Number 88 (The Chantry House) And Attached Forecourt Walls And Gateway

SP6948 13/159 01/08/76

TOWCESTER WATLING STREET EAST No.88 (The Chantry House) and attached forecourt walls and gateway (Formerly listed as No.88 (The Chantry)and Forecourt Wall at No.88 (The Chantry House)

GII* House.C15 with considerable C18 and C19 alterations.Coursed squared ironstone and limestone,slate roof,stone end stacks.Two-unit through-passage plan.Two-storey, Four-window range.C19 studded plank door to left of centre in moulded wood surround and late C18 pedimented wood doorcase.The door is recessed in front with remains of original jettied timber-framed first floor above.Three-light C19 wood mullion and transom windows to ground floor with stop-chamfered lintels.Projecting tower to left end,originally a stair-turret,with moulded stone coping.Three-and two-light C19 casement windows to first floor with stop-chamfered lintels.Stone-coped gables with kneelers.Attached forecourt walls of coursed squared ironstone and limestone with ridged ironstone coping.C15 gateway to middle of front wall has chamfered jambs and many-moulded arch with fourth-centred head.The wall is stepped up above gateway. Interior:two-bay ground floor hall has moulded cross-beam ceiling and Tudor-arched stone fireplace with chamfered jambs and many-moulded head.Stone relief incorporated in wall probably C17 with allegorical figure of Victory blowing a trumpet. Built as a house for the two priests serving Archdeacon Sponne's chantry(q.v.Church of St. Lawrence),suppressed at the Reformation.Bought back in 1552 by the trustees of Sponne's Charity for use as a grammar school.Served as school and master's house until 1866, when it became a house.(Buildings of England: Northamptonshire,p.435; A Towcester Trail (leaflet),1983, published by The Towcester Local History Society).

Listing NGR: SP6935648684