We visited Warwickshire for the first time at Easter and when I blogged about it Debbie at ExUrbanis commented that she had had relatives who had lived in Warwickshire years ago and she mentioned Temple Grafton. Well I had never heard of the place but when I looked it up I realised that it was just four miles away from where we had been staying, the small town of Alcester. I told Debbie that the next time we were in that area I’d take some photos, and here are some of them.
Temple Grafton is a tiny place, but absolutely ancient, it’s mentioned in records as far back as 710, it does have a few modern houses but there are also thatched ones, like the ones below. They are leaning and bulging every way you can think but, it’s quite something to think that William Shakespeare might actually have been in these houses as this was the village where he ‘courted’ Ann Hathaway and it’s thought they got married in the church here. Although I think that to say that he courted her might be just a touch too romantic as they obviously weren’t your typical love’s young dream couple as Ann was so much older than William and was pregnant. Methinks she took advantage of the poor lad!
This is the very church, St Andrew’s – it’s big for such a small place but of course there might have been a lot more houses way back in Shakespeare’s time.
The photo below is of the front view and gateway, it’s really a very pretty church and it has quite a lot of gravestones in the churchyard, I walked around checking them all for names linked with Debbie’s family but didn’t find any.
This photo is of the First World War Memorial which is situated just to the left when you walk through the church gateway. Not many names really but no doubt each one was a disaster for the family involved.
This is a close up of the names, just in case anyone is interested in such things. I’m sure you will be Debbie, there are two Odells on it and they were in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment so you’ll be able to look them up in military records.
I still have a few more photos of buildings in Temple Grafton but I’ll keep them for tomorrow, or I should say – later today as it’s almost 2 o’clock in the morning.
Absolutely great pictures–I would love to visit Temple Grafton, charming, historic, interesting. My dad was from Warwickshire, and I’ve only visited the area once.
Looks like a great road trip–thanks for sharing………
Jane GS,
I didn’t realise that your family had gone to the US so recently, where in Warwickshire did your dad live? I think it’s a really nice county. Temple Grafton is only about five miles from Stratford.
Oh – Kat, to say I am thrilled to see these is an enormous understatement. I feel as if my Gram is looking over my shoulder and giving me a tour of her childhood home. (tearing up).
Thanks beyond words for your kindness.
Debbie,
Absolutely no problem. I really enjoyed visiting Temple Grafton and I had never even heard of the place until you mentioned it.
Looks mighty like a fairy tale!
Pearl,
I’d love to see inside one of those thatched houses but I’d never live in one – full of creepie crawlies and mice, according to friends of mine who had one in Cambridge.
Hi I was born and lived in Temple Grafton, until about 1993 when I got married and moved away. Is your surname Rogers and did you if it is have a relative called Anne Rogers who worked as the cook at the Temple Grafton School.
Christopher Gould,
As I recall, the woman Debbie Rogers who commented on this post lives and was born in Canada and Rogers is her married name. I think her grandmother who lived in Temple Grafton was an Odell.
Katrina Stephen
My ancestors John Gould born 1809 with possible father Joseph Gould b 1783 with possible father Francis Gould b 1753 lived in the grafton area mainly Broom are you related to them ?
I’m after more information John Gould b 1844 came out to NZ in about 1884
Richard Gould,
No I’m not related to anyone called Gould. The church at Temple Grafton is called St Andrews and you should be able to contact them to see if any Goulds are in the burial ground which surrounds the church. At the bottom of the link below there’s an email address and that person might be able to give you some information.
https://www.heartparishes.org.uk/st-andrews-temple-grafton/
Otherwise you might be able to get info from the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) as they have everybody tabbed, no matter what religion they were – apparently!
https://csearches.net/index.php?rgid=892671&sub=gclid&zbulk=Latter%20Day%20Saints%20Free%20Genealogy&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgt-PqoSahAMVk6eDBx23hAENEAAYASAAEgJjXPD_BwE
I hope you can find what you’re looking for.
Regards, Katrina