Category: Chapel of St. Nicholas, Warminster

Victor S. Manley in his Regional Survey of the Warminster District, complied in the 1920s and 1930s, in Volume 7, noted:

The Chapel of St. Nicholas once stood in the grounds of the Manor House in Ash Walk. Only part of a buttress remains in the wall of the stable.

It was founded and endowed by the Mauduits and may have been discontinued when they added their chantry, now the Lady Chapel, in the Parish Church, in Tudor times.

St. Nicholas, being the patron saint of children, the idea of family heirs suggests itself.

It was in use as early as 1268 (see History of Warminster, page 124). “The Chaplain received certain rents, he held meadow, pasture, and arable lands, with right of feeding pigs in the lord’s woods, and sheep on the Common; he was allowed a liberal supply of fuel, and took his principal meal at the lord’s table.”

Speculation on the origin of the name “Warminster” led Hoare to state:- “Tradition, however, has preserved it from oblivion, the spot being called ‘THE NUNNERY’ and a walk up the side of the neighbouring down being called ‘THE NUNS’ PATH’.” The question arises of the origin of the tradition, was it ancient or invented by the speculators. (See History of Warminster, page 123).