li y-f / q UMEM S €M '0SS , near A>lortliamptoii . THE HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON, AND ITS VICINITY I BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME. EMBELLISHEP WITH A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF QUEEN' S CROSS. iQortljamptan : PRINTED FOR W. BIRDSALL AND SONS, Cordeiix, Printer, Northampton^ 1815. •V5V .^\'' ^^>' ■" CONTENTS, Pflg-e Pags liJorthampten, Accotmt of V Ecton = » - • 79 Abington - - - - 50 Floore » - - - - 81 Althorpe • 52 Gayton ... . 83 Barton-Earl's - - 53 Grendon ^ - - - • 84 Billing, Great - - 54 Gailsborough • - - 84 Billing, Little - - - 55 Hackleton - - - - 87 Brington - 56 Haddon, East - - - 88 Brixworth - 57 Haddon, West - - * 88 Bliswortli • 59 Boughton - 61 Hardiagstone - Harlestone - - . 91 - 101 Brockhall - - - - 63 Harpole - - - - 103 Brayfield Bugbrook • • " 63 64 Heyford - » - Heldenby - - - - 104 . 106 Castle-Ashby • 65 Horton . - - - 109 Church-Bramptoi) - 68 HoHghton-Magna - . 112 Cbapel Brampton - 69 Houghton-Parva - 113 Cogenho - 69 Kelmarsh - 115 Colli ngtree . 71 Courtenhall - 72 Kingsthorpe - . 115 Creaton - - . ^ 74 Kislingbury - 113 Dallington . 75 Lamport - 118 Duston • . 77 Maidwell - 119 IV Milton Moulton Naseby - Overstone - Piddington l*itsford Preston Quinton Kavensthorpe Rode CONTENTS. Page Page 120 Rothersthorpe 133 121 Spratton - - - - 134 n^z Stowe - . - - 135 1'27 Upton 136 128 Weedon - - - 137 128 Weston-Favel 140 129 Whiston 143 131 Wootton - - - 146 132 Yardley-Hastings - - 148 132 Yardley Oak; Account of 150 KORTHAMPTON Northampton is situate on a gentle ascent from the northern bank of the river Nyne or Nen^ supposed to have been antiently called Aufo7ia^ or Avon; and from this situation it is supposed to have derived its name. In what age, or by whom Northampton was built, it is almost impossible to determine. It has been stated that Belinus, a British king, was the founder ; but for the fact there is no certain authority. It is, however, a presumptive proof, that there was a town or settlement in the time of the Britons, as, on the division of the kingdom into shires or counties, the town was of sufficient importance to give its name to the county. In the reign of Edward the elder it was in the possession of the Danes. 2 NORTHAMPTOIC. In the year 1010, it was almost ruined by the fury of the Danish troops, who, in their ravages throughout the kingdom, broke into these parts, burnt Northampton, and nearly depopulated the adjacent country. In 1064, Tosti, who had the government of the Northumbrians, was, for his tyranny and oppression, expelled the province, and Morcar was elected their Earl. Marching southwards in a body they advanced to Northampton, where Harold met them with an army, having been sent by the king to vindicate the royal authority, and do justice to Tosti. But finding, on their representations, that they had equity on their side, he deemed it more adviseable to withdraw his forces, and assist their deputies in confirming Morcar in the government. During these transactions they committed great out- jages in the town and neighbourhood, killing the inhabitants, burning their houses and corn, and carrying away many thousands of cattle, and several hundred prisoners. Its recovery from these cala- mities was very slow, as at the time of the general survey many of the houses were uninhabited ; and Simon de St. Liz, who in the Conqueror's reign built the castle, re-edified the town. From this period, improving in elegance and NORTHAMPTON. S strengthj it was frequently honoured with the presence of our kings, and several Parliaments were held here. In IIO65 according to the Saxon annals, Robert, Duke of Normandy had here an interview with Henry I. his brother; who, in the twenty-third year of his reign, with his whole court, kept the festival of Easter, at Northampton, in all the state and splendour with which those solemnities were at that period celebrated. In 1138 a council was held here, by king Stephen, at which were present all the bishops, abbots, and barons of the realm, and several promotions were made in the church. Henry III. in the second year of his reign, kept the festival of Christmas at Northampton. In the twentieth year of this reign the king's mandate was sent to the bailiffs of the town, or- dering them to see that the fair, which had been usually kept in All Saints church and church yard, should be removed, and for the future held in some open place. This fair, which, in honour of the churches dedication, was kept upon All Saints day, was of very antient standing, and probably had its rise before the conquest. About the forty-eighth year of this reign there was a kind of university or settlement for students who had left Oxford, 4 NORTHAMPTON, 111 the seventh year of Edward I. the Jews wh-^ lived at Northampton crucified, on Good Friday, a christian boy, but who fortunately survived their cruelty. For this atrocious attempt, already odious, they became still more detestable in the eyes of the nation ; and after Easter, many of them in London, were put to an ignominious death. King Edward, in August, resided here some days. During his stay in the town, the friars of the difierent orders were entertained three days suc- cessively, at the king's expense. In the twenty -ninth year of his reign Edward I. and Margaret his queen kept their Christmas here. Soon after the death of Edward I. in 1307, a Parliament was held at Northampton, in October, to consider of the late king's funeral, the coronation, and marriage of the prince, his successor, and the state of the nation. In the fourth year of Richard II. a Parliament, and the last which was ever summoned to meet at Northampton, assembled about the 5th of November, The Parliament, with the convocation of the pro- vince of Canterbury, sat in the chancel of All Saints church ; and it is supposed that the preceding Par- liaments, which were held here, assembled in the same place. b NORTHAMPTON. The next memorable event that occurred at Northampton, was the battle fought without the town^ in the thirty-eighth year of Henry VI. The king was at Coventry, when the account was brought hi-m that the Earl of Warwick and the confederate Lords were landed in Kent. Upon receiving this intelligence he proceeded with his forces to North- ampton, and lodged in the convent of the Grey Friars. The army, having passed the Nyne, was very advantageously posted in the meadows, with the river in their rear, the monastry of Delapre on their right, and strong intrenchments in front. On the 9th of July, early in the morning, the confederate army was perceived advancing in three divisions, under the Earls of March and Warwick, and Lord Falconberg. Before an engagement was hazarded, it was agreed to propose terms of accommodation ; but the Earls applying to the Duke of Buckingham, were refused admission to the King's presence, and the proposals they oiFered were rejected with disdain. The following day about noon the battle began ; the intrenchments were forced with little difficulty, and the confederates gained the victory ; the royalists . were totally routed, and ten thousand prisoners taken. During the action Edmund, Lord Grey of Ruthin, who commanded Henry's vanguard, camf^ b3 b KOHTHAMPTOK. oTer to the Earls' party, and by his revolt principally contributed to their success. Previous to the charge orders were given to the Earls' soldiers to spare the private men, and direct their arms against the Lords, Knights, and Esquires. A great number of the King's forces were drowned in the river, and several thousands left dead upon the field. Among the killed were the Duke of Buckingham, the Earl of Shrewsbury, John Viscount Beaumont, and Lord Egremont, who lost their lives fighting near the King's tent. The Duke of Buckingham was buried in the church of the Grey Friars, and many others at St. John's hospital within the town. When the battle was over, the Earls in a respectful manner w aited on Henry, who had continued the whole time in his tent, and attended him into Northampton. On his entry he was received in procession, and in a few days after was taken to London. In the ninth year of Edward IV. a commotion was raised in Yorkshire, and the insurgents, headed by Sir H. Nevil and Sir J. Coniers, advanced as far as Edgcot, in this county. The Earls of Pembroke and Stafford were sent by the King's orders to sup- press them ; the former of whom was routed and slain. The insurgents then advanced to Grafton, where they took prisoners Richard, Earl Rivers, and NORTHAMPTON. 7 John his soUj whom they afterwards beheaded at Northampton. From this period no transaction of importance oc- curred, until the year 1563, when Queen Elizabeth, on her progress through the country, came to Northampton. Great preparations were made for her reception, the town gates being painted, and the houses elegantly ornamented; and, on her departure, she was presented by the magistrates with twenty pounds, in a purse valued at six pounds. A similar compliment was paid in 1634 to Charles I. and his Queen, who on passing through the town had given them, by the Mayor and Corporation, two bowls of silver, gilt, of the price of one hundred marks. In 1637 the town was visited with the plague, of which nearly five hundred persons died in about fiva months. During this calamity the market was held upon the heath, to which none of the inhabitants were permitted to go without a certificate from the mayor. In 1642 Northampton was seized by the forces under the command of Lord Brooke, fortified with cannon, and made a garrison for the service of the Parliament. For the greater security of the town the South and West bridges were converted into 8 NORTHAMPTOS". draw-bridges, several houses in St. Edmund's Eiid were pulled down to prevent a lodgment of the enemy, and additional works were thrown up in the most defenceless places. At what period Northampton was first inclosed with a wall, it cannot be acurately ascertained. It is supposed that the walls were raised by Simon de St. Liz the elder, when he built the castle and re- paired the town. In the sixth year of Edward I. it appears they were embattled, and at different places had steps to ascend them ; the inhabitants, as stated in the record, when infirm or indisposed, being ac- customed to take the air upon the walls, or in the winter season to pass by these means from one part of the town to another ; they were broad enough for six persons to walk abreast. There were also four gates to the town, which, from their situation, were named the South, East, North, and West gates. Over the South, West, and North were chambers, in- habited by poor people; the East gate, much the best of the four, was large and high, embellished with shields of arms, and other ornaments of stone- work. Immediately without the South gate stood St. Thomas's Hospital ; and to the South of the Easi: gate was a smaller gate called the Dern-gatC; on the road leading to the river. NORTHAMPTON. 9 A little without the west gate stood the castle, tipon very high ground, overlooking the meadows, St. James's abbey, and the country about Duston. On the western side of it run that branch of the Nyne which came from Naseby ; on the Oxt^er sides it was encompassed with a deep trench. Tti,e keep was large, and bulwarks of earth were raised before the gate. It was built by Simon de St. Liz, the first of that name Earl of Northampton, in the reign of the Conqueror ; but no mention being made of it in Doomsday book, it appears not to have been com- pleted till after that survey was taken. In Henry the Second's reign it was possessed by the crown ; but in the civil war of 1264, between Henry the Third and his nobles, it was occupied by the con- federate barons, under the Earl of Leicester, whose son, Simon de Montford, was governor. The King having received considerable reinforcements besieged the castle with great vigour ; but the situation and strength of the fortress, with the undaunted courage of the garrison, baffled all the efforts of the royal troops, and convinced them that force was totally inadequate to their arduous enterprize. At length recourse was had to the following stratagem, which effectually served their purpose. While the barons were engaged in a parley, under pretence of a nego- 10 NORTHAMPTON, elation, a chosen body of the royal forces was dis. patched to make a breach in the walls at the opposite extremity of the town. The plan succeeded ; and the garrison, thus taken by surprise, were, after dis- playing the greatest courage, completely defeated, and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. Within the castle was a royal free chapel, dedicated to St. George. Before the year 1675 the castle was used as the county gaol ; part of a round bastion on the south side, formerly the prison, and now called the Castle Ringj is still standing. Part also of a bastion on the east, and another on the west, were pulled down a few years ago. Here likewise were kept the two courts of justice, at some distance from each other ; the Nisi prius court joining the west end, or entrance of the chapel. The ground inclosed within the walls is about three acres. In 1662, pursuant to an order of the king and privy council, the walls and gates, and part of the castle w^ere demolished. It appears indeed from the account given by Norden, who lived in 1593, that the castle was even at that time much decayed, and the walls in a defenceless state. " This towne," says he, " is a faire towne, '' with many faire old buildings, large streets, and a '' very ample and faire markett-place ; it is walled ^' about with a wall of stone, but meane too of NORTHAMPTON. 1 1 1^^ strength ; neare unto the towne there standeth an 5^ eminent castle ruynous." , In the year 1535 a market-cross was erected on the market-hill, and burnt down in 1675. It was of an octagonal form, consisting of eight large wood pillars, ornamented with carved work, and resting upon a stone pedestal, at the height of two feet from the ground ; from each pillar was turned an arch of wood as a support to the roof; in the middle were three circular steps of stone, from whence a small pair of stairs led up into a lanthorn or chamber, in which was kept the standard bushel, and other uten- sils belonging to the market. The whole building was covered with lead and embattled, and on the several squares were plates of lead, wrought with figures and gilt, and upon the top of each was an ape holding an iron rod with a varie. A few years before the erection of this cross, the square was paved for the conveniency of holding the market. In earlier times it was held in the place called the Mayor-hold, or perhaps more truly the Market-hold. Since that period an obelisk has been erected, which becoming a nuisance, it was removed, and a hand- some pump now occupies its place. On the south of the market-place is the old conduit, built in 1478, und supplied with water, brought to it in pipes, from 12 NORTHAMPTON. the spring called the conduit head, in a field on th(* east of the town. Over this co iduit was formerly a hall, in which the several trades, who had constitu- tions or companies, used to meet, for regulating offences committed to the injury of their business, and against their respective constitutions. On the 6th of May, 1663, Northampton and its neighbourhood were visited with a most dreadful storm of thunder and rain, which occasioned an extraordinary flood, much higher than was ever known before ; it is recorded by the name of the May flood. Many houses and walls were washed down by the water, which flowed into the town as far as St. John's hospital. It burst the west bridge, and forced away the two chief arches of the South bridge ; upon the repairing of which the two arches were converted into a large one. In 1675 Northampton was almost consumed by a dreadful fire, which laid the greatest part of the town in ashes, as most of the houses at that time were composed of timber, and which seems to have been the principal cause of so wide and rapid a devastation. The following account of this dreadful and distressing calamity has been copied from an ancieitl ^nanuscript : — NORTHAMPTON. 13 ^^On the 20th of September, 1675, hundreds of inhabitants of Northampton were driven out of their houses, upon little or no warning, by a most sudden and terrible fire. The notice was so short as not to give many of them time to remove any part of their goods, not even a bed to lie on, or a garment to shift themselves with. — The unhappy instrument of this misfortune was an infamous and common woman of the town, who then lived at the end of St. Mary's street, near the castle, and having something boiling in a pot on the fire, left it carelessly while she went to a neighbour's ; and on her return found the house in flames. It was then about half past eleven o'clock in the forenoon, when a strong west wind arose, and blew the flames to the rest of the houses in that street, which were chiefly poor thatched buildings* From thence it communicated to the back of Horse- market, and soon spread to the south and lower end of the same ; from whence it flew, swifter than horse or man, to Derngate, nearly half a mile from the place where it began. From Derngate it soon spread into St. Giles's-street, and consumed every I house therein except one, which was formerly a gate- house, and the end walls being higher than the roof, it was by that means preserved. It then fled over the town and seized upon College-lane ; great 14 NORTHAMPTON. quantities of oil, tallow, and other combustible matter being deposited in this part, caused it to burn with greater fury than ever, and it soon communi- cated with the back part of the Drapery. — Th© spacious Market-hill was covered with all sorts of wures and goods, which the affrighted owners were forced to leave one among another, where they were enclosed by a wall of fire, and only one little door left them to escape out at, by Mr. Danvers's hous* (at this time in the possession of Mr. Freake) which Was the only house that remained in the square.— Great quantities of goods were spoiled and con- sumed, and the flames spared neither cross nor pump. — It is impossible to describe the distractions of the helpless people, such as old men and women, children and infants, as well as great numbers of the inhabitants who were ill of the small-pox, which were at the time very prevalent in the place. — By two o'clock the fire was in all parts of the town, so that the inhabitants were entirely driven from their dwellings ; and in less than two hours more, upwards of six hundred houses were consumed, wherein dwelt above seven hundred families. The damage amounted to ^^102,008 and upwards, besides the loss of the parish church of All Saints, and many ©ther public buildings^ to the value of fifty thousand NORTHAMPTON. 15 ^unds more. — It is extraordinary (says the writer) that a fire should break out at noon-day, and get so much strength in such a short time, as to consume so many goods and houses, and a wonderful mercy that only eleven persons perished in the flames, when it IS considered with what an amazing force the fire and wind eame on in some of the narrow pasj^ages — that many people were quite spent and wearied — ^theip eyes dazzled, or blinded with dust and smoke — and that several houses fell down while they were running by for their lives : and here a most singular circumstance occurred ; a man, who lived with an apothecary, brought out of a cellar, a barrel of gun- powder, which he carried under his arm, up Gold- street, whilst it was burning on both sides, covering it only with his coat skirts, and, wonderful to relate, carried it oflf in safety." ^ For re-building the town, an act of Parliament was immediately afterwards procured by the Earl of Northampton, the recorder, appointing commis- sioners to decide all dilFerences which might arise with respect to the soil, the adjusting of party wall?, &c. About £25,000 were raised by subscriptions and briefs, for the relief of the suiFerers ; and the king gave one thousand tons of timber, and seven years' chimney money collected within the town. 16 NORTHAMPTON. Northampton is both a town incorporate and a borough. It was first incorporated by Henry 11. and since confirmed by several successive charters, under different reigns, in which the style of the cor- poration has been often changed, and the privileges very much enlarged. In the thirty-first year of Henry 11. the burgesses of Northampton gave a fine of two hundred marks to hold the said town of the king in capite. By a charter granted in the first year of king John, the burgesses of Northampton were freed from all toll throughout England and the sea-ports, with the privilege of not being impleaded out of the town, and of enjoying every other liberty In the same manner as the citizens of London, paying into the exchequer £l20 at Michaelmas in every year. By this charter they were empowered to choose annually two bailiffs to be presented to the chief justice at Westminster, and to appoint four other inhabitants to determine all pleas of the crown, and to see that the bailiffs were careful to discharge their duty. These liberties were again enlarged and con- firmed in the forty-first year of Henry III. and again renewed in the twenty-seventh of Edward I. a privilege having been granted by king Henry of choosing yearly a mayor and two bailiffs, at the feast of St. Michael, the mayor to be presented and NORTHAMPTON. 17 sworn before the barons of the exchequer^ within eight days after the said feast. In 1 478 the mayor was for the first time sworn into his office at Norfh- ampton^ as have been all his successors since that period. By charter granted in the fourth year of Henry VII, the mayor and his brethren late mayors, are to name and choose forty-eight persons of the inhabitants, and to change them as often as thej should think necessary ; which forty-eight persons^ together with the mayor and his brethren, and such as have been mayors and bailiffs, should hereafter yearly elect all the mayors and bailiffs of the said town. Before this period the mayor and bailiffs were elected by all the freemen in St. Giles's church- yard, but the election was often attended with tumults and quarrels. In the ninth year of the same reign the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses obtained the liberty of choosing a recorder, and appointing two burgesses, who, together with the mayor, should be justices of the peace within the town. By charter, bearing date 3d August, 15 Car. II, the government of Northampton was committed to the mayor and two bailiffs, and such as have been mayors and bailiffs, and a common council of forty-eight bur* gesses, called the company of forty-eight ; and of these, together with the riecorder, chamberlain, and c 18 KOHTHAMPTON. town-clerkj the corporation now consists. In 16BS this charter was surrendered, and a new one issued^ dated 20th September, 35 Car. II, appointing only forty burgesses, and reserving to the crown a power of placing or displacing the itiembers at pleasure ; but this surrender being never enrolled, the new charter, in the opinion of Sir Edward Northey, the Attorney General, was conceived to be void ; and the corporation continued to act by virtue of their former one. On the 2d of April, 1796, the present charter was obtained. It was brought from London by the mayor, Mr. Thomas Hall, who, with the bailiifs, Mr. G. Osborn and Mr. S. Holt, and other members of the corporation, were met at the entrance of the town by the principal part of the inhabitants, and conducted with great ceremony to the town-hall, amidst the congratulations of the townspeople, on the re-establishment of their former privileges. Those who have served the office of mayor are called Aldermen. The mayor for the time being, the mayor for the preceding year, together with three of the aldermen who are to be chosen annually, act as justices of the peace within the town for that year. The recorder and town-clerk are usually continued for life, but are re-diosen every year, and at their first appointment must he NORTHAMPTON. 19 approTed by the king. The mayor, and recorder, or his deputy, and one other of the justices are ne- cessary to make a sessions ; in criminal causes they have power to try all oiFenders, but generally con- fine their jurisdiction to petty larcenys. Once in three weeks, or oftener, the mayor and bailiffs hold a court of record^ in which an action may be pleaded without limitation for any sum. All fines imposed on burgesses before the judges of assize and justices of the county, and all goods and chattels of felons found within the town, and forfeitures of recogni« zances taken before the mayor are applied to the use of the corporation. The mayor and bailiffs arc - elected on some day between the first and eleventlt - of August, and are sworn into their offices upon Michaelmas-day ; the chamberlain is annually chosen by the mayor and aldermen. All assemblies for public business are held in the Guildhall of the town. Northampton, as a borough, returns two members to parliament ; and is one of the earliest boroughs which enjoyed that honour. In the parliament which was held at Acton-Burnel, in the twelfth year of Edward I, it w as one of the nineteen trading towns which sent two representatives to attend the meeting. The same number has attended the parlia* 20 NORTHAMPTON ments since that period. The electors are every inhabitant who has been a housekeeper six months, paying scot and lot. The writ is directed to the mayor and bailiffs^, who are the returning officers. — The present members are the Right Hon. Earl Compton, of Castle-Ashby^ and William Hanbury, Esq. ©f Kelmarsh. Northampton, from about the time of the con- quest, has given title to an earldom ; but in the year 1812 the present earl was created a marquis. There are ten fairs kept here in the year, viz. upon the 20th of February ; the 5th of April ; the 4th of May ; the 19th of June ; the 5th and 26th of August; the 19th of September, for cheese ; the first Thursday in November, toll-free ; the 28th of November ; and the 19th of December. — The weekly market on Saturday. Within the walls of Northampton were formerly seven parish churches, viz. All Saints, St. Giles's, St. Gregory's, St. Mary's, St. Michael's, St. Peter's, and Sepulchre's. There were besides these in the town, St. Catherine's, a chapel of ease to All Saints ; St. Edmund's church, without the east gate ; and St. Bartholomew's, without the north gate : but the only four remaning at the present time are All Saints, St. Giles's^ St. Peter'S;, and Sepulchre's. NORTHAMPTON. 21 The church dedicated to All Saints, is situate about the middle of the town ; it was begun to be re-built after the fire of 167 5^ in the reign of King Charles 11, and completed in the reign of Queen iVnne. It consists of a body, north and south aisles^ and chancel, leaded. In the midst is a cupola, likewise covered with lead, and supported within by pillars of the Ionic order. The cupola is supposed to have been built from a model of that of the Pan- theon at Rome. At the west end is a square tower, which fortunately escaped the fire, in which are eight bells, and on the top of the tower is a small turrit. In 1809 the corporation gave a set of new chimes to this church, v/hich were executed in such a mannei* as to reflect great credit on the maker, Mr. Briant, of Hertford. The church is divided from the chancel by a neat screen of Norway oak. The roof is sup- ported by four arches, and adorned with frett- work. On the north side is a gallery, built in the year 1714: the pulpit 5s of most admirable workmanship, finely carved with wreaths of flowers and other ornaments. Round the top are eight large eagles, fastened by rings, which they appear to be eagerly biting ; this is well executed, and has a very striking effect. At the wejrt cml of the 2^ NORTHAMPTON. church is a large elegant organ, lately built. The walls of the chancel are lined with Norway oak, and the seats made of the same. Near the altar are two fine paintings of Moses and Aaron. Aaron is superbly habited in the dress of the High Priest, having a censer in his left hand, and his right stretched out to receiye the law from Moses. They are supposed to have been executed by Sir Godfrey Kneller. In the body of the church, op- posite to the pulpit, is a large pew for the mayor and aldermen. Over the mayor's seat are the town arms, and under them the following inscription : ANNO MAJORATUS 11*^. RICARDI WHITE, ANNO DOM. 1080. Round the font, which is of white marble, and placed upon a stone pedestal, is as follows : Donum Thomas Wiiloughby Armigeri Ecclesia? Omnium Sanctorum North on. Without side the church at the vvest end is a fine lofty portico, four and twenty feet in length, supported by twelve pil- lars of the Ionic order, and ballustraded at the top. Along the ballustrade are a number of urns ; and in the middle of v, hich is a statue of King Charles II. standing on a pedestal, with this inscription under it, cAROLVs 11*^^ REX MDCxcii. Uudcr this are the arms of England, with the following inscription on liie freeze bclon : This statue zcas erected in memurif NORTHAMPTON. 2S #/*iir. Charles 11^ who gave a thousand ton of timber towards the rebuilding of this churchy and to this town seven years chimney money collected in it. John Augutter Mayor. 1712. This church is built upon the site of the chancel of the old church, ten feet being taken out of the church yard at the east end to add to the present chancel. The old church extended as far as the west wall of the church-yard, which stands upon the foundation of it. It consisted of a body and two aisles^ the body being very lofty ; the chancel was large with stalls and desks on each side ; the win- dows of both the church and chancel were richly ornamented with coats of arms. On the south side of the church was a large porch, with a room over it, in which was held the spiritual court ; and where the chancel now stands there was formerly a library. After the dissolution of the monastries at North- ampton, the right of presentation was for some time in the hands of the crown ; but it now belongs io those members of the corporation who are inhabi- tants of the parish. There are in the church several very neat monu- ments ; — in the north aisle is one on plain whit^ marble, with the following inscription : — * * See Hei'A'ey's Meditalimt?, 24 NORTHAMPTON. Ki?« ye not slotT^ul, but followers of Tfiem^ who through Faith and Patience inherit the Prorrises^"" Heb. vi. 12. la Memory of ANN STONHOUSE, A sincere CHRISTIAN. How lov'.^, how valu'd once, avails Thee uot To whom relaterl, or by whom begot; A heap of Dust alone remaius of Thee : *Tis all Thou art !— and all the Proud shall be ! She died a few Days after the Birth of her 4th Child, Dec. 1st, 1747, in the 25th Year of her Age. Life how short! ^^^^^^^^^^^ Eternity how longi Sacred to the Memory of her afFec'ionate Hosbaml Sir JAMES STONKOUSE, Bart. Doctor of Phisic ; The projector, friend, and physician of the county Infirmary, established in the year 1743: where the lame walk, and the sick are healed. Afterwards He was for many years rector of Great and Little ' heverel, Wiltshirs, and exemplary as a Minister. But in that immortal state on which he is now entered, how dim is human excellence. READER, IX. is his superior hoiiour at this period that he was partaker with her in the christian character, with whotii he was united in the conjugal, relation. He died on the 8th day of December.. ia the SOtb year of his age. NORTHAMPTON. 25 Under the portico, near the south door, is a plain tablet of white marble, recording a most dread- ful calamity occasioned by a fire, which broke out at a public house on the Market-hill (now known by the sign of the Phoenix) ; and although that was the only house destroyed, not less than eight lives were lost, the landlord being the only person in the house that escaped the flames : This Marble was erected to perpetuate the Memory of the following" awful Dispensation of Providence ; At one o'clock in the Morning of the ITth February, 1792, the lower part of the Hoiise of H. Marriot, on the Market-Hill, was discovered to be on Fire, and the flames ascending" with dreadful rapidity, he was obliged to leave his affrighted little o-nes, hovering round their distracted Mother, and by an extraordinary eflfort gained the roof of an adjoining" house, calling" aloud for that help, which alas! could not be procured, for in a few momeuts his whole family, consisting of a helaved W{fe^ 5 Children, and 2 Lodgers, perished in the tiames ! READER, If the Almighty has hitherto preserved thee from such scenes of deep distress, let thy Heart glow with Gratitude, and at the same time let thy Bosom expand with Benevolence towards thy suffering Fellow Creatures. The sad Remains of this unfortunate Family were carefully collected, and decently interred in this Church- Yard. 26 irORTHAMPTON. f Upon a small stone near the north door is r&^ corded a most wonderful instance of longeYitj, and strength of mind and body^ viz. Here under lieth John Bailes, born in this Town, he was above 126 years old, and had his hearing", sight, and memory to the last. He lived in three Centurys, and was buried the 14th of April, li06. i A subscription was a short time since entered into for the erection of a monument to the memory of the late Right Hon. Spencer Perceval^ member for the town, when upwards of two thousand pounds were subscribed. — It is now in a state of forward- ness at one of the first houses in London, and will, when finished be erected in the chancel of All Saints church. m At the east end of the town is the parish church of St. Giles. — This is a very handsome modern building, consisting of a body, north and south aisle, and chancel, with a cross aisle from north to south, all leaded. In the middle between the church and chancel, is a neat square embattled tower, in which are eight bells, supposed to be equal, if not superior, in harmony, to any in this part of the kingdom. The length of the church and chancel is one hundred NORTHAMPTON. 27 tind sixteen feet ; the breadth of the body and aisles about fifty seven feet, and the length of the cross aisle about sixty-four feet. The chancel was neatly wainscoted a few years ago, at the expense of Dr» Grey, a physician, and contains, at the present time, a number of very neat handsome monuments. Against the east wall of the south cross aisle is an altar monument, covered with marble, with four angels holding each a shield at the feet and north side, and between each angel a woman sitting on a tomb. Round the verge was an inscription in brass, now torn oif. This monument is supposed to have been erected for one of the Gobion family. The register of this church began in 1585 ; and v/as given to the priory of St. Andrew, in Northampton, hy Simon de St. Liz, the founder. Within this church was a chapel dedicated to St. Peter, and a fraternity in honour of St. Clement. — By a deed, dated the 20th March, 1619, William Andrew, of Denton, alias Dodington-Parva, Gent, granted an annuity of £3 per annum, for ever, out of a meadow called the Patches, in the parish of Weston-Underwood, in Buckinghamshire, for the more decent burial of poor executed prisoners, in the church-yard of this parish. At the western extremity of the town, near the ©uter fortifications of the castle, stands the church ^8 NORTHAMPTON. dedicated to St. Peter. — It is supposed to have beeti connected with the castle^ and most probably erected by one of the Norman Lords ; but of this event there is no memorial preserved. — ^This is a very antient building, and consists of a nave and two aisles of equal length, with a square embattled tower at the west end, in which are eight very fine bells. The nave is separated from the aisles by eight semi-circular arches, and supported by seven columns, three of which are composed of four semi- columns, and the other four have only single shafts. The centre of the last is ornamented with a band of three mouldings, and all the capitals are decorated with sculptured scroll-work, foilage, &c. All the arches have zig-zag indentations round them, and above these are six small windows ; but the most curious part of the interior of this singular building is the great archway beneath the tower, at the west- end of the nave ; it consists of three receding arches, each charged, both in elevation and sofit,with zig-zag mouldings, &c. — Some of the pillars are of the Ionic and the others of the Tuscan order. The length of the church and chancel is about seventy-nine feet, and the breadth of the body and aisles about thirty- four feet. The exterior of the church and tower is equally curious, though the architectural and NORTHAMPTON. 29 ' Sculptural decorations are not so numerous. Over I the western door is a blank arch, consisting of four flat mouldings, with a profusion of ornamental sculp« ture. Above this are several blank arches ; and on the north side of the tower are two similar ranges. The exterior of the church above the aisles, on both sides, has a continued arcade ; and over this are a number of grotesque heads, &c. — It was formerly a privilege here, that any person accused of a crime, and intending to clear himself by canonical purgation, was obliged to do it in this church only, having first performed his vigil and prayers in the said church on the preceding evening. To this living are annexed those of Kingsthorpe and Upton. The advowson was given hy Edward the Third to the hospital of Sto Catherine, near the Tower of Lon- don, and still remains under its patronage. — There is a small monument in this church which comme- morates the memory of John Smith, the eminent Metzotinto scraper, who died in January, 1742, aged 90 years. — ^There are likewise several other very handsome monuments. A subscription has lately been opened for im- proving and beautifying the interior of this church. The church dedicated to the honour of the holy ■Sepulchre is situate near the northern extremity ©f 30 NORTHAMPTON, the town, and is supposed to have been built by the Knights Templars, after the model of the church erected over the holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem ; there are but two other churches now standing, that are built upon the same plan, which are the Temple church in London, and Sepulchre's in Cambridge. It is of a circular form, and consists of a body, and north and south aisles, leaded. In the middle is a large cupola, also covered with lead, and supported by eight pillars of the Tuscan order ; each pillar standing at the distance of eight feet from one another, and forming an angle with the pillar next adjoining. At the east end is a very large chancel, in which are a number of curious figures and inscrip- tions of ancient dates. At the west end is a broad embattled tower, about sixteen feet in length, and eleven feet in breadth, on which is raised a pyra- midal spire, about one hundred and sixteen feet high ; the tower contains six bells. The diameter of the church and aisles is fifty-eight feet six inches^ and the compass of the circle of the eight pillars -measured outwards one hundred and twelve feet eight inches. The body only was first built, etuated much long-eP, Than by this obscure and perishing Marbl^ The humble Monument, apt of his Praise, But of the r Esteem, AfiFeciion, and Regret, Who knew him, lov'd him, and lament him. And who are desirous of recording-, fn this Inscrijitiou, Their frieudly but faithful Testimony To the many amiable and christian Virtue* That adorn d hi* more private Character, By which, though dead, he yet speakftb^ And still present in remembrance. Forcibly, tliough silent' y, admouisheth His oace belov< d and ever grateful Flock* He was born June 9C, 1702, And d.ed October, 1761, ^ Aged 50, There is also another Independent Meeting, in King's Head lane, which has been built within these few years. — This is not so large as the one l>efore-mentioned, but by far the neatest ; the in- ; i^nov being fimsbed in a very hand^pE^ and agreeable p2 36 NORTHAMPTON, manner. — ^There are several neat monuments in this chapel, erected to the memory of private individuals. The Baptist meeting, situated in College-lane, is a handsome vrell-built structure, capable of con- taining a large congregation. — ^The interior of the meeting is very spacious, and there are three large galleries, with a good vestry-room, &c. — Here are several plain neat monuments, among which is the following, to the memory of the Rev. John Ryland, who died at Bristol, on the 24th of July, 1792, and was interred here : — Sacred to the Memory of The Rev. JOHN RYLAND, M. A* Who was eminently qualified for raising the Interest of God his Saviour ; which was exceedingly reduced in this place i irhere his Ministrations were so successful, that this house was twice enlarged; the warm pathos ! the vivid seal ! and the striking manner of his deliveriDgf the truths of the everlasting Gospel, need no encomium : as they stand amply recorded in the hearts of his beloved Flock. After being thirty-two years iheir Pastor; he was gathered unto his People July 24th, 1192, Aged C9. The Methodist Meeting (Wesleyans) is situated in King's Head lane ; it is a small neat building, but I NORTHAMPTON. 37 in consequence of its being so numerously attended, a piece of ground has been purchased for the erection of a new one, on a much largej scale, in Gold- street, near the Horse-market. There is an Antinomian meeting in St. Giles's- ttreet, attended by a small congregation. Also a Quaker's meeting in Kingswell-street^ to which there are but few members belonging. In the north-west part of the town, near the wall and bordering on the river, was the priory of St. Andrew. When it was first founded cannot be ascertained. In 1084 Simon de St. Liz (the first of that name, Earl of Northampton and Huntingdon) repaired and largely endowed it, and replenishing it with Cluniac monks, from the abbey of St. Mary de Caritate, upon the Loire, made it a cell to that house. — In this priory were buried Simon de St. Liz, the second of that name, Earl of Northampton^ and Earl Simon, his son. The order of Franciscans, or Grey Friars, had a settlement here, soon after their coming to England, in 1224, and originally hired an habitation in St. Giles's parish. Afterwards removing to the north- east of the town, they built a house upon some ground which had been given them by the towns» , people^ who were therefore said to be the founders, p3 38 NORTHAMPTON, This conrent was built in the thirtieth year of Henry III, in which year they obtained a grant of ten oaks, out of Salcey forest, towards its erection. In the church of the Grey Friars was buried Fyna, wife of William Fitz-Warine, certain indulgencies being granted in 1292 to all who should say a Paternoster for her soul. Humphrey Duke of Buckingham, who was slain in the battle of Northampton, and two of the Salisbury's were supposed to be buried here. In the Horse-Market was the house of Black Friars, or Friars Preachers, who appear to have been settled here about 1240. To the east of the Grey Friars stood the priory of the Carmelitesj or White Friars, founded in the year 127U In Bridge^street wa« the house of Friars Angus- tins, founded in 1322. On the east side of Bridge-street is St. John's hospital. The age and founder's name cannot be precisely determined* It consists of a chapel, a hall, or common room, with lodgings for the poor, and two rooms over them. There are two large win- dows with painted glass, in one of which are som« imperfect coats of 4rms and broken figures, and the entire portrait of a person mitred, with a crosier in his hand, and another in a posture of prayer. Ih NORTHAMPTON 39 the other window are several imperfect figures, and in various places, in small black letters, is honor deo. Southward of St. John's, is St. Thomas's hospital, dedicated to the memory of Sir Thomas Beckett, founded and endowed about 1450, for the poor of the said town. By the original foundation twelve poor widows were maintained here, at an allowance of Is. lid. psr week, with cloathing, firing, and washing. In 1654 Sir John Langham added six others, with an appointment of 20d. per week. One other poor woman has been added by the charity of Richard Massingberd. The women have now 4s. a week : besides which the trustees are enabled to pay £6 lOs. per year, to 36 poor widows of freemen, resident out of the house. — Here is also a small chapel, in which is a window of painted glass. By deed, bearing date 1st June, 33d Henry VIII, Thomas Chipsey, of Northampton, grocer, left ^ Unds at Holcot and other places for the support of a school-master, who should teach grammar free ; and also ^10 to the boys singing in All Saints church, and the residue of profits of the said land s^ to be applied to repair the pavement of the market- place, then newly made. The founder not having provided ^ sehool-house, Cardinal Pool granted the cljurch of St. Gregory, then ^ TW^h ^^ ^h^ J^^^l 40 NORTHAMPTON. 1557^ to be made use of as a school, with the ad- dition of a house for the master. In 1677^ Paul' Wentworth, of Lillingston-Lovell, Esq. charged his estate in that parish with a yearly payment of £^0 to an usher for the said school. Besides the profits arising from the lands in Holcot, the master enjoys the rent of the vicarage house of St. Gregory, and five other tenements. The election of the master is vested in the mayor and corporation ; and the appointment of the usher in the mayor, deputy-recorder, the vicar of All-Saints, the lord of the manor of Lillingston^ and the master of the school. In the year 1710, John Dryden, Esq. of Ches- terton, established a school here, called the Blue- Coat School, and gave his house, the George inn, to endow it. An act of parliament was a few years since obtained hy the trustees of this charity, enabling them to sell the house and invest the money in the funds, and appropriate the interest to the school* The George inn was purchased by a society of per- sons who subscribed £gO each, and to whom it now belongs. The Brown Coat School was endow^ed by the late James, Earl of Northampton, and some other gentle- men of the county, who gave various sums of money to the xorporatioo; with which tbey purchased ai| NORTHAMPTON. 41 estate at Bugbrook, the rents of which are applied to clothe and educate twenty-fire boys of poor freemen. The Green Coat School was endowed by Mr. Gabriel Newton, in the year 1761, who gave a rent charge of £W per annum, to provide twenty-five poor boys with cloathing and education ; but this sum being insufficient, the corporation advance the remaining money necessary to the support of the establishment. — A large handsome school, with a dwelling-house for the master, has lately been erected in Bridge-street ; where both the Brown and Green Coat Boys are educated. In the year 1738 a Girl's School was founded here by two ladies, who endowed it with lands and houses to educate and clothe thirty poor girls ; the revenues having encreased, six more children are now pro- vided for. — A new school, with a house for the mistress, has been erected in Klngswell-street. Two other schools have lately been established in Northampton, and which are supported by sub- scriptions and donations, viz. one in St. Giles's street, on the plan of Dr. Bell, the other in Dern- gate, on the Lancastrian system. — A general Sunday School has also been established at the latter, which is conducted upon the most liberal plan^ and 43 NORTHAMPTON. has been attended with the happiest effect, as there are at the present time more than three hundred poor children, of every religious denomination, and who are required to attend divine service once on a Sun- day, at whatever place their parents think proper, and the remainder part of the day is employed in learn- ing them to read and write. Among the public buildings in Northampton, none is more prominent in utility or extensive than the General Infirmary. It stands on the eastern side of and detached from the town, free from the bustle and tumults of society^ and the situation is airy and salubrious, being on the brow of a hill, gradually sloping to the south, and when viewed from a distance, might be taken for a palace. The prospect from the south front is particularly beautiful, overlooking a long range of meadows, throufi;h which the river winds in various directions, and the opposite hills are ornamented with the fine plantations, belonging to E. Bouverie, Esq. above which appears the plea-^ant and romantic village of Hardingston. — ^This elegant structure was begun in the year 1791, and opened in 1793; the expense of building was more than fifteen thousand pounds. — It consists of three stories above ground and one beaeathj and is admirably calculated for the recep** NOKTHAMPTON. 43 tion and accommodation of the sick ; all the interior apartments are arranged and constructed after the best models, and are of sufficient number and ca- pacity to receire and accommodate the afflicted poor for a very extensive circle. One side of the house is appropriated to male and the other to female patients. The whole was designed and built by Mr. Saxton, architect, and is faced with white stone from the Kingsthorpe quarries ; the proprietor of which (the late Mr. John Drayton, of Northampton), made a present of the whole. The establishment is sup- ported by the interest arising from numerous legacies and annual subscriptions, and the strictest attention is paid to the great object of the establishment ; and it must aiford much pleasure and gratification to the benevolent and humane mind to contemplate the ex.. tensive benefit that has been afforded by this infir- mary. Exclusive of medical and surgical aid, the establishment provides proper accommodations, con- stant attention, with wholesome and nutritious food. In this new asylum for the afflicted all the inconve- niencies which attended the old ona have been care- fully avoided. — Previous to the General Infirmary being built the old County Hospital was near All Saints Church, in the midst of the town^ and .afforded relief to poor persons l)elonging to the 44 NORTHAMPTON. county only ; but on its removal was made a General Irifirniary, and intended to administer its aid to all persons properly recommended, or to any one when required by accident or sudden emergency. — In ihe year 1813, a full-length striking likeness of Dr. Kerr (upwards of fifty years surgeon, &c. to this and the old Infirmary) painted by Mr. Phillips, was placed in the committee-room, the expense of which was defrayed by a voluntary subscription of the Governors, as a mark of their attachment and good opinion of him, not only as an able and successful surgeon and physician to the above institution, but as a principal promoter in the execution and com- plea^ing the present comfortable, useful, and elegant building. — The Doctor is now in his 77th year, and follows the duties of his laborious profession with as nrnch activity and earnestness as many Gentlemea of fifty. At the northern extremity of the town are the barracks, for cavalry, erected in the year 1796. — They are a handsome range of building, of white stone, consisting of north and south wings, with apartments in the centre for the officers, and every other requisite appendage. — The situation is particu- larly heaithy aud pleasant^ and being on a rising NORTHAMPTON. 45 ground, they command a fine view of the surround- ing country for many miles. The Town Hall is an ancient building, not very large, in which the corporation hold their meetings ; the town sessions, and all business of a public nature is transacted here. In the hall are several very an- cient paintings ; also, a fine whole-length painting of the late deservedly lamented Right Hon. Spencer Perceval, M. P. in a most elegant frame, presented to the corporation by Peter Denys, Esq. which is al- lowed to be a very striking likeness. There are likewise many inscriptions, neatly framed, recapitu- lating the several charities under the management of the corporation, &c. The County Hall, where the assizes are held, is a large handsome building, fitted up for the two courts of Nisi Prius and the Crown ; it is very spacious and well adapted for jthe purpose ; the prison adjoining to it, the criminal reaches the bar by means of a subterraneous communication. Besides the assizes^ twice a year, the quarter sessions are held here, and all meetings relutiiig to the county. The court being so very large, it frequently occurs at the assizes, that trials are going on, at the same time, at both bars^ without the least interruption to each other. There iBLve several very good paintings of different Monarc{is 46 NORTHAMPTON. in the haM, and some curious fretwork on the ceiling. — Without side, oyer each door, and in va- rious other parts of the building, is some rerj curious stone work, &c. &o. Behind this is the County Gaol, which was begun to be built in the year 1791, and was finished in 1794, at th^ expense of nearly £ 1 6,000. It is a large modern building, well adapted to the purposes for which its appartments are apprapriated, and will contain about 1^0 prisoners. It is arranged accord- ing to the plan of the late Mr. Howard. The Town Gaol is situated in Fish-lane. It is a small modern building, and erected within these few years. The Theatre is situated in Gold-street, and is a Tery neat handsome building, formed after the plaa and much resembling the Hay-market theare, in Lon- don, though not so large. It was opened in the year 1806, by Mr. Robertson's company, but is now under the management of Mr. Simms, whose com- pany generally perform about two or three months in the year. The prices of admission are^ the Boxes 3s. 6d.— Pit 2s.— Gallery Is. At the end of the street called Derngate, is a beautiful walk, formed at the expense of the cor- poration 3 the sides are planted with trees and NoirrHAMPToi^. 47 shrubs, which renders it peculiarly eligible as a promenade, and the fine views over the adjoining meadows, through which the river Nen winds itself in gentle evolution?, render it yery striking and pic^^uresque. Adjoining to this walk is a fine spring of water, called Becket's well, and at the •bottom cf the walk is a medicinal spring called Yigo, BO named from its being discovered, cleansed, and defended with a wall, about the time that Vigo was taken. At the south-east corner of the wall was a large building, with a tower at the west end, situate in the close still called from it the Tower close. In the barns belonging to this structure, during the rebellion, were set large vats to receive the salt- petre which was dug out of old cellars in the town, and prepared for a gunpowder mill, which stood on the brook that runs from St. Thomas's hospital, on , the north side of the cow-meadow. On the north side of the town, the dist-ance of a pleasant walk, is the Race Ground, containing abbut 117 acres, and which isalotted to the freemeu of the town, for cattle, &c. — The races aje generally held about the beginning of September, ; and mostly attended by a great deal of company. With'n these !as+ few years there have been others ^ieid here; called the Pytchley Hunt Raees^l 48 NORTHAMPTON, which are also well attended, and generally afford excellent sport. — ^They are held about the latter end of March. There are also various other pieces of land be- longing to free men of the town, of which the cor- poration are left as trustees. Northampton is very pleasantly situated on En eminence, and gently sloping towards the river, by which it is bounded on the south and west. — ^The streets are in general handsome, strait, and well- built; the market-place in particular is an orna- ment to the town, and allowed to be one of the handsomest in England. — Much of the beauty of Northampton is owing to the dreadful fire of 1675, the houses at that time being mostly built of wood ; but on its being re-built, they were made more se- cure and ornamental by being erected principally of stoif^. Nearly all the streets and lanes are paved, both for carriages and foot passengers ; it is also well lighted, and being on a descent, the streets are generally very clean and pleasant. — It is a very easy and convenient distance from London, only sixty-six miles, to and from whence coaches are passing almost every hour, being the thoroughfare road to Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Manchester, &jC.-— The principal trade is the manufacture of shoes. 1. NORTHAMPTON^. of which great quantities are sent abroad^ and it is the first mart in England from whence our army and nary are supplied with those articles and boots ; there is also a considerable trade carried on here in the manufacture of lace; it likewise contains a great number of handsome shops of various descrip- tionSj and, as an inland town, Northampton can boast of some most excellent well-conducted inns. — Private lodgings are also to be obtained in many gen- teel families, and which, from the situation being in the vicinity of the Pytchley and other hunts, are generally occupied, during the season, by gentlemen of the highest respectability. — The horse fairs here are particularly well attended. — The mail for Lon- don leaves Northampton every evening between seven and eight o'clock, and the one from London arrives every morning between five and six. — A great number of houses have been built within these few years, and many others are now erecting in different parts of the town and neighbourhood. According to the returns made of the population of Northampton in the years 1801 and 1811, it will be perceived, by the following statement, that a very great increase of inhabitants took place in the course of ten years, viz. — E 50 ABINGTON. All Saints . Populaiion of Noi'thamjjion, ^Males f Females «-f=»-''- JFet'leV Sepulchre's. ^ Males .; /Females St. Peter's. Pla'^s • • (remales Incr (Males crease. < ^^ , ^remale^ Total Increase in 10 Years. IftOl. 1811 1917 2300 2096 2571 571 701 765 822 587 761 711 879 168 210 205 183 7020 84-27 729 678 1407 In the year 1811^ the whole county contained 28^318 inhabited houses^ and 141,353 inhabitants. ABINGTON. Abington, in Doomsday •book named Abintone, is a pleasant little village, about one mile from Northampton, on the road to Wellingborough ; it is bounded on the east by Weston-Favell, on the north by Kingsthorpe and Moulton, on the west by Northampton, and on the south by the river Nine. Here is a good Manor-house, the seat of J. II. Thursby, Esq. with a park adjoining, in which is a water-bouse and reservoir^ built to recelTc a stream ABIMGTON. 51 ffcwing from a spring called Broadley-head. The church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Faul, consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which are three bells. At the end of each aisle is a chauntry chapel, leaded ; and in the different windows are several curious arms and figures, many of them in a perfect state, but some of them broken ; and in va- rious parts of the church and chancel, are ?ome very ancient monuments and inscriptions, particularly one in the north aisle ; on a flat stone are the figures of a man and woman, in the habits of the times, with a brass plate underneath, recording the memory of William Mayleand Margaret, his wife, and thirteen of their children. Upon several bricks which lie dis- persed in the chancel are these arms: three cross crosslets fitche, on a chief, a rose, and a mullet of six points, as also the arms of Westminster. On a marble near one of the windows in the south aisle^ is the following inscription, in gilt letters : In memory that Mr. Pamer^ in 1718, husband of Mrs, Mary Pamer^ left twenty pounds ^ the interest of it to be given to the poore of this parish on St, Thomases day for ever. The communion plate was gfven by the late Mr. Thursby, and consists of two large silver flagons, 53' ALTHORPEc double gilt, a chalice and cover, with a cross, and a plate of the same, inscribed Oblatio GiiL Thursby, ALTHORPE. Althorpe, the seat of Earl Spencer, is situated about six miles west of Northampton. The house, which is large, occupies three sides of a quadrangle, and was built by the Earl of Sunderland, in the year 1 688. This estate has belonged to the Spencers ever since the reign of Henry the Seventh. Robert Lord Spencer was succeeded, 1 627, by his son William, and he, 1637, by his son Henry, created Earl of Sunder- land after the battle of Edgehill, 1642, and slain at the battle of Newbury the same year. The contents of this mansion are highly interesting and valuable ; particularly its large and fine collection of paintings, and vast library of choice and scarce books ; in the latter article the noble proprietor is laudably emulous of possessing the most enlarged and selected collec- tion m England, and it is generally admitted that he has succeeded. The books at this place fill three or four apartments, besides which his Lordship has a large library at his house in London. The park at Althorpe is well stocked with deer, and distinguished by large masses of forest trees, and great inequality of surface in the natural disposition of its grounds. earl's-barton. 53 EARL'S-BARTOX, In Doomsday-book named Baurton and Burton, is bounded on the east by Doddington, on the north, by Mear's-Ashby,' by Ecton on the west, and on the south by the Nine, which divides it from Whiston and Grendon; and is about six miles from North- ampton. Ilsre was formerly a wood, called Barton B^-oil. It is named Earl's-Barton from the Earls of H mtingdon, who were anciently superior lords of the fee. The church is dedicated to All Saints, and consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel^ leaded. At the west end is a broad embattled tower, with antique arches and window cases, in which are five bells. On the north side the chancel are five small niches, supported by pillars, and six on the south side ; above these are three others, and a bason for holy-water. The sum of ^50 has lately heen bequeathed, by Mrs. Elizabeth Whitworth, of EarPs-Barton, for the purchase of communion plate, for the use of the parish church, which sum has been aug- mented by her executrix, Mrs. Mary Whitworth, who has purchased a very elegant service of plate, which was preseuted to the minister and church- e3 54 GREAT BILLING. wardens, on Christmas-Day, 1814, thence to remain for th^ use of the parish for ever. And as a further inducement for the residence of the minister of EarPs-Barton, and for promoting the * religion of the Church of England, Mrs. Whitworth has given the sum of ^500 to trustees, who are to pay the interest thereof to the officiating clergyman of the said parish, upon condition of his residing therein, and preaching a sermon, both morning and afternoon, every Sunday. The testatrix has also- given other charitable donations for ever to the poor of the parishes of EarPs-Barton and Finedon, where she had estates. GREAT BILLING. Here is the seat of Robert Cary Elwes, Esq. for- merly belonging to the Cavendish famil)'. It is situated about four miles from Northampton, on the road to Wellingborough. