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The church is known as St Bridgets and amongst its many interesting features is the 12th century font reputed to be one of the finest pieces of Norman sculpture in the country. This famous font would almost certainly have been used at the baptism of two particular men on Bridekirk's roll of fame, both sons of vicars and both born at the vicarage in the 17th century. One was Sir Joseph Williamson who became Secretary of State in 1674 and four years later, in the scare of a Popish Plot was shut up in the Tower of London by Parliament, only to be let out again by the King a few hours later. He gave Bibles and prayer books together with plate to his father's church and £500 for the poor of Bridekirk. The other vicar's son was Thomas Tickell, friend of Addison, whose works he edited. He is particularly remembered for his lines on the death of Addison.
Bridekirk keeps alive the name and fame of St Bridget (or St Bride). Legend is told that when Bridget was a girl she went to Palestine and became a serving maid in the Inn at Bethlehem. If true she may have been there when Joseph and Mary arrived, and would have seen the shepherds and the wise men who arrived a year or so later, together of course with the donkey in the stable. Documented history, however, has Bridget as the queen of the pagan Brigantes, a Celtic race which was the last to fall to the Romans at Boroughbridge in Yorkshire. There is no evidence to suggest that she ever became Christian. But, like fanciful stories about Father Christmas and the Tooth Fairy, the legend has served to entertain many bored children.
On the outskirts of the village one time stood Wood Hall. Today only the acres of beautiful parkland originally surrounding it remain. Thoroughbred race-horses are a familiar sight here.
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