Boyton, Wiltshire

Boyton is a village and civil parish in the West Wiltshire district of Wiltshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 179, including the village of Corton, which forms part of the parish of Boyton.

Location

The village is situated about seven miles east of Warminster, in the Wylye Valley, close to the A36 road and Salisbury Plain. Its nearest towns are Warminster and the city of Salisbury.

ources

[http://www.google.com/maphp?hl=en&tab=wl&q=Boyton,%20Wiltshire,%20BA12,%20UK (Google Maps)]

History

In the thirteenth century, there was a castle in the village. A one time occupant of the castle was Hugh Giffard and his wife Sibyl, who was the daughter and co-heiress of Walter de Cormeilles. Hugh was father of Walter Giffard who later to become Archbishop of York and Chancellor of England. Another son was Bishop Godfrey Gifford, Bishop of Worcester and himself also Chancellor of England.

In Victorian times, the historic Boyton Manor, next to the Anglican parish church, became the home of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, the youngest son of Queen Victoria. He is commemorated today in the name of a public house called the Prince Leopold in the neighbouring village of Upton Lovell.

Local government

Most local government services are provided by Wiltshire County Council and West Wiltshire District Council, both of whom have their offices in Trowbridge, some fifteen miles to the north. Boyton (with Corton) also has its own elected parish council of five members.

The village is represented in Parliament by the MP for Westbury, Andrew Murrison. Its representative in Wiltshire County Council is Andrew Davis, while its district councillor is Christopher Newbury.

ee also

*List of places in Wiltshire
*List of civil parishes in England