Leighton Bromswold (también conocido como Leighton ) es un pequeño pueblo y una parroquia civil en Cambridgeshire , Inglaterra. [1] Leighton se encuentra aproximadamente a 10 millas (16 km) al oeste de Huntingdon . Leighton está situado en Huntingdonshire, que es un distrito no metropolitano de Cambridgeshire, además de ser un condado histórico de Inglaterra. La parroquia civil de la que forma parte se llama Leighton y en 2001 tenía una población de 224, [2] [3] cayendo a 210 en el censo de 2011. La parroquia cubre un área de 3,128 acres (1,266 ha). [4]
Leighton Bromswold | |
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Leighton Bromswold Ubicación dentro de Cambridgeshire | |
Población | 210 (2011) |
Referencia de la cuadrícula del sistema operativo | TL115753 |
Distrito | |
Condado de Shire | |
Región | |
País | Inglaterra |
Estado soberano | Reino Unido |
Ciudad de postes | Huntingdon |
Distrito de código postal | PE28 |
Código telefónico | 01480 |
Policía | Cambridgeshire |
Fuego | Cambridgeshire |
Ambulancia | Este de Inglaterra |
Parlamento del Reino Unido | |
Historia
Leighton Bromswold fue incluido en el Domesday Book en el Cien de Leightonstone en Huntingdonshire; el nombre del asentamiento estaba escrito como Lectone . [5] En 1086 había una sola mansión en Leighton Bromswold; el alquiler anual pagado al señor de la mansión en 1066 había sido de £ 23 y el alquiler era el mismo en 1086. [6]
El Domesday Book no detalla explícitamente la población de un lugar, pero registra que había 39 hogares en Leighton Bromswold. [6] No hay consenso sobre el tamaño promedio de un hogar en ese momento; las estimaciones oscilan entre 3,5 y 5,0 personas por hogar. [7] Usando estas cifras, una estimación de la población de Leighton Bromswold en 1086 es que estaba dentro del rango de 136 y 195 personas.
El estudio registra que había 19,5 tierras de labranza en Leighton Bromswold en 1086. [6] Además de la tierra cultivable, había 30 acres (12 hectáreas) de prados, 10 acres (4 hectáreas) de bosques y un molino de agua en Leighton Bromswold. . [6]
La liquidación de impuestos en el Domesday Book se conocía como castrado o danegeld y era un tipo de impuesto territorial basado en la piel o el arado. Después de la conquista normanda, el caballo castrado se utilizó para recaudar dinero para el rey y pagar las guerras continentales; en 1130, el castrado se recolectaba anualmente. Habiendo determinado el valor de la tierra de una mansión y otros activos, se impondría al propietario de la tierra un impuesto de tantos chelines y peniques por libra de valor. Si bien esto era típicamente de dos chelines por libra, la cantidad variaba; por ejemplo, en 1084 era tan alto como seis chelines por libra. Para la mansión en Leighton Bromswold, el impuesto total evaluado fue de 15 casados. [6]
Ninguna iglesia está registrada en el Domesday Book en Leighton Bromswold.
El pueblo ha sido conocido en varias ocasiones como "Lecton" (siglo XI), "Leghton" y "Leghton upon Brouneswold" (siglo XIV). [4]
Gobernancia
Como parroquia civil, Leighton tiene un consejo parroquial . El consejo parroquial es el nivel más bajo de gobierno en Inglaterra y es elegido por los residentes en el censo electoral . Un consejo parroquial es responsable de proporcionar y mantener una variedad de servicios locales que incluyen asignaciones y un cementerio; corte de césped y plantación de árboles en espacios públicos abiertos, como un verde de aldea o campos de juego. El consejo parroquial revisa todas las aplicaciones de planificación que puedan afectar a la parroquia y hace recomendaciones al consejo del distrito de Huntingdonshire, que es la autoridad de planificación local de la parroquia. El consejo parroquial también representa los puntos de vista de la parroquia sobre temas como el transporte local, la vigilancia y el medio ambiente. El consejo parroquial levanta un precepto parroquial, que se recauda como parte del impuesto municipal . El consejo parroquial está formado por cinco consejeros.
Leighton estuvo en el condado histórico y administrativo de Huntingdonshire hasta 1965. Desde 1965, el pueblo fue parte del nuevo condado administrativo de Huntingdon y Peterborough . Luego, en 1974, siguiendo la Ley de Gobierno Local de 1972 , Leighton se convirtió en parte del condado de Cambridgeshire.
El segundo nivel del gobierno local es Huntingdonshire District Council, que es un distrito no metropolitano de Cambridgeshire y tiene su sede en Huntingdon. El Consejo de Distrito de Huntingdonshire tiene 52 concejales que representan a 29 distritos . [8] El consejo de distrito de Huntingdonshire recauda el impuesto municipal y proporciona servicios tales como reglamentos de construcción, planificación local, salud ambiental, ocio y turismo. [9] Leighton es parte del distrito de Ellington y está representado en el consejo de distrito por un concejal. [10] [8] Los concejales de distrito sirven por períodos de cuatro años después de las elecciones al Consejo de Distrito de Huntingdonshire .
