Rothley Church St Mary and St John

Rothley Nave View

Rothley church interior

Rothley is 5 miles north of Leicester and has a population of 3,612 according to the last census in 2001. We know that the area has been inhabited since Saxon times due to the Saxon shaft. This is a twelve feet high millstone grit cross carved with typical Saxon strapwork that is situated south of the chancel in the churchyard and dates from the 9th century. This object is worth a trip to the church for itself but the church also has some more interesting features.

Rothley Exterior

Rothley exterior showing east chancel

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as ‘Rodolei’ and included 37 acres of meadow, mill and woodland. In the Middle Ages, Rothley was home to a manor of the Knights Templar, known as Rothley temple, but now the Rothley Court Hotel, which passed to the Babington family after the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. The Babington family held the manor for almost 300 years until the death in 1837 of Thomas Babington. I have contacted the Rothley Court Hotel and will be visiting to add the chapel to the Journal.

Rothley Slab

Incised slab of Robert Vincent (d. 1520) with his two wives Margery and Thomasina.

The church consists of a nave, west tower, chancel, north & south aisles, vestry and organ chamber. Probably the oldest part of the church is the 12th century nave, the aisles were added in the 13th century although not at the same time. The tower dates from the 15th century (remains of Norman stonework at base) as does the clerestory which was added to the nave. The chancel was restored in 1877, and the north porch, vestry and organ chamber were added at the same time. The Architect R Reynolds Rowe and the then vicar Richard Burton led the efforts to save the church from decay and the total cost of the repairs and addition was £3,008.

Rothley Nave

Nave to chancel view

There are some further monuments of architectural items of interest within the church. There are two Hagioscopes in the north & south aisles which allowed the congregation to glimpse the lifting of the Host in pre-reformation services, and allow Assistants to coordinate with the Celebrant.
The fine large carved ‘Norman-Tub’ font sits on four more modern shafts in the south aisle. The rood screen at the entrance to the chancel is 15th century and of oak there is some good carvings on the piece including a Pelican feeding her brood.

Rothley Font

Norman Font

In the chancel we have a number of monuments, in the recessed south wall is the box tomb of Humphrey Babington (d. 1544) and his wife Eleanor (of the family Beaumont, descended from Richard III). More impressive on the north side we have the incised slab top of the boxed tomb of Robert Vincent (d. 1520) which features both his wives Margery and Thomasina. There are also many more monuments and memorials around the church, but there is a good guide which most of the information came from for this text.
The large church of Rothley although restored by the Victorians has managed to keep many of its features and it is a pleasant place to visit. The church is not usually open outside normal services times, but if you are in the area the impressive Saxon Cross is worth a visit to admire. There are plenty of facilities in the large village although parking by the church can be limited there are plenty of places to park nearby.

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The church at Rothley is LOCKED. More information here.
Address details – St Mary and St John, Rothley, Leics. LE7 7PD 

Author: Chris Jones

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5 Comments

  1. To whom it may concern can you help me lam looking for isaac preston who was buried in rothley church yard 1890 if there is a head stone could you please let me know would be much appreciated cheers ray

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  2. Yes, there is headstone for ISAAC PRESTON, but he died on 3rd December 1777. The inscription shows “late clerk of this parish”. The headstone is on the south side of the Church, near the path leading to Hallfields Lane.

    There are other headstones with the name Preston, but these also date back to the 1700’s.

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  3. I believe Robert Vincent, formerly working for Thomas Grey 1st Marquis of Dorset and his son 2nd Marquis of Dorser died in 1513 and not 1520.

    I cannot find a precise date.

    Sir William Skeffington took Robert Vincent’s place on the team supporting the 2nd Marquis.

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  4. Is the memorial panelling behind the altar given by my grandmother Mrs E M Hollingworth in 1936 still there.?

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  5. Hello. I am trying to find if George Randall is buried here. He died in 1910 at Rothley Station. George was aged 23 and is my 1st cousin 1 x removed. He was hit by a train at the station on 29th Jan 1910. If any one knows were he could be buried please let me know. I have tried most of the local churches and local newspapers and record office. Any ideas?

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