I often refer to Sabine as being exceptional & I have not been alone in thinking this, as over the last 70 or so years there have been several biographies of this larger than life Anglican priest with so many interests.

Bickford HC Dickenson in his biography of his grand father reveals his many interests & achievements that fill the chapters of the book with the title, 'Sabine Baring-Gould Squarson, Writer & Folklorist 1834-1924' A great read with insight into Sabine's busy, active long life of 90 years.

As, a Squire, parson, hymn writer notably 'Onward Christian Soldiers'.

His writings of novels, biographies, books of devotion & travel, studies of antiquities & folklore. Teacher, historian, builder, Antiquarian, story-teller.& the first person to record the disappearing folk songs of Devon. Enough to keep the parson of a small country parish going you might think?

Well not quite?

The word 'Squarson' in Bickfords book title, is an English term for a landed proprietor who is also a clergyman of the Church of England.

In 1881 Sabine returned home to Lew Trenchard Manor as the 'squarson'.

The squire of his estate of 3000 acres and parson of the parish. This was rare, for the eldest son of a landholding family rarely took Holy Orders.

On his return to Lew Trenchard he found the farm buildings and workers cottages in poor condition due to neglect. To carry out the necessary improvemnets, the rents he received from his tenanats would not cover these costs.

It was the money he received from the sale of the books he wrote that covered the costs of the improvements and the rebuilding of his manor house.

He was a very successful author of novels with over 40 being published in the 25 years between 1880 and 1905 which provided him with the money needed for the improvements of the estate buildings and Lew House.

Plus the upkeep of his ever growing family.

Sabine had been the author of over 1200 books and at one time he had more books listed at thr British library than any other author.

One of his novels that stands out is Melhala which was written in1880 while he was Rector at East Mercia in Essex.

The author AC Swinburne compared it to Emily Brontes 'Wuthering Heights'.

In pod cast No 20 in the first series there is a list some of the other biographies that you may find available online.