Para Leighton, el nivel más alto de gobierno local es el Consejo del Condado de Cambridgeshire, que tiene edificios administrativos en Cambridge. El consejo del condado proporciona servicios en todo el condado, como infraestructura de carreteras importantes, bomberos y rescate, educación, servicios sociales, bibliotecas y servicios patrimoniales. [11] El Consejo del Condado de Cambridgeshire consta de 69 concejales que representan a 60 divisiones electorales . [12] Leighton es parte de la división electoral de Sawtry y Ellington, [10] representada por un concejal. [12]
Leighton está en la circunscripción parlamentaria del noroeste de Cambridgeshire , [10] y elige a un miembro del parlamento (MP) por primera vez después del sistema de correos de elección. Leighton está representado en la Cámara de los Comunes por Shailesh Vara ( conservador ). Shailesh Vara ha representado a la circunscripción desde 2005. El anterior miembro del parlamento fue Brian Mawhinney (conservador), quien representó a la circunscripción entre 1997 y 2005.
Geografía
La parroquia de Leighton Bromswold contiene 3.128 acres (1.266 ha), aproximadamente la mitad de las cuales son tierras cultivables y la otra mitad pastizales. Salome Wood es una plantación en el norte de la parroquia, y hay uno o dos matorrales . El suelo es pesado y el subsuelo es Oxford Clay . El terreno es ondulado y está regado por dos arroyos, el que fluye desde el oeste por la parte norte y media de la parroquia; y el otro, Ellington Brook, que fluye hacia el este a través de la parte sur de la parroquia, forma el límite para distancias cortas. Entre estos arroyos hay una gran cadena de tierra conocida como Bromswold. En esta cresta y también al norte del arroyo norte, la tierra se eleva a más de 200 pies (61 m) sobre el datum de Ordnance. Desde la cresta, la tierra cae a unos 100 pies (30 m) hasta el arroyo sur y unos 70 pies (21 m) al norte. La población se dedicó principalmente a la agricultura hasta finales del siglo XX.
El pueblo está en la cresta entre los dos arroyos y contiene algunas casas enlucidas y con entramado de madera del siglo XVII . La calle del pueblo se encuentra a lo largo de la carretera hacia Old Weston, con Sheep Street que se bifurca hacia el noreste hasta Duck End y Leighton Hill hacia el sur. La iglesia se encuentra en el extremo sureste del pueblo, con Manor Farm, antes llamada Church Farm, al oeste. Al sureste de la iglesia se encuentra la casa solariega de Prebendal , donde en la Edad Media se encontraba el pueblo original. La iglesia está catalogada como de Grado I, mientras que hay siete edificios de Grado II dentro del pueblo.
Demografía
Población
En el período de 1801 a 1901, el censo del Reino Unido registró la población de Leighton cada diez años . Durante este tiempo, la población estaba en el rango de 246 (la más baja en 1811) y 455 (la más alta en 1851). [13]
A partir de 1901, se realizó un censo cada diez años a excepción de 1941 (debido a la Segunda Guerra Mundial ).
Parroquia | 1911 | 1921 | 1931 | 1951 | 1961 | 1971 | 1981 | 1991 | 2001 | 2011 |
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Leighton | 275 | 242 | 218 | 222 | 207 | 159 | 184 | 208 | 224 | 210 |
Todas las cifras del censo de población del informe Histórico cifras del censo Cambridgeshire hasta 2011 por Cambridgeshire Insight . [13]
En 2011, la parroquia cubría un área de 3,128 acres (1,266 hectáreas) [13] y la densidad de población de Leighton en 2011 era de 43 personas por milla cuadrada (16,6 por kilómetro cuadrado).
Lugares emblemáticos
El Leightonstone
Junto a la puerta Lych de la iglesia de Santa María se encuentra Leightonstone . Originalmente estaba situado al sureste de la Iglesia, donde originalmente se encontraba el pueblo. El Leightonstone es el antiguo marcador donde el Tribunal Simulado de los Cientos de Leightonstone se reunió para recaudar impuestos y emitir un juicio sobre muchos asuntos locales que estaban dentro de la jurisdicción del tribunal.
El Leightonstone estaba ubicado en realidad al otro lado de la iglesia, pero para evitar que se pierda o se dañe, se ha movido unos cientos de metros a su ubicación actual junto a la puerta de la iglesia junto con una placa conmemorativa y asientos.
Memorial de guerra
El monumento de piedra caliza toma la forma de una pequeña cruz latina de estilo medieval y un pedestal. El zócalo tiene un detalle decorativo de tracería en cada esquina y un motivo floral en una banda alrededor de la parte superior. Los nombres de los nueve hombres de la parroquia que perdieron la vida luchando en la Primera Guerra Mundial están inscritos en el pedestal y pintados de negro. El monumento está rodeado por pavimento de hormigón y postes de madera con eslabones de cadena. El monumento se inauguró en 1920 y fue obra del Sr. Pettit de Godmanchester.
Este monumento recibió una subvención del programa Grants for War Memorial en 2007. En 2009, War Memorial Trust solicitó la inclusión de la cruz del monumento de guerra. En marzo, se informó al Trust que el monumento había sido catalogado como Grado II.
La puerta del castillo
Este interesante movimiento de tierra, el sitio donde Sir Gervase Clifton (fallecido en 1618) 'comenzó a construir una hermosa casa', es un campo de hierba de 600 pies por 300 pies cerrado en tres lados por grandes bancos con un promedio de 35 pies a través de la base, y siendo 4 pies 6 pulg. de alto dentro del recinto pero 10 pies afuera. En el lado oeste, hay una cresta ligeramente elevada que parece indicar la línea por donde discurría un banco.
En las cuatro esquinas y casi en su totalidad fuera de las líneas de las orillas hay curiosos bastiones circulares; la de la esquina sureste es la mejor conservada, tiene 80 pies de diámetro y su parte superior se eleva 5 pies por encima de la orilla; las de las otras esquinas parecen haber sido las mismas, pero no están tan bien conservadas. Dondequiera que el borde de los bancos y baluartes se haya cortado en una línea de ladrillos rojos rotos, aparentemente de fecha temprana, está expuesto, y por lo tanto, parece que estos bancos fueron hechos por Sir Gervase Clifton, quien usó los materiales de una casa más antigua. con el propósito.
Los bastiones probablemente eran meras características ornamentales y nunca fueron destinados a la defensa. La puerta de entrada de la casa de Sir Gervase Clifton, ahora una residencia privada, tiene un foso.
Salomé
A las afueras del pueblo hay algunos indicios de un caserío que casi ha desaparecido. La capilla de Salen se menciona en 1248 (nota 72) y en 1299 surgió la cuestión de si era un santuario. En 1444 la suma de 16 chelines. 8d. se le pagó 'pro le riggyng y redyng de la chapell, hall y le chaumbre' en Leighton Bromswold. El sitio está marcado en un mapa por Thomas Norton (c. 1660) como un recinto cuadrado en la esquina noroeste de Elecampane Close cerca del ángulo suroeste de Salome Wood. Cerca hay un lugar marcado como St Tellin (St Helen) Well. El recinto todavía está representado por un pequeño montículo y una zanja, y las excavaciones del Dr. Garrood revelaron los cimientos de la capilla, tejas, cerámica vidriada, fragmentos de vidrio pintado medieval y una moneda de Gaucher de Porcein (1314-1329); mientras que una depresión húmeda en el suelo cercano puede representar el pozo.
Cultura y comunidad
El pueblo es el hogar de la taberna Green Man, que fue autorizada por primera vez en 1650. [14]
El pueblo tiene un programa social. En julio de 2011, el pueblo celebró su estatuto de organización de una feria con una fiesta en la calle. La carta fue otorgada por William, tesorero del rey Juan , quien en 1211 obtuvo una carta para una feria que se celebraría en la Fiesta de la Invención de la Santa Cruz (3 de mayo). Posteriormente hubo dos ferias, una el Primero de Mayo y la otra el 24 de septiembre. A través del Comité Social de Leighton Bromswold, se llevaron a cabo una serie de otros eventos en 2011, incluyendo una Cena Safari, Noche de Queso y Vino, viaje a la playa, festival de música, Halloween y Hogueras, Almuerzo para Personas de la Tercera Edad y Fiesta Infantil.
Iglesia de Santa María la Virgen
La iglesia de Santa María, catalogada como Grado I, Leighton Bromswold, consta de un presbiterio ( 46+3 ⁄ 4 por 20+1 ⁄ 4 pies), nave ( 58+1 ⁄ 4 por 24 pies), crucero norte ( 18+1 ⁄ 4 por 20+1 ⁄ 4 pies), crucero sur ( 17+1 ⁄ 2 por 20+1 ⁄ 4 pies), torre oeste (15 por 14 pies) y porches norte y sur. Los muros son de cascajo con adoquines de piedra, excepto la torre, que está revestida de sillar, y los techos están cubiertos de tejas y plomo.
La iglesia no se menciona en el Domesday Survey (1086). Un presbiterio y una nave con pasillos se construyeron alrededor de 1250, pero este presbiterio aparentemente fue reconstruido alrededor de 1310, y se agregaron grandes transeptos a la nave unos cuarenta años después. Probablemente los pasillos fueron parcialmente reconstruidos y se insertaron nuevas ventanas en ellos, y quizás un triforio agregado a la nave hacia fines del siglo XV. A principios del siglo XVII, la iglesia estaba en ruinas, y aparentemente alrededor de 1606 se inició una reconstrucción; se derribaron la arcada y el pasillo sur y se construyó el muro sur de una nave sin pasillo y el porche sur. El trabajo, sin embargo, se detuvo por falta de fondos, y durante veinte años la iglesia estuvo "tan deteriorada, tan pequeña y tan inútil, que los feligreses no pudieron reunirse para cumplir con su deber para con Dios en oración y alabanzas públicas". Los techos se habían derrumbado y la torre estaba en ruinas, al igual que las hileras superiores de los muros y la nave no tenía techo.
