Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire Genealogy

England   Wiltshire

Parish History


'"The Church of the Holy Cross' is an ancient edifice of stone, partly of Norman date, and consists of chancel with north chapel, nave of four bays with aisles, north and south porches and an embattled western tower containing five bells. The earliest Christian worship offered here was before the present building, in Saxon times. Three Saxon-style pilaster buttresses remain on the north wall of the chancel (12th century).1



"The original chapel was linked with the chancel towards the end of the 13th century when the arches were cut in the old walls. In the 14th century there was a demand for more altars, so it was divided into two, the western chapel being dedicated to St. George.  From this chapel a staircase led up to the rood-loft, which most remarkably appears to have been across the north aisle only.  The rood-loft was lit by a square window which is now blocked up but can be seen from the outside of the church.  The lintel of the doorway is part of a re-used grave slab.  Over the arch one can see a very beautiful reredos (a decoration to go above and behind an altar) of the 14th century; this may not have been its original position.  The oval panels would have contained pictures or statues in the four corners of the central oval are symbols of the four evangelists (Matthew--a man, because he emphasizes the manhood of Jesus; Mark--a lion, because he teaches especially about Jesus as King; Luke--an ox, as he brings out the thought of Jesus as priest; John--an eagle, because he teaches about Jesus as God, the Word, and the eagle soars right up above the earth). "The Church is predominantly Norman, being added to over the years, and one can see how the pillars vary according to the century in which they were built. Adjacent to the Norman arch are old Norman stones noticeable by the slanting hand-chiselled lines, these being in contrast to the new smooth sawn stones.  This method of tooling stone is characteristic of Norman work, a and is not found later in the Middle Ages.  To the side of the chancel is a blocked-up doorway (15th century); when looked at from outside, sundials are scratched on the walls (the priest came out of this door to see the time for the next service.)"2

1Madge Paterson and Ernie Ward, A Village With No History'' (Keith Cowley, Oaklands Road, Chirkbank, Shropshire 1986), p. 43 (Gloucestershire County Library, Class 942.312, Copy 002) 2Ibid., p. 43 ''



The Church Walk
The gate of the Ashton-Keynes Parish Church Walk has a carved dedication to Max Johnstone, Vicar of Ashton-Keynes 1962-1967.

The peaceful tree-lined walk, in early spring, is bordered with lovely yellow daffodils.

About mid-way along the Church Walk, The Colin George Bodman memorial bench graciously provides a place to rest before continuing the long walk to the Parish Churchyard. A brass plate mounted on the back of the bench bears the following message:

"Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die. Sit with me and rest for a while, and remember me with a happy smile."



This Church Walk approaches the Church through the Churchyard, where many loyal parishioners are buried.

Celtic crosses adorn many of the graves.

Ashton-Keynes Village
"Many words have been written over the years which have attempted to describe the village, but none can capture the atmosphere of the following work which was found when sorting through some older papers: "Listen, while I tell a story; Tell the story of a village, Of a lovely English village Rich in charm, and grace, and beauty; Where the valley of the White Steed Meets the foothills of the Cotswolds Where the infant Thames comes rippling Through the woods and through the meadows, Past the stately grey stone Manor With its lovely English garden, Gay with trees, and shrubs and flowers Reaching to the river's margin. Baby Thames comes dancing onward, Sparkling, flashing in the sunshine, Splashing, gurgling through the arches Through the arches of the bridges. Now it comes at last to Ashton, Ashton Keynes, a Wiltshire village. Many bridges span the river Through the centre of the village; Span the river to the dwellings, To the dwellings of the people. Dwellings built of solid grey stone; Greystone from the Cotswold quarries Mellowed now by time and weather To subdued and pleasing colour." I must tell you of ancient crosses; Ancient crosses, four in number, Built of massive blocks of stonework, Built in ages long forgotten. Here, they say, the Druids worshipped, Marching by in long procession Holding at each cross a service And performing rites mysterious. I must tell you of the glory Of the Parish Church of Ashton; Of its dignity and splendour Of the charm of the interior; Of the crosses on the gables, Of the lofty square built tower With its gargoyles, ever grinning Down at human frailties; Of the bells, with clarion voices Pealing forth an invitation, Calling loud their urgent message To the people of the village. Enter now this House of Worship, Empty now--serene and silent; Gaze with reverence on the beauty Which on every hand surrounds you. Stained glass window o'er the Altar With its rich and glowing colours In the morning sheds a radiance Over all the Chancel. Norman arch and brazen Lectern, Oaken Pulpit, strong and solid, And the South aisle's little Chapel, Modern gem in ancient setting. Pause a moment in the silence Of this House of Peace and Worship. You will feel a "Presence" near you Bringing hope and joy and comfort; And hear a Voice of Love Infinite, Breathe on you a benediction. Many pages would be needed To describe the whole of Ashton-- Shady lanes and rippling streamlets; Footpaths through the woods and meadows, Scented hayfields, waving cornfields, Gleaming golden in the summer. Cottage gardens gay with flowers, Asters, stocks and gladioli; And in every plot are roses-- Roses, queen of all the flowers. Trees are here in great profusion, Dotted over all the village. Avenue of Elm to churchyard, Swaying poplars, tall and graceful. Oak and ash and beech and chestnut, Make a galaxy of beauty. Now, my tale of Ashton ended, May I add advice, or moral? If you would your trouble lessen; If you would be more contented, Look for beauty--you will find it In the trees and in the flowers; In the buildings (if they're ancient) In the meadows and the streamlets; In the sky when stars are shining; In the glow of morning's sunrise' In the cloud wrack of a tempest' In the splendour of a sunset, Or in lovers' lane by moonlight. Look for beauty! You can find it, here in Ashton."1 1Madge Paterson and Ernie Ward, A Village With No History (Keith Cowley, Oaklands Road, Chirkbank, Shropshire 1986), p. 43 (Gloucestershire County Library, Class 942.312, Copy 002) 2Ibid., pp. 155-158

