The Moules of Fordington

Abstract

Chief among Hardy’s friends at this time were some of the sons of the Revd Henry Moule, vicar of St George’s, Fordington, and one of the most zealous, enterprising, intelligent, and able Churchmen of his time. Centred on the south-east side of Dorchester, his parish included a large agricultural region south of the town, extending beyond the Weymouth road north of the huge prehistoric earthworks of Maiden Castle, and still further north on the western side of Dorchester. Here, between the cavalry barracks and the north-west corner of the town, less than a mile directly from St George’s Church, a growing number of his parishioners lived; and it was mainly as a result of his determination and drive that a new church or chapel-of-ease was built for their convenience and benefit in 1847.