Monument record 3980/12 - St Mary's Chapel, Rothwell

Small medieval chapel first documented in the early 13th century. After the dissolution, in the 16th century, it formed part of the endowment of a Charity or Free School. In 1822 it was being used as the schoolmaster's house.

{1} Medieval chapel of St Mary mentioned as belonging with Orton chapel to vicarage when latter ordained in 1220.

{3} Reference to chapel of "Our Lady" just after 1549; partial destruction.

{4} The small chapel of St Mary is first mentioned in the early 13th century, when a virgate of land was granted for the maintenance of a lamp at the altar there. In 1220 it was specifically mentioned as a dependency of Rothwell church, together with that at Orton. The chapel, together with its property, is described in detail in 1549 at the dissolution of the chantries when it was granted out to Thomas Gargrave. At this time the chapel was roofed in lead and had three small bells, and glass 'painted full of images'. The site was in all 1.5 roods in area and is said to have belonged to the Guild of Rothwell.
After the dissolution, the chapel of St. Mary formed part of the endowment of a Charity or Free School. Various deeds relating to the property owned by the school are in the records of the Jesus Hospital in Rothwell. In 1822 the former chapel was still the dwelling house of the schoolmaster. A plan of the area including the Charity School House exist for 1810, which fronted onto the market place to the east of the Chequer Inn.

<1> BULL F.W., ST MARY'S CHAPEL, ROTHWELL, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN44855.

<2> CYPHER P., 1869, HISTORY OF ROTHWELL, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN44857.

<3> BROADSIDES, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN44706.

<4> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Medieval and Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100514.

Record last edited

Jan 20 2021 10:51AM