle
The E. Curtain Wall is of mixed rubble and rough
ashlar and has a round tower in the middle of its
length; the top has been destroyed. There is an
entrance from the courtyard to the E. tower, with
chamfered jambs and two-centred arch; S. of the
entrance is a window to the tower with a re-used trefoiled head. The internal wall-face of the tower has
been almost entirely destroyed; the face of the W.
wall was re-built to form nests when the tower was
used as a dovecot, probably in the 16th century.
Immediately W. of the entrance, in the thickness of the
curtain wall, is a small chamber, possibly a garde-robe,
and there is a similar chamber, now blocked, at the
level of the lowest stage of the tower, which is now
filled in with earth; there are several loop-lights at
this level. The upper stage has two windows, that to
the S. being the original loop; the other appears to
have been enlarged and much damaged during the
alterations in the 16th century. Externally the walls are
splayed out with a curve at the base. The tower is
split from top to bottom on both the N. and S. sides
and is in a ruinous condition, but apparently had, at
one time, a machicolated parapet. Further N. are the
remains of a projection, possibly a buttress. The
N. Curtain Wall is of similar construction to the E.
wall; for a portion of its length it retains the parapetwalk and part of the parapet. The N.E. angle tower
has disappeared; it was probably octagonal, but most
of the wall at this point has been re-built; a blocked
entrance-doorway with a flat head and a small portion
of the old wall remain. There were formerly buildings against this wall, and a fireplace remains on the
outside with chamfered jambs and flat head, but the
lower part is hidden owing to the raising of the ground-level. Immediately E. of the N.W. angle tower the wall
has been re-built much thinner than the original wall,
part of which remains at the base. Externally, about the
middle of the wall is a buttress with weathered top and
chamfered plinth which appears to be original; to the
E. are the remains of another but probably later buttress.
The N.W. Tower (Plate 2) is octagonal on plan and
of two stages. It has a double external plinth and is
entered by a doorway with a shouldered head. The
S.W., N.W. and N.E. walls have loops with splayed
reveals and flat soffits, the shouldered jambs having the
shouldering splayed back and dying into the reveals.
The W. wall has a fireplace opening with chamfered
jambs and flat head. The E. wall has an entrance, with
a shouldered head, to a garde-robe which has a flat
soffit with chamfered corbelling, and a small loop.
In the upper stage, the S.E. wall has a doorway similar
to that below. The S. wall has a blocked loop. The
S.W. and N.W. walls have windows with splayed
reveals and trefoiled ogee-headed openings, that on the
S.W. having a later head. The W. wall has a fireplace
opening with chamfered jambs and flat head. The
N. wall has a modern window, and the N.E. wall a
blocked window. In the E. wall is a garde-robe
similar to that below. Externally the parapet over the
entrance in the S.E. wall is corbelled out to the curtainwall; the parapet itself has a moulded coping and, in
the middle, a large cross-loop. The S. wall of the tower
has remains, apparently, of a doorway from the tower
to the parapet walk; at the upper stage level is a
blocked loop. Rising above the parapet on the W.
side is a stone chimney-stack with a square base with a
stone face except on the E. side, which is brick; the shaft
is octagonal with trefoil-headed openings in alternate
faces and an embattled capping. The projecting
garde-robes have a weathered stone roof and a pointed
arched outlet to a drain. The W. Curtain Wall is
largely of rough ashlar; it retains part of the parapet
and parapet walk. Internally, near the N. end of the
wall, at the base, is a small opening, possibly a drain;
further S. are two small blocked windows, probably of
later date. At the S. end of the wall are two windows
with splayed reveals, round rear-arches and probably
trefoil-headed openings; to the N. of these was a similar
window, now destroyed except the S. jamb. Externally the face of the wall is splayed back where it joins
the S.W. tower, and along the whole length are modern
one-storeyed buildings. The S.W. Tower (Plate 2)
appears to have been refaced externally c. 1400. It was
built on a long narrow plan running roughly E. and
W., rectangular at the E. end and semi-circular at the
W. and with a staircase to the upper floor on the N.
side. On the S. side is a small, incomplete projection which may indicate that the original entrance
to the courtyard was at this point and that, when
complete, it formed, with the existing tower, a gatehouse similar to that at Goodrich Castle. The tower
was apparently four-storeyed. In the basement, the
W. end has been largely re-built externally; internally it forms a half-octagon. In the N. wall is a doorway with jambs and segmental-pointed arch of two
chamfered orders, which probably gave access to the
undercroft of the former Hall. E. of this opening is a
cross-wall apparently of the 16th century. The E. wall
is of the same date, the original wall having been
approximately 2½ ft. thicker on the inner side. In the
S. wall are two openings with segmental-pointed arches
of two chamfered orders; the western is now covered
by soil and only the top voussoirs are exposed. On the
ground floor, the W. end is destroyed above basement
level except for a small portion S. of the basement
entrance. At the W. end of what remains of the N.
