Brixworth

The Anglo-Saxon church of All Saints, Brixworth in Northamptonshire stands on a hill over looking the village. Built from local ironstone and lias it consists of a west tower, nave, presbytery, south aisle Lady Chapel, and apse. Though restored in the 1860s it retains a number of features from when it was built in 680 AD.

The church is some 140ft long and 30ft wide, making it the largest Angle-Saxon chuch in England, and one of the most important architectural buildings in the country.

It was originally founded as a monastery by Cuthbald, abbot of Peterborough, and was mostly ruined and all the moinks killed during the Danish invasion of 870. It was rebuilt again during the reign of King Edgar in 970 AD.

A painted screen from the 15th century that once stood between the nave and the presbytery is now between presbytery and Lady Chapel.

The chapel contains a 13th century effigy of a knight in surcoat and mail which is thought to commemorate John de Verdun a close supporter of King Henry III.