I was early (hard to believe) so popped into the church. The church was hosting lunch and I carried a tray of cake into the church LOLOL
All Saints, Kirtling.
I have been here before as its in the book but that was over 25 years ago!
The church has a 12th century Norman carving of Christ in Majesty.
I believe this is the tomb of Lord Edward North who purchased Kirtling Tower.
This tomb is to Lord Roger North his son.
The plaster above the chancel arch is to be removed for restoration. As they've found fragments of medieval wall paintings they are hopeful they will find significantly more.
The Hatchments are to the North family.
Kirtling Tower is all that remains of Kirtling Castle. The first records are from 1219. The castle was substantially rebuilt by the Earl of Warwick in 1424.
Edward North purchased the castle and rebuilt it from 1540 renaming it to Kirtling Hall. Queen Elizabeth stayed there as a guest of Roger North for 3 days and the visit cost him £642. The castle went into decline after 1691 and throughout the 18th century saw various parts pulled down or uninhabitable. In 1801 most of the castle had been pulled down.
During the 1830's the gatehouse was turned into a residential property and renamed it Kirtling Tower, An extension was added in the 1870's, and that is what remains today.
The garden is pretty, alas for the opening the weather wasn't great but the garden will be open again the end of June and we agreed that it would definitely be worth a revisit.
This is the Roman Cartholic Church which I think was locked
There was lots of frogspawn about....
