Building record 1623/1/1 - All Saints Church, Brixworth

Church built circa 670-720, probably a minster, although originally a daughter church of Medehamstede (Peterborough). Originally an aisled basilica of 4 bays opening into a square presbytery with an apse beyond. No trace of the aisles remains and of a range of annexes at the West end all that remains is a central porch supporting a later tower to which has been added a limestone spire. Against the West side of this central porch there is a small 10th century circular tower. The main arcades are blocked (19th century dressed sandstone and stained glass windows) and form part of the outer walls. Altered in the 12th, 13th and 15th centuries, and restored in the mid 19th century.

{1} Middle Saxon monastery and medieval church of All Saints, Brixworth. Excavations were carried out 1952-68 by J.W. Burford in the north portico floor. A Romano-British coin of Constantine was found and pot sherds which were transferred to Northampton Museum by P.Woods. Romano-British carved masonry built into the foundations was also removed. Excavation to the south revealed walls and additional excavation in the south of the Lady Chapel, tower, choir and to the north of the narthex.

{2} Features were revealed in 1971 by a builder's trench cutting through the churchyard and into the north side of the tower. An early Saxon wall was revealed but rescue excavation demonstrated that most of the stratigraphy had been destroyed in the C19th.

{3} Rescue excavation carried out by M.Audouy in September 1981. The nave, porticus and narthex foundations on the north side of the church were examined. A single construction phase is likely. Turret foundations were examined. Possible floor makeup for the porticus was identified. Disturbance by later burials. Re-used Romano-British masonry was identified. C14 dating of a mortar sample and charcoal.

{7} Geological coding of stonework, external and where possible internal is more or less complete. It constituted an amazing assortment, many of which are not of local provenance. Various distribution patterns have emerged both stratified and patchy but any attempt at interpretation of patterns based on stone type should take into account limitations of the geological method:
a) Igneous rocks, 8+ of different types were present of which 5 or 6 came from different sources in Leicestershire though if they came from a Roman site in Leicestershire they would constitute a single assemblage.
B) Limestones, Weldon and Blisworth (many examples) and a small amount from Lincolnshire.
C) Northampton sands, some brown sandstones may have come from the Harlestone or Duston area, and Watkins in 1864 used Harlestone Redstone. Some may come from Boughton, Brixworth or Kingsthorpe….
D) Sandstone, various types some of which are not local.
E) Tufa, the way and where this was used strongly suggests that its appearance on the site marks a particular phase of building.
F) Brick, Roman and possibly from Leicester?

{9} Church, C7th/C10th/C13th/C19th. Nave and chancel with apse, south chapel, west tower. Polygonal apse: c.1865. The C7th monastery is thought to be of Basilica plan but was devastated at the Danish invasion of 876 AD. It was converted to the parish church in the C10th when the original western entrance was formed into the tower. C13th south aisle, porch and chancel were removed during extensive restoration of 1865.

{10} No archaeological deposits were disturbed or exposed during excavations in October 1995 in advance of drain-laying either inside tower of All Saints church Brixworth or to south of it. Fragments of early building materials including Roman or Saxon tile were residual in grave-earth outside tower.

{11} Intended to obtain information concerning origin of tiles by comparison of their fabric with that of tiles from other areas. Comparisons were against Brixworth villa, Duston and Hunsbury, Leicester Jewry Wall and Roman Forum, and the Norfolk Street villa and Brixworth Church. At the present stage of investigation this study indicates the possibility that the majority of church tile samples analysed were not removed from any of the three sites in Leicester. There is evidence of a greater degree of similarity between the Leicester material and most of the church specimens than between the latter and the rest of the Northamptonshire material. More detailed examination of the data than has so far been possible would be necessary to elucidate this point further.

{12} No significant archaeological deposits were disturbed during excavations in October 1995 in advance of drainage-improvements. Fragments of early building materials including Roman or Saxon tile were residual in grave earth outside tower.

{13} It appears that construction of the church comprising nave, choir and porticus chambers, and narthex was conceived as a single building project.

