12. WOOLWICH.
(O.S. 6-in. London, Sheets (a)L, (b)P.)
The Borough of Woolwich consists of the parishes
of Woolwich, Plumstead and Eltham. The
principal monuments are Eltham Palace, Well
Hall and Eltham Lodge.
Ecclesiastical
a(1) Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene
(formerly St. Lawrence), Woolwich, stands on
rising ground on the S. side of the river. The
existing building replaced the earlier church in
1732–38, it has a modern chancel and contains
the following:—
Fittings—Bell: said to be inscribed "Willelmus
Prene me fecit in honorem Sanctae Trinitatis."
Prene was a late 14th-century rector and died in
1404. Plate: includes two cups of 1695, given by
Thomas Argott, and a paten of the same date
given by the Goldsmiths' Company.
Condition—Re-built.
b(2) Parish Church of St. Nicholas, Plumstead, stands on the N. side of the High Street.
The walls of the old building are generally of rubble
or chalk, rendered in cement or rough-cast; the
dressings are of Reigate stone and the tower is
of red brick; the roofs are tiled. The S. and W.
walls of the Old Nave (now the S. aisle) date
probably from late in the 12th century. In the
13th century the South Transept was added and a
wider chancel built. Late in the 15th century a
N. aisle was added and the N. arcade of the old
church built. The building became ruinous in the
17th century, and in 1664 it was repaired and the
West Tower built. In 1780 the N. arcade was built
up, but in 1818 the N. aisle was re-built and
restored to use. The church was restored in
1867–8 and in 1907–8 it was greatly enlarged, the
old nave becoming the S. aisle, a new nave replacing
the old N. aisle with a new N. aisle beyond it; a
modern chancel was also built with N. and S.
chapels, the S. chapel being on the site of the old
chancel.
Parish Church of St Nicholas, Plumstead. Plan
Architectural Description—The old Chancel has
been entirely destroyed with the exception of part
of the base of the S. wall, which stood in advance
of the modern S. wall. In the old wall, and now
covered by a grating, is the W. jamb of a 13th-century doorway of two orders, the inner chamfered
and the outer with a detached shaft retaining its
moulded base. Incorporated in the modern W.
arch in the N. wall is the hollow-chamfered inner
order of a two-centred arch, probably of the 14th
century.
The old Nave (62 ft. by 23 ft.) has a late 15th-century N. arcade of four bays with two-centred
arches of two hollow-chamfered orders; the
octagonal columns have concave faces and moulded
capitals and bases; the responds have attached
half-columns; the W. bay of the arcade is blocked
by the Tower. The S. wall, at the E. end of the
former nave, has a large projection with chamfered
angles, representing the S. respond of the former
chancel-arch; of the arch itself only two hollowchamfered voussoirs remain, at the springing level;
opening into the S. transept is a late 15th-century
arch, two-centred and of two hollow-chamfered
orders; it springs, on the E., from a moulded
corbel with a shield below, and on the W., from a
semi-octagonal respond with moulded capital and
base; further W. are three windows; the two
easternmost modern and the westernmost of late
12th-century date, set high in the wall and of a
single round-headed light; below it is the modern
S. doorway; between the first two windows is the
E. splay and part of the rear-arch of a blocked
12th-century window of similar character to that
just described; below it is a blocked 14th-century
doorway, with jambs and two-centred arch of
three orders, the outer chamfered and the two inner
moulded. In the W. wall is a modern window and,
below it, the moulded jambs and two-centred head
of the late 14th or 15th-century W. doorway.
The South Transept (17½ ft. by 16¾ ft.) is of
early 13th-century date and has, on the E. side, a
wall-arcade of two bays with chamfered two-centred arches; the northern arch has been
blocked for the erection of a monument; of the
three moulded corbels supporting the arcade only
two remain; in each bay is a lancet-window, of
which the northern is blocked and only visible
externally; they have roll-moulded jambs and the
southern has moulded splays; at the N. end of the
wall are remains of a half arch at the back of the
chancel-arch respond; it is now blocked, but part
of the E. face is visible externally at the back of a
buttress in the angle of the chancel and transept.
In the S. wall is a window, all modern except
perhaps parts of the splays. In the W. wall is a
lancet-window, similar to those in the E. wall, but
decayed on the outer face.
