THE GARGOYLES AT FOTHERINGHAY

The gargoyles on Fotheringhay church are fascinating. The image top left is said to be that of William Horwood, the architect who was responsible for building the church in the 1430's. He is depicted leaning on his drawing board. William Horwood's faithful dog is depicted in the picture top right. The Gargoyle pictured middle left is the Duke Of York, with his wife Cecily Duchess Of York depicted in the image middle right. Pictured bottom left is a Green Man with the gargoyle bottom right said to be that of Thomas Pecham, the clerk to the Duke of Yourk. Not the most flattering of depictions this with his Pig's nose and eyes closed!

Just a few miles away from Fotheringhay is the village of Nassington and the three gargoyles pictured above and left all come from the church there.

  Notice the small head perched on top of the gargoyle above left. There also appears to be a face peering out from the top of the gargoyle above right as well. Curious this...!

  The gargoyle above left left is not the best carved, or most interesting to look at...but it does win the award for the biggest spout in East Northamptonshire!! Above right, high up on the tower. What appears to be an ape!

Just a short distance from Nassington is Woodnewton, which is probably best known for providing the final resting place for one Nikolai Polakovs, otherwise known as Coco The Clown. Several gargoyles to be found here, but sadly, they are all very, very weathered, with the quality being inferior to those found in the villages surrounding Woodnewton.

  A little close to Oundle is the small, picturesque, village of Tansor. The picture bottom left comes from the church of St Mary at Tansor, and shows a grotesque in need of a little dental treatment.

  To the right of that, andf still in the same part of East Northants, the church of St Leonards at Apethorpe has the gargoyle pictured bottom right. All I have to say here is small gargoyle, large pipe!