Croxden in 1817

Description from A Topographical History of Staffordshire by William Pitt (1817)

CROXDEN.

Croxden is a parish to the west of Rocester. The village of Croxden is about five miles north-west of Uttoxeter; but the most remarkable object in this parish is Croxden Abbey, the venerable ruins of which are to be seen about half a mile from the village.

This Abbey was founded and endowed with lands and revenues by Bertram de Verdon, in the 22d year of the reign of Henry the Second, AD 1176, for monks of the Cistercian order. It is situated in a fertile valley, near a small rivulet called the Peake, and was for many ages the burying-place of the Verdons.

Croxden Abbey is a very picturesque and extensive ruin. The principal entrance at the west end is yet entire, and consists of a most magnificent Gothic arch of excellent workmanship, as the ornamental stone cornices are yet undecayed, although exposed to the weather nearly six centuries and a half. Above this noble arch, part of the abbey wall rises to the height of forty feet, overgrown with ivy. This is a beautiful picturesque object, worthy of the highest efforts of the painter and engraver.

About 90 feet from this ruin, another part of the abbey wall stands bare and grey, distinctly marking the length of the edifice. A small arch, ready to crumble into ruins, stands on the north side, between these two high walls. At the west-end, besides the large and perfect arch before-mentioned, there are four small arches of exquisite workmanship, and perfectly entire. The interior has the remains of a large fire-place, and an arched door-way leads to the cemetery, or court, where there is a stone coffin preserved on a level with the surface of the ground.

Several other stone coffins have been discovered in these ruins, and one of lead, all of which were covered up again by Mr. Carrington, whose large and commodious farm-house is situated near the western end of the abbey, and the ruin itself is part of his farm-yard. In a recess in Mr. Carrington's garden, a stone crucifix is preserved. It is about two feet and a half high; the left arm is broken off, but preserved in the recess, and on the back of this curious relic, there is a rude representation of the Virgin and Child ensculptured, but now almost worn out by time.

Croxden Church is a small stone fabric, with a belfry of wood, containing one bell. The window on the north side is built up, and the church is lighted by three small windows on the south side, and one at the east end. This church is dedicated to St. Giles, and is a donative. The Earl of Macclesfield is patron, and the Rev. Walter Eddowes the present curate.

The parish of Croxden, including the township of Great Yate, contains 43 houses, 43 families; 137 males, 126 females: total inhabitants 263. The soil is a fertile loam, though a considerable part of the land is hilly.