The West Tower (10½ ft. by 11 ft.) is of red brick and
of three stages (Plate 173) with clasping buttresses
at the angles, carried up as turrets, and an embattled parapet with stone copings; brick stringcourses between the buttresses mark the stages; the
tower was built in 1664. The ground-stage has in
the S. wall a doorway with a round head and fitted
with a lower modern door. In the W. wall is a
window of two round-headed lights in a round
moulded head with blocked tracery-lights and
moulded mullion and architrave; on the mullion
is a fleur-de-lis; below the window is a modern
doorway. The second stage has, in the N., S. and
W. walls, a window similar to that in the stage
below, but with no fleur-de-lis. The bell-chamber
has in each wall a similar window.
The Roof of the former nave is modern, but rests
on late 15th-century moulded stone corbels; the
corbel over the second column from the W. of the
N. side has a black-letter inscription "vicar Thō
(Wyll . . ?)." The modern roof of the S. transept
has similar corbels, one bearing a black-letter H.
Fittings—Bells: four; 1st, 2nd and 3rd by
Christopher Hodson, 1686. Coffin-lid: In recess
of blocked W. doorway—coped slab with cross
in relief, 13th-century, much worn. Monument
and Floor-slabs. Monument: In churchyard—to
Kathron, wife of Phillip Haynes, 1690–1, and to
her husband, 1690–1, headstone with skull and
cross-bones. Floor-slabs: In nave—(1) with
remains of Lombardic inscription, 13th or 14th-century; (2) to John Gossage, 1672, with shield-of-arms. Plate: now at St. Margaret's Church,
Plumstead Common, includes a plate of 1710 on
three legs and a paten of the same date. Scratchings: On stones of N. arcade, various masons'
marks. Table: now used as communion-table in
old chancel—with turned legs, in the form of
columns, on square bases with lozenge on faces,
plain rails and restored moulded edge, early
17th-century. Miscellanea: In churchyard—
parts of window-head, jamb and sill, moulded
corbels, etc., late 15th-century.
Condition—Good.
b(3) Parish Church of St. John the Baptist,
Eltham, stands at the N.W. corner of Eltham Hill
and Wellhall Road. It was entirely re-built in 1875,
but retains from the old building the following:—
Fittings—Chairs: now at the Vicarage, two
with upholstered backs and seats, carved arms,
turned and twisted legs and rails, late 17th or
early 18th-century. Monuments and Floor-slabs.
Monuments: In vestibule—on W. wall, (1) to Ann,
wife of Dr. Richard Owen, 1652–3, and their
children, Richard, 1641–2, Charles 1648, Edward,
1678, James, 1653, Mary, 1675, Jane, 1663–4, and
Blainch, 1649, also Thomas son of Richard Owen
by his second wife, Amy, 1679, plain marble tablet.
In churchyard—E. of chancel, (2) to Thomas
Scroop, 1688 (?), headstone with cherub-heads,
etc.; (3) to Samuel Spencer, 1714, headstone with
skull, etc.; N. of chancel, (4) to Elizabeth Fearon,
1712–13 (?), headstone with skull; S.E. of chancel,
(5) to Walter Yeates, 1713, headstone with skull,
etc.; N. of N. aisle, (6) to Obedience, daughter of
Stephen Bellingham, 1697, headstone with skull,
etc.; (7) to Richard Houltum (?), 1699, and others
with names defaced, headstone with scrolls and
skulls; S. of S. aisle, (8) to Mary, wife of Robert
Street, 1708–9, and others of later date, low table-tomb with moulded slab. Floor-slabs: In vestibule—(1) to Nicholas Smith, 1698, Mary his first
wife, 1676, Frances his second wife, 1696 (?), and
Nicholas, Elizabeth and Hester his grandchildren,
also to others of later date; (2) to John Colleton,
16[35]; (3) to Katherine, wife of John Bowles,
1670, Margaret their daughter, 1666, and others
later. In S. porch—(4) to John Stanyan, 1711,
Elizabeth, his daughter, 1710–11, and another of
later date. In churchyard—E. of chancel, (5) to
George Cooke, 1699, and Mary his wife, 1695.