wall is part of the pointed arch of a window. In the S.
wall is the pointed arch of a doorway, formerly giving
access to a passage in the thickness of the wall which
communicated with the projection which may have
formed part of the gatehouse; the passage has a
small square-headed window. On the first floor, the
N. wall has part of a chimney-flue, and a doorway with a
pointed arch communicates with the staircase. On the
S. side there is a small window with a pointed head, and
a doorway possibly led to the upper floor of what may
have been the gate-house. On the second floor the
walling has almost entirely disappeared. The staircase
from the ground to the first floor was built against the
N. wall, but the stairs are now missing. It was
approached from a small lobby with a pointed doorway
to the ground floor of the tower and by another doorway in the E. wall. There is a later entrance on the N.
into what is now the kitchen of the modern house. On
the first floor the stairs lead, under a pointed arch, to a
landing at the W. end of which are two openings with
pointed arches, that to the S. giving access to a vise
leading to the second floor, and that to the N. opening
into a passage which terminated against the W. wall with
a loop. The Hall does not now exist, but apparently
it abutted on the outer or northernmost wall of the
staircase; it had an undercroft, and its W. wall was
formed by the W. curtain wall and contained the three
windows mentioned above.
The Remains of the 16th-century House (Plate 84), apart
from those which are incorporated in the modern house,
consist on plan of portions of an approximately square
structure with a projecting wing on the N. side and a
rounded angle at the S.E. which terminated on the W.
in a narrow projecting bay. The wall was formerly
continued westwards beyond the bay. The N.
Elevation. The projecting wing has an eight-light bay-window, formerly of two storeys, but only one now
remains. The window has moulded jambs, mullions,
head and transom. The main wall of the house has,
on each floor, a much-damaged two-light transomed
window; halfway between floor levels are two similar
windows showing the positions of the former staircase
landings; all these windows have moulded labels.
The W. Elevation. This wall of the N. wing would
appear to have been re-built in the 17th century. It has
a modern doorway and a projecting rectangular chimney-stack with plain plinth and weathered sides, the shaft is
missing. Only a portion of the W. wall of the main
part of the house remains, and the lower part is hidden
by the modern house. On the first floor are two two-light transomed windows similar to the other windows,
but the mullions and transoms are missing. The
S. Elevation. The S. side of the rounded angle has a
two-light transomed window, with mullion and
transoms missing, on the ground floor, and half of a
similar window remains on the first floor. A moulded
string-course is carried up over the head of the window.
W. of the rounded angle is a narrow rectangular projecting bay. On both the ground and first floors is a
two-light transomed window without mullions or
transoms and with string-courses carried up over the
window-heads to act as labels. The E. Elevation
has, on the first floor, a three-light double-transomed
window with the mullions missing and a modern lintel.
Only the wall of the N. wing now remains, and this has
been partly re-built, possibly in the 17th century, but
immediately to the S. the plinth of a semi-hexagonal
oriel remains. The rounded projection at the S.E.
angle stands to a height of two storeys and what may
have been a parapet or possibly the beginning of a third
storey. At each floor level is a moulded string.
The Moat formerly surrounded the site, forming a
roughly rectangular island. On the S. side the moat
has been almost entirely filled in, and on the E. side
there is a scarp only.
Condition—Ruinous.
b(3). Wilton Bridge (Plate 85) crossing the River
Wye on the main Hereford-Ross road about ¾ m. from
Ross, is built of local red sandstone ashlar. In 1597
an Act was passed authorising the construction of this
bridge, and the building was completed within the next
two years. It is said to have replaced the "wood bridge
by Roose" mentioned by Leland, but the fact that, at its
completion, pontage was granted to Charles Bridges, in
recompense for the loss of his ferry rights, makes it
appear doubtful whether the two bridges could have
been on the same site. During the Civil War one of
the arches near the Hereford side was demolished as a
defensive measure, apparently the one nearest the shore,
as the others are uniform in treatment. In 1914 the
bridge had become unsafe for heavy traffic and a ferroconcrete system of beams was inserted to take the load
off the arches, the parapets were re-built, and the casing
of the three most southerly piers and the upstream side
of the fourth pier were re-set. The other piers were
repaired and the upstream parapet above the arch at the
N. end of the bridge was moved slightly outwards and
supported by a stone slab.
Wilton Bridge, In the Parish of Bridstow
This is a fine example of a 16th-century bridge.
