St Peter, Duxford, Cambridgeshire

I Location

Site Location: Duxford
National Grid Reference: TL 481 460
County: traditional: Cambridgeshire
now: Cambridgeshire
Diocese: medieval: not confirmed
now: Ely
Dedication: medieval: not confirmed
now (or name of monument): St Peter
Type of building/monument: Parish church

II General Description

: Tower, exterior view from SW

St Peter's is substantially a 12thc. church of nave, chancel and W tower. Aisles were added to the nave in the 14thc. The W tower, with its twin bell openings, angle shafts and tower arch are all recorded here, as is the font. Construction is of flint and pebble with ashlar dressings and the tower has a lead spike. There was a restoration by Ewan Christian in 1883.

III Exterior Features

2. Windows

(i) Tower E face, bell opening

Two plain continuous round-headed lancets separated by a section of wall are enclosed by an order consisting of detached nook shafts on worn bases supporting double scallop capitals with angle tucks. Plain neckings to the capitals, and above them are chamfered imposts and a chamfered, round-headed enclosing arch.

(ii) Tower S face, bell opening

: Tower, S face bell opening

As (i) above

(iii) Tower W face, bell opening

As (i) above

(iv) Tower N face, bell opening

As (i) above

3. Exterior Decoration

d. Miscellaneous

(i) Tower angle shafts

: Tower, SW angle capital

At each angle of the W tower is an angle roll with an attic base at the bottom, and at the top a simple cushion capital with plain necking.

IV Interior Features

1. Arches

b. Tower/Transept arches

(i) Tower arch

: Tower arch, general view from E

: Tower arch, S capital from NE

Round headed and of one order to the E. The W face is not accessible. Attached (coursed) nook shafts with tall attic bases support cushion capitals with angle tucks, plain neckings and chamfered imposts. In the arch is an angle roll.

V Furnishings

1. Fonts

(i)

: Font general view

At W end of S nave aisle. A square bowl with its angles chamfered off, but lugs left unchamfered at the lower edge. The upper rim is chamfered inside and out. The basin stands on a square 13thc. plinth, which has angle shafts with moulded capitals carved into it. The inner basin is round and lead lined.

Dimensions

h. of bowl	0.46 m
overall h. of font	1.13 m
w. (N-S)	0.76 m
w. (E-W)	0.76 m
inner diam. of bowl	0.63 m

VII History

In 1086, Gerard held 6 hides in Duxford from Count Alan. Count Eustace held 5 hides and 3 virgates. Gilbert held 4½ hides from Robert de Tosny, and Payne held 3 hides and 1virgate from Hardwin de Scales. No church is mentioned in connection with any of these holdings, so it is not possible to distinguish between the two Duxford parishes at this date.

VIII Comments/Opinions

Pevsner compares the angle shafts of the tower to Burwell.

IX Bibliography

N. Pevsner, The Buildings of England. Cambridgeshire, Harmondsworth 1954 (2nd ed. 1970), 332-33.
C. H. Evelyn-White, County Churches: Cambridgeshire and the Isle of Ely. London 1911, 66-67.