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded. At the west end stands a plain coped tower in which are three bells. On the north side of the chancel is a burial place, belonging to the Earl of Thomond. John Freeman, Esq. lord of this manor^ and sheriff LITTLE BILLING. 55 of the county, in the fourth year of James I, by his will, bearing date the 25th February, 1614, gave two thousand pounds to found two fellowships in Clare-Hall, Cambridge, of the value of £16 per annum each, and eight scholarships, of £6 per an- num ; to w^hich his kinsmen are to be preferred in the first place, and in default of such, then any scholars in the county, and for want of such, then any scholars born in Lincolnshire. The almshouse in this town, was built after his death, by his order, which he had endowed with a yearly provision of six pounds each for one man and four women. These were formerly nominated by the two daughters and heirs of Sir William Haslewood, of Maidwell, but are now put in by Lord Hatton. Sir Isaac Wake, who was employed by King James I^ as his ambassador to Venice, Savoy, and other States, was the son of Arthur W^ake, rector of this parish. He had his education in Merton College, Oxford, and was chosen public orator, and member of parliament for the university in 1623. He was eminent for his learning, ingenuity, and elocution ; and was author of several orations and discourses, LITTLE BILLLNG, The resluence of the Rev, Henry Portington, 56 BRINGTON, is situated about one mile from the former. Part of the mansion house, which was formerly inhabited by the Longvilles (lords of this manor) is still stand- infi^, and has great marks of antiquity ; the door-cases, of Harlestone free-stone, are thick and large ; and at the south end is a turret, with a staircase leading to the leads. Part of it is embattled. BRINGTON. Brington, commonly called Brighton, is situated about half a mile from Althorpe. The church, dedi- cated to the blessed Virgin, consists of a body, north and south aisles, chancel, and north chancel or bury- ing place, all leaded. At the west end is an embat- tled tower, in which are five bells, bearing date in 1613, 1614, 1637, 1661, and 1670, besides the saint's bell. There are several large and stately monuments, to different persons of the Spencer family. Under an arch of free-stone, in the north chancel, curiously embellished, are the figures of a knight, in armour, with his lady. Upon a black marble tomb, are the figures of a baron and ba- roness, in their robes of state ; over them is an arch of black and white marble, supported by eight pillars of black marble, of the Corinthian order, with white Capitols. Under an arch, elegantly adorned, are ERIXWORTH. 57 the figures of a knight in armour with his lady, lying on a tomb with their hands raised ; and over them is an achievement of arms. BRIXWORTH. About six miles from Northampton, on the Lei- cester road, is the large respectable village of Brix- worth. Towards the close of the reign of Henry III, Simon Fitz-Simon procured for himself and heirs, the privilege of a weekly market, on Tuesdays, at .this place, and an annual fair, continued for three days, commencing on the eve of St. Boniface : there is no date how long these customs existed, but it is supposed they ceased with the extinction of the family to whom they were granted. The base of a cross, on an ascent of two or three steps, is still standing, and was probably the an- cient butter or market cross. Within these few years an annual fair, on the Monday after the As- censiou, has been revived. The church, dedicated to All Saints, consists of a spacious body, south aisle, and chancel, leaded. The south aisle extends westward not above half the length of the church, but from marks of arches in the walls appears to have been anciently of equal length. At the west enB, on a tower, with a plain 58 BRIXWORTH. pinnacle at each corner, is a pyramidal spire. From the west end of the tower, a large staircase projects into the church-yard. A curious relic of Gothic superstition was some time ago discovered in this church, over the altar tomb of Adam de Taunton, who died possessed of this living, in the year 1332. A large stone protruded from the wall, surmounted by a rude head, on removing which, a circular aperture was disclosed, wherein was deposited a wooden box, ^containing part of a human jaw bone, and a thick substance, slightly elastic. In the vicarage house are old arches ; and dead bodies have been dug up in the brewhouse and cel- lar. From these circumstances it is supposed to have been formerly a chapel. Not far from the church-yard are slight traces of trenches, and two or three tumuli are seen in the vicinity ; and about half a mile to the south-west of the village, is the site of the old manor-house of Woolhage, in which Sir James Harrington founded a chauntry, and endowed it with lands in Lancashire. In this town are ten or twelve springs, seldom dry ; one of which, called Bartlet's well, was made up by Margaret Baitlet, a maiden, for the use of travellers. BrLxworth Hall, once the seat of the Ralnsfords., BLISV/ORTH. 59 I 'l3ut now of W. Strickland, Esq. is a plain neat family- mansion, surrounded by the village, from which it is screened by plantations, and enclosed within a wall, BLISWORTH Is about five miles from Northampton, on the road I to Towcester, and is a place of very considerable trafic, from the line of communication between the j Metropolis and the different parts of the kingdom on i the Grand Junction Canal, being effected here. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, I consists of a body, north and south aisles, north porch, and chancel, leaded. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which are five bells. There are ' several pieces of painted glass in the windows. In i the north windows of the chancel were small por- j traits of the twelve apostles, four of which remain still complete. Here was formerly the residence of the family of Wakes, with a park and warren. There is a wood called Blisworth wood, and adjoin- ing to it a large plain, where the inhabitants of Road have also a right of common. In this village is that fine stupendous piece of work, the Tunnel, which was completed in the •spring of 1805, and opened on the 25th of March in that year, in the following order, viz.--^ 60 BLISWORTH. Oae of the Paddington packet-boats^ called the Marquis of Buckingham was the first boat which went through the tunnel : this was early in the morning, in order to join the other boats assembled at the north end of the tunnel, at Blisworth. About eleven o'clock the Committee of the Canal Com- pany (who had superintended this great work) and a great number of others of the principal proprietors, entered the boats, attended by the engineers em- ployed on the canal, and a band of music, and pro- ceeded into the tunnel, amidst the loudest acclama- tions of the spectators. The pitchy darkness of the tunnel was shortly relieved by a number of flambeaus and lights ; but the company in general seemed lost in contemplating the stupendous efforts by which this amazing arch of brick-work (about eighteen inches thick in general, fifteen feet wide, and nine- teen in heigth, with inside, being of an elliptical form, 3080 yards in length) had been completed between the 10th of August, 1792, and the 26th of February, 1805. The heigth of the hill, above the tunnel, being, for a considerable way, full sixty feet ; for drawing up the clay and soil which was excavated, . and letting down the materials to different parts of the works, nineteen shafts, or wells, were sunk oh different parts of the iine^ andaheadingj or small BOUGHTON. 61 arch was run or formed the whole length, below the present tunnel, with numerous cross branches to draw off the springs of water, which would other- wise hare impeded the works. In an hour and two minutes the boats with the company arrived at the south end of the tunnel, and were greeted with the loud huzzas of some thousands of persons, who were assembled, and who accompanied the boats with ; continual cheers as they proceeded down the locks to Stoke, and from thence to Old-Stratford. Though this .annel completes the line of the I canal, and enables boats freely to pass the whole length, yet^ besides the embankment across a valley near Stony-Stratford, intended to preserve the level of the canal across the same, instead of the locks J down on the one side and up on the other, by which [boats pass at present — several other works have been completed in different places, for improving the canal, or rendering it more completely water- tight, where the soil is faulty. BOUGHTON. About three miles and a half north of North, ampton, on the Leicester read, is the village of Boughton. — Here was formerly the seat of the Earl of Strafford^ pleasantly situated upon a rising ground, 62 BOUGHTON. commanding a very extensive prospect, with a park finely wooded ; but, on the death of the earl, the' title became extinct, and this portion of his property devolved to W. H. Vyse, Esq. son of General Vyse.- The mansion house was an irregular and antiquated building, though not very extensive ; a part of it was pulled down some years ago, and the remainder has lately undergone the same fate, but it is generally supposed, from the situation being so extremely pleasant, that a new one will be erected. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, formerly stood upon the Green, about half a mile distant from the village. It now lies in ruins, not any part of the roof remaining, and most of the walls are levelled with the ground. It consisted of a body, chancel, and north chancel, or chauritry chapel. At the west end was a spire of eight sides, raised upon a plain coped tower. The church-yard • is still used as the burial place for the inhabitants. In the town is a chapel, where divine service is performed : it consists of a body and chancel, under one roof, tiled. At the west end is a low embattled tower, in which are three bells, bearing date, 1653. Inthetwenty-seventh year of the reign of Edward"? Ill, Sir Henry Green obtained for himself and his heirsj the grant of a fair to be held yearly in the BROCRHALIi. 63^ same manor, for the space of three days, beginning lipon the vigil of the nativity ot St. John, and ending the day after. Since that time the fair at Boughton- Green has become the most celebrated in this part of the kingdom, and is resorted to by great numbers of persons, both for pleasure and business of every descriptioni BROCKHALL Is a small village, about nine miles west of North- ampton, belonging to T. R. Thornton, Esq. whose s«at is here. ■ The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and consists of a body and two aisles, chancel, and small porch on the south side, leaded. The steeple is built with a tower, in which are two bells and a saint's bell. In [the upper north window of the chancel is part of a broken portrait, and some labels in Gothic charac- ters ; and there are several plain neat monuments to the memory of the Thornton family. ERAYFIELD. Bray field, in Doomsday-book natfied Brachefeld, 'Brachesfelde, and Bragefelde, in some later records, iSraunfeld, and now called Brayfield-on-the-Green, s about four miles from Northampton. It is 64 BUGBRGOK, l)ounded on the east by Denton, Whiston, and Cogenhoj on the north by Cogenho and the rher Nine, on the west by Houghton and the London road, from Billing-bridge, and on the south hy Hackleton. It is situate high, on the top of an ascent, which begins from the river. The meadows lie intermixed with Little Houghton, as do all the lands. The common is divided, by a decree in chancery, ob- tained hj agreement, and the road is the boundary. BUGBROOK. Bugbrook, in Doomsday-book named Buchebroe^ is bounded on the east by Kislingbury, by Heyford on the north, on the west by Stowe, and on the south by Gayton, and is about six miles from Northampton. The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and con- sists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded. On the south side is a porch, and on the north side a small vestry, both covered with lead. At the west end is a tower, on which is raised a pyramidal steeple of eight sides. In the tower are five bells. The sum of twenty-five shillings, yearly, issuing from lands in the parish, was given by the last will ^ James Bracegixdle, bearing date 4th March, 163^?, C/.STLE-ASHBY. 65 to be distributed by the minister and church-wardens, on St. Thomas's day. CASTLE. ASHBY. About seven miles from Northampton is Castle- Ashby, the elegant seat of the Marquis of North- ampton. — It is situated near the northern extremity ^of Yardley Chase, through which is a fine wide avenue, three miles in length, directly to the south- . front of the mansion. — The .house, which is a very large building, stands on the brmv cf a gentle emi- nence, and commands to the east,, west, and north a wide tract of inclosed grazing country. It is sup- posed to have been built by Henry, Lord Compton, who was created a baron in the foijrteenth year of , Queen Elizabeth's reign. Great additions and im- provements have since been made, particularly by , the present noble owner. This mansion is a square building, and forms a quadrangle court within. The sides to the east and south were designed by Inigo Jones ; that on the east was originally open, with cloisters to the garden, but they are now filled up. At the south-east and south-west angles of the court, are two lofty octangular towers, the parapets of which, as well as the whole parapets of the court elevation, are formed by stones cut in the shape of 66 CASTLE- ASHBYo letters ; and arranged so as to repeat the following text : " Nisi Dominus oedijicaverit Domum in vanum laboraverunty qui cedificant eaw." In the balus- trades of-the turrets are the dates 1625 and 1635 ; marking the time when the screen was built, and the upper parts of the house finished : on the opposite side the court to the entrance screen, is the great hall, a lofty-handsome apartment, containing family paintings, &:c. with a gallery at each end. The drawing-room is uncommonly spacious, but its ornaments are heavy though expensive. The other apartments are in a more modern taste, and extremely commodious. They are decorated with many family portraits, as well as of other eminent persons. Pennant discovered here, in a garret, the original picture of that hero, John Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury, and his countess. The most valuable painting is that of George Villers, Duke of Buckingham, after he was stabbed \)j Felton. It actually personifiies death ; and it is impossible to look at it without mingled sensations of horror and surprise. Walpole ranks these two pictures among the most ancient examples of oil painting in England. The libraries contain many curious and valuable books, amongst which is a translation of the Bible, by Coverdale, with a CASTLE-ASHBYo 67 dedication to Henry VIII, and a preface, printed in 1513. Here is likewise a manuscript History of England, which appears to be Caxton's, but the beginning and end are lost. In a large drawing- room, up stairs, is an immense chimney-piece of marble, dug from a quarry in this county. The Cellars are large, lofty, and peculiarly adapted to contain a vast stock of ales, wines, &c. ; they are formed like the crypts of churches, being supported on columns and ribbed arches. The pleasure grounds and plantations, with a large piece of water in the park, were laid out by Brown, and the chace woods adjoining, are of great extent, and form a splendid ornament to the whole. To the lover of botany, the Marchioness of North- ampton's green-house or conservatory, will afford the highest -gratification. It is of great magnitude, and filled with the choicest plants the four quarters tof the world produce. * The church, which is dedicated to St. Nicholas, stands at a small distance from the house, and con- sists of a body, two aisles, and chancel, leaded. At the upper end of the north aisle is a chapel, separated from the aisle hj a wooden screen. At the west end is a small embattled tower, in which are six bells. It is remarkable for its neatness ; there is an ancient 68 CHURCH-BRA MPTON. curious porch on the north side, and an old altar tomb, with a statue of a cross-legged knight, in chain armour ; and in the windows of the north aisle, are the remains of figures of angels and saints, with some imperfect words. There is here an almshouse, inhabited by poor old women. CHURCH-BRAMPTON. Church-Brampton, in Doomsday-book simply Brantone, is about four miles from Northampton* It is bounded en the east by Boughton, on the north by Spratton, from which it is divided by a brook, rising in Coton-field, in the parish of Guilsborough, by Ilarlestone and Holdenby on the west, and on the south by Dallirgton. In old records it is called Brampton Magna, to distinguish it from the adjoin- ing hamlet; and in later ones Church-Brampton, from the mother-church standing in this Lordship. The church, dedicated to St. Botolph, consists of a body, two aisles, and a chancel, leaded, with a porch. At the west end is a tower steeple, in which are four bells and a saint's bell. Mr. James Bracegirdle, in 1634, bequeathed £3j issuing from lands in Bugbrook, to the church and poor of this parish ; and also 25s. annually to the i CHAPEL-BRAMPTON. 69 parish of Bagbrook ; and 20s. per annum to the parishes of All Saints and Sepulchre, in Northampton. The part allotted to the poor, is equally distributed between Church-Brampton and Chapel- Brampton. This benevolent man was buried here, and a small brass plate within the rails of the altar, contains the following inscription z — Here lieth interred the body of James Brasegirdhj Gentleman^ whoe departed this life^ the third day of Aprilly Anno Domino 1634. CHAPEL-BRAMPTON Is a small hamlet, adjoining the above. Of the chapel, from which this village received its name of distinction, there are no remains, and but a very imperfect tradition. A small bell some years ago preserved in the town, was said to have belonged to it. Here is supposed to have been formerly an ancient manor-house, in a close which still retains the name of Hall-close. COGENHO. Cogenho, in Doomsday-book called Cugenho, and now generally called Cooknoe, is bounded on the east by Whiston, on the north by Ecton and 70 COGENHO. the river Nine, and on the west and south by Bray- field and Whiston, and is situate about four mile* from Northampton. The church is dedicated to St. Peter, and consists of a body, north and south aisles, chancel, and south porch, leaded. At the west end is aa embattled tower, in which are three bells. In the north-east corner of the porch is a receptacle for holy-water- The register begins 1558. Under the upper windo^r of the south aisle lies the figure of a knight templar^, upon a tomb, completely armed, with a dog at his feet, and on his left arm is a shield, whereon are these arms : a fess between three mascles. This is said to be the tomb of Sir Nicholas de Cugenho, Lord of this manor in the time of Edward I, and reported to be the founder of the church. The like arms are cut upon the pillars which support the nave. Against the upper pillar of the church, on the western side, is a sinister bend. In this church was a chauntry, founded by William de Cugenho, for one priest to sing for ever at our lady's altar. This chauntry seems to have been on the north side of the chancel, as there are marks of a large arch, now filled up, through v. hich was probably the entrance into the chauntry chapel. la a lane on the south east of the town, was found * COtLINGTREE. 71 an uncommon fossil, very transparent, and capable of receiving a polish as bright and hard -as chrystaL Part of it was sent up to some skilful lapidaries in London, who had never seen any thing of the like kind before. But not being applied to any parti- cular use, very little was dug, though considerable quantities, it is supposed, might have been raised. Some Roman coins have also been found here in the common fields, on which was a head of Faustina,^ and in a barn, in the town, was discovered aa urn, very thin, and of a whitish colour, containing a mixture of ashes and earths From its size, it is conjectured, it was one of those which are called family urns ; and, from its appearance, probably belonged to some ancient family. In 1806 was dug up in Cogenho church- yard, a stone coffin, but upon which no inscription could be found. COLLINGTREE. Collingtree, in Doomsday -book named Colentree^. and in some later records Colyntrough, is about four miles south of Northampton, and bounded on the east and south by Courtenhall, and on the west by Milton ; on the north it is divided from WoottoH by asmall brook which joins theNine at Upton-mill. 72 COURTENHALL. The church, dedicated to St. Columbus, consists of a body, two aisles, and a chancel, leaded. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which are four bells. It appears to have been for some time united to the church of Middleton, now called Milton. The old parish registers were consumed by a fire, which broke out in the parsonage house some years ago, and burnt a considerable part of the Tillage. COURTENHALL Is a pleasant little village, about six miles from Northampton, near the borders of Salcey forest*^ Here is the beautiful seat of Sir William Wake, Bart, which has been erected w ithin these few years. It is bounded on the east by Quinton, on the north by Wootton, on the west by Coling- tree, and on the south by Road. It is divided from Wootton by a small brook, which has its rise in Horton Lordship, and joins the Nine at Upton- mill. The church is dedicated to St. Feter, and .consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded, with a north and south porch, tiled. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which are five modern bells. It is now situated at the upper end COURTENHALL. 75 of the Tillage, but formerly had many houses stand- ing beyond and about it ; which, since the inclosure of the parish, have been pulled down. On the south side of the chancel are three stone seats, and a bason for holy water. At the upper end of the north aisle is a handsome monument of Italian nmrble, with the effigies of Sir Samuel Jones and his lady, in a kneel- ing posture. He died in the year 1762, aged 63« In the same aisle, under the arch leading into the chancel, is a monument of free-stone, covered with a plank of black marble. Upon the top were formerly the figures of a man and his wife, in brass, with their children below them, which are now demolished, and round the tomb the following very curious inscription, in Gothic characters : A Salop's Osely I, a ruen Partridge woone. No Birds I had her by, such work with her was doone ; She dead, I Turtle sought a Wake in Salsie bred. Twice six Birds she me brought, she lives, but I am dead* But when ninth year was come, I slept that was a Wake Thus yielding to death's doome, did here my lodging taker There is here a free-school, founded hy Sir Samuel Jones, endowed with j^80 per annum, to the master, and £20 to the usher. For the build- ing of this school, and houses for the master and usher, he left, by will, ^^500, which was laid out by his e^tecutors. according to his intentions. Besides 74f CREATON- MAGNA. this endowmeat, Sir Samuel Jone? gave £bOO towards repairing the church, and increasing the number of bells to fire* To the poor he gave ^10 yearly for ever ; and £^0 per annum for binding out apprentices, to be paid to the overseers on every Easter Monday. CREATON-MAGNA. Creaton-Magna, or Great-Creaton, in Doomsday- book named Cretone, Creptone, and Craptone, hath Brix worth on the east, Cottesbrook on the north, HoUowell and Guilsborough parish on the west, and Spratton on the south. A brook which rises from springs in Naseby field, divides this lordship from Spratton, and flows on to Pitsford. Another brook rising from springs in Maidwell and Draughton bounds it on the east, and joins th« former between Spratton and Brixworth, It is about eight miles from Northampton, adjoining the Chester turnpike road. The church is dedicated to St. Michael, and con- sists of a body and chancel, leaded, and two porches, tiled. At the west end is a tower steeple, in which are four bells. CREATON-PARVA- Creaton-Parva, or Little-Creaton, is a small ham* let; near the above^ but in Spratton parish. DALLINaXON. 75 DALLINGTGN Is a pleasant little village, within a mile of North* ampton, from whence the walk is particularly rural and picturesque. It is bounded on the east by the river, which divides it from Northampton and Kings- thorpe, on the north by Harlestone, and on the west and south by Duston. Here is a good manor-house^ formerly the residence of the Lord Chief Justice Raynsford, but now of R. W. Blencowe, Esq. j The church is dedicated to the blessed Virgin, and ! csonsists of a body, north and south aisles,, with a • •hancel, and a north chancel or burial-place. At the west end is a low embattled tower, with four bells. This church contains several very handsome monuments, commemorative of the Rainsford and Jeykill families. Against the north wall of the Rainsford's burial place is a beautiful alabaster monument, supported by two black marble pillars. At the top is Argent aHJross sable ; on the pediment, on each side these arms, is a boy, weeping, with his hand upon a scull ; and at the bottom are two other boys, that on the right with a syringe, drawing up the tears which fall on the ground, and that on the left with a spade in his hand ; and in the centre is a long inscription, recording the memory of several of 76 DALLINGTON. the Rainsford family. Near the aboTe is a large elegant monument, on a pedestal, resembling a covered table, with a large flaming urn ; on the right side is a boy, weeping, and holding a shield ; and on the left a boy in the same posture, holding the family arms. — Underneath, on an oval tablet of black marble, elegantly adorned with foilage, is an inscription to the memory of the Chief Justice Rainsford. At a short distance from these are two Tery beautiful monuments ; one to the memory of Joseph Jeykill, Esq. who died in 1752, in the 39th year of his age ; and the other to the memory of Lady Anne Jeykill, second daughter of George, ' Earl of Halifax, by Mary, his second wife, daughter of Richard, Earl of Scarborough ; she left only one daughter, Ann, since married to George Wright, Esq. of Gayhurst, in the county of Buckingham* Lady Ann Jeykill, died 20th January, 1766, aged 51. There are, besides the above, several plain neat monuments. Here is an almshouse for two old men and two old women, at two shillings per week each, erected by Justice Rainsford. The north side of St. James's End i$ in this parish. DUSTON. 77 DUSTON Is a small Tillage, about one mile and a half west of Northampton. It is pleasantly situated on a hill, commanding yery extensive prospects of the sur- rounding country. It is bounded on the east by "^ Dallington and Northampton, on the north bjr Harleston, by Harpole on the west, and on the south by Upton. To the south-east and north-east it is bounded by the different branches of the rirer Nine, 'A small brook, rising from Well-head spring ia « Duston-field, divides it from Dallington. Apart bf 'St. James's End is in this parish. "^ The church is dedicated to St. Luke, and consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded. Between Ihe church and chancel stands I the steeple, which is tower built, and contains thre© j bells. This church was given to the abbey of St. James by William Peverel, its founder, and the grant confirmed by Simon, Earl of Northampton, and afterwards by Henry II. Upon the wall in the chancel are some very curious heads, which having lately been painted various colours, have a ver/ singular appearance. In this parish was formerly the ancient monastry of St. James's Abbey, which was founded by Wil- liam Peverel, natural son of William the Conqueror, "IW DUSTON. for black cannons of the Augustine order. By the suryey taken of the revenues in the year 1553, the clear annual income amounted to^l75 8s. 2d. ; and in the year 1 559 it was, with its possessions, surren* dered to the royal commissioners. Some remains of , the walls and foundations are all the vestiges traceable at present of this ancient and well-endowed monastry* The precise time of its erection does not appear ; but it is supposed to hare been built before the year 1112, the founder dying about the end of that year, or the beginning of 11 1 3. Adeliva, ^ his wife, died in 1119. The ground allotted them ^ by the founder, for the buildings, was forty acres, ta •which he added the mill and church of Duston. In the fifty-second of Henry III, they obtained licence for a fair, to be held at the convent on the ewe of the festival of St. James, and the two following days. . This grant was renewed in the fourteenth year of Henry IV. The fair continued to be held in the abbey-grounds long after the dissolution of the monastry ; but it was afterwards removed to Northampton. The site of the church and church-yard, contains , about two acres ; and the abbey demesnes lay on both sides the road which leads to Daventry. Going down to the abbey is a causway, called cut-throat riane, with the old wall upon the left. In a close -adjoining was a mill, supplied by a spring, now called the abbey spring. In this close was kept St. James's fair ; and formerly there were standing in it a barn and dore-house ; and here is supposed to have stood 5 the abbey itself. They seem to have been situate oa a descent from Duston, to the south and south-east. Westward is a wall of ashler-stone, near which are .the foundations of buildings* Here was al&o the ? Church of St. Margaret, which in 1259, was annexed ito the jchurch of Duston. , ECTON Is a large pleasant village, about five miles fro® "Northampton, on the road to Wellingborough. It I was anciently called Eketon, Echington, and in iDoomsday-book Echentone. It is bounded on the east by a brook which divides it from Earl's-Barton, 80 ECTON. ture, the residence of the Rev, Thomas Whallejr, which was built by Thomas Palmer^ rector, in 1693^ | Hare are several of Hogarth's original paintings. The church is dedicated to Mary Magdalen, and I consists of a body, north and south aisles, north and south porches, and chancel, leaded. At the west end is an handsome tower, in which are six bells. Here is a clock put up in 1630, and chimes in 1690. From the difference of the stone and workmanship^ the upper part of the tower and north porch are thovght to have been added since the building of the church. In 1672, in levelling some ground in Mr. Catesby^s gardens, about two hundred yards north-eastwan ; from the church, were discovered several bones am skulls, lying in order from west to east. Among them were found two silver coins, of the size of it , silver three-pence. Here is a school for poor children, upon which is inscribed : A School for Poor Children f built by John Palmer^ , Ao. MDCCLIL FLOOEE. FLOORE 81 Is a large village, about seven miles from North- j ampton, on the road to Daventry. It was, in Dooms- j day-book, called Flora, supposed from the pleasant- ness of its situation. It is bounded on the east by Upper-Heyford, by Brington north, on the west by Dodford, and hy Nether-Heyford on the south. A brook, which takes its rise in Weiton field, passes hy this Lordship on the south and west, and joins the river Nine in Nether-Heyford field. The church, dedicated to All Saints, consists of a body, north and south aisles, south porch and chancel^ and a vestry on the north side of the chancel, leaded. At the west end is a square embattled tower, in Vhich are five bells, cast in 1679. This church was given, in the reign of King John, to Merton Abbey, in Surrey : but at the dissolution was granted to ♦ Christ Church, Oxford, to which college it now belongs. Dr. Leonard Hutton, presented to this vicarage in 1601, was elected from Westminster school, a student of Christ Church, in 1574. He was a man of genius and learning, well read in divinity and history. In 1605 he published, an answer to a treatise concerning the cross in baptism^ which was 83 ' FLOORE. esteemed by most judges in that «5ge. He left behind him in MS. a Discourse en the Antiquity of the Uni* varsity of Oxford. This has been since printed. Ho died and was buried in the divinity chapel of Christ Church, 1632. Ill the church and chancel are some curious monumental inscriptions, of very ancient dates, many of them nearly illegible. At the east end of the north aisle, joining tp the body of the church, is a raised monument of white marble, on which lies the effigy of a man, armed with a coat of mrJI, his sur- coat girded round him. and a collar of S. S. about hlr> neck ; at his head, which is supported by a cushicr.^ is an helmet, and at his feet a lion couchant. There is no inscription ; but it is supposed to be the monu- ment of one of the family of Trussel. In the vestry, on the north side of the chancel, is a mural monument, upon a chest of freestone, and on a gilt tablet the following curious inscriptioir : Robert Saunders the seconde sone of Thomas Saunders, of Sybber- toft lyethhere buryed» To Margaret Staunton the heyre of Thomab Staunton he was fyrste marryed ; Minch Margret bcyng- 'ead, Joyse Goodwin he tooke to wyfc. The xiii. nay of November ao. xv^. xlix. he dt pattyr^ thys lyfe; And restethe at God's pleasure tyU the daye of perfection; Gad fieade us aud hym then a joyful resiu'rcction. Ame». GAYTONo 83 Dr. Richard Gardiner gave to this parish a . quartern of land, the rent of which to be given oi>e year towards putting out a boy apprentice, and the other year to be distributed amongst such widows as were born in the town. — John Steer and William Muscotte gave each of them half an acre of meadow ground for the benefit of the poor of Floore, forever* — Gregory Knight left the sum of five pounds, the interest of which is given, by the churchwardens^ to the poor. GAYTON. Gayton is a pleasant village,^ about five miles from Northampton. It has Milton on the east, Thorp \ north, Pattishall west, and Blisworth and Tiffield south. The church is dedicated to the Holy Virgin, and consists of a body, two aisles, and a chancel, leaded, with a porch on the south side, tiled. The steeple is built with a tower, wherein are six bells besides the saint's bell. On the north side of the chancel is a buryiug place parted off from it, as large as the chancel itse'f, wherein lie the family of Sam well. A piece of ground, called the alms-ground, was long since given to the poor of this parish. Upou the iaclosure of Gayton field, in 1600, it was agreed G-2 84 GRENDONe hj the general consent of the inhabitants, to set apart ten acres, on the east side of the alms-ground,, in lieu of the like number of acres dispersed in several parts of the same field, which before that time were used as town ground. The parsonage-house being in a very ruinous and dilapidated state, the late rector, Mr. Hunter, rebuilt it at his own expense. GRENDON Is a small village about eight miles from North- ampton. It is bounded on the east by Bozeat, on the north by Strixton, on the west by Whiston, and' on the south by Castle- Ashby and Yardley. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chan- cel, leaded. At the west end is an embattled tower^ with pinnacles at each corner, in which are five bellse GUILSBOROUGH Is a remarkably pleasant village, about six miles from Northampton. In Doomsday-book named Gisleburg, in the reign of Henry II, Gildesborn, and in other records, Gildesburch. It is bounded on the east by Creaton, on the north by Naseby, by West- Haddon on the west; and on the south by Ravens- GUILSBOROUGH. 85 Thorpe. Here are two brooks, one of which rising in Camfield's-lodge field, from a very quick spring, and parting Guilsborough on the east from Hollo- well, goes on to Northampton : the other dividing this Lordship on the south from Ravensthorpe, joins the former brook in Teeton field. Here is the seat of William Zouch Lucas Ward, Esq. called Guilsborough Hall ; it is a large mansion, and, from its being seated on an eminence, has a very conspicuous appearance. Upon the top of the hill on which the town is • situate, are large remains of a Roman encampment, supposed to have been raised by Ostorius, the Pro- praetor under the Emperor Claudius. The form of it, like the more common Roman camps, is an ob- long square ; the shorter sides running from north to south. It seems to have been fenced with a broad, deep, single entrenchment. The agger of this for- tification is still visible; and, as far as could, be judged, from pacing over an uneven, broken ground, the longest parallel is between fi\e and six hundred feet, the shortest about three hundred. The area included, it is about eighteen acres. It is called the Burrows or Borough-hill, from which appellation, the town is suppo«^ed to have received its name. The church, o.:dicated to Etheldred the virgin, g3 S6 GUILSBOPOUGH. consists of a body, two aisles, a chancel, with nortt and south porches, all leaded. At the west eud, on a plain coped tower, having four bells in it, is rai&ed an octagon spire. In Guilsborough is a Free Grammar School, founded by the late Sir John Langham, of Cottes- | brook, Bart. The school is free for the youth of 1 Guilsborough, Cottesbrook, Thurnby, Cold-Ashby, or any other place within four miles next adjoining. The government is in a certain number of trustees, who when reduced to four, are to nominate others. Here is also a Writing School, endowed with an annual salary of about ^14, arising from the interest, of 5§*200, left many years since, and for this purpose augmented by a subscription of the principal inhabitants. The hamlet of Hollowell also belongs to the parish of Guilsborough, and likewise the small hamlet of Nortoft, in Doomsday-book named Nortot, and in later records Northtoft. — The following curious bequest to this parish, has been copied from Bridges's Northamptonshire : John Campernon, Esq. formerly Lord of Coton, a hamlet lying in this hundred, but in Ravensthorpe parish, in the hundred of Newbottle, gave a half yard land in his lordship of Coton under Gildesburgh, co HACKLETON. 87 the vicar of Guilsborough, for the time being, and his successsors for ever. But not being given to the alterage of the church, th^ prior of St. John of Jeru- salem, patron of the living, entered upon the said half yard ia.nd, and kept possession of it. Whereupon the said Jo tin Campernon, gave one other half yard land next adjoining to the former, to the alterage of the said church, on condition that the vicar and his successors should, every Sunday, pray for him in the following words :~" Ye shall pray for the soule of Mr. John Campernon, sometime Lord of Coton^ and all his successors souls, who gave to the alterage of this church one half yard land." And if his name should not be mentioned in the bead-roll once in three Sundays, thie Lord of Coton should peaceably enter upon and possess the said land. HACKLETON, In Doomsday-book called Hachellntone, and in some later records Hakelton, is an hamlet, belong- ing to Piddington, lying on the London road, be- tween Northampton and Ilorton. The present possessor of the manors ofllackleton and Piddington, is Thomas Mercer^ Esq. who has here a very good mansion- house. 