Coro y presbiterio
El presbiterio del siglo XIV tiene una ventana este de cuatro luces con jambas originales, pero una cabeza hundida de cuatro centros de finales del siglo XV; en el lado norte se ha construido un capitel del siglo XIII (ahora mutilado) como ménsula. El muro norte tiene dos ventanas originales de tres luces con tracería que se cruza en una cabecera de dos centros; una ventana de tres luces de finales del siglo XV con una cabeza hundida en cuatro centros; y un casillero del siglo XIII con cabeza de trébol y estante de piedra. El muro sur tiene tres ventanas similares a las del norte; una pequeña entrada de finales del siglo XV; una entrada original bloqueada, solo visible en el interior; una ventana del lado bajo bloqueada; una piscina doble restaurada del siglo XIII de un arco entero y dos medios semicirculares que se cruzan con molduras interpenetradas, sostenida sobre un fuste central y dos fustes de jamba separados con capiteles y bases moldeados. El arco del presbiterio del siglo XIII es bicéntrico, de dos órdenes biselados, el orden inferior descansa sobre ménsulas triples adosadas con capiteles moldeados y ménsulas modernas. El techo es moderno, pero se mantienen los principios moldeados de 1626. La erosión del techo anterior permanece sobre el arco del presbiterio.
La nave tiene, a cada lado del arco del presbiterio, la columna de respuesta del siglo XIII de las antiguas arcadas; son semicirculares con capiteles y bases moldeados. El muro norte del siglo XVII tiene una ventana de tres luces reiniciada de finales del siglo XV; un arco de acceso al pórtico restaurado del siglo XIV, de dos órdenes achaflanados (probablemente el arco antiguo entre el pasillo y el crucero reutilizado), el orden inferior descansando sobre ménsulas mutiladas, restaurado y alterado en el siglo XVII; y un pequeño hueco cerca del extremo oeste, como para la abertura interior de una ventana. El muro sur del siglo XVII tiene características similares a las del muro norte. Ambas paredes tienen zócalos abiertos, pero los del sur parecen ser de mano de obra bastante tosca y no se extienden alrededor del porche, mientras que los del norte están finamente labrados y se llevan a lo largo de las paredes este y oeste del porche.
Crucero norte
El crucero norte del siglo XIV tiene una ventana este de cuatro luces con tracería reticulada en una cabecera de dos centros. El muro norte tiene una ventana de tres luces de finales del siglo XV con una cabeza hundida de cuatro centros. El muro oeste tiene, cerca de su extremo norte, una entrada bloqueada de finales del siglo XIV; y en el extremo sur quedan las piedras del tiempo del techo del pasillo temprano. En el transepto norte hay unas baldosas vidriadas rojas y amarillas del siglo XVII.
Crucero sur
El crucero sur del siglo XIV es similar al norte, excepto que no tiene entrada en el muro oeste. En la pared este hay una repisa rectangular adornada con flores esféricas y apoyada sobre una cabeza tallada. El muro sur tiene una piscina con cabeza de trébol y una taquilla rectangular.
Techo
Los techos del presbiterio, la nave y los transeptos son todos de 1626. En el presbiterio hay cinco cerchas con tirantes moldeados, tirantes moldeados y panelados y postes de pared moldeados con colgantes perfilados y moldeados. En la nave, seis tramos similares al presbiterio con algunas reparaciones; Los techos del crucero son similares cada uno de los tres tramos. Porche norte
El pórtico norte del siglo XVII tiene una puerta norte de mediados del siglo XIII, tal vez la puerta vieja del pasillo anterior in situ; tiene una cabecera de dos centros de tres órdenes, los dos órdenes exteriores brotando de fustes de jamba separados con capiteles y bases moldeados y el orden interior continuo. El pórtico no tiene contrafuertes, pero el zócalo de la nave se continúa a lo largo de sus muros este y oeste. Porche sur
El pórtico sur del siglo XVII tiene una puerta sur de mediados del siglo XIII, casi con certeza reconstruida, ya que no parece estar en la línea del antiguo muro del pasillo; tiene un arco de dos centres de tres órdenes moldeado enriquecido con el adorno de diente de perro, y descansa sobre cuatro fustes de jamba separados a cada lado, con capiteles y bases moldeados. El muro este tiene una ventana lisa del siglo XVII de cabeza cuadrada. El pórtico tiene contrafuertes cuadrados en los ángulos, probablemente en gran parte de material reutilizado del siglo XIII.
Pantallas
Bajo el arco del presbiterio hay una pantalla baja en dos partes con abertura en el medio, paneles inferiores lisos y paneles superiores abiertos, seis a cada lado, con arcos de medio punto que surgen de balaustres cortos torneados, riel superior moldeado y perillas torneadas sobre balaustres alternos y flanqueando. apertura central; C. 1630–40. En el transepto sur, la moderna pantalla de la sacristía incorpora once tramos de arcadas probablemente de una de las butacas o asientos, c. 1630–40. En la torre oeste cruzando el ángulo noroeste, biombo curvo o tabique de paneles moldeados, del siglo XVI, cornisa y puerta moderna que ahora se utiliza como trastero.
Twin pulpits
The two Pulpits date from 1626, are of oak and of the same general design, set against the two responds of the chancel-arch, each of pentagonal form with a short flight of steps, base having a series of short turned balusters connected by segmental arches and capped by a cornice, the whole continued outwards as a rail to the stairs; upper part of pulpit, each face divided into two bays by turned columns with moulded bases and capitals from which spring segmental arches and the whole finished with an entablature; door similar but with one half-column only, between the bays and with strap-hinges; sounding-board resting on panelled standard at back with two attached pilasters; board finished with an entablature with segmental arches below and turned pendants, boarded soffit with turned pendant in middle.
Benches
In the nave there are fourteen benches, upper parts of backs with a series of panels formed by attached half-balusters, with moulded top rail, open ends with turned terminals and curved armrests, supported by turned balusters, c. 1630–40, made up with some modern work. In north transept-six benches generally similar to those in nave but with open arcaded backs formed by segmental arches resting on turned balusters, also one front enclosure of similar design and two benches at east end of nave, c. 1630–40. In chancel-four stalls similar to the benches in the north transept, but with half-balusters attached to the lower panelling, made up with modern work.
Lectern
The modern lectern (1903) incorporates some oak balusters and knobs from the staircase of Stow Longa Manor House and was given in memory of Rev. Thomas Ladd who was buried in the churchyard in 1899.
West tower
It is generally believed that the west tower was built by James Stewart, 1st Duke of Richmond in 1634 however there is no authority for this. In the July of that year he was just 12 when he succeeded the Dukedom on the death of his father Esmé Stewart. His mother, Katherine Clifton of Leighton Bromswold continued to hold the titles and the lordship until her own death in September 1637. There is also the suggestion that John Ferrar produced a 'ruff draught' for a tower after 1634 with the note 'for the finishing of Layton church that he might the better in time provide.'
James, Duke of Lennox, Earl of March, Baron Clifton of Leighton Bromswold was at the height of his powers in 1641 and it was probable that the tower was completed before or in that year. On the parapet are the initials 'R.D. 1641' probably made by Richard Drake a long-standing friend of Nicholas Ferrar. In 1655 it was recorded that 'Only the steeple could not be compassed wch afterwards the most Noble, Religious, worthy good Duke of Lenox did perform at his own proper cost & charges, to the Memorial of his Honor.'
It is of three stages finished with a modillioned cornice between the buttresses, an embattled parapet and angle pedestals, supporting obelisks with ball-terminals. The two-centred tower-arch is of two classically moulded orders springing from square responds with moulded imposts. The west window is of two coupled lights divided and flanked by plain pilasters and with round heads, moulded archi¬volts and imposts; the west doorway is flanked by plain pilasters with moulded capitals and has a half-round moulded arch with a plain key-stone; above the doorway is a plain tablet.
The second stage has in the west wall a square-headed window with a moulded stone architrave. The bell-chamber has in each wall a double window similar to, but larger than, the west window of the ground-stage; above each pair of windows is a lozenge-shaped panel.
The stairs to the belfry are at the south-west corner. In the north eastern corner of the tower is a modern disused brick chimney. On the tower floor is the matrix of a 15th-century brass with figure of a man and inscription plate. In 1552 there were four bells and a sanctus bell.
Bells
Within the west tower are five bells dating 1641 and 1720. The bells were rehung, in a new frame, in 1902 by Barwell of Birmingham and a brass plaque commemorating the event is on the north wall of the nave. The biggest bell weighs 21hundredweight 1 quarter and 4 pounds making it the 3rd heaviest ring of 5 bells in the country. They hang in a 6 bell frame (6.1) with space for a new treble. More info: http://dove.cccbr.org.uk/detail.php?searchString=Leighton+Bromswold&Submit=+Go+&DoveID=LEIGHTONBR
Miscellaneous
Brackets in chancel east wall, in form of moulded capital, late-13th-century, now cut back to wall-face. In south transept east wall, rectangular shelf with 'ball-flower' ornament and a carved head below, early-14th-century
Communion Table: with turned legs, moulded top rails with shaped brackets, plain lower rails, c. 1630–40, top modern.
There are two chairs in the chancel with moulded and twisted legs, front rail, and back-uprights, of c. 1700. A 16th-century chest is in the north transept and is plain with coped lid, two locks, iron straps and three strap¬hinges, all terminating in fleurs-de-lis.
The font is made up of two 13th-century circular moulded capitals and a piece of circular shaft. The cover is largely modern, but has a 17th-century ball on the top and a Victorian mounting.
In the nave the north and south doorways, the doors are twinned, each of two leaves with moulded panels and nail-studded framing; both doors set in moulded framing, with panelling above, mid-17th-century, partly repaired.
The Lockers in chancel north wall, with rebated jambs and trefoiled head, stone division or shelf, late 13th¬century. In south transept south wall, rectangular, with chamfered and rebated reveals, 14th-century.
In chancel, on the south wall, there is a double piscinae. with two-centred arches the moulding continued to form an intersecting arcade, free shaft to each jamb and in middle, with moulded capitals and bases, shelves within the recess, at level of abaci of side-shafts, two multifoiled drains, mid-13th-century, reset. In south transept in the south wall, there is a recess with trefoiled head and round drain, 14th-century.
