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

The Parish

The parish of Pytchley (spelt Pitchley in some early documents) lies in north central Northamptonshire about 3 miles south of the market town of Kettering. Pytchley is a mid-sized village which sits just over a mile south of the busy A14 road (which connects the central motorway network with the east coast ports). Once a fairly compact crossroads village Pytchley has grown in recent times with modern developments being added given its excellent travel links. Pytchley sits on oolitic limestone which was quarried for local building stone as well as for its fossiliferous content, ripple marks and trace fossils being something of a speciality. These activities supplemented the mixed farming regime that was conducted on the fertile soils, some, mainly female led, trades included lace making & shoe manufacturing. Small tributaries of the nearby River Ise drain the parish eastwards, the Ise turning south to meet the Nene at Wellingborough and thence to the North Sea reaching it through The Wash. Pytchley is sited at around 90 metres above the sea on ground which rises in gently rolling hills, continuing to rise southwestwards to reach local heights of almost 140 metres. Pytchley parish was fairly typically sized for its area, covering close to 2,800 acres it would have supported a population of around 600 parishioners. In Domesday times Pytchley was shared almost equally by William the Artificier and Peterborough Abbey with Count Robert of Mortain having a token holding, collectively the parish could offer 10 ploughs as well as the usual meadows, woodlands and pastures.

The Church

All Saints' church sits adjacent to the main village crossroads within the northeastern quadrant. The church shows styles from the earliest post-Conquest era through to the middle of the 14th century but has, like many churches, been extensively restored and modified in more recent times. Earliest parts of the church include the northern arcade and southern aisle which are assigned by Pevsner to the Late Norman Romanesque period, a style prevalent in the 12th century. From the following century he highlights the chancel, despite its severe restoration of 1861, Early English Gothic in style. Moving onward to the 14th century and Decorated in style comes the porch and western tower to complete the medieval work. AS mentioned a restoration of 1861 was made which modified much to leave today's church. A small parking bay/bus stop serves to facilitate a visit, it lies to the west of the entrance. The churchyard has a low local limestone wall surrounding with metal gates for entry. The churchyard is, however, rather cramped to its southern aspects making the better imagery obtainable from across the Isham Road from the site.