Nominal: 781 Hz Weight: 1145 lbs Diameter: 39.5" Bell 1 of 6
Founded by Thomas Norris 1660
Dove Bell ID: 964 Tower ID: 14135 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Braunston: All Saints
Diocese of Peterborough
Church, 628079
http://www.allsaintsbraunston.org.ukOverview
Grid reference: SK 832 65
A modest medieval church surrounded by a grassy churchyard set at the centre of its settlement at the highest point, so the tower and its small spire can be seen from most approaches. Two features suggest a church has existed here from at least the early twelfth century, but most of the fabric is from the fourteenth and fifteenth century. The west tower and north aisle were rebuilt 1727-9 by George Portwood and the nave roof is also post-medieval. Three medieval features are of high significance: the c.1120 font, the c.1400 south wall paintings and the late-medieval bishop’s indent.
Visiting and facilities
Building is open for worship
Building
Ground Plan Description and Dimensions
Footprint of Church buildings: 253 m²
Description of Archaeology and History
This essentially medieval church has been much restored, with the tower, north aisle and much of the chancel rebuilt. Nevertheless, it has mid-twelfth century fabric and an early twelfth century font demonstrating the site has a long history at the centre of this settlement, some good c.1400 (if fragmentary) wall painting suggesting substantial patronage, a senior ecclesiastical burial and some post-medieval memorials to important parishioners. The fabric then should be considered of high archaeological, architectural and historical significance, with the site at the centre of the village Conservation Area also of high significance.
Although Braunston remained a chapel to Hambleton until a separate vicarage was created in 1884, the church has twelfth century fabric (chancel arch responds, font and south door) and Roger de St John is termed ‘vicar’ in 1227, most likely more of a dedicated chaplain.
A date stone ‘IW 1615 KC’ now half-way up the tower suggests repairs were done then (perhaps in connection with work to the bells), but a contract dated 1729 with George Portwood, a leading Stamford mason, is for rebuilding the tower and north aisle; another stone exists at the top ‘WT WW CW 1729’.
A west gallery was erected in 1791, when the church was refurnished with box pews. By 1863, a new vestry had been added to the north side of the chancel, and the latter was restored by Ewan Christian in 1887-8. He rebuilt the east and south walls and ceiled the roof with pine board. He may also have added the pews in the nave, or they date from 1890, when further work was done by J.C. Traylen, for in 1920 Traylen & Lenton prepared a drawing for twelve new pews in the north and south aisles, one each in memory of twelve parishioners killed in the Great War (figure 2). Also from this time are the pulpit, brought here from Wisbech in 1921, the chancel stained glass 1919-1921 by C.E. Kempe & Co. (Walter Tower) and possibly the chancel furniture. A memorial records ‘extensive restorations’ in 1938 which might have reinstated tracery to the west window as it is not described in the VCH account. The clock and weathervane were restored in 2000.
The chancel responds with their multi-scallop capitals now support a pointed arch, perhaps of thirteenth century date. They indicate a mid-twelfth century chancel but the font bowl (retrieved in three pieces from the churchyard in 1890) is earlier, suggesting a church was here by about 1120. The round arch now leading to the vestry probably re-uses old stone, but is not a twelfth century construction. Although the round arch and carved decoration of the south nave door suggest a late twelfth century date, the south arcade with its pointed arches and smart round moulded capitals looks a generation later (as does the lancet window of the chancel). The south aisle wall is late fourteenth century, as are the other chancel windows, the north nave arcade and the tracery of the tower windows. If accurate copies of medieval windows, then the square topped north aisle windows suggest the aisle was late fourteenth century too. The clerestorey was probably added later in the fifteenth century; the stone rainwater pipe clasps still survive on the outside parapet stringcourse but the roof and stone corbels are post-medieval replacements.
Although quite extensive, the 1729 work re-used much material; the tower west window internal arch appears to retain some patches of limewash and the bell chamber openings have well detailed c.1400 tracery and some grotesque hood stops. The so-called sheela-na-gig stone, discovered in 1920 as a threshold to the porch, is not an obviously erotic figure. The exaggerated eyes and mouth suggest it belongs to the late medieval tradition of grotesques and gargoyles; it might be from the demolished tower. The blocked north door is thirteenth century but the hood mould has been reassembled off-centre to the arch below. The roofs of the nave and north aisle share constructional details and may well be eighteenth century too. The through purlin and chamfers of the south aisle roof suggest it is late medieval.
Exterior Description
This modest church built of local ironstone rubble and limestone ashlar and dressings stands on a rise at the centre of this village of about 400 inhabitants. The village hall is adjacent to the southwest. The west tower has a small lead spire which is visible from the approach roads and the surrounding churchyard has a number of mainly nineteenth century stone memorials but few trees. There is a large extension churchyard to the west.
Building Materials
Limestone
12th Century
Upper Lincolnshire Limestone
Interior
Interior Description
With the font, the fragmentary c.1400 wall paintings in the south aisle are the principal survivors of the medieval furnishings. They were discovered in the 1940s when the church was being redecorated and so have escaped being waxed. The clearest scene in the incomplete circle on the south wall depicts an altar with chalice and paten beside a black letter inscription, prompting suggestions that it might a teaching aid on the Seven Sacraments. The VCH suggest it is the Mass of St Gregory because of the patriarchal processional cross. The east wall painting (see photo) was the reredos to an altar, with a central canopy around the missing statue that stood on the stone corbel and angels either side censing it. To the top left are the Instruments of the Passion, suggesting the statue might have been a Pietà or Our Lady of Sorrows.
Other monuments and furnishings:
- There are a few floor memorials; a slate ledger with an attractive lightly engraved border to Orlando Brown (d.1794) in the north aisle floor but the most important is the large late medieval red Purbeck marble indent of what appears to be a bishop (or a mitred abbot) in front of the chancel arch - so presumably under the medieval rood.
- At the east end of the south aisle are two brasses (see photo); that of Kenelme Cheseldyne (d.1596) and his wife Winefred was recorded on a tomb in 1684. It now lies north-south and the inscription is upside down. Possibly in its original place is the adjacent brass to Edward Cheseldyne (d.1642).
- The lower half of a coped grave cover now cemented into the north aisle wall shows the bottom end of a cross with fleshy leaves either side. It may well belong to the fourteenth century ‘Lyddington Group’ of covers identified by Lawrence Butler. It also has a Nine Men’s Morris board scratched into it. It was probably discovered during the 1938 restorations as there is no mention of it in the 1935 VCH account, which does mention the medieval stone coffin then ‘in the south aisle’.
- There are some minor, but attractive wall memorials of slate with painted surrounds; that to James Tiptaft is signed Burton Somerby Fecit.
Bells
Nominal: 1304 Hz Weight: 416 lbs Diameter: 26.75" Bell 2 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1967
Dove Bell ID: 12686 Tower ID: 14135 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1181 Hz Weight: 495 lbs Diameter: 28.5" Bell 3 of 6
Founded by Mears & Stainbank 1967
Dove Bell ID: 12687 Tower ID: 14135 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 1045 Hz Weight: 596 lbs Diameter: 31.13" Bell 4 of 6
Founded by Thomas II Newcombe
Dove Bell ID: 12688 Tower ID: 14135 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 983 Hz Weight: 675 lbs Diameter: 33" Bell 5 of 6
Founded by William Noone 1710
Dove Bell ID: 12689 Tower ID: 14135 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Nominal: 879 Hz Weight: 847 lbs Diameter: 35.5" Bell 6 of 6
Founded by Hugh I Watts
Dove Bell ID: 12690 Tower ID: 14135 - View Tower Listed: No Canons: Removed Cracked: No
Churchyard
Grid reference: SK 832 65
Burial and War Grave Information
It is unknown whether the building is consecrated.
It is unknown whether the churchyard has been used for burial.
It is unknown whether the churchyard is used for burial.
The churchyard has war graves.
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
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