{14} Six pages of notes are a draft transaction of Burford's manuscript forwarded to member of Brixworth Archaeological Research Committee in December 1976. Recounts excavations at Brixworth Church between 1952 and 1968. Burford said he thinks that there may be a late Romano-British temple on the site of the narthex. He also found part of the Saxon and Norman church fabric in his excavations (see text under individual features). Putlog holes visible on exterior suggest that the tower was furnished at first with north and south annexes of two stories, ie narthex survived into the later Saxon period with new internal dividing walls formed by the tower.

{15} Between 13th June and 2nd July the exterior elevation was drawn. The west face of west tower was completed to parapet level, a total area of 210mxm. Dr. Sutherland's identification of small intrusive patches of tufa with mortar in a predominantly limestone context has led to recognition of several series of putlog holes for original constructors scaffolding. The packing represents scraps of waste building material from the upper part of the structure in which a lot of tufa was used. Close inspection of the fabric has also revealed:
A) That the turret was built in two stages.
B) That four projecting stones in the turret cornice are weathered triple capitals possibly of C13th date.
C) That the two lowest windows on south face of turret have their stone panels set in mortar superficially unlike the main construction mortars so that these aperture slabs appear to be secondary features.
D) That at least two layers of surface rendering in a stratigraphical relationship are preserved on the tower and turret.
E) That the turret was extensively refaced in the C14th.

{16} Provisional report on stone used in building:
1) Igneous and associated rocks comparable with rocks from the Mountsorrel complex and Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire.
2) Palaeozoic sediments and Trias from outcrops of carboniferous rocks, probably from the Pennines.
3) Limestones from Weldon type and Lincolnshire.
4) Varieties of Northampton Sands.
The presence of abundant Roman-type bricks alongside dominantly igneous rock assemblage suggests either that Romans were builders of an earlier edifice at Brixworth or that the Saxons took bricks and possibly stone from a pre-existing Roman building. It has been pointed out that the bricks are not of the same type as those from the Roman Villa c.1 mile north of the church. The stone is more obviously of a Leicestershire type than Northamptonshire type.

{17} Two pottery sherds were found below (and left of) a large beam hole in tower (interior east). The sherds were attached to a photocopy of section of wall with an arrow showing where they were found in mortar and the pottery sent to Michel Audouy 23/06/1998.

{18} Despite minute areas examined there are several features worth noting. The foundations of the north wall were apparently set in a trench and comprise two stages, a rubble-mortar matrix and several layers of coursed stone. In an exterior trial hole the foundations terminated below the western jamb of the door which may have linked the choir and north east porticus. Inside the church it was apparent that the construction trench continued across the blocked arch opening at the same width, lending support to the view that the archway openings were cut from a nave wall of uniform thickness.

{19} Attempts by British Museum to date some lime mortar samples from Brixworth church. Unfortunately correlation between charcoal and mortar samples was not considered satisfactory. Possible reasons for this are difficulties with either the separation process which has not been used in British Museum before or contamination by other means than those method is designed to eliminate.

{20} Interim report by F.W. Anderson on 22/11/1978. 226 samples were looked at. 196 were mortars and the remainder either renderings or plasters. They were divided into eight groups depending on their sand content.

{21} Progress report on Dr. Anderson's 1978 interim report, extra information includes a list of inclusions. No firm conclusions are justified on the basis of this selective plot. The data are presented merely as basis for discussion of mortar sampling programme and of the direction it should take in future.