8S EAST-HADDONc EAST-HADDON, A Tillage about eight miles from Northampton ; so called to distinguish it from West-Haddon. It is in Guilsborough hundred ; in Doomsday-book is named Eddoneand Hadone, and is bounded on the east by Holdenby, on the north by Ravensthorpe, by Long Buckby on the west, and on the south by Brington. Here is the seat of W. Sawbridge, Esq. The church is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and consists of a body, south aisle, and chancel, leaded, with a large south porch, over which was a room, now stopped up. At the west end is alow tower^ in which are five bells, cast in 1621. WEST-HADDON Is a large village about twelve miles from North* ampton, and in Doomsday-book called Hadone^ Ecdone, and Eddone, so named to distinguish it from East-Haddon. It has Guilsborough on the east, Winwick north, on the west Crick, and Long- Buckby on the south. Here are two brooks, one of which bounds the Lordship, and divides it from Guilsborough; the other parting West-Haddon from Buckby, joins the Nine at Heyford. On this brook was formerly a mill, taken down some years ago^ WEST-HADDON, 8f The fields are well watered with springs, of which the most considerable are Nenmore springs, sup- posed, by the neighbouring inhabitants, to be one of the sources of the Nen or Nine, and Blackwell spring, which rises from five heads. In West-Haddon field was an eminence called Ostor Hill, now cut away. Under it, according to report, were buried several officers, who f II in battle. At their interment they stuck a spear into the ground, and to erect a monument, raised up the earth even with the head of the spear. Such is the common tradition ; and it is inferred from it, that this hill is an ancient tumulus of Publius Osto- rius, the celebrated Roman Propraetor under the Emperor Claudius. It is evident he died in Britain, worn out with cares and the fatigues of war. Neither the exact place of his death or his burial are recorded in history ; but there is no place more pro- bable than this, being in the neighbourhood of the great military works at Daventry and Guilsborough, supposed to have been of his erection. And the memory of it seems sufficiently preserved by the name itself, by its vicinity to these encampments, and the confused remains of an obscure tradition. The church, dedicated to All Saints, consits of a body^ north and south aisles, chancel, and south 05 WEST-HAD1>01?5^e porchj lead'cl. At the west end is an emt)att'eS tower in which are live bells. On this tower was anciently a pyramidal steeple, M'hich falling to decay, was taken down in 1648. At the Upper end cf the south ai'le, is a bason for holy water. The roof of the church is h'gh and well wrought. In the church-yard was an altar monument, one side of which contained the following curious in- scription : — Here lyeth honest Grig-ory, "Which was a true triend to the Ministry ; And the soul's true friend for eternity. And one of the best '>f fathers to his ability ; Heestuddied the true form of Christianity, The wkich he hoped would abound tti posterity. "•^Giigory Palmer, Minister of West-Haddon 5^ years and odd months, it being the place of his Nativity ; in w hich parish he first received his breath, and also ended his last the llth day of June, 1693. Hee being 85 years, 5 months, and odd days old." It was formerly a custom here io strew the pews with straw from Christmas to Candlemas. John Cosby, of this town, left by will one yard l:ind, and homestead belonging to it, to erect a free school for teaching the children of the town to read, ^Tite, and cast accounts^ Mr. Jacob Lncas, of London, gare jpSO, Mr. Edward Burnham, £\0^ and a certain maidea woman of the town, £b^ the joiat interest of which sums is employed in patting out poor children apprentices. HARDINGSTONE. About one mile from Northampton is the roman- tic village of Hardingstone, called in Doomsday- book Harding«thorp?5 and in later records Hard- ingsthorn. It is pleasantly seated on the brow of a hill, commanding some beautiful and ex- tensive views of Northampton, and a vast tract of the surrounding country for a considerable dis- tance, and overlooking the fine plantations and mea- dows which adjoin it, through which the rirer Nine winds its various gentle courses. It is bounded on the east by Houghton-Magna, on the north by the river, on the west by Wootton and Rothersthorpe, and on the south by Preston and Wootton. From the very healthful and pleasant situation of this ifillage, as well as its being in the immediate vicinity of Northampton, it contains some neat houses, occupied by genteel families, particularly one lately erected by the Rev. Ashton Vade, fitted up in the ^ HARDINGSTONE, Gothic style ; and though the house is not very ex* tensire, it contains several elegant and superb apartmentSj not to be surpassed by any in the neigh- bourhood ; they are ornamented with several windows of beautiful painted glass. About half a mile from the village, surrounded by a large park and fine plantations, is Delapre Abbey, the seat of Edward Bouverie, Esq. the present proprietor and owner of the estate. It is a large modern edifice of varied architecture ; raised from the ruins, and on the site of the Abbey de Pratis, de la Pre, a house of Cluniac nuns, founded by Simon de St. Liz, the younger Earl of North- ampton. It had in it ten nuns at the time of the dissolution. The last abbess, Clementina Stokes, governed it thirty years, and obtained the king's charter for the continuance of her convent ; but, fearing to incur the displeasure of the tyrant, resigned it into the hands of Dr. London, the king's commis- sioner, and obtained from him the character of ^' a gudde agyd woman; of her howse being in a gudde state," and, what was more substantial, a pension of ^40 per annum. It was endowed, with the churches of Barton, Doddiogton, and Fother- uigaj, with large possessions in HardingstonCj and HARDINGSTONE. 9S certain other small benefactions in Extune^ Welcume- stowe, Walebecj and Northampton. In the thirty-fourth year of the reign of Henry VIII, this monastry, with the demesne lands belong- ing to it in Hardingstone and the two Cottom^^j were granted to John Mershe. In the forty-third of Queen Elizabeth, Bartholomew Tate, E-q. died pos- sessed of them, and was succeeded by William Tate, his son. Zouch Tate, the son and successor of Sir William Tate, was chosen to serve in parliament for Northampton, in 1640. lie took the covenant and became a zealous enemy to the royal cause. In 1644 he first moved the House of Commons, that no mem- ber of parliament, should enjoy any office, civil or military, during the war ; and this was afterwards passed into an ordinance, called the Self-denying Ordinance. In the thirty-eighth year of Henry VI, in the meadows by the river, and in Hardingstone field, was fought, what our historians usually call the battle of Northampton, in which the Duke of Buckingham, with other noblemen, were killed, and the king taken prisoner. Many of the slain were buried in the convent of Delapie^ and at St. JohnV hospital^ in Northampton. 94 KARDINGSTONE, Near the south-western corner of the parkj on au ascent, by the side of the London road, somewhat rrore ihin half a mile from Northampton, stands Queen's cross, one of the pledges of affection borne by Edward I, to his beloved queen Eleanor; who, -^'^ hen her husband was w ounded by a Moor, in his expedition to the Holy Land, 1272, she sucked the venom out of the wound, by which Edward was providentially cured, and she escaped unhurt. The queen died at Herdley, Lincolnshire, Nov. 29, 1290. The body was carried for interment to Westminster Abbey, and at e\ery place were the procession rested, king Edward caused one of these pillars or crosses to be erected. It is divided into three stories or towers. The first of an octogonal form, is fourteen feet in height. Against four of the sides alternately, on two separate escutcheons, are the arms of Castile and Leon, and of the county of Ponthieu, in Picardy. Uiider the arms, in high relief, is a book open, and lying on a kind of desk. On the four other sides are two distinct shields, on one of which are the arms of England, and in the other alternately the arms of Castile and Leon, and those of the county of Ponthieu. The second story of a like shape with the former, is twelve feet ia height. In every other side; within a nichj is a HAEDINGSTONE, 95 female fignrCj crowned, about six feet high, with a canopy orer its head, and supported by two Gothic pillars. The upper tower is eight feet in height, and has only four sides, facing the four cardinal points of the compass. On each of these sides is a sun-dial, put up in 1712, with an inscription upon it as follows : — On the East, ab ortv solis South, LAVDATVR DOMINV3 West, VSQVE AD OCCASVM North, AMEN. MDCCXII. The top is mounted wath a cross, three feet in height, and added when the whole was repaired, by the Older of the Bench of Justices, in 1713. The ascent to the cross is with seven steps. On the south side of the cross is a small white stone, on which is the following inscription : — Rursus emendat : et restaurat Anno Iq the 12fl year of his age. In the year 1281, the vicar of Hardingstone claimed offerings and tythes of the inhabitants, re- siding in the liberty of St. Leonard, and referred his cause to the decision of the Bishop of Lincoln. But it appearing upon examination, that the said inhabi- tants, from time immemorial attended divine worship in the chapel of St. Leonard, and had the oihces of baptism and sepulture performed by the chaplain officiating therein ; the Bishop gave judgment that LofC; h2 loo HARDIKGSTONE. the tythes and offerings, from the inhabitants within the limits of the hospital, were due to the vicar of the church of Hardingstone. According to the account given in Bridges's North- amptonshire, a number of benefactions have been, at different times, left to this parish, viz. :— Mr. Wadham, of Delapre, gave annually £l 6s» out of a farm at Collingtree, to the poor. — ^John Latimer gave the increase of £d 13s, 4d. — Mr. Stephen Ilervey citizen* and merchant of London, gave ^40, the interest to apprentice poor children. — Mr. Robert Green, of Cotton-End, gave ^10, the interest thereof to the poor annually. — Zouch Tate, of Delapre, Esq. gave £SOj ordering with the interest thereof to apprentice poor children. — Stephen Miles of Milton, gave ^3, the in-terest to the poor annually. — Richard Hervey, of Morton- Morrel, Esq. son and heir of Sir Stephen Hervey, gave £lO, the interest annually to apprentice poor children. — Mr. John Green, of this parish, gave £5y the increase annually to be given to twelve poor people, especially widows, on St. John's and Christ- mas day. — Mr. Nicholas Rothwell and Frances his w^ife, gave £100, the interest thereof to apprentice poor children. HARLESTONE. 101 HARLESTONE Is a yery pleasant village, about four miles west of Northampton. It has Dallington and Brampton oii the east, Holdeaby north, Brington on the west, and on the south Harpole and Duston. In Doomsday- book it is named Herolvestone, in common pronun- ciation liaison. Here is the seat of Robert Andrew, Esq. the proprietor of the estate ; it is an elegant building, lately erected, situate in a fine park, orna- mented with plantations, pieces of water, and other improvements, which evince both the spirit and taste of its present possessor. Here is also a beautiful pheasantry, well stocked with birds of various de- scriptions. The church, dedicated to St. Andrew^, consists of a body, north and south aisles, chancel, and south porch, all leaded. At the west end is a tower-built steeple, in which are six bells. At a small distance is Newbottle wood, near which are the marks of an ancient building, with several ruinous walks leading to it. According to the tradition of the village, it was formerly a religious cell ; but more probably some old manor-house. On a place called Dive's-heath, is the remains of a fortification, where human skulls and bones have often been dug up. Harlestone lordship is well sup- h3 103 HAHLEStO^fe- plied With springs, of which, one in a close adjoin- ing to the church, and another called Holm spring are mineral. A brook, which has its rise in Stanwell and Blackwell, two springs in the common field, passes through the town, and joining another brook, on the east side the field^ falls into Kingsthorpe water. Ilarlestone is famous for its stone quarries of great antiquity and note in this part of the county. The hollows of the old delves are large ; and the town's name, is supposed to imply the antiquity of the quarry. lialston or Hailestone, for thus it is anciently written, derives itself from the Saxon word harle, to draw, and stane a stone^ a name alluding' to the business of the quarries, then, perhaps, the principal employ of the place. Besides the common stone for building, here is a fine blue ragg;- the larger pieces of which are used for tomb stones, the smaller for pavement of rooms. On the heath, near to the town, races were formerly held. The corporation of Northampton, by deed, bearing date 16th Jan. 163*2, in consider* ation of the sum of two hundred pounds, paid by William Loid Spencer, and other gentlemen of the county, obliged themselves to provide yearly a gilt silver cup and cover, ef the value of ^14 13s. 4d* t6 HARPOLE, 103 he run for on Thursday in Easter week yearly : with covenant, that upon notice given on the Friday in the race week, that they will return the money within the year following, then they shall not be obliged to provide the said cup any longer. These races are now discontinued. HARPOLE, In Doomsday-book named Horpol, is about four miles from Northampton, and is bounded by Duston and Upton on the east, on the north hj Harlestone, by Hey ford and Newbottle on ths west, and by Kis* lingbury on the south. Harpole is a low situation, upon a clayey soil, with a mixture of gravel, having a narrow stone causeway, from all parts of the town leading to the church. The church is dedicated to All Saints, and consists of a body, north and south aisles, south porch and chancel, all leaded. At the west end is a low plain coped tower, having a pinnacle at each corner, and containing four bells. At the upper end of the north aisle is a chauntry, and beyond it is the vestry. In the north wall of the chauntry are two old low arches ; but the church does not contain any thin<^ worthy of notice. 104 HEYFORD. HEYFORD. He} ford. — Of this name are two adjoining villages, in Doomsday-book named simply Ileiforde, after* "wards called Great and Little Heyford, and now more usually distinguished by the names of Nether- Heyford and Upper-Heyford. NETHER-HEYFORD Is about seven miles from Northampton, on the river Nine, and is bounded on the east by Harpole and Bugbrook, on the north by Floore, by Weedon on the west, and on the south by Stowe. The Nine divides it from Fioore ; and a brook, called Hore- stone, arising from springs in Farthlngstoiie, Cold- Higham and Patti shall Lordships, divides it ia part from Bugbrook and afterwards falls into the Nine* In 1699, in Ilorestone-meadow, at Nether-Hey- ford, about half a mile eastward of the Watling- strefet, was discovered a very beautiful tessalated pavement, composed of square bricks or tiles, some- what bigger than common dice, artificially stained with colours, white, yellow, r,ed, and blue^ as smooth as polished marble, and disposed into various regular figures with great exactness. It lay covered with mould and rubbish, in a part of the meadow NETHER-HEYFORD. lObr which is every year overflowed with land-floods. By what was found of the south side of the pavement, it appeared to have been fifteen feet long from east to west ; the extent from north to south could not be ascertained, as the discovery did not reach far enough. The whole appeared to have been a square. When first uncovered it would bear walking on as well as a stone floor ; but being exposed to the weather and night dews, the cement b.t^came relaxed, and the squares were easily separable. It is supposed to have been the floor of a square room in some house or other building, of a circular figure, and about twenty yards in diameter. The room that had this floor was in the southern part of the structure. In the western and northern parts were several lesser rooms or cells, about ten feet in length and four broad. Some of these rooms were floored with a firm plaister of lime mortar, drawn upon pebbles fixed in lime. The sides of the floors were painted with three strait lines of a red, yellow, and.^green colour. These colours w^ere so very fresh and livdy, that when the floors were first uncovered, the strokes of the hairs of the painting brush were plainly visible. In these apartments were found various fragments of antique earthern vessels. One appeared to have been part of a patera^ aud the other were the remains 106 HOLDENBY. of urns. There was also found an antique hammer head. It is conjectured this building was the mauor*- house of some eminent Roman, and that some of hi« family had been buried in it. . The church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, consists of a body, north and south aisles, south porch, and chancel, leaded. At the west end is a low plain coped tower, in which are four bells. Round the tenor is inscribed, in Gothic capitals: Thomas Morgan gave mee to the church of Hey for d^ frank and free. Mr. William Bliss, late of Southwark, wine- cooper, born in this parish, founded here a free- school, and endowed with a salary of about ^15 a year, the school is free for the children of Upper and Nether-Heyford, and for all of the name of Bliss within five miles. HOLDENBY. Holdenby is about six miles from Northampton, and hath Church- Brampton on the ea^t, Spratton, from which it is divided by a small brook, on the north, on the west East-Haddon, and Althorp and Ilarlestone on the south. In Doomsday-book it is written Aldenesh', in later records Haldenby, and in common |;ron-.iiciation now called Ilolmby. ^y HOLDENBV. lOT a surrey of the Lordship, made in 1587, it contained seventeen hundred and eighty-nine acres ; of which six hundred and six were laid out in the park, site of the manor-house, gardens, orchards, and pastures about it. Holdenby is famous for its ancient maMor"" house, a very noble and magnificent structure, built In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by Sir Christopher Hatton, as he himself expressed it, for the last and greatest monument of his youth. Some idea may be formed of the beauty and magnificence of this build- ing, by the following description of it, given by Norden : " In the hall thare are raised three pera- mides, very high, standing insteade of a shryne, the midst whearof ascendeth into the roofe of the hall^ the other two equal with the syde walls of same hall, on which are depainted the armes of all the gentle- men of the same shire, and of all the noblemen of this land. The situation of the same house is very pleasantlie contrived, mountinge on a hill environed with most ample and large fields and goodly pastures, manie young groves newly planted, both pleasant and profitable ; fishe-ponds well replenished, a park adjoyinge of fallow deare, with a large warren of conyes, not farr from the house, lying between East-Haddon and Long-Bugbye. Aboute the house are greate stores of hares-^ and above the rest is 108 HOLDENBY. especially to be noated, with what indiist rye and toyle of man, the garden hath been raised, levelled^ and formed out of a most craggey and unprofitable grounde, now framed a most pleasante, sweete and princely place, with divers walks, manie ascendings and descendings, replenished also with manie de- lightful trees of fruite, artificially composed arbors, and a destilling-hou?e on the west end of the same garden, over which is a ponde of water, brought by conduit pypes out of the fej Id adjoyninge on the west, a quarter of a myle from the same house. To con- c-ucle, the state of the same house is such, and so beautifull, that it may well delight a prince." This fine edifice afterwards devolved to the crown, and was for sometime a palace, and after- wards a prison for the unfortunate monarch Charles the First, in the year 1646 ; from whence, after a confinement of some months, he was forcibly carried away to the army. Whilst he remained here, he went often to Lord Vaux's, at Boughton, and amused himself with the exercise of bowling. Of this structure, which we apprehend was demolished by order of the parliament after the death of the king, only some gateways, and fragments of the pyramids are now remaining. The front of the house appears^ HORTON. 109 to hare been to the east, and the gardens to have ran southward down the hill. The church is dedicated to All Saints, and consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded. At the west end is a low embattled tower, in which were formerly five bells, but now only two* The church is divided from the chancel by a carved screen, of very good workmanship. On each side of the chancel are six stalls, like those of a collegiate church. The front is an octagon, with a coat of arms painted on each side. In the west window of the south aisle, is some painted glass, removed from the east w indow* HORTON. Horton is a small pleasant village, about seven miles from Northampton, bounded on the east by Raven* Stone, in the county of Buckingham, on the north by Brayfield, on the west by Hackleton, and Pid- dington, and on the south-west by Hartwell. Sir Robert Gunning, Bart, has here a very neat seat and gardens. This house is a large structure, with a fine front towards the east ; it is seated in a park, abounding with noble forest trees, and en- livened with a broad piece of water. This estate has been successively possessed by the Saiisburys, ilC HORTON. Parrs, Lanes^ and Montagues^ from whom it de* scended to the Earl of Halifax, who was succeeded hy Lord Hiiichingbroke^ and he by the present pro- prietor. . The church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, consists of a body, south aisle, and chancel, leaded. