All Saints' Church, Naseby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids All Saints' Church, Naseby |
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| 52°23′49″N 0°59′20″W / 52.39688°N 0.98895°W | |
| Denomination | Church of England |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Naseby |
| Deanery | Brixworth |
| Archdeaconry | Northampton |
| Diocese | Peterborough |
| Province | Canterbury |
All Saints' Church is a historic church in Naseby, Northamptonshire, England. It's an Anglican Church, meaning it belongs to the Church of England. This special building is also a 'Grade II* listed building', which means it's very important and protected for its history and beauty.
Contents
A Glimpse into History
People believe there was a church in Naseby as early as 1086. This is because the Domesday Book, a very old record, mentions a priest living there. Even though the book doesn't describe a church building, it suggests one existed.
You can still see some very old Saxon stones built into the church walls today. These stones are proof that a building stood here even before the Norman Conquest. There's also an old grave slab from that time in the tower wall.
What the Church Looks Like
One of the oldest parts of the church is its font. This is a large basin used for baptisms. It's very decorative and dates back to the 12th century.
Most of the church you see today was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. It's made from local stone and has a slate roof. The church has a main area called the nave. On either side of the nave are aisles, which are like side passages. There's also a chancel, which is the part of the church near the altar. At the west end, there's a tall tower.
The south aisle and its pillars were built first, around 1220-1240. The north aisle was added later, around 1280. The upper windows, called clerestories, were put in around 1400.
The Tower and Spire
The church tower was likely built in the 14th century. For a long time, it didn't have a full spire. In the 18th century, it had a unique top: a large copper ball with a weather vane.
This copper ball has an interesting story! According to a local historian, John Mastin, it was treasure brought to England in 1544. It eventually found its way to Naseby.
A proper spire was finally added to the tower in 1859-1860. It was designed by an architect named William Slater.
Cromwell's Table
Inside the north aisle, you can find a 17th-century table. It's famously known as "Cromwell's Table." This table is said to have come from a nearby house called Shuckburgh House.
The story linked to the table is quite exciting. It's said that on the night before the famous Battle of Naseby, some of the King's soldiers were having supper at this very table. Suddenly, Oliver Cromwell's troops surprised them! Several royal soldiers were killed, and the rest were captured. After the fight, Cromwell's men supposedly sat down and finished the meal themselves!
Modern Plans
In 2013, there were plans to open a visitor and community centre inside part of the church. This would allow the Naseby Battlefield Trust to teach more people about the Battle of Naseby. It would also help the church have modern facilities while still being an active place of worship.
Church Records
The church has kept records of important events since 1563. These include baptisms, marriages, and burials. The oldest records are now stored safely at the Northamptonshire Record Office. In 1837, a very large number of baptisms were recorded in the church's register.
You can also find many memorials inside the church and in its graveyard. These include a brass plaque for John Oliyver, who died in 1446, and his wife. There's also a special tablet for Rev John Mastin, the historian.
Naseby church is part of a group of churches. This group includes churches in Clipston, Haselbech, and Kelmarsh.
