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Wansford Bridge
Wansford Bridge
Wansford was an important village, mostly because of its fine bridge over the River Nene. Originally the Great North Road, now better known as the A1, went through the village and crossed the bridge, but it was diverted, leaving the village in peace.
Oliver Sutton, the bishop of Lincoln held a court at the Prebendal Manor, Nassington, Northants in 1295. On April 20 he granted twenty days Indulgence to anybody who contributed to the upkeep or repair of the bridge over the river Nene at Wansford. Considering that this was at no cost to himself, he was not being very generous as most similar grants were for forty days!
Bennet's pilgrim had to travel, To Sent Savyor Wanysford 14d & to offer id of the said 14d.
Prebendal Manor
Oliver Sutton, the bishop of Lincoln held a court at the Prebendal Manor, Nassington, Northants in 1295. On April 20 he granted twenty days Indulgence to anybody who contributed to the upkeep or repair of the bridge over the river Nene at Wansford.
Considering that this was at no cost to himself, Sutton was not being very generous as most similar grants were for forty days!
Lean more about Prebendal and pilgrimage further down the page.
For more information about Prebendal manor, go to,
https://www.prebendal-manor.co.uk/
Wansford Font
Wansford Font
The church is well worth visiting for the font alone. Whether the font originally belonged to the church is uncertain. It dates to the early 1100s, and was being used as a cattle trough at Sibberton Lodge and moved to safety at Wansford.
Around the bowl are arches containing carvings of figures two men who are fighting with long clubs and round shields, two men, who are possibly saints, hold books and above the arches, vines twist to fill the gaps.
The Nassington Cockle Shells
The Nassington Cockle Shells
These cockle shells were found in a tomb during a major restoration of the church of St Mary and All Saints, Nassington, Northamptonshire, during the nineteenth century. One of the prebendaries of Nassington was Robert de Kaden, or Cadney, who was recorded as having journeyed to Santiago de Compostela and it is thought that the shells were a souvenir of his visit. Although it is more usual to see scallop shells from Spain, the cockle shell seems to be the popular choice of shell worn by English pilgrims.
De Kaden was prebendary of Nassington from 1244 until 1257. His lead paten and a broken lead chalice were also found in the tomb.
The Nassington Ampulla
The Nassington Ampulla
An ampulla is usually made of lead and designed to contain a holy liquid, oil or water. The top would be crimped together to keep the liquid inside. Canterbury sold, Holy water of Thomas Becket, said to contain some of the martyr's blood as a general cure-all.
This ampulla may have contained water from Walsingham's holy wells.
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