Monument record 6785/1 - Chapel of St. Thomas a Becket, South Bridge

A chapel dedicated to St Thomas a Becket, was in existence by the early 13th century, and seems to have been extant, described as a hermitage, as late as 1602. The chapel was apparently located at the southern end of the South Bridge.

{1} Chapel of St Thomas on south side of South Bridge near Cotton End; chapel first mentioned late C12th when confirmed to St Andrews Priory but possibly confused with Chapel to St Thomas recorded within precinct of St Andrews Priory; in 1527 Chapel of St Thomas was identified as hermitage at south end of South Bridge; 'Armitage' still in existence in 1602; [may be some confusion with possible separate hermitage on north side of river;]

{2} Chapel dedicated to St Thomas a Becket built at Northampton & confirmed to priory of St Andrew by Bishop Hugh of Lincoln (1209-1235{10}1509 legacy of barley given to St Thomas' Chapel in Coton; also bequethal to hermit of St Thomas' Chapel in 1527 will of John Carter.

{3}St Thomas a Becket canonised in 1173; special chapel built in his honour at Northampton; confirmed to priory of St Andrew by Bishop Hugh of Lincoln (1209-1235); was also fraternity of St Thomas the Martyr in town in reign of Henry III & it is unclear whether C13th reference relates to chapel on South Bridge.

{5} "….chapel dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury stood partly on bridge piers on further or Cotton side of water at South Bridge"; Both chapels and hermitages were often built on or near bridges for travellers to hear mass or have prayers said for their safety; [mention of hermits in connection with St Thomas'Chapel;] hermitage mentioned in 1586; further reference in 1602; would appear that references are to chapel rather than separate hermitage; identifies problem of separating functions of two un-named buildings on either end of bridge as shown by Speed.

{6} In 1472-3 mayor & 24 burgesses of town granted lease of St Thomas' on South Bridge to John Pecke of Kingsthorpe chapel.

{7}"….lease of Armitage on South Bridge; at south end of South Bridge….."; [may be some confusion with possible separate hermitage on north side of river;]

{8} Chapel of St Thomas on South Bridge; first mentioned in late C12th when confirmed to St Andrew's Priory but may be confused with chapel of same name within precinct of this priory.

{10}"….bridge chapel dedicated to….St Thomas….stood partly on bridge piers on further or Cotton side of water….".

{11} There were two hermitages in Northampton; one on West Bridge and the other on South Bridge.

{12}"....a tenement called The Armentage of The South Bridge of three bays lying next to river on north side; tenant Thomas Ashpole; rental 4s."....;

{13} Bedeman dwelt in so-called Hermitage near south bridge for repair of which no doubt collected alms.

{15} Bequethal to hermit of St Thomas' Chapel in 1527 will of John Carter; [further confuses references to chapel on south side of river and possible separate hermitage on north side of river;]

{16} No further information.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.291 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP75NE2 (unchecked) (Index). SNN443.

<3> Serjeantson R.M.; Ryland W. (Editors), 1906, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.161 (checked) (Series). SNN100369.

<4> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M41/1-3+appendix (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<5> Goodfellow A. V., 1980, The Bridges of Northampton, p191 (Article). SNN2568.

<6> SERJEANTSON R.M., 1915, The Leper Hospitals of Northampton, 18 (Article). SNN832.

<7> 1602, BOROUGH ASSEMBLY BOOK, 567 (Uncertain). SNN1847.

<8> Dugdale, 1823, Monasticon Anglicanum, p.191 (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN479.

<9> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.166 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M41; (Extract). SNN1080.

<10> Cox Rev.J.C., 1898, Records of The Borough of Northampton, p.341+432 (unchecked) (Book). SNN3420.

<11> Page W. (ed), 1930, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.61 (checked) (Series). SNN100370.

<12> 1586, Terrier of Town Property, (unchecked) (Document). SNN830.

<13> Salzman L.F.(ed), 1937, The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.253 (checked) (Series). SNN100371.

<14> CHARTER, (unchecked) (Document). SNN56707.

<15> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.166 (checked); Copy in NDC SMR File M41; (Extract). SNN1080.

<16> Baird, J, 1969, Field Investigators Comments, F1 JB 4-MAR-69 (Note). SNN111452.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 8:06PM