Monument record 821/1/1 - Medieval Chapel of Ease, Ashton

Medieval chapel, first recorded in 1189. The chapel and cemetery were sold in 1548 by the crown. Some of the stone from the chapel is believed to have been reused in the Manor House and early 18th-century chapel and schoolhouse

{1} Moulded medieval stones (incorporated into the standing church building of 1706), are believed to have derived from the original medieval church building on the site. A stylistic analysis of the stone indicates a date of approximately middle to late C14th. This would appear to indicate that the AD 1189 chapel mentioned in Cal Chart Rolls must have been altered, extended or rebuilt in the C14th.

{2} Nothing remains standing of the former chapel, first recorded in 1189. In the west wall of the current chapel is a roundheaded doorway in a square surround composed of half sections of quatrefoil piers with fillets, and roll-moulded bases, of c1300. In the Manor House are several reset medieval fragments including the head of a 13th-century two-light window reset over later jambs;

{3} Documentary. The Chapel of Ease of St Mary Magdalen existed from 1189 until Henry VIII. It was probably on the same site as the present church, as a course of rougher stone lies below the dressed stone of the 1706 build. [see RN:0588004.]

{6} The exact site of this chapel could not be established but below the dressed stonework of the 1706 chapel is a course of rougher stones which may be the remains of the early chapel.

<1> Woodfield P., 1996, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49179.

<2> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.16 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77384.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, TL08NE15 (checked) (Index). SNN443.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.412 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77326.

<5> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.94-99 (unchecked) (Series). SNN100370.

<6> Seaman, B H, 1970, Field Investigator's Comments, F1 BHS 29-AUG-69 (Notes). SNN111541.

Record last edited

Feb 16 2024 12:07PM