HAWKCHURCH, a parish comprising the tything of Wyldecourt, in the hundred of CERNE, TOTCOMBE, and MODBURY, Cerne sub-division, and the tything of Phillyholme, in the hundred of UGGSCOMBE, Dorchester division, of the county of DORSET, 4¼ miles (E.N.E.) from Axminster, containing 856 inhabitants.

The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Dorset, and diocese of Bristol, rated in the king's books at £23. 2. 11., and in the patronage of — Newnham, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, exhibits portions in the Norman style of architecture, with insertions in the early and later English styles, and various modern alterations. This parish is bounded on the north-west by the river Ax: on Lambert's Castle hill are some remains of an ancient fortification.

Volume 2, page 343