Bacton, is a tiny village just a short hop northwest of Abbey Dore, Herefordshire.

It is believed that James lst enjoyed entertainment here in the form of twelve Morris dancers – all aged over 100. Now that would have been quite a sight!

Churches of Bacton

• St. Faith's Church - Bacton

  The church of St. Faith as it stands today is made up of mostly 13th century features, but there have been many renovations and alterations including the tower which was added in the 16th century. It stands in a glorious position overlooking the Golden Valley and the River Dore.

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

   

  Blanche Parry

  Within the church is the most magnificent monument to Blanche Parry – the Chief Gentlewoman of Queen Elizabeth’s Privy Chamber, and also the keeper of the Queen’s jewels as well as being her confidante.  She was actually buried in St. Margaret’s Westminster, but whilst alive had expressed a wish to be interred at Bacton, so with this in mind the monument in St. Faith was made in the late 1500s.   Sadly for Blanche, she remains in Westminster and the tomb at Bacton is empty, but it is hugely important as it is the earliest known depiction of Elizabeth 1^st as an icon……..as Gloriana.  On the monument Blanche is kneeling, with Queen Elizabeth playing the role of St. Faith.

  Elizabethan Altar Cloth

  The altar cloth at Bacton has been on display since 1909 and it has long been known that it was given to Blanche Parry in around 1590 by Queen Elizabeth.

  It was recently discovered after extensive research, that the embroidered cloth is strikingly similar to the fabric of a dress worn by the Queen in the Rainbow Portrait in Hatfield House, and it is believed that the altar cloth could have been taken from her skirt.  The cloth has been positively identified as being 16th century, and it is virtually certain that it did indeed come from the Queen’s dress – it is insured for £1 million pounds but is thought to be worth far more and sadly for Herefordshire it has been taken to Hampton Court in London for preservation.  Probably a wise move though, and a replica will take its place in Bacton church.

   

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People of Bacton

• J.H. Hamp

  A snapshot in time, showing how 21 year olds celebrated their coming of age in the 19^th century

  
  “Bacton Villa near Abbey Dore was the scene on Friday last of much festivity on the occasion of the coming of age of Mr. J.H. Hamp. A mixed brass band arrived at Bacton about half past seven o’clock and the bells of Abbey Dore and Bacton commenced ringing, continuing with the fire of cannon, throughout the day. Some time since a Committee was formed to collect subscriptions, with which were purchased an ox, a wagon load of bread, a quantity of cider and two fat sheep.
  A procession was formed at the Lion Inn, and accompanied by the band, with the ox ready for the spit, bread, five hogs heads of cider in three wagons drawn by 15 grey horses richy caparisoned with rosettes etc., advanced to the residence of Mr. Hamp where it arrived about twelve o’clock. The concourse of persons on foot and horseback was numerous and the procession was a mile in length and it is calculated that there were two to three thousand persons present. There were several flags with the procession and at Dore were two triumphal arches having the words “long life and happiness to John H. Hamp Esq.” surmounted upon the one, and on the other which was very tastefully decorated, and placed at the entrance to the lawn, “Welcome!”
  Eventually, after lengthy speeches……..
  “The beef and mutton, with the accompaniments of bread and cider, having been satisfactorily disposed of, a succession of all kinds of rustic games took place – girls running races for bonnets and gown pieces; boys for hats; others leaping the brook, climbing a greasy pole, bobbing for sixpences in a tub of water etc. In the afternoon there was a dance upon the green, with Mr. Hamp leading off with a lady from Ross and the visitors at Bacton joining in the animated throng.
  At night a brilliant display of fireworks took place, after which again there was a dance within doors and a healthy enjoyment was kept up until morning.!

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News from the Past Bacton

• Bacton News from the Past

  This and that

  1859 – Fatal Accident at Bacton

  Daniel Morgan was a 45 year old married man with three children.

