Tower Belonging To Church Of St Mary The Virgin

This is a detached church tower, originally part of the Church of St Mary the Virgin. The lower two stages date from the early medieval period, with the third stage being 14th century. It is constructed of coursed rubble, with ashlar dressings primarily of limestone, although the lower courses of the upper stage include a significant amount of ironstone.

The tower is square and three stages high, with diagonally set buttresses at each corner. A staircase is located within the north-west angle of the tower. The ground floor stonework in the first stage includes a substantial quantity of ironstone, with narrower limestone courses up to about one meter in height. Above this, the stonework is more consistent to the third stage. The first and second stages each have small, narrow windows on all sides; the windows on the second stage have vestigial triangular architraves with imposts. A large pointed arched opening is present on the south side of the second stage. The top, or belfry, stage has two-light pointed arched windows. Narrow lights illuminate the staircase on the north elevation. A pointed arched door provides access from the west elevation at ground level. The tower is topped with crenellations.

The walls of the lower stage are approximately two meters thick. The first stage has a vaulted ceiling with a square boarded aperture used for hanging the five bell ropes. Relieving arches are above the narrow lights, and the staircase entrance is through a pointed arch in the north-west corner.

The tower is located approximately 20 meters north of the parish church. The presence of ironstone and the two-light pointed arched windows on the upper stage suggest a contemporary dating with the 14th-century chancel. The lower two stages are noticeably older. The belfry stage houses five bells cast in 1610 by Hugh Watts of Leicester. The tower was repaired in 1796, an event commemorated by a plaque inside the first stage, which lists the names of the churchwardens and the plumber responsible for the roof’s leadwork. A further restoration occurred in the 1930s under the direction of Sir Albert Richardson of Ampthill.

The tower is designated at Grade I for its exceptional architectural and historical interest as a substantial, largely intact early medieval and 14th-century structure. It has group value with the church, Moreteyne Manor (Grade II* listed), and the scheduled moat and medieval settlement earthworks, reflecting the historic character of Marston Mortaine.