The Village Of The Four Crosses
(Add picture of cross at Ashton-Keynes Town Center White Hart Inn Cross)

"Ashton has been described as "the village of the four crosses." Crosses were put up for a considerable variety of purposes, places of sanctuary, penance or of ordeal.  They were boundary marks and meeting places; they stood in markets and the people sold their wares around them.  They served for preaching places, they were set up to mark the scene of some notable miracle or event or they commemorated the spot where the body of some saint or potentate was buried or rested on the way to burial as in the well known case of the Queen Eleanor Crosses, or less well known but equally authentic case of St. Eldem.  Unfortunately on the bases and parts of the shaft of these remain, the tops probably being smashed during the Civil War, but there is probably no other village that can show such a number. 1Madge Paterson and Ernie Ward, A Village With No History (Keith Cowley, Oaklands Road, Chirkbank, Shropshire 1986), p. 43 (Gloucestershire County Library, Class 942.312, Copy 002) 2Ibid., p. 61-62 

(Add the picture of the Ashton Church Walk Cross)

"In 1917 the one (cross) in the churchyard was restored as a war memorial, the missing stones being discovered in the village in a most remarkable way. From John M. Millin's "Great Days;"    "A fine old cross indeed, and today its ancient steps are well nigh worn away by the countless rustic seats which have sat upon it from time immemorial, and still do. Incredible it would seem that a trouser-seat should make so great an impression upon anything so hard and solid, but I promise you it's true, and if you don't believe me, well, go and look at them sitting on it any day of the week, and see for yourself."    "When my father first came as Vicar to Ashton Keynes in 1884 there was only the grey lichened base or first step and the pedestal or socket. It is a story of no little romance how, over a period of thirty years, he came upon and gradually collected the missing parts. First the large stones which formed the second step, in broken pieces close to the old Tithe Barn belonging to days gone by to a monastery--or nunnery, as some say--scarce a stone's throw from the south side of the Church and surrounded by a fine deep moat., These were kindly given by Mr. A. W. Bowley to  assist in the restoration of the churchyard."     "Then, in course of his daily visitations, he came to recognise, built into the wall of the old School House, two stones, one obviously the head of a cross (authenticated later by an architect), the other what might very well be also part of a cross, and which eventually turned out to be another fine cross-head. For many years he sought permission to extricate them, but then the owner being only willing to consent if the whole side of the house were taken down and renewed, he was fain to let the matter drop for the time being."    "Next he came upon, in the yard of the White Hart Inn, and succeeded in getting possession of, two pieces of the shaft cross, being then in use as a cottage garden as a flower-pot stand."      "Finally, at the end of the Great War, and on his suggestion, it was mooted that the churchyard cross should be restored, and dedicated as the proposed War Memorial. The new owner of the old School House, a Mrs. Cove, at once offered to present the cross-head from the wall, which she duly very kindly did. The various pieces were assembled, and then it was found that not only did they actually fit each other but that, save for one small piece about three feet in length missing above the socket, the cross was intact and in the original."    "Eventually the missing part was replaced from a broken piece, obviously a bit of an old cross, and now the ancient cross stands there calm and dignified and secure, in the same place, where, till predatory or sacrilegious hands were laid upon it, it had stood and reigned for centuries before.1 1Madge Paterson and Ernie Ward, A Village With No History (Keith Cowley, Oaklands Road, Chirkbank, Shropshire 1986), p. 43 (Gloucestershire County Library, Class 942.312, Copy 002) 2Ibid., p. 62-64 

