Norman - perhaps from the original church building

Thought to be 17th century

Yarkhill is a small, village in the Frome valley, and in 811 was known as Geardcylle which meant an enclosure within a kiln. One of King Harold’s Knights, Arkell, held the village in 1066 so it is possible that the present day name of Yarkhill is derived from this man, however the Saxon word Yarcle, (slope of the hill) could also be the origin.

The current church at Yarkhill is probably over 800 years old, although there were extensive renovations in 1862, but some 13th century bits and pieces still remain, such as in the porch and the base of the tower. There are three 17th century bells, but there is a record dated 25th March 1553 relating to mediaeval bells. When the three later bells were installed, the Rev. Francis Stedman was the Vicar of Yarkhill church, (he was there for 47 years) and his son Fabian wrote the Tintinnalogia on the art of bell ringing, and his method is being used countrywide to this day. There is a memorial stone in the Vestry dedicated to the Rev. Francis Stedman.