St Mary the Virgin
Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire
The church owes its grandeur to the fact that the town was, and still is, part of the Duchy of Lancaster.
On the outside a supremely confident and well proportioned tower banded in limestone and ironstone topped by a crocheted spire. Also, large triangular headed windows along the nave and a battlemented roof line to nave and chancel. Internally it is the rhythm of the gothic arches and the wonderful stone tracery of the soaring strainer arch across the nave that first absorbs your attention.
The south chapel commissioned by Hugh Bocler and his wife Julian of the same period is particularly fine. Note the angel supports to both its roof and that in the nave. Remains of 15th century stained glass, a pulpit, screens and doors also from this time.
The principal tombs are those to the Pemberton family and date from the early 17th century. They include Robert Pemberton (d1608), with kneeling figures; and Sir Goddard Pemberton (d1616) reclining in gilded armour under an heraldic arch.