Building record 1017/1/1 - All Saints Church

Church built in the early 13th century, with 18th and 19th century additions. Built of coursed lias rubble and lias ashlar with slate roofs. The church consists of an aisled nave, chancel and west tower.

{2} Church. Early C13, C18 and C19. Coursed lias rubble and lias ashlar with slate roof. Aisled nave, chancel and west tower. Chancel of one-window range of 2-light windows. East window, 3 lights with intersecting tracery. Gabled roof. South aisle of 3-window range of 2-light windows with reticulated tracery. Lean-to roof with simple ashlar cornice and gable parapets. Gabled porch between windows one and 2 from left has C14 double chamfered arch with corbels. North aisle similar of 3-window range. Gabled porch between windows one and 2 from right has ashlar gable parapets with finial and 2 corbels, probably reset. Nave clerestory of 3-window range of 2-light square headed windows, gabled roof with simple ashlar cornice, gable parapet and finial. West tower probably C14, originally ashlar. Pairs of 2-light bell chamber openings with transoms to each face of upper stage. Clock immediately below on west face has moulded stone surround. Castellated ashlar parapet. Recessed spire by W. Slater 1859-60 in limestone ashlar has 3 tiers of lucarnes and crockets. Interior: Double chamfered chancel arch. Nave arcade of 4 bays of double chamfered pointed arches. 3 bays of south arcade are early C13 with quatrefoil piers and stiff leaf capitals with faces between leaves. North arcade is C14 with quatrefoil piers and double chamfered arches; the lower section of the piers has been replaced by a large plinth probably in C18. C19 roofs. Stained glass, south chancel 1872 by Lavers, Barraund and Westlake. Bellfry window by Clayton and Bell. Stained glass, also in south aisle. Monuments: Brass west end of north aisle, reset. John Olyver died 1446 and wife. Brass inscription and 2 indents opposite. Oval tablet above to Reverend John Mastic died 1805. East end of north aisle tablet with drapery to Richard Herbert died 1790. C17 table known as Cromwells table; reputedly from the now demolished Shukburgh House as used by the Kings Life Guards before the Battle of Naseby. Large copper ball in north aisle, reputedly holding 60 gallons of ale was brought from Boulogne in 1544 and was taken from stump of spire in 1780. Font, circular late C12, blank arcading with flower decoration. Stone coffin lid in belfry with traces of decoration.(Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.309).

{4} "One story concerned a 9ft long, heavy, oak table that was known as the Cromwell Table. Originally it came from the kitchen of Shuckburgh House, facing the church. The night before the battle [of Naseby], some 30 troopers of Prince Rupert's rearguard were sitting round the table and had just got to the meat course when Cromwell's cavalry leader, Ireton, with some troopers, galloped into Naseby and surprised the Royalists, who had not posted any sentries or lookouts.
Others were playing quoits at the village inn. Those at supper were immediately captured. Those outside seized swords and firelocks and fought a fierce skirmish around the church, several being killed.
The few that escaped rode to the King at Lubbenham, caused him him to turn south and fight at Naseby. Iretons men sat down at the table and finished the meal that was left.
From Shuckborough House, the table was moved to the Fitzgerald Arms, where it was a popular attraction. From there it was transferred to Holdenby House, before being sent, by Lord Annaly, back to Naseby and the parish reading room. It is now in the parish church."
"The church tower provided a grandstand for many villagers to view the battle a mile away. .. The fine Early English church once had only a tower with a half spire atop surmounted by a large copper ball. This was a trophy brought back from Boulogne, when it was captured by the English in the reign of Henry VIII. However, in 1860, it was taken down during the church's restoration and presented to George Ashby, the squire, to ornament his garden…".

{6} Undated photo.

{7} (SP 6889 7813) Ch.

{8} [Former list description] The Church of All Saints is 14th cent, with a 15th cent nave. Restoration work was done in 1860.

{10} Engraving of church and Avon Head by Sam Ireland circa 1795;

<1> BROADSIDES, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN46775.

<2> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 5/157 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<3> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G02 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<4> Burman A., 2004, One Historic Day, (unchecked) (Article). SNN104678.

<5> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.309 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Naseby (Photographs). SNN112852.

<7> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), OS 6" 1958 (Map). SNN112944.

<8> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, MHLG 1950 1958/11/9 37 (Report). SNN112993.

<9> Historic England, Undated, All Saints Church, Naseby, BF107364 (Archive). SNN114218.

<10> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/191/3 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 2:24PM