A couple of Northamptonshire Churches - Raunds and Higham Ferrers

Whereas yesterday it was revisits today I had 4 new churches on my list today. The first one I expected would be closed but as I was in the area.... alas it was. The fourth was in Bedfordshire and when I arrived I expected it would be locked and alas it was.

So what of the other 2? 

896. St Peter, Raunds.

I was lucky I expect as it happened to be the flower festival this weekend.

The church contains some good Victorian stained glass by Kempe but it is best known for its medieval murals portraying the parable of the "three living and three dead kings" and are here married to a depiction of the Deadly Sins. 

897 St Mary, Higham Ferrers

What a lovely setting? There is a Bede House, Chantry Chapel and Church.

The Bedehouse was founded by Archbishop Chichele in 1422 and built in the churchyard next to the Vicarage. It became uninhabited by the end of the 16th century. It was restored in the 19th century. The Bedesmen still exist and appear on ceremonial occasions.

According to the church website 

It was to be a dwelling for 12 poor men over the age of 50 to live in "close company" with the support of one woman to look after them. In return they were expected to spend a lot of time in prayer, either in the church or in the attached chapel. They received 7 pence a week as wages with which to buy their food and they were provided with a barber and firewood. They also received cloth for a gown at Christmas and were not allowed to go out begging.

 

The chantry chapel was built in the 15th century as a grammar school and remained in use until 1907. It was sold to the church in 1911 and converted into a chantry chapel.

St Mary's is 13th century. It owes much to Henry Chichele who was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1414 to his death in 1443. He was born in Higham Ferrers but never forgot his home town and endowed the Grammar School and Bede House.