Rainwater heads
Rainwater-heads are in lead. On north and south walls of chancel there are four, three with embattled tops and painted decoration, curved junction with down-pipes, on one of which is a fleur-de-lis; one head on south side elaborately shaped, with enriched cornice and cresting, the date 1632, and strap-work ornament on the flanges, junction with down-pipe enriched with acanthus ornament, down-pipe with strap-work ornament and enriched straps with three crests. On the north wall of north transept two shaped heads with embattled tops, the two heads bearing together the date 1634. On north wall of nave, head with arabesque ornament and painted decoration; on south wall, with rounded and moulded head. On south wall of south transept, two similar to those on north transept, but with painted decoration and no date, all 17th-century.
Altar-tombs
In the north transept is an alabaster altar-tomb with mutilated effigies of Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, who died on 10 May 1572 in Leighton Bromswold, and Elizabeth, his last wife who died in 1578. Altar-tomb of alabaster, south side divided into three bays by ornamental pilasters, shield in middle bay with arms three tirwhitts for Tyrwhitt quartering a chief indented, the whole impaling a lion rampant with a forked tail and a border, figures of daughter and two swaddled infants in side bays; similar pilasters west end of tomb, forming two bays each with a shield bearing the quarterly coat above and the impaled coat; on tomb, recumbent effigies of man and wife, man in plate-armour with head on mantled helm and lion at feet, legs of man missing; effigy of wife in French cap, long cloak,
Also in the north transept, further west, is a mutilated alabaster effigy of probably Katherine, the 4th daughter of Sir Robert and Elizabeth, and wife of Sir Henry D'Arcy, died 1567, head on two cushions, hands broken, modern altar-tomb with old alabaster plinth, mid- to late-16th-century.
Lying loose, close to these monuments, is a broken stone crest. There is also a monument of Sir Robert Tyrwhitt and his wife Elizabeth Oxenbridge in Bigby church, Lincolnshire, dated 1581, which unlike the monument in Leighton church, included effigies of all his twenty-two children.
Worshipful Company of Dyers
In the Church box a letter was discovered, dated 1947, confirming that the effigies were of Sir Robert Tyrwhitt, the first benefactor of the Worshipful Company of Dyers, and that if ever the effigies could be restored, the Dyers Company would be interested to help. A letter was despatched appealing to them for help and telling them of the efforts of this small parish of 220 souls, including all denominations. The Worshipful Company of Dyers very generously offered to relieve the village of its financial burden and pay off the remainder of the money by Deed of Covenant.
There is engraved graffiti scratching on the tower parapet, R.D. 1641; on doorway of bell-chamber, W.H. R.I. 1666; on wall of second stage, E.S. 1653.
There are the following monuments: in the chancel, to the Rev. Thomas Ladds, vicar, died 1899; in the nave, to Ernest Cook, died 1917, Wilfred Barwell, died 1918; Lewis Robert Jellis, died 1933; in the south transept, to Hugh Brawn, died 1917; in the tower, floor slab to William Chapman, died 1687.
Herbert's restoration
Rev. George Herbert (1593–1633) was presented with the Prebendary of Leighton in 1626, whilst he was a don at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was not even present at his institution as prebend as it is recorded that Peter Walker, his clerk, stood in as his proxy. In the same year that his close Cambridge friend Nicholas Ferrar was ordained Deacon in Westminster Abbey by Bishop Laud on Trinity Sunday 1626 and went to Little Gidding, two miles down the road from Leighton Bromswold, to found the remarkable community with which his name has ever since been associated.
No religious offices had been said in the church for over twenty years, Izaak Walton wrote - 'so decayed, so little, and so useless, that the parishioners could not meet to perform their duty to God in public prayer and praises'. Although during that time it is recorded that John Barber MA in 1607 and Maurice Hughes MA in 1623 were described as taking up their duties as vicars of St Mary's Leighton Bromswold and it probable at this it is said that the Lord Lennox's barn was used for divine service.
Permission from the Crown had been obtained by the previous incumbent to re-build the church at a cost of £2,000 (approximately £1,000,000 in today's money)
To raise this money was too daunting so George Herbert asked Nicholas Ferrar to help rebuild the ruined church but Nicholas was fully occupied with his community, so he suggested that his brother, John Ferrar, should supervise the rebuilding whilst Herbert, for his part, should try and raise the money amongst his influential friends. Which he achieved. £50 from William, Earl of Pembroke; £200 from Catherine Clifford, daughter of Lord Clifton of Leighton Bromswold; some money from Lord Manchester and Lord Bolingbroke and also from Henry Herbert, George's brother, Donations, small and great, came from here and there. The actual rebuilding was supervised by John Ferrar, and Arthur Wodenoth, a wealthy gold merchant, who was also a subscriber, acted as Treasurer and during John Ferrar absence as his deputy.