The bridge is of six spans; the piers have cut-waters
on both sides which are carried up and splayed back
from the outer angle at the parapet level, forming semi-hexagonal refuges; at the point where the splay dies out
is a moulded string which is mitred and carried up in
the angle against the spandrels of the arches and then
mitred and carried across to form a label over the
arches. The N.W. arch is chamfered and segmental-pointed and has no label above the shore half. On the
down-stream side the re-built parapet projects slightly
in front of the arch face, and the haunch of the arch
has been re-built; on the upstream side the road has
been widened and the parapet is now overhanging
and is supported on a stone slab. The other arches
have three chamfered ribs which are not bonded into
the soffits; the voussoirs are chamfered and joggled
(Plate 11) and have various masons' marks. The S.E.
approach walls have been re-built in ashlar and have two
flights of stone steps down to the river bank. Re-erected
in a refuge on the upstream side of the bridge is an
early 18th-century sundial (Plate 11); it has a square
pedestal with a moulded and fielded panel on each side
and a moulded cap and base, a square bulbous-shaped
shaft with channelled sides, carved with acanthus-leaf
ornament and a moulded cap. Above stands a square
stone pillar having on each face a panel with a sundial
and finished at the top with a ball-finial. Below one
dial is inscribed:—"Esteem thy precious time, which
pass so swift away; Prepare then for eternity, and do
not make delay."
Condition—Good.
b(4). King's Head Hotel, shop with dwelling, and
house adjoining, block of buildings immediately N.W.
of (3). The Inn is of three storeys, and the other two
buildings are of two storeys and attics; the walls are
of brick and the roofs are covered with slates and tiles.
The whole block was remodelled and largely re-built
in the 18th century, but it incorporates one or more
17th-century buildings, some beams of this date being
exposed in ground-floor ceilings of the Inn and the
square brick chimney-stack of the house being constructed of old bricks.
Condition—Good.
b(5). The Prison House (Plate 13), on the bank
of the River Wye, about ½ m. S.S.E. of the church and
50 yards S.W. of (3), is of two storeys; the walls are
rough ashlar of red sandstone and the roof is covered
with modern tiles. It was built c. 1600, and is said
to have been used as a prison; the windows are all
barred, but the bars appear to be of later date. Late
in the 18th century a building was erected against the
N. wall which probably incorporates part of the
original building. On the first floor are two two-light
windows with square heads. The S. elevation has a
similar window and an original chimney-stack.
Condition—Bad.
b(6). Wilton Court, house, about ½ m. S.S.E. of
the church and 30 yards S.W. of (5), is of two storeys,
with attics. The walls are of stone and of timber-framing, and the roof is covered with modern slates.
The plan is L-shaped with the wings extending towards
the N. and W. The original block or W. wing was
built c. 1600, and the N. wing, which is of timber-framed construction, was added c. 1700, except the
portion immediately adjoining the W. wing, which is
apparently earlier. Additions have been made in
modern times, and the house appears to have been
partly re-built. The S. elevation has moulded stringcourses at the floor-levels. The doorway has chamfered jambs and four-centred arch. There are two
original three-light windows and remains of other
original windows. The chimney-stack has a rectangular stone base, but the upper part is modern. The
W. elevation has, at the S., the gabled end of the W.
wing, the wall being of stone and the re-built gable of
timber-framing and plaster. The N. wing is largely
concealed by modern buildings, but portions of timber-framing are exposed. The projection of the staircase
on the W. front has exposed timber-framing with
modern brick nogging; the gabled N. end of the N.
wing is probably modern. The E. elevation has two
original four-light windows; in the gable is an oval
panel with traces of a date (?). There are stringcourses uniform with those on the S. elevation. Inside
the building are exposed stop-chamfered beams, and
some partitions in the attic have exposed timber-framing. The ground-floor room at the S.E. angle is
panelled and has a dado of bolection-moulded and
fielded panels, a moulded dado-rail, cornice and skirting;
the angle-fireplace has a bolection-moulded surround
and a modern shelf; the door is three-panelled and
bolection-moulded; all of early 18th-century date.
In the garden immediately opposite on the E. side of
the road is a portion of a cross which formerly stood
beside the ford which crosses the river at this point.
The base is square with chamfered angles at the top;
the portion of the octagonal shaft has spur stops at the
base and is possibly of the 14th century. Set in the wall
immediately N. of the cross is a gable finial, probably
from Wilton Court.
Condition—Good.
b(7). Orls Barn, on the S. side of Monmouth
Road and about 630 yards S.S.E. of the church; the
walls are timber-framed on a chamfered stone plinth
and the roof is covered with corrugated iron. It was
built in the 17th century. It is of three bays with a
double door in the middle of each side.
