Souldrop - Church of All Saints

A 13^th century bell tower is all that remains of the original church. In the 14^th century a dispute arose over the living of the church. A disturbance started at the church gate and continued through the churchyard to the church. The rector and his followers locked themselves in the church, got up into the bell tower and pulled the ladder up behind him. The rivals tried to burn down the church door, but failed. A fight then began with bows and arrows, the rector’s supporters having advantage from their position in the tower. One man was killed and his wife tried to bring an action against the rector, but there was no evidence as to who fired the fatal arrow.