Painting: In S. aisle—on canvas, the Annunciation, said to be by Carlo Maratti, 17th-century.
Miscellanea: hemispherical stone bowl with square
top of doubtful use and date.
Condition—Re-built.
Secular
b(4) Eltham Palace, hall, houses in various
tenures, walls, bridge and moat, 550 yards
S.S.W. of Eltham parish church. The walls are
of ragstone, Reigate stone and brick; the roofs
are tiled. The palace consisted of the main
buildings standing within a moat of quadrangular form and an outer court, of which only
part of the range of buildings on the W. side now
remain. Elizabethan plans of both parts of the
buildings survive, which form a valuable commentary on the existing remains. The buildings
surviving within the moat are the great hall, the
lodgings to the E. of it, the retaining wall of the
moat with the bases of the buildings erected upon
it on the W. face and some underground passages
and substructures. The palace was built, probably
on the site of an earlier house, by Anthony Bec,
Bishop of Durham, c. 1296–1311. Parts of the
retaining wall of the moat may be of this date, but
the buildings themselves have been destroyed; the
Elizabethan plan, however, indicates that Bec's
building had octagonal towers at the angles and a
gatehouse flanked by similar towers on the S.
front. The arrangement seems to have been
similar to that of the same prelate's castle at
Somerton, Lincs. The palace passed into the
hands of the Crown in 1311, but there is little
evidence of alteration to the buildings before the
time of Edward IV, except the re-building or
alteration of the chapel, since destroyed, by
Henry VI. The Great Hall was re-built by
Edward IV, the work being in progress and nearing
completion in 1479; the N. Bridge over the moat
is of the same period. Much building was done at
the palace under Henry VIII and Elizabeth; the
former re-built the chapel which stood to the N. of
the hall, but has entirely disappeared. Most of
the retaining wall of the moat was re-built in
brick in the 16th century, as were the ranges of
lodgings on the W. front, of which the bases of the
various bay windows remain. The surviving
building in the outer court is also of the 16th
century. The buildings were largely intact at the
time of the Parliamentary survey, under the
Commonwealth, but since that time have been
gradually reduced to their present dimensions.
The Hall is an excellent example of its period
and the bridge over the moat is also noteworthy.
Eltham Palace. Site Plan
Architectural Description — The Great Hall
(Plate 174) (101½ ft. by 36 ft.) is of six bays,
divided externally by buttresses; the walls are
of red brick, faced with stone. The N. wall
(Plate 178) is faced with Reigate-stone ashlar
with a moulded parapet-string carved with
grotesque heads at intervals; each bay except the
westernmost has two windows each of two cinquefoiled lights with a quatrefoiled spandrel in a
four-centred head with a moulded label; below the
easternmost window is a doorway with moulded
and shafted jambs and two-centred arch in a square
head with traceried spandrels and a moulded
label; projecting from the westernmost bay is a
rectangular 'oriel' with a pair of windows on the
outer face similar to those in the other bays, but
carried down below an embattled transom and
with cinquefoiled and sub-cusped heads to the
lower lights. There is a similar window in the E.
return wall; the blank wall on the W. has blind
panelling of similar design to the window, and
below it is a doorway with moulded and shafted
jambs and four-centred arch; it opens into a small
porch or annexe with an open four-centred arch
on the W. side and a window high up in the N.
wall, of two four-centred lights in a square head
with a moulded label; the walls of the porch have
been much altered and the former arrangement of
floors, etc., obscured. The S. side (Plate 176) of
the hall is generally similar to the N., but the walls,
below the window-sills, are faced with squared ragstone; the doorway also has no spandrels or
square head and the porch to the 'oriel' has no
window; the opening on the W. side of the 'oriel'
has a second four-centred arch at a much lower
level. The W. end of the hall (Plate 175) is a
blank wall, the lower part of rubble, and the
upper part, with the gable, of brick; set in the
wall, at about 20 ft. from the ground, is a stone
corbel. The E. end of the hall has a doorway
now covered with plaster; further S. are two
original doorways each with moulded jambs and
four-centred arch; one doorway is now blocked.
The roof of the hall (Plate 179) is of hammerbeam type with elaborately moulded main timbers,
curved braces below the hammer-beams and
collars, the latter forming four-centred arches; the
spandrels of these arches are cusped and the
spaces between the main collars, the secondary
collars and the ridge are filled with open lights with
traceried heads; the side-posts are continued
down below the hammer-beams as pendants and
have richly moulded terminations; between the
purlins are curved and cusped wind-braces; over
the third bay from the W. is the hexagonal framing (Plate 188) for the former louvre. The two
'oriels' open from the hall by lofty and moulded
four-centred arches with moulded and shafted responds. Each 'oriel' has a stone vault of two bays
with diagonal, ridge, subsidiary and lierne ribs and
carved bosses at the intersections, mostly foliage
and much weathered. At the E. end of the hall
is the framework of the original oak screen; it is
of five bays and had two doorways; the close
bays have a moulded rail and the main posts and
head of the screen are also moulded; the posts
have each an attached shaft with a moulded base.
Eltham Palace, The Great Hall
The Lodgings to the E. of the hall consist of four
bays on the N. front, of which that immediately
adjoining the hall has no ancient features. The
other three bays are of late 15th-century date; the
ground floor is ashlar-faced and contains a re-set
window of two four-centred lights in a square
head; further W. is a modern window set in an
arch incorporating some moulded 15th-century
stones; there are two other windows, both modern.
The first floor projects and has exposed timberframing and a moulded bressumer; the three
gables have moulded barge-boards, two with
pierced tracery and one of the same form, but with
carved foliage in place of the tracery; all three
have panelled pendants at the apex, with moulded
terminals. Three of the chimney-stacks of this
building are partly old. Inside the building two
doorways in the main cross-wall are of the 15th
century and have stop-moulded jambs and four-centred heads. The western window in the N.
wall has a collection of painted glass including
seated figure of Queen Elizabeth, square panel with
figures of two arquebusiers and a halberdier,
German, early 17th-century; two oval panels,
(a) figure of Christ as the fountain of the water of
life and (b) St. Mary Magdalene anointing the feet
of Christ, Dutch or German, 16th-century; oval
panel with a figure of Charity; rectangular panel
with figure of St. Anthony and a (?) donor, foreign,
16th-century; various fragments of inscriptions,
a helm, etc. The roof of the S.W. part of the
building is in three bays with cambered tie-beams
and braces forming four-centred arches; the roof
on the N. side has cambered tie-beams with collar
and struts to the purlins.
Eltham Palace, Plan Showing Remaining Buildings
The revetment-wall of the moat is partly of
stone and partly of brick, the stonework being
perhaps partly of earlier date than the brickwork,
which dates from the 16th century. The E. face
has square projecting bastions added at the angles;
the southern 120 ft. of the wall is of small coursed
blocks in the lower part and of rubble finished with
brick above; level with the S. face of the hall are
the remains of the early 16th century embattled
brick parapet with an arrow-loop in each merlon;
the remainder of the wall has been much altered
except the N. end, where it resembles the southernmost portion. The S. face is mainly of rubble,
much altered and out of true towards the E. end.
The wall for about 32 ft. from the W. angle is of
16th-century brick with black-brick diapering; it
has the base of a square projecting bay at the
angle and of another bay further E.; between
them is the entrance to an underground passage;
near the middle of the S. face are the remains of a
bridge crossing the moat; they consist of part of
the abutment on the palace side and of several
piers spaced about 7½ ft. apart; the remains are
of stone and brick, and would seem to be of 16th-century date. The W. face at the S. end (Plate 175)
is of rubble with added projections in brick with
black brick diapering; these projections formed
the bases of five bay-windows (including the angle
bay), the middle one of these has a diagonal
projection in the middle and all are of the 16th
century; further N. the rubble wall is supported
by two large stone and brick buttresses; the
remainder of the wall has been much altered and
ruined, but retains portions of the bases of several
projecting bays of brick; at the angle is a large
projecting bastion of stone at the base and of
brick above. The N. face has a stretch of fairly
well preserved stone wall towards the W. with brick
capping.
