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The Misericords and history of St Mary The Virgin,
Higham Ferrers.
St Mary The Virgin, has 20 early 15th century misericords.
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History of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers.
The present church was founded by the charter of Henry III in about 1220, with the tower being the last part of the first phase to be completed in about 1250. A large proportion of the original church survives to the present.
The next phase of building in about 1320, was the widening of the North Aisle and the replacement of the Nave arcade, to allow for the insertion of the Lady Chapel. Additional windows were added to the Chancel and the South Aisle.
The Clerestory and the low pitched roof, with parapets is of early 15th century, possibly under the auspices of Bishop Henry Chichele, Archbishop of Canterbury, who was born in Higham Ferrers. The Archbishop also had the screen and Choir Stalls with their misericords installed in about 1425. It is worth noting that Archbishop Chichele also had All Souls College Oxford built, and their is a definite family resemblance between both sets of misericords, it is possible that the same carver (possibly Richard Tyllock) created both sets of misericords.
In 1631 the spire and part of the tower collapsed, and then repaired shortly afterwards. This was the last work performed on the fabric of the church.
Two restorations occurred during the 19th century, but both seem to have been sympathetically performed.
The official Parish website.