The parish church of Castle Ashby tends to be overshadowed by the nearby mansion of the same name.
The church stands directly beside the mansion, between the house and the gardens.
The oldest part of the building is the north doorway, which is 12th
century, though it is not in its original position and may have been
brought here from another location, rather than surviving from an
earlier church on this site. As for the remainder of the church, most of
it is 14th and 15th century, with a fair bit of Victorian restoration.
 |
| photo taken by my friend Tim |
The church is home to a number of very fine monuents to members of the
Compton family of Castle Ashby manor. Many of these are Victorian,
including a marbe monument by Pietro Tenerani of Margaret, wife of the
2nd Marquess of Northampton (d. 1830). The same sculptor was also
responsible for a large Angel of Resurrection figure in marble, made for
the Marquess. Under the east window of the chantry chapel is a monument
of Caen stone to Charles, the 1st Marquess of Northampton, and his
wife, Mary.
There are many much older monuments as well, including a quite wonderful
effigy of Sir David de Esseby, who died around 1265. The name Esseby
was later transformed into Ashby, but initially the parish was known as
Esseby David.
There is a lovely 15th century brass to a former rector named Walter Ermyn (d. 1401), showing the priest in his robes, surrounded by small figures of 10 saints, each with their traditional symbol.
There is a Jacobean pulpit with carved panels and a fanciful canopy. The pulpit and sounding board are thought to be the work of architect Inigo Jones, who was engaged at work on Castle ashby house.
The medieval font is a plain octagonal one, probably 15th century, with a very simple stem. There are also beautifully carved medieval corbel heads and 14th century carved faces in the vestry. At the end of the south aisle are small areas of 14th century wall paintings that oly came to light in 1976. The desks and choirstalls are carved with figures of angels and musical instruments.
High on the north wall, near the north door, is a small doorway that once led to a parvise, or small chamber over the porch. Legend says that in 1642 this parvise chamber was occupied by an old woman who managed to raise the alarm when she saw Parliamentary troops set fire to the Castle.
There is a lovely 15th century brass to a former rector named Walter Ermyn (d. 1401), showing the priest in his robes, surrounded by small figures of 10 saints, each with their traditional symbol.
There is a Jacobean pulpit with carved panels and a fanciful canopy. The pulpit and sounding board are thought to be the work of architect Inigo Jones, who was engaged at work on Castle ashby house.
The medieval font is a plain octagonal one, probably 15th century, with a very simple stem. There are also beautifully carved medieval corbel heads and 14th century carved faces in the vestry. At the end of the south aisle are small areas of 14th century wall paintings that oly came to light in 1976. The desks and choirstalls are carved with figures of angels and musical instruments.
High on the north wall, near the north door, is a small doorway that once led to a parvise, or small chamber over the porch. Legend says that in 1642 this parvise chamber was occupied by an old woman who managed to raise the alarm when she saw Parliamentary troops set fire to the Castle.
 |
| photo taken by my friend Tim - Thank you so much |
 |
| via Tim |
 |
| via Tim |
 |
| Thanks Tim for interesting time in Castle Ashby |
No comments:
Post a Comment