We are fortunate to have an unusual relic of worship in St Martins Church – the Seating Plan in 1629.
It is rich in detail and names 120 inhabitants, mainly men, who own or occupy the house which entitles them to a seat. Family relationships, earlier owners, names of individual houses and the named hamlets all appear.
An example is ‘In the next seate, which is next above the pulpitt, theis 4 clayme Ancient seatroomes belonging to their houses, vz. 1 William Curnocke for the house at the little grene, wherein hee dwelleth called Burrows Court 2. Thomas Trotman for his house in Forthey wherin he dwelleth 3. John Workman of fordend for his house there. 4. John Dunynge of Horend for his house there’
The plan was transcribed by Joyce Popplewell and can be found in the Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, Volume 103, 1985.
The picture is of the interior of Didmarton Church. Some of the box pews have been retained to show the original (and very uncomfortable) seating.
North Nibley One-Place-Study 