Monument record 4959/2 - St Margaret's Chapel, St James' End

The chapel probably lay close to the junction of the Weedon and Duston Roads. It appears to have been sited in Churchyard Close which lay in the north-west corner of St James' Abbey precinct. The chapel was first mentioned in 1227. it is not known when it went out of use, but 15th and early 16th century bequests are recorded. Later site of tollhouse

{1} Site of Chapel of St Margaret (c. SP 734607?), probably lay close to the junction of the Weedon and Duston Roads. The chapel is first recorded in c. 1227 when Warner was instituted vicar of unston; he was also to hold the Chapel of St Margaret which was to have its own chaplain. Bequests to the chapel are recorded in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. It is not known when the chapel went out of use but it was apparently no longer standing in the early 18th century when Bridges was writing. Bridges states that the chapel was next to a toll house and Baker relates that the site was `contiquous to the west end of the toll house, and is walled round, called Church-yard Close'. Churchyard Close lay in the extreme N.W. corner of the precinct of St James' Abbey [SP 76 SW 7] relates that several stone coffins were found there and in 1977 the burial of an adult male and stone blocks possibly from buildings were discovered at c. SP 73556072. It seems most reasonable to follow Bridges and Baker and identify Churchyard Close as the site St Margaret's Chapel.

{2}On site of present tollhouse was church or chapel of St Margaret; annexed to parish of Duston in 1259; appears to have been standing when Northampton visited by Leland; in register of St James' Abbey mention is made of St Margaret's Church which is documented in 1490 will of John Wederhurd as lying without west gate;

{3}Site of St Margaret's Chapel contiguous to west end of toll house & is walled round & called Churchyard Close;

{4}Map of Abbey Land; Churchyard Close lay in extreme north-west corner of St James' Abbey precinct;

{5}"….there be in suburbs two parish churches….one in west suburb seen as rode over west bridge….";

{6}Church or Chapel dedicated to St Margaret formerly stood at St James End; annexed to vicarage of Duston circa 1259; site contiguous to west end of toll house & is still called Churchyard Close; speculates that still standing when Leland visited Northampton;

{7}In register of St James' Abbey church is mentioned which in 1490 will of John Wedehurd of Northampton is called church of St Margaret without West Gate; Wetton mistakenly speculates remains at Chalk Lane forming part of this church; later in publication continues "….St James' End formerly St James' Street….turning left beyond The Green Man & crossing field called Churchyard Close which belongs to church or chapel of St Margaret which was annexed to vicarage of Duston at or before 1259….";

{9}1227; "….vicar will have all altar dues….of the chapel of Blessed Margaret with 'manse'….& will have associated chaplain in aforesaid chapel ministering….";

{10}Dedications to St Margaret The Virgin including Elizabeth Saxby in 1503 & Thomasin Wylde in 1518 & T.Osborne circa 1529;

{14}Outside liberties….church of St Margaret's in St James' End but likely not have been parish church;

{15}St Margaret's Church in St James' End;

{16} East of junction of Weedon Road with Duston Road & lying south of Weedon Road is marked "Fairyard Close" & adjoining it to west "Churchyard Close"; latter probably site of St Margaret's Chapel;

{17}St Margaret's Church or Chapel at St James' End; would appear that chapel was annexed to Duston by 1227 & not later date of 1259 as often stated;

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.265 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.451+501 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<3> Baker G., 1830, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.146 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77327.

<4> 1722, MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN455.

<5> Hearne T., 1710, Collectanea (Leland J.), p.8 (unchecked) (Series). SNN974.

<6> Whellan, 1874, History, Topography & Directory of Northamptonshire, p.308; Handwritten notes in NDC SMR File M38;; (unchecked) (Book). SNN1002.

<7> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.35 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<9> Philimore W, Davis F (ed), 1907-9, Rotuli Hugonis de Welles Episcupi Lincolniensis AD 1209-35, p. 135 (Book). SNN2625.

<10> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.163 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M38; (Extract). SNN1080.

<11> REG. RIC. GRAVESEND. EP. LINC., (unchecked) (Document). SNN56708.

<12> REG. ABB. S. JACC., (unchecked) (Document). SNN54533.

<13> REG. CUR. PRAEROG. MY LLYS, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56709.

<14> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.55 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<15> Shaw M.; Williams J., 1971-1981, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Record Cards, M38 (checked) (Index). SNN133.

<16> MAP, (unchecked) (Map). SNN2364.

<17> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M38 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:06PM