{22} Church. C7, C10, C13 and C19. Ironstone, lias rubble with C19 plain tiled roof. Nave, chancel with apse, south chapel and west tower. Polygonal apse: c.1865 with 3 single-light round-headed windows. C7 work at base and in north wall. Blocked C7 arched openings from nave to former ambulatory at semi- basement level either side of apse. C7 single-light windows above. South chapel: C13 has two 2-light windows with intersecting tracery. Similar 2-light windows to west and 3-light to east. Nave, s elevation: 4-bay round-headed arcade C7 each with double voissoir of reused Roman tiles. Plain rectangular rubble piers. Western-most arcade has C12 round-headed entrance with moulded capitals and base and studded and ribbed door. C19 round-headed windows in remaining arcade. 3 single-light C7 round headed clerestory windows between nave arcades. Nave and chancel, north elevation, similar to south elevation with C7 arcade and clerestory. Two 3-light C14 windows with reticulated tracery. Continuous gabled roof to nave and chancel with C14 crenellated parapet restored in C19. West tower of 2 stages, lower stage C7 with some Roman tiles in the masonry. Large C10 semi-circular stair turret on west side projecting into second stage with plain rectangular window openings and flat roof. Some herring-bone coursing. Mainly C14 second stage with 2-light ogee-headed windows on each face. C14 broach spire, ashlar with pinnacles and two tiers of lucarnes. Interior: Chancel has C7 arch to apse with voussoir of reused Roman tiles. 2-bay C13 arcade to south chapel with chamfered arches. Painted screen, formerly rood screen, in east arcade, restored C20. Nave, 4-bay blocked arcades as described externally with voussoirs of Roman tiles. Large C14 double-chamfered chancel arch. C7 arched opening to tower with similar blocked opening above having C10 triple arched opening above divided by baluster shafts with trapizoidal capitals. C19 roof with king post and tie beams. Reliquary adjacent to pulpit, probably c.1300 has small cusped arch under crocketted gable. Sculpture in west jamb of south door, probably C9, depicting eagle of St. John. Monument C13 in south chapel, cross legged knight. History: Monastery C7 thought to be of Basilica plan, devastated at Danish invasion 876, converted to parish church C10 when original western entrance formed into tower. C13 south aisle, porch and chancel removed prior to restoration of 1865.

{25} RCHME detailed description of form and fabric of church. Includes phasing plans and elevations, early prints and RCHME photographs. Also includes extracts from other publications, some not cross-referenced. Copy of Stephen Glynne's notes is also included.

{30} Antiquarian excavation undertaken during restoration of the church tower in the 1860s identified the bases of two circular columns on each side of the west entrance, with a wall running from one of them towards the nave.

{31} The first concerted work at All Saints' Church was conducted for Brixworth Archaeological Reserch Committee by David Parsons. Stone-by-stone elevation drawings of the exterior east wall of the choir, the apse panels, the upper parts of the buttresses and parts of the ambulatory vault were made by hand to suppliment the earlier 1:20 photogrammetric survey of the walling of the body of the Anglo-Saxon church. On the two Saxon panels of the apse (adjacent to the choir on the N. side) two distinct layers of rendering were identified. These and other plasterers and building mortars were sampled. Further progress was made during the year of the church and churchyard plan and the graveyard survey.

{32} Fragments of Anglo-Saxon window glass have been found from this church.

{33} Summary of previous excavations on site and associated features and finds.

{37} During restoration of the church a slab with the representation of an eagle was discovered in the jamb of the south doorway. Description of the eagle and discussion of its Roman or Saxon origins.

{40} Five undated photos, some copies;

{45} All Saints Church tower underwent restoration work during 1993 and 1994, grant-aided by English Heritage. This allowed access to the oak timbers remaining in the tower which were thought to be medieval or even Saxon in date. In addition to the samples removed from the ringing chamber floor joists, samples were also removed from a load bearing platform in the belfry and the ladder to the clock tower. Only two of these samples contained more than 50 rings, the minimum requirement for dating purposes and neither could be dated. The timbers in the clock chamber were all rejected prior to coring as they contained too few growths rings.

{50} Various detailed notes, drawings, measurements, literature and information, including a drawing and info on a hyoid bone which was found ;

{51} Many and detailed drawings, sketches, rubbings, measurements, tracings, notes and a photograph;

{52} (SP 74747121) All Saint's Church.

