Marden, Wiltshire

Marden is a small village and civil parish 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of Devizes in the county of Wiltshire, south west England.

[2] The Victoria County History traces ownership of the mill – on the Avon in the north of the parish – from the 15th century until 1970, when it was still grinding corn, albeit by electrical power;[3] the property was sold for residential use in 1975.

[4] The three-storey mill of 1842 and adjoining two-storey house, both in red brick, were recorded as Grade II listed in 1988.

[5] Holders of Marden manor included Gilbert Basset and his brothers Fulk (bishop of London) and Philip, all in the 13th century; and Hugh le Despenser the elder from 1298 to 1326.

Two remarkable tumuli formerly were in the neighbourhood, 240 feet in circuit, and 40 feet high; and are supposed, by some writers, to mark the scene of Ethelred's defeat by the Danes in 871; but whether they were sepulchral barrows or the earthwork of an ancient British temple, is an open question.

The body of the church dates from the 12th century, and the south doorway and chancel arch survive from that period.

Other work in the 19th century included the replacement of the south porch, re-roofing of the chancel, and rebuilding of the top section of the tower.

Local government services are provided by Wiltshire Council, which has its headquarters in Trowbridge, and the parish is represented there by Paul Oatway.

[19] Marden Henge, close to the village on the other bank of the Avon, is a large Neolithic site.

All Saints' Church