The Bridge (Plate 177) is of late 15th-century
date and of ashlar with a later brick parapet; the
four arches are of unequal size, but are all four-centred and have a double hollow-chamfer on the
outer face and a horizontal moulded string-course
above; the piers are provided on both sides with
'cut-water' projections finished with a tabled
capping at the level of the parapet; the three
northern arches of the bridge have each two
hollow-chamfered ribs supporting the brick soffit;
the southernmost arch is now blocked, but formerly
consisted of the outer arches only, the space between
being bridged by a draw-bridge.
There are at least three underground passages
within the moated area and two of these are
accessible, their position being shown on the plan.
The passage at the S.W. angle has a pointed roof
of brick and terminates on the N. in a stone doorway with chamfered jambs and two-centred head.
The passage near the N.W. angle has a similar
roof; to the S. of it is another passage joining two
small chambers, but here the work has been much
altered.
The Moat surrounds the site, but is now dry
except for the N. arm.
The remains of the Conduit Head, for supplying
the palace with water, stand on the E. side of the
Southend Road, 1,050 yards E.S.E. of the parish
church. The structure is of brick, much ruined,
and dates from the 16th or 17th century; it
consists of a small chamber with a pointed barrel-vault and an opening in the S.E. wall with a
segmental arch. Projecting towards the N.E. is a
short length of tunnel with a two-centred arch
opening into it.
The Green Court of the palace adjoined the moat
on the N.E. side; it had ranges of buildings on the
N.W., N.E. and S.E. sides, being entered by a gatehouse in the middle of the N.E. range. The only
surviving building is the greater part of the N.W.
range which, according to the late 16th-century
plan by John Thorpe, then included the Lord
Chancellor's Lodging (Plate 180) with his buttery,
the spicery and the pastry; it now forms the
houses Nos. 32, 34 and 36 Courtyard. The building is of two storeys, partly with an attic; the
walls are generally timber-framed and weather-boarded and the roofs are tiled. It was built,
probably, early in the 16th century, but has been
much altered, particularly in the 18th century,
and partly re-built.
The S.W. part of the building, Nos. 36 and 34
(Plate 3), has a weather-boarded S.E. front with
a projecting gabled wing at the end; this wing has a
square bay-window standing on a brick plinth with
three chamfered offsets and finished with a low
17th-century pediment. The rest of the front has
a projecting upper storey, broken by a small gabled
projection, now a porch, but probably retaining
the structure of the 'oriel' of the original Hall,
shown on Thorpe's plan. At the junction of the
main building and the wing is a chimney-stack with
original moulded bases. The windows, generally,
have solid frames, mullions and transoms and are
probably of late 17th-century date. The front of
No. 32 (Plate 3) appears to have been reconstructed early in the 18th century; the windows
have double-hung sashes with thick bars; the
doorway has an architrave, carved scrolls and a
pediment.
Eltham Palace. Buildings N.W. of Former Green Court
The back or N.W. elevation has been partly
covered by later additions. The old portions are
weather-boarded and have some late 17th-century
windows with solid frames. At the back of Nos. 32
and 34 are three tower-shaped projections of stone
or rubble; adjoining one of these on the S.W. is
a half-round projection.
Inside the building, No. 36, now two houses,
contains exposed ceiling-beams, some re-fixed
linen-fold-panelling and some of 17th-century date.
In a passage is an original doorway with hollowchamfered oak jambs and four-centred arch in a
square head. On the first floor is a similar doorway with a battened door. The newel-staircase
has a round newel and thick treads and risers.
Some of the timber-framing is exposed. In No. 34
are some exposed ceiling-beams and the two fireplaces at the back are probably original. The
fittings of No. 32 are, probably, of early 18th-century date and include a staircase with straight
strings and turned balusters, some panelling with
dado-rail, two panelled doors and some simple
surrounds to the fireplaces.
The Tilt-yard Gate (Plate 8). E. of the Green
Court, is of red brick and of early 16th-century
date. It has double chamfered jambs and four-centred arch and is finished with a splayed coping
of brick stepped up in the middle.
Condition—Good.
b(5) Wellhall, outbuilding, bridge and moat,
700 yards N. of Eltham Church. The Outbuilding,
on the N. side of the moat, is of two storeys; the
walls are of red brick and the roofs are tiled. It
was built in 1568, the date on a tablet on the N.
side; the W. part was altered early in the 18th
century and later, to form a dwelling, and the E.
part has been completely altered for farm purposes.
