Building record 5003/4/1 - Cruciform Building, Possible Early Church at Delapre

A cropmark of a possible cruciform structure visible on an RAF aerial photograph. The area was quarried in the 1960s.

{2} Cruciform feature recorded from 1940s RAF Vertical AP (ref CPE UK 2535 5005); not clearly visible on other RAF VAPs held by SMR- such as CPE UK 1994 1184.
Information received from Glenn Foard, with details- including extract of AP- provided 3 August 2004.
Church mapped from AP; cruciform shape with transepts/ apsidal chapels either side of the crossing. Measurements c. 80m East-West, 9.4m internal width ; 33m North-South across transepts/chapels. Crossing centred SP 76024 59325.
Although interpretation hard to confirm from basis of AP alone, morphologically it appears convincing.
Foard suggests that it might represent the original church of the abbey, established by Simon de St Liz. In the twelfth Century, predating the final Delapre abbey complex c. 100m to the south.
Additional confirmation of validity of interpretation provided by Richard Morris. RM is happy that it has all the attributes of a 12th century nunnery church; extract from email from G.Foard reporting RM comments follows:
" RM says that it has all the attributes of a 12th century nunnery church. Romanesque plan, no aisles. You would expect it to have a nave about 22-28ft across. If it is wider then that would be odd, but not impossible. There might be a structure on the west side of the north transept, where such structures are often seen in such buildings. There ought to be other conventual buildings BUT if the site was shifted in the medieval period to the present House site then that might explain why nothing seen. It could be simply that the buildings were in timber and moved soon. The marks of the church seem to me to be robbed out foundations and Richard agreed. But he did ask what the linear features like furrows on very narrow spacing right across the two roughly circular splodges of possible flooding at the east end of the church. He also pointed out that there might be a bulging west end to the nave that is interesting and also the generally slighter nature of the foundation lines on that end of the Nave. This might be significant. He also raised the possibility that this might actually prove to be on an earlier, Saxon ecclesiastical site for various reason - he said don't trust the new foundation document impression of the 12th century. It might not be correct. They might have chosen to use and existing ecclesiastical site." (Glenn Foard, 15/08/04).

<1> FOARD G., 2004, Letter with Extract of Photograph, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN104837.

<2> Flitcroft, M., 2004, "Probable" Medieval Church Site, Ransome Road, Northampton (SP760593), (unchecked) (Note). SNN104846.

Record last edited

Apr 19 2022 11:49AM