Listed Building: Church of St. Edmund (1192374)

Parish church. C12 origin, tower and alterations of C15, chancel mid C18, restoration of 1868. Ashlar and coursed limestone rubble with a scattering of ironstone, low-pitched roofs (probably of lead). Nave and aisles, south porch, west tower, chancel and north tomb-house. 4-stage, west tower has plinth clasping buttresses, quatrefoil frieze with gargoyles and castellated parapet with corner pinnacles. West side has C19 double doors in roll-moulded arched entrance in square label. Quatrefoil frieze over and 3-light Perpendicular window with transom above. Tiny stair lights. Bell-stage has 2-light Perpendicular windows with transom. Nave, aisles and chancel have plain parapets. 2 C19 3-light Perpendicular style square headed aisle windows. 2 similar 2-light clerestory windows. Gabled south porch enclosing arched entrance with C19 door. Little C19 arched priests doorway to south aisle. Chancel has plinth, 2 plain raised bands, cornice and tall plain-parapet. East end has one huge round- eaded window, with plain impost blocks and keystone, pediment over. Railings in front. Interior: 2-bay nave arcade of plain semi-circular arches on cylindrical columns with plain capitals and square abaci. Tower arch of 2 chamfered orders, partly concealed by organ gallery. Perpendicular style roofs, that to south aisle looks later. Chancel arch C19. East end of south aisle has 3-light C15 window (rediscovered in C19 and serving as pattern for restoration of aisle windows) with traces of painting on left-hand jamb. South aisle west window has C19 stained glass. East end of north aisle has panelled door leading to tomb-house. Font, probably medieval, on C19 base. Chancel has cornice, cove and moulded rectangular ceiling panel. Each side has 2 large niches with scrolly keystones and impost blocks linked by frieze with wave moulding. The niches contain 4 colossal monuments, to John, Duke of Montagu, d.1752, by L.F. Reubiliac, and to Mary, Duchess of Montagu, d.1775, by Robert Adam and P.M. van Gelder (on north side), to Mary, Duchess of Montagu, d.1753, by L.F. Reubiliac and to Elizabeth, Duchess of Buccleuch, d.1827, by Thomas Campbell (on south side). Paved stone and marble floor, curved altar dais of black marble and mid-C18 communion rail with 4 scrolly iron supports. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire: pp442-4)

Record last edited

Dec 19 2022 3:14PM