Shared description

St Andrew's church, Heckington

Grade I listed

The church dates from circa 1300 onwards. It was restored in 1867 and 1887. It is one of the finest 14th century churches in England. Built between 1305 and 1333, it replaced an earlier church which was recorded in the Domesday book. The church was probably begun by Lora de Gant, Lady of the Manor of Heckington.
Its greatest glories are due to the generosity of two men linked with King Edward II, Lord Henry de Beaumont and master Richard de Potesgrave. Beaumont's coat of arms once appeared in many of the stained-glass windows. Richard de Potesgrave (circa 1275 to 1349) was rector of Heckington in 1309 and was the Kings' chaplain. In 1321 he was given custody of Leeds Castle in Kent.

The church consists of a west tower with spire, clerestoried nave, north and south aisles, transepts, chancel, south porch and north Chapel
The three stage tower and spire is 185 feet high with three tiers of lucarnes. There are multiple gargoyles on gabled niches as well as on crocketted pinnacles.

The south porch dates from the decorated period although suffered from vandalism to statues in niches. Over the entrance is a statue of Christ in Glory.
Inside, there are four bay north and south nave arcades with octagonal piers. There was originally a Rood screen separating the nave and the chancel.
The north aisle is probably the oldest part of the church and the north transept was formerly used as a Chantry Chapel, the piscina is still in position.
The south transept, has its own sedilia, and in the south-west corner there is a burial slab with an engraved bust, possibly Potesgrave's father from the 14th century. The south transept was probably the "Chantry of Saint Nicolas" where rector Potesgrave's parents were prayed for.

The chancel was built by Potesgrave whose tomb is recessed into the north wall with a damaged effigy. He died in 1349 aged about 75, possibly of the Black Death. When the tomb was opened in 1800 his communion chalice was found inside.
The east window is 34 foot high and 16 feet wide with seven lights.
On the north wall of the chancel is an Easter Sepulchre, complete with sleeping soldiers beneath crocketted gables. To either side are figures, and above is the risen Christ attended by censing Angels. The Sepulchre was also used as a permanent sacrament shrine, where consecrated bread and wine were kept.
There is also a double piscina in the chancel and an elaborate triple sedilia with fine decorative carvings depicting Saint Margaret with her Dragon, the coronation of the Virgin Mary and Christ, Saint Catherine with her wheel, and other Angels.
by Julian P Guffogg

Created: Thu, 18 Jul 2013, Updated: Thu, 18 Jul 2013


25 images use this description:

TF1444 : Carved grotesque, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Carved man and animal, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Organ, St Andrew's church, Heckington by J.Hannan-Briggs
TF1444 : Creature with knotted tail, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : East window, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Stained glass window, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Easter Sepulchre, St Andrew's church by J.Hannan-Briggs
TF1444 : Carved grotesques, St Andrew's church, Heckington 2 by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Triple Sedilia, St Andrew's church by J.Hannan-Briggs
TF1444 : Tomb of Richard de Potesgrave by J.Hannan-Briggs
TF1444 : Interior, St Andrew's church, Heckington by J.Hannan-Briggs
TF1444 : Carved animal, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Carved grotesques, St Andrew's church, Heckington 5 by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : St Andrews Church, Heckington by J.Hannan-Briggs
TF1444 : The Undercroft, St Andrew's church by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Cross in the churchyard of the Church of St Andrew, Church Street, Heckington by Jo and Steve Turner
TF1444 : Carved grotesques, St Andrew's church, Heckington 3 by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : South transept window, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Carved grotesques, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Brasses, St Andrew's church, Heckington by J.Hannan-Briggs
TF1444 : Stained glass window, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Carved grotesques, St Andrew's church, Heckington 4 by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Carved musician, St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg
TF1444 : Stained glass window  St Andrew's church, Heckington by Julian P Guffogg


Shared descriptions

This shared description

The 'Shared Description' text on this page is © copyright 2013 Julian P Guffogg.

Shared descriptions are specifically licensed so that contributors can reuse them on their own images, without restriction.

About shared descriptions

These Shared Descriptions are common to multiple images.

For example, you can create a generic description for an object shown in a photo, and reuse the description on all photos of the object. All descriptions are public and shared between contributors, i.e. you can reuse a description created by others, just as they can use yours.

Explore images

View images using this "St Andrew's church, Heckington" Shared Description

View images mentioning the words [St Andrew's church, Heckington] anywhere in text


Links for TF14304412

This description is located in TF14304412.

Other shared descriptions

Descriptions nearby

Related descriptions

The above selections are automatic and approximate, it might not always select closely matching descriptions


You are not logged in login | register