(Add the picture of the Ashton Churchyard Memorial Cross)

Contributor: Add a general overview of the history of this parish. It can be a few sentences or a couple of paragraphs.

Various Spellings of Ashton Keynes through the years
AESCTUN 800-5 (circa 1000) in birch Cartularium Saxonicum 1885-93. ESSITONE 1086 Domesday Book. ESTON 1242 Book of Fees 1922-31. ESHTON 1281 Assize Rolls for Wiltshire. ASTON 1256 A Calendar of the feet of fines for Wiltshire. AYSTIN 1299 British Museum. ASSHTON NEXT CRYCKELADE 1306 Calendar of Inquisitions. ASHTONE 1316 Feudal Aids. AYSSHTONE 1332 Lay Subsidy Rolls. ASHETONBYCHELEWORTH 1386 Calendar of Patent Rolls. AYSHETONKEYNES 1572 Recovery Rolls. ASHETONKEYNES 1588 Calendar of the feet of fines for Wiltshire. AISHENKAINES 1691 Wiltshire Parish Registers (Marriages). 1Madge Paterson and Ernie Ward, A Village With No History (Keith Cowley, Oaklands Road, Chirkbank, Shropshire 1986), p. 43 (Gloucestershire County Library, Class 942.312, Copy 002) 2Ibid., p. 159 

Civil Registration
Birth, marriages and deaths were kept by the government, from July 1837 to the present day. The civil registration article tells more about these records. There are several Internet sites with name lists or indexes. A popular site is FreeBMD.

Church records
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Census records
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Probate records
Records of wills, administrations, inventories, indexes, etc. were filed by the court with jurisdiction over this parish. Go to Wiltshire Probate Records to find the name of the court having primary jurisdiction. Scroll down in the article to the section Court Jurisdictions by Parish.

Maps and Gazetteers
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 * England Jurisdictions 1851
 * Vision of Britain

Gazetteers
"ASHTON-KEYNES, a parish in the hundred of Highworth, Cricklade, and Staple, county of Wilts, 4 1/2 miles (W.) from Cricklade, containing, with the chapelry of Leigh, 1151 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Wilts, and diocese of Salisbury, rated in the king's books at (pound) 16, and in the patronage of Robert Clack and others.  The church is dedicated to the Holy Cross."1 1 Samuel Lewis, ''A Topographical Dictionary of England Vols. I - II, (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Family History Library 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah), p. 60''(British Ref. Area, 942 E5L 1996)

"ASHTON-KEYNES, pa., tp., and a pleasant vil. N. Wilts. 4 w. of Crickland; ac. of pa. 4,260. of tp. 2,800, water 16; soil gravel and clay, subsoil variable. The ancient church of the Holy Cross, restored 1876-88, has traces of Norm. work.  The remains of a monastery, surrounded by a moat, adjoin the churchyard.  In the vil. are the remains fo four ancient stone crosses.  A. House is a seat in the pa." 2 2'"Cassell's Gazetteer of Great Britain And Ireland, A Complete Topographical Dictionary of the United Kingdom,Italic text' (Cassell And Copmpany Limited, London, Paris & Melbourne, 1893) p. 89

"ASHTON-KEYNES, a parish in Cricklade district, Wilts; on an affuent of the Thames, 2 1/2 miles N NE of Minety r. station, and 4 W of Cricklande. It includes the chapelry of Leigh; and has a post-office under Cricklade.  Acres, 3,820.  Real property, (pound) 8,086.  Pop., Ashton-Keynes HOuse is a chief residence.  The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Gloucester and BRistol.  Value, (pound) 325.  Patron J. Pitt, Esq.  The church is good; and there are two dissenting chapels, and charities (pound)119."3 3The Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales,1838. (British Ref. Area, 942 E5 Vol 1) p. 89-90) '''

Web sites
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