The east end
It is not known what it replaced. There must have been a chancel arch in the Anglo-Saxon period, but there is no way of telling whether it survived until the 15th century or had been rebuilt before in the intervening years.
'Inside the chancel ... is a black marble chest with two steps leading up to it ...'
We can be more certain of the chancel itself. The present east window is 19th century, as it had to be rebuilt after a bad storm in 1810 when 'the wind was so extremely high that it blew down the chancel window of [Kirtling] church' (Cambridge Chronicle, 1810). A blocked lancet window in the chancel north wall, however, shows that the chancel had reached its present size by the early 13th century. Again, there is no telling what the Anglo-Saxon chancel was like, but a church as large as Kirtling would certainly have had one.
Inside the chancel, immediately adjacent to the altar, is a black marble chest with two steps leading up to it. It might be mistaken for another altar, but it is in fact the tomb of Edward, first Baron North of Kirtling Castle, who died in 1564. Next to it is the truly enormous tomb of his son, the second Baron, who died in 1600.
This tomb is inside the brick built chapel that can be seen so clearly from the outside. It had probably originally been intended to be a chantry chapel for the North family, but as chantries were abolished in 1547, it was converted into a mausoleum. Other memorials to the family include the painted hatchment panels with their coats of arms which adorn the walls of the church. The family considered the chapel to be their property, not a part of the parish church.
In the early 20th century, the then vicar tried to use the chapel for services, but the family's influence was such that the ensuing dispute ended with the resignation of the vicar.
Published: 2005-02-01