Condition—Fairly good.
c(8). Lane End, house, 70 yards S. of the HerefordRoss road, just over 1 m. W.S.W. of the church, is of
one storey and attics; the walls are of timber-framing,
and the roofs are covered with tiles. It was built
probably early in the 17th century, and there are modern
additions on the S. and W. The W. elevation has
exposed timber-framing; the lower storey has been
faced with stone, but has heavy angle-posts. The
S. elevation is timber-framed, but is largely concealed by
modern additions. Inside the building, the W. room
has exposed joists and stop-chamfered ceiling-beam.
Condition—Good.
b(9). Moore Court Farm, house, on the N. side of
the road, ½ m. W. of the church, is of one storey and
attics; the walls are of stone and the roof is covered
with tiles. It was built in the 17th century. Late in
the 18th century the E. end was either extended or
re-built. The W. elevation has a timber-framed
gable and a projecting stone chimney-stack. Inside
the building are some exposed joists and stop-chamfered
beams.
Condition—Poor.
b(10). Cottage, on the W. side of the road, 280
yards N.N.W. of the church, is of two storeys; the
walls are of stone and the roof is covered with slates.
It was built late in the 17th or early in the 18th
century; the W. half is now in ruins. The W. wall
of the E. half has been re-built in modern times and
an addition built on the N. side. At the E. end is
a projecting stone stack with offset sides. Inside the
building are some exposed stop-chamfered ceiling-beams.
Condition—Fairly good.
b(11). Ashe Farm, house, 1100 yards N.N.W. of the
church, has two storeys with attics; the walls are of
red sandstone and the roof is covered with stone slates
and modern slates. The house incorporates portions
of 15th-century date, including one crutch truss, visible
against the central stack on the first floor. Late in the
16th or early in the 17th century the N.W. portion of
the house was added and the N.E. portion either built
or remodelled incorporating part of the 15th-century
house. Early in the 18th century the southern half
of the house was built or possibly re-built incorporating
part of the old house. The southern half of the E.
elevation is of ashlar; the northern half is of rubble
and has a plinth; the doorway has an 18th-century
beaded frame and an 18th-century three-light wood
mullioned window on both floors. The N. elevation
has twin gables, the eastern re-built. The northern
part of the W. elevation has been partially re-built and
modernised; the southern part is of ashlar and uniform
in treatment with the E. elevation. There are two-light windows with wood frames to each landing of the
staircase. To the N. of these is a one-light window with
an old frame on each floor. The S. elevation is of ashlar; the windows have been modernised, and there is a
segmental arched opening to the cellar. Inside the
building there are some portions of re-set 17th-century
wood panelling with moulded framing in the hall;
the early 18th-century staircase has moulded continuous
string, handrail, balusters and square newels.
Condition—Good.
a(12). Ashe Ingen Court, house and outbuildings,
¾ m. N.N.W. of the church. The House is now of two
storeys; the walls are of stone and the roof is covered
with stone slates. It was built of timber late in the
16th or early in the 17th century; in the middle of
the 18th century it was extended towards the S. and
a one-storeyed addition on the S. end of the W. side
and some alterations carried out internally; it was
further altered more recently and cased with stone after
a fire. The E. elevation has been modernised; a
two-light window with moulded stone mullion, head
and jambs has been re-set in the N. end of the E. side
at ground-floor level. A doorway on the N. elevation
has stop-moulded jambs and four-centred head of
stone. The W. elevation is largely concealed by
additions; set in the wall above the first-floor window
is a stone shield-of-arms of Abrahall, probably of 18th-century date. Inside the building a stone fireplace
with a four-centred arched opening has been re-set in
the dining-room; there are exposed stop-chamfered
ceiling-beams and some exposed timber-framing in
the same room. In the drawing-room the stone
cheeks of the fireplace opening are original.
Immediately to the W. and connected to the house by
a screen wall, is a small stone building of one storey
and attics, built in the 17th century, and now used as
servants' quarters. It was remodelled in the 18th
century and the S. wall was re-built in ashlar; it was
again remodelled in modern times.
The Barn (Plate 12), W. of the house, is of red
sandstone rubble, and the roof is covered with tiles.
It was probably built in the 17th century; it bears
the date 1753, which possibly refers to some rebuilding
or extension. The N. elevation has two rows of
loops and two projecting gabled porches. The E.
and W. elevations have three rows of loops; below
the apex of the E. gable is a flat slab in which is an
owl-hole, and the date 1753. The S. elevation has
loops and two double doors, but is largely concealed
by later additions. Internally the barn is divided into
twelve bays by eleven trusses, some of which have
been repaired and others are modern.
The Cider House, S. of the house, is of two storeys;
the walls are of stone rubble and the roof is covered
with tiles. It was built in the 17th century, and was
extended to the W. late in the 18th century. The S.
elevation has external stone stairs to the loft. Inside
the building the ground floor has exposed and stop-chamfered ceiling-beams.
Condition—Fairly good.