Lytchett-Matravers (St. Mary)

LYTCHETT-MATRAVERS (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of Poole, hundred of Cogdean, Wimborne division of Dorset, 6 miles (N. W. by W.) from Poole; containing 817 inhabitants. The parish comprises 3329 acres, whereof 32 are common or waste land: a fine view of the sea is obtained from the village, which is situated on a very high hill. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £13. 3. 4., and in the gift of the Howell family; the tithes have been commuted for £430, and the glebe comprises 121 acres. The church, which is remarkable for its beautiful tower, is supposed, from an inscription on a brass plate, to have been built before the Conquest; it has a monument to Lord Matravers, from whom the place takes the affix to its name. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans.