Kinsbere
Or Bere Regis
‘Sir John’ so called by Parson Tringham in ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ was informed that rows of his ancestors where laid out in the vaults at the church at Kingsbere-sub-Greenhill. It was to be the start of young Tess’s troubles for she was sent to seek kinship with a family over in Trantridge. From then on she suffered at the hands of Alec D’Urberville.
It was also the scene of the Durbeyfield family’s strife for they were evicted from their cottage after John died and their goods and chattels were set beneath the traceried windows of the church where they had to sleep until suitable accommodation could be found.
Not far from Greenhill (Woodbury Hill) Sheep Fair it was here that sheep would be driven through the village on their way to be sold.
This is the Turberville Window. It is to be found in the church at Bere Regis. Hardy obtained his inspiration for “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” from this window.