Description

SWINSTEAD CREETON ROAD
TF 0022-0122 (east side)

15/213

30.10.68 Church of St. Mary

G.V. I

Parish church. c.1200, C13, C14, 1798, 1854 and 1859
restorations. Coursed limestone rubble, ashlar, lead and slate
roofs. West tower, nave plus clerestory, aisles, chancel, south
porch, vault and boiler house. C13 2 stage tower having corner
buttresses, string course, embattled parapet with pinnacles and
gargoyles. In the belfry stage are paired pointed lights in
chamfered surrounds. In the lower stage are single lancets. C19
2 light west window and in the north aisle a C13 trefoil. C14
north aisle with stepped buttresses and plain parapet having
contemporary moulded door, a pair of 2 light windows, a 3 light
window, all with cusped ogee heads and moulded surrounds.
Clerestory with 4 circular lights having cusped mouchettes. C14
chancel restored 1859 with blocked ogee headed doorway and a pair
of single chamfered 2 light windows, cusped ogee heads and
triskeles. Fine 4 light east window with cusped curvilinear
tracery. The single southern 2 light window matches those to the
north. 1789 vault and boiler room. In the south aisle a small
rectangular fixed light and a 4 light C14 window with quatrefoils
and in the west wall a further 4 light window with reticulated
tracery. C19 ashlar gabled porch having pointed continuously
chamfered outer arch, side benches and a C14 wave moulded inner
doorway. Interior. c.1200 north nave arcade of 3 bays, circular
piers and responds, annular capitals and double chamfered rounded
arches. C14 south arcade, octagonal piers and responds, double
chamfered arches. C14 double chamfered tower arch dying into the
reveals. In the south aisle a C14 piscina with chamfered square
surround and a plain squint in the east wall. There is a further
squint in the north aisle and in the north wall a C14 statue
bracket. Early C13 chancel arch, circular reveals, moulded
annular capitals, double chamfered arch. In the south wall of
the chancel a reset c.1200 double chamfered arch having circular
reveals and capitals with hobnail decoration, also a C14 recut
triple sedilia with ogee heads and human head stops with beyond a
matching double piscina. On the eastern pier of the north nave
arcade are rare armorial paintings of c.1300 in red paint
depicting coats of arms of the benefactors of the church. All
fittings are C19 including the early C14 style font. Monuments.
At the west end of the nave a C13 recumbent effigy of a knight,
cross legged wearing chain mail and a surcoat. On north wall of
chancel a handsome white marble wall tablet in Grecian style to
Brownlow Bertie, 5th Duke of Ancaster, d.1809 by Westmacott.
Depicting deceased and wife on a catafalque with mourning female
figure,flankedby mother, children and angel. Above a scrolled
cornice with Ducal coronet and palm. Beneath a rectangular
inscription panel, flanked by scrolled brackets. Also an
elaborate Gothic aedicule of limestone to Priscilla Bertie,
Baronness Willoughby d'Eresby, died 1828 but erected 1883 on the
death of her daughter, by Forsyth. Above the recessed
inscription an achievement of arms of the Bertie's. The vault of
1798 contains 5 fine coffins of members of the
Ancaster/Willoughby de Eresby family. There is no access into
the vault from within or outside the church. Source: report by
P. B. Grimes and Rev. N. O'Connor following inspection of vault
having entered through roof.

Listing NGR: TF0185822455

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17532198

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Hertfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  London 1: The City of London: City of London v. 1 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  For the Record
• 
  Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets