A History of the Church of St. Peter, Northampton. By
the Rev. R. M. Serjeantson. (W. Mark, Northampton.)—St. Peter's Church is a noticeable example of the finer class of English parish churches, and it has found a painstaking and thoroughly competent historian. It must be understood that meritorious as are the books of which this is a type, it is quite impossible to give to the general reader an idea of its value. Now and then, it is true, the history of a parish touches on the history of the nation; now and then we come across the birth or burial of some person whose fame is more than local. But these must be exceptional; the service that diligent students such as is Mr. Serjeantson render must be primarily and generally local.
A general history of the church is followed by an elaborate account of its architecture,—of the fabric as it was and of later changes and restorations. Chap. 6 gives a list of rectors, the first date being 1190; but the list in early times is not complete. It is interesting to observe that fifteen rectors held the benefice for the three centuries 1576-1873, and that the fifteen in order before 1576 cover a period only half as long. The advowson belongs to the Hospital of St. Katharine (formerly of the Thames side, and now located in Regent's Park). It has a curious, and not very edifying, history. In 1550 the Hospital leased the rectory and advowson to the Morgan family, and a series of most unseemly squabbles began. Chap. 10 is given to "The Monuments," a useful piece of work, as it preserves what sooner or later must disappear. Finally, we have an account of Kingsthorpe Church, once a chapelry, now an independent parish, and of Upton, which is still dependent. Mr. Serjeantson also adds accounts of various families that have been or are connected with the locality. Perhaps the most distinguished among the personages mentioned is James Harrington, author of "The Commonwealth of Oceana."
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