England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
Elton All Saints

The Parish

The parish of Elton lies in the extreme northwest of Huntingdonshire forming a substantial portion of the border with neighbouring Northamptonshire. Elton is a large village which lies around 5 miles northeast of the Northamptonshire market town of Oundle. Elton is sited about a mile north of the A606 road which connects Oundle through to the city of Peterborough. Elton sits on the eastern banks of the River Nene with most properties lying along the lane which runs from the main street (B671) down to the weir that crosses the river. The local geology here is iron rich and a small foundry exploited that bringing some diversity to what would otherwise have been a typical arable farming community. Much of the parish is dominated by the Hall & grounds of Elton Hall, home of Sapcote family and with extensive park-land running down to the riverbank. The Nene drains the parish northwards, turning east to pass through peterborough thence to the North Sea through The Wash. Elton sits on a slight slope, the lower portions, by the river, being at 10 metres whilst those by the church are some 10 metres higher, land continues to rise gently eastwards reaching just over 50 metres within a couple of miles. Elton parish was large for a southern parish, covering just over 3,500 acres it would have supported a population of almost 850 parishioners. In Domesday times Elton was shared by two local abbeys, Ramsey Abbey having the greater share whilst Peterborough held a smaller holding, collectively their holdings offered an impressive 28 ploughs together with extensive meadows and 2 mills making for a prosperous place indeed.

The Church

All Saints' church sits on the western side of the B671 at the southern edge of the village and the northern edge of Elton Hall estate. Outwardly this is an example of a late Perpendicular church of the early 16th century but a closer look internally reveals an older building. Pevsner dates the chancel arch, often the earliest part of a church, to before 1300 and Early English Gothic in style. The major changes which resulted in today's exterior took pace between 1500 and 1540 and are well evidenced by documentary donations in wills. As befits a large congregation the standard layout of nave & chancel with a western tower is augmented by aisles and four-bay arcades making for a large church. The western tower is fine piece of Perpendicular style described by Pevsner as "proud" and quite a landmark in the area. The entrance to the churchyard is marked by a set-back and graveled parking area outside the wooden gates, a similar path leads across the extensive churchyard to the building. There are no obstacles to photography within as the churchyard is extensive, very necessary to capture the full height of that western tower.