SK8613 : Lych gate, Ashwell churchyard
taken 9 years ago, near to Ashwell, Rutland, England

The church consists of aisled nave and chancel, the aisles extending alongside two bays of the chancel to form side chapels, with west tower and south porch.
The church is largely of 13th and 14th century date, based on an older church of the 12th century, of which one arch remains in the north aisle arcade. The nave and its aisles can be dated to the 13th century, probably around 1220-30, and the arcades other than the arch mentioned, are from this date. Externally however, this part of the church was all refaced during the 14th century, at which time the tower was built, as also the chancel side chapels and the eastern bay of the chancel. The church was restored in 1851 by leading Gothic Revival architect William Butterfield Link. The main elements of this were the re-ordering of the interior, rebuilding of the roofs, including the tower pyramid, and the addition of the south porch. The main stone fabric was less interfered with than in many churches.
Distinctive details of the exterior are the use of alternate bands of ironstone and faced freestone around the chancel, its chapels and the west tower. Also a profusion of ballflower decoration. A further distinctive feature is the pyramidal roof to the tower.
Internally the fittings including the font date from the 1851 restoration. Of this period is the fine 3-seat sedilia in the south wall of the chancel, but the two-bay piscina adjacent to this is early, although much restored and moved to its current location. On the opposite wall of the chancel is a recess of the 15th century, possibly to hold a memorial. The arch is incised with a series of the letter T, probably relating to the Tuchet family.
Both north and south chancel chapels contain interesting medieval monuments. In the south chapel there are firstly an unusual wooden effigy, c.1320, of a recumbent cross-legged knight, again probably of the Tuchet family and secondly a marble slab with the incised figures of John Vernam (d.1480) and his wife Rosa. In the north chapel, now the vestry, is an alabaster effigy of a priest in vestments, possibly Rector John Vernam (d.1489).
There is a ring of six bells of which the two newest date to the 19th century restoration, the others being of 18th century date.
The church is Listed Grade I . For more detail see the Victoria County History of Rutland Link.
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