Weight: 1264 lbs Diameter: 39.25" Bell 1 of 4
Founded by William Chamberlain
Dove Bell ID: 2539 Tower ID: 14358 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Fawsley: St Mary the Virgin
Overview
Grid reference: SP 565 567
A romantic church that stands alone, shorn of its former medieval village, looking out across the Capability Brown landscape of 1760’s toward Fawsley Hall, the seat of the Knightly family and now a country hotel. The church pre-dates the Tudor Hall by perhaps two centuries but owes its distinction to the Knightly family who improved it from the 16th to the 20th century. Crossing the field you find the church separated from its landscape by a Ha-Ha crossed by the tiniest of bridges to the tiniest of doors. Stepping in you enter a wonderfully light open space with a broad nave leading to a handsome chancel – the sort of view familiar to anyone who admires John Sell Cotman’s watercolours. Here you will find clear glass windows set with 16th /17th century Flemish roundels and Knightly heraldic glass arranged in the early 19th century – the hall itself originally contained some of the best 16th century English domestic stained glass in the country – now at the Burrell collection in Glasgow. Littering the church are tombs and monuments to the family. The most spectacular is that of Sir Richard Knightly (d. 1534) and his wife by Richard Parker of Nottingham. It retains its original paintwork over its alabaster base. Note the procession of sons and daughters along its sides. Elsewhere marble monuments and busts ending in the early 19th century with works by Westmacott and Gibson.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Open 9am-6pm daily. Parking available
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 306 m²
Interior
Bells
Weight: 553 lbs Diameter: 30.25" Bell 2 of 4
Founded by William Chamberlain
Dove Bell ID: 20864 Tower ID: 14358 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 545 lbs Diameter: 30.38" Bell 3 of 4
Founded by William Chamberlain
Dove Bell ID: 20865 Tower ID: 14358 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Weight: 935 lbs Diameter: 35.63" Bell 4 of 4
Founded by William Chamberlain
Dove Bell ID: 20866 Tower ID: 14358 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SP 565 567
Burial and War Grave Information
The church/building is consecrated.
The churchyard has been used for burial.
The churchyard is used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has war graves.
National Heritage record for England designations
There are no records of National Heritage assets within the curtilage of this site.
Environment
Ancient, Veteran & Notable Trees
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
There are no records of Ancient, Veteran or Notable Trees within the curtilage of this site.
Renewables
| Renewable | Installed |
|---|---|
| Solar PV Panels | No |
| Solar Thermal Panels | No |
| Biomass | No |
| Wind Turbine | No |
| Air Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | No |
| Ev Charging | No |
Species summary
There are no records of species within the curtilage of this site.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
'Seek advice' Species
More information on species and action to be taken upon discovery.
Caring for God's Acre is a conservation charity working to support groups and individuals to investigate, care for, and enjoy the wildlife and heritage treasures found within churchyards and other burial grounds. Look on their website for information and advice and please contact their staff directly. They can help you manage this churchyard for people and wildlife.
To learn more about all the species recorded against this church, go to the Burial Ground Portal within the NBN Atlas. You can check the spread of records through the years, discovering what has been recorded and when, plus what discoveries might remain to be uncovered.
Further information
Sources
Showing 6 entries of 6 View All
Submit a change
If you notice something incorrect or missing, please explain it in the form below and submit it to our team for review.