Stanford-on-Avon is in the north-west of Northamptonshire, near the Leicestershire border. Although there must once have been a village here, now there is only a handful of houses less than 100 years old, the nearby Stanford Hall, and this absolutely wonderful church which Simon Jenkins (who wrote the book, "England's Thousand Best Churches") considers this to be among the top hundred. Stanford Hall is the ancestral home of the Cave family (going back to 1430), and their descendants the Brayes, and they considered this to be their church. Their splendid monuments are to be seen throughout the church, including here in the Chancel.

The tomb on the left is that of Sir Thomas Cave and his wife Eleanor St John. It is dated 1613. The adjoining cenotaph commemorates their eldest son Richard, who died in Italy in 1606, aged 19.

The East Window is very special. The top half dates back to the reign of Edward II (1307-1327). The five panels in the lower half are somewhat later and were discovered in an old chest in Stanford Hall in 1932. But they had obviously been made to fit this window. It is thought they had been removed for safety long ago, possibly when Cromwell's Puritan soldiers were rampaging through the country after the English Civil War, destroying ornamentation in churches, including stained glass windows.

The plain altar table was used by William Laud who came to Stanford as vicar in 1607. He rose to become Archbishop of Canterbury.

Originally there was a Saxon church here, and this was replaced by a large Norman church. Then some two hundred years later in 1307 Alan de Aslaghby, who had been appointed vicar, decided to rebuild the church, retaining just the chancel from the existing Norman church, and enlarging its windows. The building of the tower was delayed by the Black Death in 1349, which killed the workmen, and it was completed later. In essence, the Grade I-listed church is a 14th century building.

Tags:   Northamptonshire Church of St Nicholas, Stanford Stanford-on-Avon 14th century churches churches Grade I-Listed buildings parish churches England's Thousand Best Churches medieval stained glass window church interiors chancels altars

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Stanford-on-Avon is in the north-west of Northamptonshire, near the Leicestershire border. Although there must once have been a village here, now there is only a handful of houses less than 100 years old, the nearby Stanford Hall, and this absolutely wonderful church which Simon Jenkins (who wrote the book, "England's Thousand Best Churches") considers to be among the top hundred. Stanford Hall is the ancestral home of the Cave family (going back to 1430), and their descendants the Brayes, and they considered this to be their church. Their splendid monuments are to be seen throughout the church.

The main aisle is wide and there are relatively few pews here. The organ stands upon an oak gallery of classical Renaissance design. It belonged to King Charles I and stood in the Chapel Royal in Whitehall Palace. After his execution it was obtained by Magdalen College, Oxford. However, it was too small for their requirements and was bought by Sir Thomas Cave in around 1650 and brought to this church.

Originally there was a Saxon church here, and this was replaced by a large Norman church. Then some two hundred years later in 1307 Alan de Aslaghby, who had been appointed vicar, decided to rebuild the church, retaining just the chancel from the existing Norman church, and enlarging its windows. The building of the tower was delayed by the Black Death in 1349, which killed the workmen, and it was completed later. In essence, the Grade I-listed church is a 14th century building.

Tags:   Northamptonshire Church of St Nicholas, Stanford Stanford-on-Avon 14th century churches churches Grade I-Listed buildings parish churches England's Thousand Best Churches

© All Rights Reserved

Stanford-on-Avon is in the north-west of Northamptonshire, near the Leicestershire border. Although there must once have been a village here, now there is only a handful of houses less than 100 years old, the nearby Stanford Hall, and this absolutely wonderful church which Simon Jenkins (who wrote the book, "England's Thousand Best Churches") considers to be among the top hundred. Stanford Hall is the ancestral home of the Cave family (going back to 1430), and their descendants the Brayes, and they considered this to be their church. Their splendid monuments are to be seen throughout the church.

As you enter the church through the South Door this monument to Sarah Baroness Braye (d. 1862) is immediately on the left. It was designed by Mary Thorneycroft and is in white marble of her asleep on a mattress with her dog at her feet. Behind is a kneeling woman, and three angels, thought to be by John Gibson.

Originally there was a Saxon church here, and this was replaced by a large Norman church. Then some two hundred years later in 1307 Alan de Aslaghby, who had been appointed vicar, decided to rebuild the church, retaining just the chancel from the existing Norman church, and enlarging its windows. The building of the tower was delayed by the Black Death in 1349, which killed the workmen, and it was completed later. In essence, the Grade I-listed church is a 14th century building.

Tags:   Northamptonshire Church of St Nicholas, Stanford Stanford-on-Avon 14th century churches churches Grade I-Listed buildings parish churches England's Thousand Best Churches

© All Rights Reserved

Stanford-on-Avon is in the north-west of Northamptonshire, near the Leicestershire border. Although there must once have been a village here, now there is only a handful of houses less than 100 years old, the nearby Stanford Hall, and this absolutely wonderful church which Simon Jenkins (who wrote the book, "England's Thousand Best Churches") considers to be among the top hundred. Stanford Hall is the ancestral home of the Cave family (going back to 1430), and their descendants the Brayes, and they considered this to be their church. Their splendid monuments are to be seen throughout the church.

The tomb in the centre of the picture is of Sir Thomas Cave and his wife Elizabeth. The date is 1558. The memorial against the north wall is that of Margaret Cave and her husband Henry Knollys, shown with their two children.

Originally there was a Saxon church here, and this was replaced by a large Norman church. Then some two hundred years later in 1307 Alan de Aslaghby, who had been appointed vicar, decided to rebuild the church, retaining just the chancel from the existing Norman church, and enlarging its windows. The nave, aisles and tower were completely rebuilt. The roof timbers in the Chancel are thought to be the original Norman ones.

Tags:   Northamptonshire Church of St Nicolas, Stanford Stanford-on-Avon church interiors 14th century churches memorials tombs Grade I-listed buildings England's Thousand Best Churches parish churches

© All Rights Reserved

Stanford-on-Avon is in the north-west of Northamptonshire, near the Leicestershire border. Although there must once have been a village here, now there is only a handful of houses less than 100 years old, the nearby Stanford Hall, and this absolutely wonderful church which Simon Jenkins (who wrote the book, "England's Thousand Best Churches") considers to be among the top hundred. Stanford Hall is the ancestral home of the Cave family (going back to 1430), and their descendants the Brayes, and they considered this to be their church. Their splendid monuments are to be seen throughout the church.

Originally there was a Saxon church on this spot, and this was replaced by a large Norman church. Then some two hundred years later in 1307 Alan de Aslaghby, who had been appointed vicar, decided to rebuild the church, retaining just the chancel from the existing Norman church, and enlarging its windows. The building of the tower was delayed by the Black Death in 1349, which killed the workmen, and it was completed later. In essence, the Grade I-listed church is a 14th century building.

Tags:   Northamptonshire Church of St Nicholas, Stanford Stanford-on-Avon 14th century churches churches Grade I-Listed buildings parish churches England's Thousand Best Churches

© All Rights Reserved