Chantry House

The Chantry House is a high-status, late medieval timber-framed building on the east side of Henley churchyard, north of the the church. Its main two floors open into the churchyard; below is a bottom floor which, because of a sharp drop in ground level, faces only eastwards to the river, and is accessed through the yard of the Red Lion inn.

The name suggests that it housed some of Henley's medieval chantry priests, but in fact the name originated only during the early 20th century. Others have suggested that it fulfilled a commercial use associated with the river, or a communal one associated with parish life. Either way it is the finest timber-framed building in Henley, and on the churchyard side was clearly designed for show.

Read more about this enigmatic building, or about chantries and medieval popular religion in Henley