Northampton's Holy Sepulchre, dating to around 1100, is a glorious example of Norman architecture. It is possible the church was built by Simon de Senlis, Earl of Northampton, who returned from the First Crusade. Having seen the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, he may have been inspired to build a similar structure in the north of Northampton. Simon de Senlis was also responsible for making Northampton a Norman stronghold by building the (now destroyed) Northampton Castle and a town wall, and it is probable he built the church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The original church of about 1100 had a round nave of 8 columns, supporting a triforium. An ambulatory ran round the perimeter. As time passed, a North aisle was added around 1180, followed by a second North aisle around 1275. The early 15th century saw the construction of a South aisle, the replacement of the triforium with a clerestory, and the addition of a Western tower.
The Holy Sepulchre in Northampton is one of four medieval round churches still in use in England. The others include the Holy Sepulchre in Cambridge, Temple Church in London, and St John the Baptist in Little Maplestead, Essex.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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