Listed Building: No. 88 (The Chantry House) and attached forecourt walls and gateway (1189997)

House. C15 with considerable C18 and C19 alterations. Coursed squared ironstone and limestone, slate roof, stone end stacks. 2-unit through-passage plan. 2-storey, 4-window range. C19 studded plank door to left of centre in moulded wood surround and late C18 pedimented wood doorcase. The door is recessed in front with remains of original jettied timber-framed first floor above. 3-light C19 wood mullion and transom windows to ground floor with stop-chamfered lintels. Projecting tower to left end, originally a stair-turret, with moulded stone coping. 3- and 2- light C19 casement windows to first floor with stop-chamfered lintels. Stone-coped gables with kneelers. Attached forecourt walls of coursed squared ironstone and limestone with ridged ironstone coping. C15 gateway to middle of front wall has chamfered jambs and many-moulded arch with 4-centred head. The wall is stepped up above gateway. Interior: 2-bay ground floor hall has moulded cross-beam ceiling and Tudor-arched stone fireplace with chamfered jambs and many-moulded head. Stone relief incorporated in wall probably C17 with allegorical figure of Victory blowing a trumpet. Built as a house for the two priests serving Archdeacon Sponne's chantry (q.v. Church of St. Lawrence), suppressed at the Reformation. Bought back in 1552 by the trustees of Sponne's Charity for use as a grammer school. Served as school and master's house until 1866, when it became a house. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.435; A Towcester Trail (leaflet), 1983, published by The Towcester Local History Society).

Record last edited

Jul 20 2022 4:36PM