It is recorded later (by John Ferrar in 1632) that there were 18 masons and labourers and 10 carpenters at work during the reconstruction and that 'all was finished inside and out, not only to ye Parishioners own much comfort and joy, but to the admiration of all men, how such a structure should be raysed and brought to pass by Mr Herbert'.[citation needed]
Shortly after 1626 the work was completed by pulling down the north arcade and aisle and building the north wall of the new aisleless nave and the north porch; he re-roofed the whole church and put in the pulpit, reading desk, dwarf screen and seating.
In 1630, three years before his death, he entered priesthood and took up his duties as rector of the little parish of Fugglestone St Peter with Bemerton St Andrew, near Salisbury in Wiltshire. It is probable that George Herbert never saw the results of his efforts.
Perhaps a fitting epitaph for the faithful of St Mary's and George Herbert are the words written in Izaac Walton's book on Herbert's life (1670). He said: "Allow that Herbert in the body never looked on Leighton Church, never worshipped God in its aisles; Leighton Church was very dear to Herbert's heart: it was hallowed by his prayers, it was washed by his tears. It is ever to be remembered as incensed by his memory."
Walton's Lives 1796
From a note to a 1796 edition of Walton's Lives, quoted in H. B. Maling, 'Leighton Bromswold, the Church and Lordship'.
It appears from a recent survey of this church, that the reading desk is on the right hand in the nave, just as you enter the chancel, and that is height is seven feet, four inches; and that the pulpit is on the left hand, and exactly of the same height. They are both pentagonal. The church is at present paved with bricks; the roofs bother of the church and chancel tiles, and not under drawn or ceiled. There are no communion rails; but, as you advance to the communion table you ascend three steps. The windows are large and handsome, with some small remnants of painted glass. The seats and pews both in the nave, the cross-aisles, and the chancel, somewhat resemble the stalls in cathedrals, but are very simple, with little or no ornament, nearly alike, and formed of oak. It was evidently the intention of Mr Herbert that in his church there should be no distinction between the seats of the rich and those of the poor. During Divine Service the men have from time immemorial been accustomed to sit on the south side of the Nave, and the women on the north side. In the cross-aisles the male servants sit on the south side, and the female servants on the north side.
1868 survey
In October 1868 Ewan Christian surveyed the church on behalf of the Commissioners and commented that
The interior of the church is well white-washed as to its walls, but being open to the tiles has a bare and barn like look. The tower is blocked off by a gallery, which greatly damages the internal appearance. The nave and transepts still retain the benches of the 17th century, but the wood floors under these are to some extent decayed, and the benches themselves need repair. The chancel was also benched in the same way, but a few years ago the benches were removed into the transepts and large square pews of high deal framing erected in their stead. They are very unsightly and ought to be removed. The pulpit and the desk are also of the 17th century, each of the same height and each has a sounding board over head. The chancel has a plain balustrade rail comparatively modern and both ugly, and wrongly placed.
As a result, the paving in the chancel was renewed, the square chancel pews being converted into benches with some modern material, (this can clearly be seen in the front westward chancel bench, where the turnings and woodwork are of similar, but different design and texture) and wooden floors modified with some new woodwork into its current configuration and the benches were removed into the transepts. Work was also carried out in the nave and transepts, improving the wooden floors and benches and providing some new ones, also new steps and paving for the passage, restuccoing walls and repairing the old pulpits and desk as well as removing the gallery and opening the tower, restoring old doors and the gate.
The church was restored in 1870 as a result of Christian's survey. The children's pews at the west end of the nave were installed in 1870 as a result of a request from the vicar Rev. Thomas Ladd at a cost of £18 at which time the font was mounted.
The original globe electric lights were installed in June 1900 (they were dismantled and are currently stored in the north west of the tower) and replaced in the 1990s by sodium industrial lighting which remains to this day, at the same time the heating system was replaced.
Originally it was headed by wood burner in the west tower drafting hot air down the centre of the nave where the cast iron grilling can still be seen. Later it was converted to low-wattage oil-filled electric pipe heating under selected benches and finally with medium-wavelength infra-red heaters in the chancel only. Currently there is no heating in the church.
In 1914 the tie beam in the chancel was cut out and replaced by an iron rod, drawing by Inskipp Ladds, but in 1914 the vicar, Rev. John Cooper, commented that the tie beam is 'a real eyesore disfiguring as it does the east window and hiding the tracery.' An additional tie beam was added across the east face of the west tower.
Modern upkeep
In 1961 the Ely Diocesan Board asked for a quinquennial inspection report to be prepared by John Gedge, architect. This was presented to the parochial church council, and the estimated cost was £8,000. The architect, stressing that such a large amount from such a small parish would be impossible to raise, suggested the more important items of roof and gutters should have top priority.
One member of the parochial church council wrote to the Church Commissioners asking if St Mary's, Leighton Bromswold had a lay rector. To this query, came answer that they held this office and were solely responsible for the repair and upkeep of the chancel. This part of the restoration was carried out for the Church Commissioners by John Allen & Co., Brampton at the figure of £5,500. The architect, Major Gedge, set the target figure of £3,000 to cover the remainder of the work on the restoration of the church.