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which are three bells. This church was repaired by the Earl of Halifax ; and is now handsomely pewed with oak, and paved with free-stone. The chancel is divided from the body of the church by a wainscot screen^ supported by fluted pilasters of the Ionic order. This church contains several fine old monuments^ erected to the memory of different families, viz. :— Within the rails of the altar, on a large grey mar- ble, lying upon the ground are three figures in brass; in the midst is a man in armour, with a sword hang- ing before him, and on each side of him a woman, iii^ the habit of the times, viz. : in strait bodices, with sleeves coming down, and covering the back of their hands to their fingers ; their gowns long and covering their feet, and laced one-third part from the bottom upwards : their head-dresses falling back upon their shoulders, like a short hood, with a cap behind, like the crown of a hat, with a girdle buckled at the wastcj and the end of it falling to the ground* HORTON, 111 Under the man's feet is a dog, and below is this inscription : — Prate pro Animahus Rogeri Salusbury Armigeri et Emme ac Anne uxorum ejus qui quidem Rogerus ^biU penultima die mensis Decembris Anno Domini Millesimo CCCGLXXXXIL quorum animabus pro- picietur Deus, Amen, Underneath were brasses for four children^ which are now taken away. Upon a square tomb of white marble, raised two feet six inches from the ground, are the figures of a man and a woman ; the man in his hair, with a large beard, reposing his head upon his helmet and gaunt- lets, and his feet upon a dog. The woman in a habit resembling those of the preceding monument, having a mantle clasped with a buckle, hanging down behind to her feet^ and a bracelet round her neck ; her head lying on a pillow, and supported by two angels, lying under it on another pillow. Both their hands lifted up in a posture of prayer, and round the Terge is this inscription in capitals,^ beginning at the head : — Here, lieth. Sir, William* Par. Knight, lot. Lord. par. of. Horioji. and. Lord. Chamberlene. to. the* Quines. Highness. Decesed. the. x. of. Septemb^r^ Anno. 154G. 1 12 HOUGHTON-MAGNA. Here, lieih. Marie. Dowghter, and, Coheires* of* John, SahberL Esquier, late, wif, to, Ser. William^ Par. Lord. Par, of, Hot^ton, Decesed,the,x, of July, A, 1555. On the north side, underneath, are five women^ and on the south side, five men, two of them in the habit of pilgrims^ and the other three resembling, youths in a like dress, but without the staff. : Against the south wall of the chancel, is a monu- ment of alabaster, whereon are represented in bas. relief, the portraits of a man in armour, and of a woman praying, with books upon a desk before them : behind the man are two sens, and behind the woman are four daughters, praying; with an inscription. HOUGHTON-MAGNA. Houghton-Magna, or Great-Houghton, is a plea^ sant village, about two miles from Northampton. It is bounded on the east by Houghton-Parva, on the north by the river Nine, on the west by Harding- stone, and on the south by Preston and Bray field. The church is dedicated to the Holy Virgin, and consists of a body, two aisles, and chancel, leaded. In the midst stands an embattled tower, in which are live bells. On the south side of the tower is a HOUGHTON" PARVA. 1 13 cnauntry chapol, and on the south side the chancel three arches formerly used for confession. The north aisle extends the wh6le lengh of the chancel. HOUGHTON-PARVA. Houghton-Parva, or Little Houghton^ is about one rnile from the former place. It is bounded on the east by Brayfield, on the north by the river Nine, and on the west and south by Houghton- Magna and Brayiield. In this parish, on the bank of the river, is ClitTord-hill. It is of a circular form, encompassed with a widq and deep ditch, raid resembles the muniment, at Towcester, named Bury-hill, but is much larger. Around the top of it was formerly, as is reported, a mound of earth, which was pared off by William Ward, Esq. with a design to use it as a bowling-green. It is supposed to have been raised as a specula or watch-hill, for observing the motions I of the enemy on the other side the Nine ; or, perhaps^ as a fortress to guard the ford, by which they usually passed the river in that part of it. There was formerly a ford below the hill, in that part of the river where it is divided into two streams ; but it became unfrequented, and at length lost, upon the building I /" 1 14 HOUGHTON-PARYA. of Billing-bridge. There is also a hill now named the Cliff, not far from Brayfield, which possibly lay ill or near the road that led down to the ford, from whence it took the name of ClijfFord. But, notwith- standing its present name, the Roman coins which have been found in paring off the hill, and in the neighbourhood, shew this to have been a Roman work. Amongst other remains of antiquity, in the north part of a furlong, called Tenyards, lying about two furlongs distant from the hill, Mr. Ward's servant, in 1717, cast up in ploughing, a gold medal, of Augustus, with a rem.arkable inscription. This hill overlooks and commands the country to a great distance on all sides, except towards the south, where other high hills interpose. The church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, con- sists of a body, south aisle, and chancel, leaded. At the west end is an antique embattled tower, in which are five bells. The tower is ornamented witit several arches, supported with small pillars. The upper end of the aisle is parted off from the rest, and is called the vicar's chancel. It appears to be the chapel which the Lord of the manor had appropriated to the use of himself and his family. Here is a school founded by oue of the family of KELMARSH. 115 Ward, for teaching eight boys of this parish, and four from Great-Houghton. The master's salary is the interest of two hundred pounds. KELMARSH Is a small Tillage, between Northampton and Market-Harborough ; bounded on the east by Harrington, on the- north by Oxendon, by Clipston on the west, and on the south by Maidwell. In this parish is Kelmarsh Hall, the seat of William Han- bury, Esq. IVI. P. It is a large mansion, consisting of a body and two wings, connected by offices. The pleasure grounds are pleasingly diversified with the contrasting effects of wood and water ; and the house contains a very fine collection of paintings and pictures. The church, dedicated to St. Dannis, consists of a I body, north aisle, and chancel, leaded ; with a square tower at the west end, containing four bells ; on which is a pyramidal spire. It contains some fine old monuments to the memory of the Hanbury family. KINGSTHORPE. Kings thorpe, in Doomsday-book named simply Thorp, is a large pleasant yilla2::% nhon^ one mile 116 RINGSTHORPE. north ©f Noi tliarapton, on the road to Leicester. It is bounded on the east by Pvloulton, on the north- by Boughton, by the river Nine on the west^ and on the south hy Northampton. In the hollow ^vay be- tween the village and Northampton, is a rivulet which, from some neighbouring inclosures, is called Wall-bank; near -svhlch are nine springs, including that which feeds the rivulet, which lie in a row within half a mile, upon the side of ti)e hill. In the town is a fine spring, named King's-weil. In this village is a \ery pleasant mansion, now* occupied by Lady Cave. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist^, consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chan- cel leaded ; with a chauntry chapel at the east end of each aisle. At the west end is a spire, raised on aa embattled tower, in which are five bells. The church and chancel are neatly pewed, the former with oak. at the expense of the late Lady Pritciiard ; who also new roofed the church, and repaired the lead-work. The church itself is a chapel (but en- joying all parochial rites) belonging to St. Peter's in Northampton ; and therefore in all taxations is rated with that church, and has always had the same incumbents. In 1671, Mrs, Mary Reyaoids. widow KINGSTHORPEc 117 -(51 the Bishop of Norwich, gave five pieces of plate^ to be used at the celebration of the Holy Communion. In this church was formerly a chauntry, founded in the eleventh year of Edward I V, by John Bacon, and from him called Bacon's chauntry, to the intent that a priest might sing for ever at our Lady's altar. There are also some curious old monuments erected to the memory of different families ; and various sums of money have been left hy individuals, to the poor of this parish. At a small distance from the tow n, on the east side of the road which leads from Northampton, formerly stood an hospital, which v/as called the hospital of the Holy Trinity. It was founded in the year 1200, the second of King John, at the request of Peter the son of Adam de Northampton, ^nd Henry the son of Peter, rector of Kingsthorpe, with the consent of the prior and convent of St, Andrew, in Northampton, who were at that tim ) impropriators of the parish, and gave the house and ground belonging to it* It consisted principally of one large body, containing three rows of beds, for the use of the poor, the sick and the stranger ; with two chapels adjoining. It was under the direction of cne master^ procurator, or prior, and two chaplains unless one of these chaplains was 1 3 118 KISLINGBURY chosen procurator, and six assistants ; the right of visitation being reserved to the conyent^ in conjunc- tion with the abbot of Sulby. Here is a very pleasant bowling-green^ muck resorted to in summer. KISLINGBURY, Is about five miles from Northampton, lying oa the southern bank of the river Nine, and bounded on the east by Upton, on the north by Ilarpole, by Upper Ileyford on the west, and on the south by Bugbrook and Rothersthorpe. Over the Nine is a bridge with a breast wall. On a cottage in the tow n, is a stone about four feet six inches from the ground, upon which is inscribed : — Mai/ Jlood so high,, 1636. The church, dedicated to St. Luke, consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded. At the west, on an embattled tower, is a spire steeple of eight sides. In the tower are five bells, cast in 1659. LAMPORT A pleasant village, on the road from North- ampton to Ilarborough, about eight miles from the former place, is bounded on the cast by Faxton, by LAMPORT. US Maidwell on the nortli, by Cottesbrook on the v. est^ and on the south by Brixworth. Sir Justinian Isham, Bart, the present owner of the estate, has here an elegant seat, which has been in the possession of the family from the close of the sixteenth century. The front of the house, towards the Toad, was designed by John Webb, son-in-law of Inigo Jones. The church, dedicated to All Saints, consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, covered with lead. At the west end is a low embattled tower, in which are four bells. On the north side the church is a chapel, or burial place, for the Ishams, 'abounding with numerous elegant monuments. In this parish is the small chapelry of Faxton, the church of which contains a fine monument to the memory of Sir Augustine Nicholes : it is composed of b'a k and white murble, with an effigy, representing him in his judges robes, kneeling before a desk, on which is placed a book ; and on the right is a statie of justice, and on the left another of wisdom. MAIDWELL Is a pleasant Tillage about nine miles from Northampton, in v. hich pace is the scat of W. Bailer. E'hlcb he had NASEBY« 125 gained by his valour. Having pursued the enemy about a quarter of a mile, and detached some troops^ to prevent their rallying, he turned back on the King's infantry and threw them into the utmost con- fusion. One regiment alone preserved its order un- broken, though twice desperately assailed by Fairfax; I and that general, excited by so steady a resistance, ordered I>oyley, th€ captain of his life-guard, to give I them a third charge in front, while he himself at- tacked them in the rear. The regiment was broken, I Fairfax, with his own hands, killed an ensign and I having seized the colours, gave them to a soldier to keep for him. The soldier afterwards boasting that he had won this trophy, was reproved by Doyley, rwlio had seen the action. '^ het him retain tnat I honour," said Fairfax, " I have to day acquired enough besides !" Prince Rupert, sensible too late of his error, left the fruitless attack on the enemy's artillery and joined the King, whose infantry was now totally discomfited. The King exhorted his body of cavalry not to despair, and cried aloud to them, ^' One charge more, and we recover the day." But the disadvantages under which they laboured were too evident and they could not be induced to renew the combat. Charles was obliged to quit the fields and leave the victory to the enemy. 126 NASEBY. His Majesty's forces in inarching and counter-' marching wore very much embarrassed by the bushes in Clipston and Naseby fields ; and Prince Rupert, in retreating from the enemy's cannon^ along the hedges of Sulby inclosure, on the west side of the field of battle, was severely galled hy Okey's dragooQS, who had lined those hedges, but he came too late to retrieve the confused state of the King's army. The left wing being thus broken and disordered, the army retreated towards Leices- ter ; the conquerors fiercely pursuing them, taking in Clipston field oi.e of the King's coaches, and killing, besides many men, several women of genteel figure, whose coaches were over- turned in their hasty flight. The slain, on the side of the Parliament, exceeded those on the side of the King; they lost above 1000 men, he not more than 800. But Fairfax made above 500 officers prisoners, and 4000 private men ; took all the King's artillery and ammunition, and totally dispersed his infantry, so that scarce any victory could be more complete than that which he obtained. The field of Naseby retains no marks of the fight at present, except a few holes, where it is supposed the men and horses were promiscuously buried. In one of the rooms of an inn near the spot, used to be OVERSTONE, 127 a series of pictures^ representing the manauvres of both armies on that perilous day. They served to impress the mind of the traveller with the particulars of this memorable battle. The church is dedicated to All Saints, and consists of a body, two aisles, and a chancel, leaded. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which are five bells, with a pyramidal spire, of M'hich the lower part is only now standing. Mrs. Dorothy Ashby gave ^10 to purchace a communion chalice and paten. OVERSTONE is a small village, about five miles from North- ampton; bounded by Mear's-Ashby, Moulton, and I Great Billing.— In this village is Overstone Hall, the seat of J. Kipling, Esq. its present possessor, who ^ purchased it of the late Lord Brownlow. It is a very handsome building, bounded by a beautiful park, and ornamented with some fine pieces of water. A new and very neat church has been lately built here, at the sole expense of Mr. Kipling ; it was finished in the year 1804; in the chancel is a handsome ; painted window, on which is inscribed; — Dua rcdit nescilil lioram. MDCCCIF, Ig8 J^IDDINGTO.N, PIDDINGTON Is a snml village about live miles from North'' aaiptoii ; in Doomsday-book named Pidentone. It is bounded on the east by Horton, on the south hy Preston, and on the west and south by Quinton. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, consists of a body, north and south aisles, leaded, chancel and south porch, tiled. At the west end is a low spire, raised on an octogonal turret, in ^vhch are six bells. PITSFORD Is a pleasant village about five miles north of Northampton ; in Doomsday-book named Pidesford and Pitesford. It is bounded on the east by Moulton, by Brixworth on the north, on the west hy Chapel-Brampton, and on the south by Boughton. Its situation is dry and sandy, yet remarkably abound- ing with springs. According to Mr. Morton, here are not less than three hundred, with five and twenty small rills issuing from little valleys, which open into larger, with several springs upon the sides of them. In this parish is a sepulchral tumulus, known by the name of Longman's-hiil ; and on a heath near the village is a small encampment^ called Barrow ; PRESTON. 129 Dykes, the circumvallatioa of which was anciently of a square form ; but only two sides remain, one of which is about 80 yards in length. In this parish is Pitsford Hall, a good modern building, consisting of a centre and two wings ; it is at present, and has I been for some years, occupied by Colonel Corbet. ' The church, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, j consists of a body, north and south aisles, and I chancel, leaded, with a porch on the south side^ tiled. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which are five bells ; the first was cast in 1632^ and ' the other four in 1698. PRESTON Is a very small village, about four miles south of Northampton, commonly called Preston-Deanery from its having given name to the Deanery of Pres- ton in the ecclesiastical division of the county. In this parish, adjoining to Salcey forest, is a wood called Preston Park, where was formerly an ancient manor-house, the residence of the families of Hart- well, and Edmonds, which has been long since de- molished ; but ther i is a small neat mansion, now in the occupation of Charles Newman, Esq. Sir Clement Edmonds, who purchased the manor pf Preston of the family of Ilartwell, was the son of H 130 PRESTON. Sir Thomas Edmondsj comptroller of the household to Queen Elizabeth. He was born in Shropshire, and educated in All SonPs College, Oxford, of which he v/as elected fellow in 1590. In the reign of James I, he was chosen member of parliament for the University. He was a person of general learning, and of good judgment in literary and political affairs. The church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, consists of a body, leaded, and chancel, tiled. At the west end is an embattled tower, in which is one bell. The old register is lost, and that now in use begins in 1678. In the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James, this church lay in a very ruinous condition; Jasper Hartwell, and Sir Robert Hart- well his son, having, as it is said, sold the lead and bells, pulled down the body, and converted it to a profane use. It was afterwards repaired by Charles Edmonds, Esq. "Within this church was formerly a chauntry chapel of St. Saviour, and an altar to the honour of St. Edmond. Both these were on the south side of the chancel. This church, which is very small, contains a num« her of neat and ancient monuments, principally to the memory of the family of Edmonds ; and a very QUINTON. 131 handsome one has lately been erected hy Mr. Newman^ to the memory of his son, who was unfor- tunately shipwrecked on Christmas eve, 181 1, in- scribed as follows ; — READER, Within these consecrated Walls, This Marble Tablet (With Tribute that is due) Is inscribed to the Memory of JAMES NEWMAN NEWMAN, Esq. of the Royal Nav*|r;. Captain of his Majesty's Ship " Hero," Of seventy-four Guns, Wrecked on the XXIV Dec. MDCCCXI, Upon the Hoak Sands, off the Texel Islands, And every Soul on Board perished ! ! He was the Son of Charles Newman, Esq. Of Preston-Deanery, in the County of Northampton, And of Esther his wife, who was Niece of the late Sir John Langham, Bart, of the same County. He has left an aged Father to lament the loss of a beloved Son, In the prime of Life ; An affectionate W^ife to bewail the Death Of an excellent Husband ; And his Country to reg-ret as they reg-ard The loss of a good and gallant Officer. ile was a Man amiable in the highest degree in Disposition, And estimable in every Relation of Life. QUINTON Is ahoiit four miles from Northampton, bounded on ihc ca:^l bv Preston and Piddlnoton. on the north 132 RAVENSTHORPE. hy Wootton, on the west by Conrtenhall, and on the south by Hartweli and Salcey Forest. The church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, consists of a body, south porch, and chancel, tiled ; but contains nothing worthy of notice. RAVENSTHORPE. Ravensthorpe has Spratton on the east, Guilsbo- rough north, West-IIaddon on the west, and on the south, East-Haddon. A brook which rises in this iield, called interchangeably Ravensthorpe and Had- don-brook, divides it from West-Haddon, bounds the lordship on the south, and joins another stream which flows to Northampton* = The church, dedicated to St. Dionis, or Dennis, consists of a body, north and south aisles, chancel, and south porch, leaded. At the west end is a tower steeple, in wliicli are five bells, cast by Mr. Briant, of Ileitfoid, hung by Mr. J. Over, of Rugby, and opened in June, 1810. RODE Is about five miles from Northampton, on a rocky ground, and lying low it is well supplied with springs. It is bounded on the east by Ashton and Hartweli, on the north by CourtenhalU on the ROTHERStHORPE. 1 S3 west by Stoke-Bruerne and Blisworlh^ and on the south by Ashton. The churchy dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, con- sists of a body, leaded, and chancel, tiled, with a porch on the south side, leaded. In the middle stands a broad embattled tower, on which is a pyra- mid, covered with lead. In this tower are four bells. The porch and tower have marks of very ancient workmanship. The annual sum of three pounds, arising from lands in this parish, long since given by an unknown person, and vested in certain feoffees, is reserved as a stock for the service of such of the inhabitants as fall into any accidental misfortune. ROTIIERSTIIORPE. Rothersthorpe, in Doomsday-book named simply Thorp, and in some later records Rerestrop and Reresthorp, and now generally cstlled Thorp, is bounded on the east by Milton and Woottcn, by Kislingbury on the north, on the west by Bugbrook, and by Gayton on the south. A small portion of ground, amounting to about four acres, which is entrenched round, is supposed to have been aa aRcicnt fortification. It is now called the Berry. The rhi^rch, dedicated to St. Pe'cr and St. Paul, k3 134 SPRATT©N. consists of a body, with two aisles, and chance^ leaded. At the west endisatower, covered with lead, in which are four bells. SPRATTON Is a pleasant village, about seven miles from North- ampton ; in Doomsday-book Spretone and Sprotone. It is bounded on the east by Brixworth, on the north by Creaton, on the west by Teeton, and on the south by Chapel-Brarapton. There are in this parish nine hills, distinguished by name, with two rocks, affording a very different kind of stone, but both very useful for building. It is v/ell watered with springs, one of which, named Moor's well, is medicinal. It is divided from Teeton and Brixworth by two brooks, v.'hich, meeting in the common field, at a plase called Asplin's-hook, form one current, and pass on from thence to the Nine. — Here is a good mansioii-house, at present the seat of Lord Viscount Alihorp. The church, dedicated to St. Luke, consists of a body, north and south aisles, chancel, and north and south porches, all leaded. At the west end is a pyramidal steeple of eight sides, in which are five bells, bearing date in 16S5 In the south aisle is a STOWE. 