206 KINGSBRIDGE 



Sir William Pole says, "Bigbery (anciently, Bikabiry) 

 th' ancient dwelling of y* name. John de Bikabiry, in Kinge 

 John's tyme, dwelled in this place. * * *" 



In Billing's "Devonshire," we find "Bigbury, anciently 

 Bikdberry, was held by a family of this name for nine 

 generations. * * * The village is very pleasantly 

 situated, on the west side of the Avon valley, about a 

 mile and a half from Bigbury Bay, and three and a half 

 miles from Modbury. The navigation of the bay is very 

 dangerous, on account of its rocky nature ; the coast is here 

 indented with several coves, affording convenient retreats 

 for smugglers ; there is a coast-guard station here. The 

 bay commands a magnificent view of the ocean." 



"Bigbury, Prall, Yarde, Toutsaints, Huish, Bolberry, &c, 

 are the names of ancient families of importance who once 

 resided at these places, or to whom they belonged. The 

 Bigburys lived in this neighbourhood from the Conquest 

 to the time of Edward III." 



Bigbury Church, dedicated to St. Lawrence, has a hand- 

 some tower, surmounted by a spire. There are, or were, 

 some remains of paintings in the windows, and armorial 

 bearings of the Champernowne and Drake families. 



This church has recently undergone a complete restoration, 

 at a cost of about £1,200. It was re-opened in May, 1873, 

 by Dr. Temple, Bishop of Exeter. It contains a fine brass 

 for a lady of the Bigbury family, 1440. There is also a 

 brass for Robert Burton (effigy gone) and wife, Elizabeth 

 de Bigbury, 1460. 



