Building record 1679/0/6 - No.67

House. Reputedly C14 origins but mainly late C17, altered C18 and C19. Squared, coursed limestone with plain tile roof. Reputedly the birth-place of Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury 1414-1443. possibly in use as inn, The Woolpack, in the 18th century.

{1} House. Reputedly C14 origins but mainly late C17, altered C18 and C19. Squared, coursed limestone with plain tile roof. L-shape plan. 2 storeys with attic. Main front of 4-window range of casement windows with glazing bars to ground floor and first floor right. 2 C19 sash windows and one C20 casement to first floor: all under wood lintels. Central C20 door under wood lintel. Carriage arch under wood lintel to far right has shallow flanking buttresses. One gabled roof dormer to left. Ashlar gable parapets and kneelers and brick stacks with ashlar plinths to ridge and end. Rear elevation is similar. Interior not inspected. Reputedly the birth-place of Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury 1414-1443 and founder of Chichele College (q.v.), School at Chantry Chapel of All Souls (q.v.) and Bede House (q.v.).


{3, 4, 5} It may be expected that there were several inns at Higham in the later medieval period. As yet the distribution of most of the inns and alehouses has not been established although several have been located. It is clear from the survey of 1737 that some at least of the inns and alehouses were distributed through the town from North End to the southern end of Newlands. The Woolpack inn/alehouse is shown on eighteenth century map and burgage rental.

{6} Two undated photos;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 19/44 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G07 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Foard G.; Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Higham Ferrers (Medieval - Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100543.

<4> COLBECK J., 1737, Higham Ferrers, 1737 (NRO Map 1004), (unchecked) (Map). SNN100548.

<5> 1730, Higham Ferrers Burgage Rental 1730, (unchecked) (Document). SNN100552.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Higham Ferrers (Photographs). SNN115452.

Record last edited

Mar 25 2025 11:24AM