During the Civil War, the vicar of this church was Thomas Swift, (1595-1658) a true Royalist, who was the Grandfather of the author of Gulliver’s Travels, Jonathon Swift. Thomas managed to secrete many of the church valuables and kept them safe from the Roundheads.
Goodrich Castle, situated high on a hill above an important ford on the River Wye, was first constructed of wood and earth by Godric, a wealthy landowner, in the 11th century.