Combe Sydenham Shoot SOMERS ET

Combe Sydenham Hall is the former seat of the Sydenhams of Bridgwater, a family that will forever be linked to one of Great Britain’s most famous explorers, Sir Francis Drake. It was Sir Francis who married Elizabeth, the daughter of the High Sheriff of Somerset, Sir George Sydenham, in 1585.

The circumstances that led to their union are quite remarkable. Before the marriage, Sir Francis went to sea on the Pelican – later renamed the Golden Hind – leaving Elizabeth on her own for around seven years. Elizabeth eventually abandoned any hope of his return and, apparently with persuasion from her father, decided to marry an heir of the Wyndham family.

Sir Francis is said to have learned of the union, supposedly by supernatural means, and, according to folklore, fired a cannonball that travelled halfway round the world and crashed into St Mary’s Church in Stogumber on the wedding day, lodging