  One day he was hauling timber in Bacton Wood with John Davies;  as they were bringing in a load of timber the horses were halted, and Daniel Morgan went to tie the wheel, and thinking that he had done so he called to John to go on.  He was knocked down and the wheel went on to his body.

  John Davies quickly unhooked the horses and attached them to the back of the carriage in an effort to get the wheel off Daniel but he was unable to do it alone.  By the time that help arrived it was too late, and Daniel was dead.

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1859 – Fatal Accident at Bacton

Daniel Morgan was a 45 year old married man with three children.

One day he was hauling timber in Bacton Wood with John Davies;  as they were bringing in a load of timber the horses were halted, and Daniel Morgan went to tie the wheel, and thinking that he had done so he called to John to go on.  He was knocked down and the wheel went on to his body.

John Davies quickly unhooked the horses and attached them to the back of the carriage in an effort to get the wheel off Daniel but he was unable to do it alone.  By the time that help arrived it was too late, and Daniel was dead.

“Bacton Villa near Abbey Dore was the scene on Friday last of much festivity on the occasion of the coming of age of Mr. J.H. Hamp. A mixed brass band arrived at Bacton about half past seven o’clock and the bells of Abbey Dore and Bacton commenced ringing, continuing with the fire of cannon, throughout the day. Some time since a Committee was formed to collect subscriptions, with which were purchased an ox, a wagon load of bread, a quantity of cider and two fat sheep.
A procession was formed at the Lion Inn, and accompanied by the band, with the ox ready for the spit, bread, five hogs heads of cider in three wagons drawn by 15 grey horses richy caparisoned with rosettes etc., advanced to the residence of Mr. Hamp where it arrived about twelve o’clock. The concourse of persons on foot and horseback was numerous and the procession was a mile in length and it is calculated that there were two to three thousand persons present. There were several flags with the procession and at Dore were two triumphal arches having the words “long life and happiness to John H. Hamp Esq.” surmounted upon the one, and on the other which was very tastefully decorated, and placed at the entrance to the lawn, “Welcome!”
Eventually, after lengthy speeches……..
“The beef and mutton, with the accompaniments of bread and cider, having been satisfactorily disposed of, a succession of all kinds of rustic games took place – girls running races for bonnets and gown pieces; boys for hats; others leaping the brook, climbing a greasy pole, bobbing for sixpences in a tub of water etc. In the afternoon there was a dance upon the green, with Mr. Hamp leading off with a lady from Ross and the visitors at Bacton joining in the animated throng.
At night a brilliant display of fireworks took place, after which again there was a dance within doors and a healthy enjoyment was kept up until morning.!

Memorials

Blanche Parry

Within the church is the most magnificent monument to Blanche Parry – the Chief Gentlewoman of Queen Elizabeth’s Privy Chamber, and also the keeper of the Queen’s jewels as well as being her confidante.  She was actually buried in St. Margaret’s Westminster, but whilst alive had expressed a wish to be interred at Bacton, so with this in mind the monument in St. Faith was made in the late 1500s.   Sadly for Blanche, she remains in Westminster and the tomb at Bacton is empty, but it is hugely important as it is the earliest known depiction of Elizabeth 1^st as an icon……..as Gloriana.  On the monument Blanche is kneeling, with Queen Elizabeth playing the role of St. Faith.

Elizabethan Altar Cloth

The altar cloth at Bacton has been on display since 1909 and it has long been known that it was given to Blanche Parry in around 1590 by Queen Elizabeth.

It was recently discovered after extensive research, that the embroidered cloth is strikingly similar to the fabric of a dress worn by the Queen in the Rainbow Portrait in Hatfield House, and it is believed that the altar cloth could have been taken from her skirt.  The cloth has been positively identified as being 16th century, and it is virtually certain that it did indeed come from the Queen’s dress – it is insured for £1 million pounds but is thought to be worth far more and sadly for Herefordshire it has been taken to Hampton Court in London for preservation.  Probably a wise move though, and a replica will take its place in Bacton church.