Building record 1406/1/1 - Church of St. Peter and St.Paul

Church built in the late 13th century with 14th century additions, restored in the 19th century. Built of squared coursed and regular coursed limestone, with ashlar dressings and lead and plain-tile roofs. The church consists of an aisled nave, chancel, west tower and south porch.

{1} Church. Late C13 and C14, restored C19. Squared coursed and regular coursed limestone with ashlar dressings and lead and plain-tile roofs. Aisled nave, chancel, west tower and south porch. South elevation of chancel of 2-window range of 2-light windows, that to left is a tall 2-light square-headed window with a low sill. C19 south door between with carved label stops. Steep gabled roof with ashlar gable parapets and finial. 3-light C19 east window. North elevation of chancel is of one blank bay. South aisle of 3-window range of 2-light square-headed windows with renewed tracery. Similar 3-light east window arid 2-light west window. Lean-to roof with ashlar gable parapets. Gabled south porch to left of centre has double-chamfered and bracketed outer arch and moulded inner arch having plank door with decorated strap hinges. North aisle and chapel of 3-window range of 2-light square-headed windows, with some renewed tracery. 2 north doors between windows. Similar 3-light east window and 2-light west window. West tower of 4 stages with clasping buttresses to lower 2 stages. Perpendicular west door has decorated spandrels. 2-light window above. Small quatrefoil and trefoil to south and west faces of third stage. 2-light bell-chamber openings to each face of fourth stage. Plain cornice with gargoyles at corners open quatrefoil parapet above. Panelled pinnacles at corners and with flying buttress to a recessed spire. 3 tiers of lucarnes with carved heads at corners of lowest tier. Interior: nave arcades of 4 bays of C14 double-chamfered arches with quatrefoil piers. Double-chamfered chancel arch and triple-chamfered tower arch. Strainer arch to north chapel is supported on brackets and has upturned upper arch and openwork spandrels. Original moulded timbers in aisle roofs and C19 nave and chancel roofs. C19 triple sedilia and piscina in chancel and piscina in south aisle. Floor tiles of 1859-60 by Mintons designed by Lord Alwyne Compton have inscription in nave to Anne Cleveland Percy died 1770. C19 altar reredos. East window has C19 stained glass. C18 font with gadrooned bowl on square plinth. Pulpit 1860 has intricate foliage carving. Monuments: north chapel centre: Sir Christopher Yelverton died 1612 and his wife. Recumbent figures under coffered cross arches carried on 6 plain rectangular columns. Strapwork frieze and cornice with vases at corners and armorial panels between. Kneeling figures of 8 children in side panel of base. North wall: Sir Henry Yelverton died 1629 and his wife. 2 semi-reclining figures, he above her. Above is an inscribed panel surrounded by books on end and various linked symbols with winged cherubs above. Large caryatids representing hooded bedesmen to left and right. Arch above with 3 standing figures and 2 hour-glasses on sculls. 9 kneeling figures of children in base panel. Various C17 black marble floor panels to Yelverton family. 3 wall-mounted plaques to left of pulpit are the remains of Bishop Mortons monuments, died 1659. (Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.199; Easton Maudit and the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul: Sir Gyles Isham).

{3} The church has an exceptional Minton pavement running throughout the church; motifs include the motto of the marquesses of Northampton, a mitre and pairs of birds. The tiling dates from 1859-60 and was designed by Lord Alwyne Compton while he was rector of Castle Ashby, a couple of miles to the west.

{11} Undated photo.

{12} A family vault containing 24 coffins was accidently revealed by workmen in 1969. Four of the coffins were ornate, being heavily gilded and bearing coronets. All the coffins are connected with the last of the Yelvertons who bore the title of the Earls of Sussex. The four giled coffins belonged to George Augustus Yelverton, second Earl of Sussex; Henry Yelverton, third Earl of Sussex; Hester Yelverton, the third earl's first wife and Mary Yelverton, his sceond wife. A coffin in the shape of a mummy is the resting place of 13 year old Christopher Yelverton who died in 1654.

Historic England, Undated, St Peter and St Paul's Church, Easton Maudit, BF107305 (Archive). SNN116051.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 9/51 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1986, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G05 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100394.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.199-200 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Series). SNN77383.

<5> Pearson L., 2003, Gazeteer of British Tile and Architectural Ceramic Sites: County Draft, Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Gazetteer). SNN103233.

<6> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, (unchecked) (Series). SNN77384.

<7> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.14-17 (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<8> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.165-68 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<9> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Book). SNN10400.

<10> Glynne S., 1859, Church Notes of Sir Stephen Glynne, 41 p.31-33 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN39492.

<11> Photographs of buildings in Easton Maudit (Photographs). SNN111764.

<12> EVENING TELEGRAPH, Friday, March 14, 1969 (Journal). SNN71594.

<13> Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society, 2011, TACS (Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society) Location Database (Gazetteer). SNN107648.

<14> Isham, G, 1969, Easton Maudit and The Parish Church of SS Peter and Paul (Booklet). SNN115536.

Record last edited

Dec 17 2024 4:35PM