135 Tacant place, where formerly stood the statue of St. Luke. In a burying place, or chauntry chapel, on the north side of the church, and repaired at the expense of Mr. Chapman, of Newbottle, are two altar monu- ments, supposed to be raised for Sir John Swinsford and his wife. Upon one of them lies the figure of a knight in white marble, with the letters I.S. marked in several places of the girdle. At his feet lies a wild boar, which is also expressed in several es- cutcheons round the monument. STOWE Is a very pleasant village, about nine miles from Northampton. This parish is called Stowe with the nine churches, from nine churches to which the lord of the manor had a right of presentation. It is divided into two towns, the one called Church Stowe and Great Stowe, and the other Little Stowe. There was here a seat, the manor house, which now belongs to the corporation of Clergymen's Sons. There is also a house, very pleasantly situated, occupied by the Rev. Mr. Crawley. Stowe has many very delightful and extensive prospects. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, consists of a body, two aisles, and a chancel, embattled and 136 UPTON, leaded. The aisles extend the whole length of the chancel which is divided from the church by an arch formed bj two large pillars. On the south side is a small porch, covered with lead. The steeple is built with a tower, in v» hich are four bells. In the church are a number of most beautiful monuments, particularly one to the memory of the Hon. Lady Elizabeth, fourth daughter and coheir of John Latimer, by the Lady Lucy Somerset, daughter of Henry Earl of Worcester. It is of an altar form, of curious black and white marble, and elegant workmanship. At the top lies a woman richly clad, on a pillow ; at her feet is a griffin. This monument contains various inscrip- tions. It was erected by the lady in her life-time^ as may be inffe'rred from a memorandum in the parish register. Against the north wall of the chancel is another elegant monument to the memory of Dr. Turner. UPTON, Is a very small village, about two miles west of Northampton, bounded on the east by Daston, on the north by Ilarlestone, on the west by Ilarpole, and on the south divided from Rothersthorpe by the river Nine. Here is a good mansion, the seat of WEEDON. 137 T. S. W. Samweli, Esq. who has greatly improred the house and grounds. It is a large building, of brick and stone, partly ancient and partly modern, pleasantly situated, commanding a fine vie\r to the south, and contains some good apartments, in which are many family and other portraits. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, consists of a body and chancel, tiled. On the south side is a porch covered with stone, and at the west end a plain coped tower, with three bells in it. The church contains several monuments to the memory of the Knightly and Samwell families. WEEDON. About eight niiles from Northampton is the village of Weedon-Beck, formerly called (Jhurch-Weedon, and now generally called Weedon-Royal on account of the barracks and depot erected there within these few years. It has Nether-Heyford on the eastj Dodford on the north, Everdon west, andStowe and Farthingstone c«i the south. The works of the depot commenced about the year 1805, and consist of barracks, originally intended for two troops of horse artillery, but are fitted up to Contain, occasionally, 500 infantry ; they are plain strong buildings of brick, erected in the form of a 138 WEEDON. square. Near them is a neat Hospital. Upon au eminence near the barracks is situated a truly elegant dwelling-house, built of white brick/consisting of a large building and two corresponding wings, for the officers of the ordnance department, which alone arc said to have been erected at the expense of ^18,000. The store-houses, eight in number, are built four on each bank of an arm of the Grand Junction Canal (which runs by this place) with a proportionate number of work-shops for the artificers. The upper rooms of these store-houses are capable of containing, and fitted up for 200,000 stand of small arms, which are under the charge of a store-keeper. The lower rooms are appropriated for field artillery, and have in them at this time twenty-four brigades of six guns each, with all the necessary stores, ready to be issued for service at the shortest notice ; and are under the care of a field-train-commissary. At the extremity of the branch of the canal, in an inclosed square, completely detached from the other build- ings, are situated four magazines for powder, one of which contains nearly 70,000 rounds of ammunition for the field pieces ; the other three are adapted for powder and small arms ammunition, and when filled will contain about 5,000 barrels each. Alter- nately is a magazine and traverse^ of equal magnitudo^ WEEDON. 139 with each other, filled with earth, to prevent exten- sion of damage in case of explosion. The town is in a state of enlargement and im- provement, and contains several neat private dwell- ing-houses, as well as some uniform buildings, lately erected, for the residence of the officers, &c. of the depot. — The quantity of land purchased by Govern- ment for the depot is nearlj^ 170 acres. There are six small hills in this village, distin- guished by name : one of which, called Whitewell- hill, affords a view of twenty spire steeples at once. Though no remains of Roman antiquity are now to be met with at Weedou, there is no doubt of its having been anciently a Roman station ; as there are abundance of stations, and especially in the west of England, where the slightest traces of their having been such, are not now to be found. And it is cer- tain that it was the chief seat of Wulphere, King of the Mercians. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, consists .of a body, two aisles, chancel, and a porch on the south side, leaded. The steeple is built with a tower^ in which are five bells, besides the saint's bell. The church contains some plain monuments, and there have been several sums of money left by dif- ferent persons, to charitable purposes. 140 WESTON-FATEL. WESTON-FAVEL. About two miles from Northampton, tlie distance of an agreeable walk, is the pleasant little Tillage of Weston-Favel, which once boasted of three man- sion-houses, belonging to the families of the Ekins, Holman, and Hervey, all of which are gone to decay. In this village lived and died the pious and learned James Hervey, author of the Meditations and other works. — He was instructed in the free grammar- school, at Northampton, where he made great pro- gress in his studies, and in the year 1731, he wa« entered a student of Lincoln College, Oxford, where he took only the degree of bachelor of arts, and en- tered into holy orders. Being of a serious turn of mind, and filled with a deep sense of religion, he associated with pious people of every denomination, and his natural sweetness of temper recommended him to all who knew him. He did not, however, obtain any higher preferment than the curacy of Biddeford, till the death of his father, the Rev. Mr. S. Hervey, when he went to Cambridge and took his degree of Master of Arts, and entered on the family livings of Weston-Favel and Collingtree, near Northampton, of the annual value of ^180. — lie discharged his duties as a minister of the gospel, in such a manner as would have done honour to one WESTON-FAVEL. 141 of the primitive fathers ; and his compassion to those in distress, will be long remembered by many persons, besides those of his parish. His health gradually declining, he fell into a lingering consumption, and died on Christmas day, in the year 1758. Besides his Meditations among the Tombs, he also wrote Reflections on a Flower Garden ; a Descant on Creation ; Contemplations on the Night and Starry Heavens ; Theron and Aspasio, &c. The profits arising from the sale of his works, together Ivith the principal part of his income, he converted, whilst living, to the use of the distressed. The church of Weston (dedicated to St. Peter) is a very small building, consisting merely of a body and chancel, with a coped tower, containing five bells. The register begins 1549. The interior of it is plain and unadorned* There are no stately monuments to attract the notice of the curious. The only thing to recom- mend it to the attention is, that within these walls the pious and charitable Hervey exercised his ministry, and that here his remains are deposited till the resurrection of the just. Near the communion table, w ithin the rails of the altar, is a stone, void of decoration, on which is the following inscription ; — 142 WESTON- F A VEL. Here lie the Remains of the Rev. James Hervey, A. M^ Late Rector of this Parish, That very pious Man And much admired Author, Who died Dec. 25th, 1738. In the 45lh Year of his age. Reader expect no more to make him kno\rn. Vain the fond elegy and figured stone, A name more lasting- shall his writings give. There view displayed his heavenly soul and live. Sir John Holman, neatly wainscoted the chancel •wi^^h oak. Over the altar is represented the Passover in needlework, by his lady ; above it is inscribed : Gloria Deo^ and below it Weston-Favel^ December^ 1698. Her maiden name was Jane Fawtry, and herself of Dutch extraction. Sir John was younger brother to George Holman, Esq. of Warksworth. His lady, by her will, left a close in this parish, called Furze close, to the use of the minister and the poor. It was usually set for about £7 per annum, whereof the minister has 20s. for preaching and administering the sacrament on Good Friday, and the rest is dis- tributed the same day among the poor. Mrs. Ekins, erected a school for the teaching a certain number of poor children to write and read, and settled a stipend oi £b per annum on the master. And further, in pursuance of i\\Q charitable iucH- WHISTON. 143 nations of Gertrude, her daughter, she had made a settlement of £7 a year, for the putting out one apprentice; of 16s. to the minister, for preaching yearly, on the thirtieth of November; and of a certain quantity of bread, to be then distributed among the poorest of the people. Mr. Robert Travel!, clerk, gave the interest of ^^0 to be divided between the poor on St. Thomas's* day. WHISTON Is a pleasant village, about six miles from Northampton. It was formerly named Wicetone^ Wicentone, and Wichington ; and is bounded on the east by Castle-Ashby and Grendon, on the north by Earl's- Barton, from which it is divided by the river Nine, on the west by Cogenho, and on the j south by Brayfield, Cogenho, and Denton. Within the limits of this parish is Place-house, now a car- penter's shop, but formerly a considerable mansion. There is a tradition in the neighbourhood that it was a seat of Kinsj John. Part of the stone was carried away to build the manor-house at Ecton. Whiston is entitled to particular notice for its elegant and uniform church (dedicated to the Blessed 144 WHISTON. Virgin) which stands proudly elevated on the brow of a hill, embosonied in treesj and completely de- tached from any other buildings. It consists of a jiave, two aisles, chancel, and western tower, the whole of Yvhich is built in one uniform style. The tower is handsome, and appropriately decorated with panelling, graduated buttresses, windows with tracery, and clustered pinnacles of four at each angle, with crockets, &c. In the third tier are the arms of Henry VIII, beneath a double arched win- dowj with a square head. The nave is divided from the aisles by four arches, on each side, supported by clustered columns, with panelling, tracery, and shields in the spandrils ; the south porch is similarly ornamented. Some interesting monuments are pre- served within this shell of fine architecture. Bridges appears to have discoversd an inscription among the fragments of painted glass in the windows, which states that the church was erected by Anthony Catesby, Esq. lord of the manor, Isabel, his wife, and John, their son, in the year 1534. This was a time when church architecture was approaching its dissolution ; but this building does not display any marks of it, for the whole is in the true and almost best style of the Tudor age. WHISTON. 145 The pillars ^nd arches that support the nave are smallj but particularly beautiful ; over them, in the body of the church, is cut on the woodj> Grase be hower Gyde ; and against each of the pillars is an angel, holding an open book. Upon a mural monument of marble, on the north side of the chancel, between two pillars of veined marble of the Ionic order, are the bustos of a man and woman, standing on a short pedestal. Under- neath, on a square, in basso relievo, are tw^o young women, the one kneeling, with her hands lifted up, and the other kneeling, with one hand upon her breast, and a book open in the ather. Behind the first is a girl, with her hands lifted up, and a boy, holding a death's head, leaning on an infant in swadling clothes. Behind the two bustos is a long inscription, on black marble, to the memory of Sir John Catesby and eight of his succeeding heirs. Over this monument is an escutcheon with the arms of Catesby impaling Samw^ell, w ith the crest of Gatesby. Against the north wall of the chancel, upon a monument of marble (erected 1810) is the following inscription : — 146 WOOTTON. Sacred to the Memory of The Hon. Edward Methuen Irby, Sixth Son of Frederick and Christian, Lord and Lady Boston, An Ensign in the 3d Regt. of Foot Guards. He was born March -21st, 17SS : He was killed at the battle of Talavera, July 28th, 1809. on the day of the splendid victory gained by The British Arms. As a son he was most exemplary and dutiful ; Asa brother kind and affectionate ; As a friend sincere and faithful ; To his God and King-, fnost true ; In his form graceful and elegant ; In manners courteous and engaging ; attached to, and Indefatigable in his profession: By his Regiment universally beloved, and as deeply lamented^ His conduct was such As to obtain the high approbation of His Sovereign To whom he had formerly been one of the Pages of Honour. He was buri.^d with his brave companiops Who fell in the field of battle. WOOTTON Is about three miles south of Northampton, in Doomsday-book called Wetone and Witone. It is bounded on the cast and north by Preston and Ilardingstone, on the west by Rothersthorpe, and on the south by Milton, Collingtree, Courtenhall, and Quinton, from all which lordships it is divided by a small brook, over wbiclu in the road from WOOTTON. 147 Northampton to Stony-Stratford, is a bridge of two arches, commonly called Wootton-bridge, but re- paired by the inhabitants of Courtenhall, it being within that parish. In 16455 ^^^ Parliament army, in their march from Stony-Stratford, under the command of Fairfax, encamped, on the eleventh of June, in Wootton field, from whence they proceeded the next day to Kislingbury, and thence to Guils- borough and Naseby, where the battle was fought on the fourteenth of the same month The church, dedicated to St. George the Martyr, consists of a body, north and south aisles, leaded, and chancel, tiled. At the west end of each aisle is a chauntry chapel, and on the south side of the chancel, two arches, formerly used for confession. At the west end of the church is an embattled tower, in which are five bells. The register bears date in 1582. Jeremiah Stephens, who succeeded to this rectory about 1626, and who was educated in Brazen-Nose college, Oxford, was in 1642, troubled by a per- son, who under sanction of the Parliament com- mittee, defrauded him of his tythe's ; and in 1641, was formally sequestered from, his living. Tne witnesses produced against him were persons of the most infamous characters, and his judges remarkable l2 148 YARDLEY-HASTINGS. for their ignorance. Mr. Stephens, in his defence before the Commissioners, citing a passage from Bracton, was reprehended for the affront, in using a language, wliich they said, they did not understand. His cause was afterwards re-heard before the Com- mittee in London, where Mr. Seldon appeared in his behalf, and gave testimony to his learning and morals, without success. . Besides the loss of his benefice, he was plundered and imprisoned ; but, outliving his sufferings, he was restored, on the re- turn of the King, to his former preferments, and presented to a prebend in the church of Salisbury. lie was author of several books. — There is a mo- nument in this church to his memory. John Langford, by will, bearing date the 28th of April, 1658, bequeathed to the poor of this parish 30s. yearly, for ever, and to the rector 10s. for a sermon to be preached on Tuesday in Whitsuix* week. YARDLEYJIASTLNGS Is a village about eight miles from Northampton, situate low, upon a clay, bounded on the east by Bozeat, north by Easton-Maudit, on the west by Ashby and Denton, and on the south by Olney, in BuckingharAshire. In the Confxueror's time it was YARDLEY-HASTING^. 149^' called Gerdelai, in later records Jerdele ; and took the addition of Hastings from the family of Hastings, Earls of Pembroke, who were afterwards possessed of it. Northward of the church is the old manor- house, now in ruins; but it appears from the re- mains of arches, with door-cases and window- I frames of stone, to be of great antiquity. Yardley- , Hastings is famous for its noble chace, which consists I of one and twenty coppices, abounding with fine ' timber, and well stocked with deer. Three coppices j are in Denton, and a small part in the parish of ' Castle-Ashby. The whole belongs to the Marquis of Northampton. Here is a fair on Tuesday in Whitsun-week, kept within a close adjoining to the I old manor-house. In the 20th year of Henry VIII, died Sir William Compton, Knight, possessed of this manor, park^ and chace, and advowson of the church, with forty messuages, forty tofts, one thousand acres of arable la^id, one thousand acres of meadow, one thousand acres of pasture, and two thousand acres of wood. His successor was Peter Compton, Esq. his son, a minor six years old, from this Gentleman they descended to James, Earl of Northampton, his lineal heir, and from him to the present possessor of the manor. 150 YARDLEY-HASTINGS. Ralph dc Jerdele, an hermit, had a yearly allow* ance of three quarters of wheat out of this manor ; which, on the death of Henry de Hastings, in the thirty fourth of Henry III, was paid during the minority of his heir, out of the manor of AUesley, in Warwickshire. Tiie church, dedicated to St. Andrew, consists of a body, north and south aisles, and chancel, leaded ; the south aisle is embattled ; and at the west end is a tower, containing six bells. The lower part of the north aisle is separated from the rest of the church, and made use of as a school- house. The register begins in 1558. The church has been lately repaired and new pewed, and a small organ given by the Rev. Mr. Rooke. In 1665, from the fifth of June to the third of January following inclusive, sixty persons died of the plague in this village. About three miles from Yardley stands Yardley Oak, supposed to be more than 700 years old ; 22 feet, 6^ inches in circumference, the property of the Marquis of Northampton. In a description of this oak, given by the cele- brated poet, W. Cow per, Esq. of Weston- Under^ wocd^ are the following beautiful Lines : — YARDLEY-HASTINGS, 151 ^iine made thee what thou wert— King of the woods I And time hath made thee what thou art— a cave For owls to roost in ! Once thy spreading boughs O'erhnng the champaign, and the numerous flock That graz'd it, stood beneath that ample cope Uncrouded, yet safe sheltered from the storm. Time was, when sett'ling oh thy leaf, a fly Could shake thee to the root, and time has been When tempests could not. At thy firmest age Thou hadst within thy bole solid contents. That might have ribb'd the sides and plank'd the deck Of some flagg'd admiral, and tortuous arms, The shipwright's darling treasure, didst present To the four quarter'd winds robust and bold, Warp'd into tough knee timber, many a load ! Thus to time The task was left to whittle thee away. With his sly scythe, whose ever-nibbling edge, Noiseless, an atom and an atom more, Disjoining from the rest, has, unobserved, Achieved a labour, which had far and wide (B> man perform'd) made all the forest ring. I Emboweird now, and of thy ancient self Possessing nought, but the scooped rind, that seems An huge throat, calling to the clouds for drink, Which it would give in rivulets to thy root. F. Cordeux, Printer, Northampton '"4 LEJa'07 ^^'r -? ■