Blakesley

About our Parish

The village is about five miles west of Towcester. The Ordnance Survey records it as being 426.5' above sea level.

The name is believed to have come from an Old English place-name meaning "Blaecwulf's wood or clearing" (or "black wolf's wood/clearing"). Over time the name contracted to the present form. The name of the brook running through the village, the Black Ouse, was derived from the name of the town, and not the other way round as sometimes claimed.

The village is the site of Blakesley Hall, once in possession of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem.

The parish church, built in the style of the Early English Period, dates from the late 13th Century, the first parish priest having been record as a certain William of Melchbourne, who took office in 1275. The Church is dedicated to St Mary. Since 2006 it has formed part of the Lambfold benefice along with the parishes of Adstone, Maidford, Litchborough and Farthingstone.

The church building itself forms the centre of a number of obviously ecclesiastical buildings probably related to a religious community. Opposite the church is an ancient house known as the Priory and of obvious religious style and adjoining the churchyard are ancient Tithe barns, now converted to housing but originally built in connection with the glebe lands.

To the northwest of Blakesley, and now contiguous with it, is the hamlet of Quinbury End.

Population: 492

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For Genealogical Enquiries the local Diocesan Record Office is:

Northamptonshire County Archivist

A copy of all Parochial records are also kept in the Village Heritage Centre contact can be made at:

heritage@lambfold.org.uk

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Churches in our Parish or Benefice

St Mary