Preston Capes, Northamptonshire

Description
Preston Capes, a village and a parish in Northamptonshire. The village stands 5 miles SW of Weedon station on the L. & N.W.R. main line, 3 N of Moreton Pinkney station on the East and West Junction railway, and 5 S of Daventry, and has a post office under Daventry ; money order and telegraph office, Byfield. The parish contains also the hamlet of Little Preston, which is about three-quarters of a mile SE of the village, and comprises 2793 acres; population, 205. The manor, with Fawsley Park, belongs to the Knightley family. An ancient castle formerly stood within the parish and has left some remains, the moat being distinctly traceable, but no masonry. A Cluniac priory was founded here in 1090 by Hugh de Leycester, and was removed to Daventry. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Peterborough ; gross value, £298 with residence. Patron, Lord Knightley. The church, of the 14th century, is a building of stone chiefly of the Perpendicular style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, S porch, and an embattled western tower. It is largely covered with ivy and has a very picturesque appearance.