A history of the Hospital of St. John in Northampton / by R.M. Serjeantson.

  • Serjeantson, R. M.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A history of the Hospital of St. John in Northampton / by R.M. Serjeantson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    129/150 (page 89)
    The Chapel is north-east of the Ahnshonse, but is just attached to it at its south-west corner. It is a small building 50ft. long by 20ft. wide and has been largely “restored.” The east window is of three lights, and dates probably from the close of the 14th century. The west end of the building must have been rebuilt about the middle of the 15tb century. Leland, tlie Antiquary, who visited the Hospital in 1536, records that “ There is yn the north .side of the chirch a high Tumbe, wher is buried the Lady Margaret. In the south side lyitli buried Elis Pouger, with a French epfitaph]. (27) He also tells us that “some of those killed in the battle of Northampton were also interred here.” (27) The chajiel contains some interesting fragments of glass which were collected and fitted into the east window when the building was restored. They are of very various dates. The most conspicuous figures are those of the Blessed Virgin (crowned); St. Peter with the keys; St. John the Evangelist, with chalice and serpent; and an Archbishop, possibly intend- ed for St. Thomas of Canterbury. Dotted about the window are several small scrolls bearing the words Honor Deo. A shield in the left-hand light of this window bears the arms of England—Gules three leopards or, witli a label of three points argent. It is early glass, and is perhaps a representation of the arms of Thomas of Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk, son of Edward I. In the right-hand liglpt is a fraginent of another heraldic shield—with the arms of Woodville. In the lower part of the window are some interesting roundels in brown and yellow—either Flemish or German. They date from the 16th century, but are of two different periods. One of tbe later ones is dated 1594. Three of the earlier represent the story of Tobias and his dog. They were purchased by Mr. J. S. Shepard and presented to Bishop Amhenst, Avho inserted them into this window. The chapel is now used as a place of Avorship by the Roman Catholics, who purcha.sed it, and the Almshouse adjoining, fi'om Mr. Henry Mulliner, (28) on 21st March, 1877. It was (^onveyed to the Diocese of Northampton by Bishop Amherst on August 4th, 1880. (27) LelanrTs Itinerary I., p. 10. BridKcs (I 378) records the following inscription on n stone in tile chancel of Piddington Church : “Elys Pouger gyt icy, Deu dc sa almo eyt uierci. Ky por sa alme priera, Quarantc jours de pardon avera.” Either therefore I,eland made a mistake, or the stone was afterwards moved from the Hospital to Piddington Church. (28) Mr. Mulliner purchased the property from the Midland Railway Comi)an.v about the year 1876.