A fine looking medieval church, built between 1200 and 1340, with a prominent interestingly decorated west tower.
Ecton, Northamptonshire
Entry is through the late medieval porch which is unusually inscribed with the date of its construction, 1456.
Internally the church was spared 19th century intervention, instead it has a rather pleasant 18th century quality. This must have something to do with the local families; the Sothebys at the Hall, the Palmers at Ecton House and the Walleys. The latter two are fully recorded in rather unusual marble genealogical tablets to be found toward the rear of the church. The Palmers also make an appearance in two fine tombs by Rysbrack to be found in the chancel.
Here you will discover further monuments by Cheere and Rossi.
The church has an important American connection as, not only did Benjamin Franklin’s family come from here, but Franklin himself visited his ancestral village in 1758. The bronze plaque recording this connection was put in the church in 1910. It is by Fritz Roselieb.
Earls Barton, Northamptonshire
All Saints has one of the most celebrated of all Saxon towers, dating from about 970, famous for its age as for the decorative stonework patterns of vertical lines and rounded and diamond shapes that rise up the tower.
Whiston, Northamptonshire
Built to the orders of one man, Anthony Catesby (1500-1554) of the significant Northamptonshire Catholic family whose main seat was at Ashby St Ledger and were later famous for their involvement in the Gunpowder Plot.
Castle Ashby, Northamptonshire
The church which lies adjacent to the House but which it antedates by some 400 years, must have been used by the Bishops of Coventry whose seat this was before the advent of the Comptons in the 16th century.