{53} Brixworth Church: 'Perhaps the most imposing architectural memorial of the C7th yet surviving north of the Alps' (a).'Beyond all comparison the most remarkable extant monument of the period'(b), 'probably the most impressive early Saxon building in the country'(c). The probability is that it was the church of a Mercian monastery and that St Wilfrid was the builder. "There are indicationsof a pre-existing (presumably Roman) building under the tower and west end of the present church.' The major part of the surviving building is 7thc with re-used Roman Brick. There was rebuilding in the 10thc or early 11thc. Additions were made in 12th, 13th and 15thcs; and some of the original features were restored in the mid 19thc.

{54} In normal use

{55} Roman settlement (?) (SP 74727122) perhaps under Brixworth church.In 1971 a small excavation in the NW angle between the tower and the nave led to the discovery of a few stratified Roman sherds, a piece of roof tile and a pit or ditch which was also probably Roman. Medieval pottery and coins were found in the same area.

{56} Finds from the site include the following; Three coins found during an excavation which cut the tower on its north side thus supporting the claim of pre-church Roman activity. A piece of scaffolding from a put-log filled with builders waste found in the south clestry which has been radio carbon dates to AD 910 (+ or - 40). Evidence for two layers of rendering from the Anglo-Saxon panels of the apse which has been sampled and analyzed. One piece of Roman window glass. For plans of the church see figs.1-2.

{57} The original date for the construction of the church is not known but it was probably in the late 7th or ealry 8th centuries. Evidence comes from documents which mention the site in connection with two late 7th century abbots of Peterborough although the actual cnstruction of the church was probably not until the 8th century. The great monastery at Peterborough was called Madeshamestede by the Anglo-Saxons, it is claimed that they set up many daughter houses including Brixworth. Brixworth has also been identified with the location of Clofesho where several church synods were held during the 9th century, but there is no direct evidence for this. There was no monastery at Brixworth after the conquest, the monks had probably left at the time of the Danish raids in the 9th century.
Excavations carried out by the Brixworth Archaeological Research Committee in 1972, revealed a large ditch to the west of the church dated to the late 7th century. It is possible that this represents an early monastic boundary. Six burials were also uncovered and may the monks cemetery next adjacent to the ditch. The earliest plan of the church has been compared with Hexham and there is evidence of Kentish influence in the primary construction of the building. Construction of the sunken ambulatory or crypt around the outside of the eastern apse is dated to around 850. Entrance to the ambulatory/crypt was by two doors, partly visible today above the floor of the choir to the north and south of the sanctuary arch. The function of this feature is contentious, but has been compared with the later sunken walkway at Repton although there are no direct parallels. One suggestion is that the ambulatory housed a relic of St Boniface, a missionary to Europe in the 8th century. [For a fuller discussion see (7c)]. In the 9th century alterations were made to the west porch which was raised to form a tower and triple arch was constructed into the west wall. The stair turret was probably the latest Anglo-Saxon feature to be added.

{58} Excavation in 1981, (figs.7-8), of two porticus and narthex proves that the two were constructed at the same time. The excavation of the graves in the eastern porticus show evidence of re-use and excavation of the west end of the church revealed fragments of Roman masonry in the foundations of the porticus construction trenches. The narthex was built over a fill of the (? boundary) ditch.

{68} Eleven large photos, of both the inside and outside of the church, dated 1891, also many drawings, sketches, plans, measurements;

<1> Rowley R.T.; Fowler W.J. (Editors), 1972, CBA Group 9 Newsletter: South Midlands Archaeology (2), p.18 (unchecked) (Newsletter). SNN10022.

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<15> PARSONS D., 1977, Brixworth 1977: Exterior elevation drawing- Unpublished Report, (unchecked) (Unpublished Report). SNN43799.

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<17> 1981, Note, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN43801.

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<51> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/46/72-193 (Archive). SNN115.

<52> Ordnance Survey, 1955, 1950s/60s Ordnance Survey 6 Inch Mapping Series (SP44NE), OS 1958 (Map). SNN61128.

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<65> Historic England, Undated, DUDLEY C. JACKSON PAPERS, 897986 (Archive). SNN116450.

<66> Historic England, Undated, "EXCAVATIONS AT BRIXWORTH 1958, 897997 (Archive). SNN116451.

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Record last edited

Dec 16 2024 3:30PM