The Leighton Village Fund for Church Restoration was opened in 1962. On 28 July 1962 a barbecue dance was staged in the village field and a fete down the village street added another £358. The following year, 1963, another barbecue dance, in a barn and another fete added a further £225 and in 1964 another £199 was made from a fete. Altogether, with donations and other efforts, a total of £901 was made.
The Historic Churches Preservation Trust donated £500, Church Commissioners gave £50. The two Restoration Appeal Funds were closed in September 1964 having reached the target of £3,000.
During the winter of 1964, a farmer sent his men and they removed from the churchyard an estimated 100 tons of soil so that the level of the ground outside the church is at least 6 inches lower than the floor inside. A 24-inch-wide trench, 1+1⁄2 to 2 feet deep, was dug all round the church and was refilled with 95 tons of gravel to assist drainage and prevent damp rising in the church. The old drainage system was exposed and renewed where necessary. The gravel was given and carted from Thrapston by the farmer and also red bank drainage tiles.
On 3 June 1965, the Bishop of Ely, lead a thanksgiving service to commemorate the completion of the work with the Choir of St John's, Cambridge and the Ely Diocesan Bellringers. It was televised by BBC TV.
Lych gate
The lych gate was built in 1893. It was dedicated to the memory of George Smith, sometime churchwarden and buried in the churchyard, by his widow, Margaret in 1909.
Clock
Originally, a provision was made on all four sides of Leighton church tower for square clock faces set lozenge-style, recalling similar clocks on the St Gregory Tower at St Paul's and the western turret at Covent Garden (neither of which are still in existence). There are additional similarities in the design of the west tower to these two churches, in particular the parallel windows of the ringing chamber, though there is no evidence to suggest that there was any formal connection. However, as built, the west tower has a single clock face on the west face of the tower.
In 1977 the church clock winding system was electrified at a cost of £365. This was to save someone climbing up narrow winding stone steps to the Clock Tower floor and winding up two sets of mechanisms, striking and timing, 5 times in fourteen days. The necessary wiring was installed in May 1976 enabling the work to commence.
For the clock, the work consisted of a RPH50C motor and Junior winder weighing approximately 16 pounds with overload protection and regulator. A 16-tooth split chain and 10 feet of one-half-inch pitch roller chain with idler and chain adjuster. For the strike, the installation consisted of a RPH50AC motor and Mark II winder weighing approximately 40 pounds with overload protection and regulator. A 16-tooth split chain and 35 feet of one-half-inch pitch roller chain with idler and chain adjuster. The clock was also cleaned and repainted with the internal dial re-lacquered. The work was carried out by the inventor of the system, David Gamble of Eaton Socon and consists of a small electric motor clamped to weights and geared with sprockets onto a continuous chain. As the weight operates the clock mechanism by pulling downwards, the electric motor monkey is climbing up the chain at the same speed, so that the weight never has to be cranked back to the top.
Chantry
There was a chantry at Leighton Bromswold apparently in the church, which was founded by Master Gilbert Smith, Archdeacon of Northampton, and endowed with a pension payable by St Andrew's Priory, Northampton.
The church's gatehouse was built in the 15th century and is the only part of a mansion designed by John Thorpe for the Duke of Lennox that was actually completed.[4]
Residentes notables
Nicholas Grimald (1519–1562), the poet, was supposed to have been born in Leighton Bromswold.
The Spanish Armada Muster Call of Captain Wanton's men happened on 2 August 1588; those mustered included two pikemen, Richard Clarke and Nick Colton, both from Leighton Bromswold.
Referencias
- ^ Ordnance Survey: Landranger map sheet 142 Peterborough (Market Deeping & Chatteris) (Map). Ordnance Survey. 2012. ISBN 9780319229248.
- ^ A Vision of Britain Through Time : Huntingdon Rural District
- ^ Office for National Statistics : Census 2001 : Parish Headcounts : Huntingdonshire
- ^ a b c "Leighton Bromswold. A History of the County of Huntingdon: Volume 3 (1936), pp. 86–92". Victoria County History.
- ^ Ann Williams; G.H. Martin, eds. (1992). Domesday Book: A Complete Translation. London: Penguin Books. p. 1370. ISBN 0-141-00523-8.
- ^ a b c d e J.J.N. Palmer. "Leighton Bromswold". Open Domesday. Anna Powell-Smith. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
- ^ Goose, Nigel; Hinde, Andrew. "Estimating Local Population Sizes" (PDF). Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Huntingdonshire District Council: Councillors". www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk. Huntingdonshire District Council. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ "Huntingdonshire District Council". www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk. Huntingdonshire District Council. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ a b c "Ordnance Survey Election Maps". www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ "Cambridgeshire County Council". www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Cambridgeshire County Council. Retrieved 23 February 2016.
- ^ a b "Cambridgeshire County Council: Councillors". www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk. Cambridgeshire County Council. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
- ^ a b c "Historic Census figures Cambridgeshire to 2011". www.cambridgeshireinsight.org.uk. Cambridgeshire Insight. Archived from the original (xlsx - download) on 15 February 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
- ^ "Green Man, Leighton Bromswold".
enlaces externos
- The parish of Leighton Bromswold