SK9804 : Church of St Mary the Virgin, Ketton
taken 8 years ago, near to Ketton, Rutland, England
The church is notable for its fine tower and broach spire. It is the only church in Rutland of cruciform plan with north and south transepts and a central tower. Despite good quarries locally, the stone came from Barnack, just to the east of Stamford.
The earliest fabric of the church has been dated to around 1190 although there is substantive evidence to indicate an earlier church on the site. Evidence of this period is the chevron decoration above the arch at the east end of the south aisle, carrying a walkway to the entrance to the ringing chamber. The main work of the nave dates from around 1230, with the crossing and belfry stage of the tower being of similar date. The arcade columns and the responds of the tower arch show nail head decoration of the period. An unusual feature of one of the piers of the north arcade is a single dog-tooth decoration just above the capital.
The main work of the nave dates from around 1230, with the crossing and belfry stage of the tower being of similar date. The arcade columns and the responds of the tower arch show nail head decoration of the period. An unusual feature of one of the piers of the north arcade is a single dog-tooth decoration just above the capital.
A clerestory was added to the nave in the 15th century, and there is evidence of the earlier roof lines on the wall of the tower facing into the nave. The south aisle windows were rebuilt at this time.
Interior fittings of note include the 14th century font with Decorated tracery carving, and some fine medieval bench ends.
The church is deservedly Listed Grade I.
Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.
In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest.
There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.
In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.
In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)
Read more at Wikipedia Link