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ALDWINCLE

It is thought that the name of Aldwincle, which was pronounced 'Aldewincla' at the time of the Doomsday survey, is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'WIncel', which means a corner. Since it is situated to the west of where the RIver Nene takes a sharp bend, the name 'Old Corner' seems quite appropriate. However, it is thought to have belonged at one time to an old warrior by the name of Ealda, so it could quite easily have been known as his corner. But whatever the reason, it was certainly a thriving little community in medieval times. It then consisted of two parishes with separate churches, two rectories and two manors, one belonging to the Abeey of Peterborough.

In the 17th century both rectories were associated individually with two famous names in English Literature - John Dryden, the great English poet, who was born at the rectory of All Saints, and Thomas Fuller, the great English church historian at the rectory of St.Peters. Thomas Fuller was best known for 'The Worthies of England' which was published after his death in 1661, and John Dryden, who was Poet Laureate in 1670. for 'The Hind and the Panther', a controversial religious poem that raised a storm throughout the country. At that time, the printing presses couldn't cope with the additional copies required, and the Pope declared it to be 'the most noble and splendid work in any language'. Dryden died in 1700 and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Both churches are full of interest and beauty, the church of St.Peter possessing a beautiful broach spire which is said to be one of the most graceful in the county. The tower, spire and chancel are from the decorated period in the late 14th century. The nave is Early English, but the sculpture of the piers is from two different periods. One of the piers in the north side is believed to be Norman and if so, must be the oldest part of the church. But it is the resplendent windows that deserve attention, combined with the 16th century glass on the south side of the chancel. Here you will find the figures of St.George and St.Christopher with a border of hares and white dogs, and in the east window, two more figures, believed to be the portraits of former rectors. There is also a beautiful coloured window in the tower, with the inscription 'in memory of Thomas Fuller, DD, church historian. He was born and baptised in this parish. AD1608. A scribe instructed unto the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 13.52'

Animals and birds are represented in an exterior string course around the building, which shows them clinging with their heads downwards to the structure among grotesque heads. The old rectory house where Dryden was born in 1631 is now a private house and situated almost opposite the Church of All Saints which is still preserved but disused. It is a well-proportioned church with a late perpendicular tower and an unusual window and nice above the west door. It contains several periods of architecture including the Decorated and Early English periods, with brass effigies to William Aldewyncle (1469) in the chancel and John Pickering, a physician and great uncle of the poet John Dryden on the north aisle wall. The two parishes were amalgamated on March 25, 1885 by the Local Government for Civil and Ecclesiastical purposes.

Two lesser known poets have also been associated with Aldwincle, one a rector and the other a shoemaker. The Rev.Thomas Haweis was the Rector of All Saints from 1764 until 1820, the founder of the London Missionary Society, and chaplain to Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon. He was the author of 'A Church History' and also wrote a number of hymns including 'O Thou From Whom All Goodness Flows', a well known favourite. The other writer was John Stevens, who was born at Aldwincle and brought up a shoemaker. He went to Oundle in 1797 and founded the Zion Baptists Church. becoming a hymn writer and afterwards a leading preacher of the Strict Baptists.

During the summer of 1909, a great pageant was performed at Aldwincle in the Rectory Field, which was on the estate of Lord Lilford. It was a most ambitious affair and the cost was enormous, although the 300 or so actors and actresses who took part received no payment. The pageant covered eight centuries of history, with Lord Lilford taking the part of King John who had often visited the area. Other men of history portrayed in this colossal production included Sir Hereward the Wake, Baldwin de Vere, Berengarius le Moine of Barnwell Castle and Bishop Grosseteste, the Abbot of Peterborough. Less than 3,000 spectators turned up to see the pageant, although the weather was very good. The characters also included Henry de Aldwyncle, the Lord of the Manor; RObert Browne, leader of the Brownists and forerunner of the present day Congregational Church; and later on the Treshams, Catesbys and Digbys, who conspired to blow up parliament in 1605.

Taken from the book 'Northamptonshire in a Nutshell'
by Ron Mears published by Orman Publishing
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