The N. elevation (Plate 3) has some blue-brick
diapering and a range of four-centred relieving
arches, four of which have been cut into or destroyed
by later openings; below the easternmost arch is
an original window of seven lights with brick
mullions and a square head; it is now blocked. In
the adjoining bay is part of a similar window
Towards the E. end of the first floor are three
unglazed windows with heavy wooden bars set
diagonally; the easternmost window is similar
in form to the blocked window below, the others
are higher and one has a transom. Near the middle
of the elevation is a stone panel with the date 1568
and a cartouche-of-arms, probably of Tatershall
(from whom the property came to the Ropers),
a cheveron between three tigers with mirrors. The S.
elevation (Plate 3) is of similar character to the N.
and has a range of four-centred arches flush with the
wall-face. The windows of the W. part were altered
during the 17th century and the three lower ones
retain their moulded frames, mullions and transom; the projecting chimney-stack is original with
a later shaft set diagonally. Further E. are two
re-set windows with diamond-shaped mullions, and
near the E. end are two original windows with
brick mullions and now blocked. The E. and W.
ends are gabled with a moulded coping and square
pinnacles at the base of the gables resting on
corbelling; those at the E. end are moulded and
panelled, the S.E. pinnacle having a simple
design in the panels and, below, on one side, the
initials W.R (?) presumably for William Roper, the
son-in-law of Sir Thomas More; there is a panelled
hexagonal pinnacle at the apex of this gable. In
the wall below, at the ground-floor level, is an
original window of seven lights with a square head
under a four-centred arch; the mullions are of
brick and the lights are now blocked. Projecting
from the W. wall (Plate 3) of the building is an
original chimney-stack with offsets and two square
shafts, set diagonally at the top; S. of the stack,
at the first-floor level, is a recess with a four-centred head enclosing a loop-light and two small
openings light the roof-space or attic.
Inside the building, the only ancient features are
some heavy chamfered ceiling-beams and part of
the roof, which has some queen-post trusses and
wind-braces.
The Bridge, over the E. arm of the moat, is of
stone and of two spans with four-centred arches,
chamfered at the angles; above the arches runs
a splayed string-course. The bridge is of 16th-century date, but the brick parapets are a later
re-building.
The Moat encloses a rectangular island about
150 ft. by 120 ft. now vacant of buildings. The
banks are revetted in brick and there is an arm
projecting N. from the N.W. angle.
To the S.E. of the moat is a length of 16th-century walling of brick containing a blocked
mullioned window.
Condition—Poor.
Well Hall Farm, Eltham
b(6) Eltham Lodge, house, nearly ½ mile S.S.E.
of Eltham Church, is of two storeys with basement
and attics. The walls are of brick with some stone
dressings; the roofs are covered with slates and
lead. It was built for Sir John Shaw, between the
years 1663 and 1665, by Hugh May, paymaster of
the King's works. About 1752 some decorative
additions were made to various rooms and there
are a few modern alterations.
Eltham Lodge
The house is a handsome and complete example
of its period and retains many of its original
fittings, including a handsome carved staircase.
The North Front (Plate 181) is of red brick in
Flemish bond with a stone band at the ground-floor
level and a modillioned eaves-cornice of wood. The
middle bay of the front has four Ionic pilasters
of stone supporting a pediment enclosing a stone
cartouche with swags, superimposed over a round
opening. Between the pilasters and in the side bays
are square-headed windows with flush frames and
double-hung sashes; the basement-windows have
plastered architraves set flush with the wall-face.
The central entrance-doorway has a round keyed
arch, perhaps of later date, set in the squareheaded opening, which has a frieze and cornice supported on console-brackets; it is approached by a
broad flight of steps. The South Front (Plate 181)
is similar in general treatment to the N., but has no
pilasters or pediment. The central doorway has
a projecting 18th-century porch and is flanked
by two shallow round-headed recesses; in the
storey above are two similar recesses. The East
and West Elevations are uniform and generally
similar to the S. front. Each front has a brick
pilaster at each end, and between and flanking
the windows on both floors are shallow recesses,
all with round heads except the middle pair,
which are square-headed. The E. elevation is
partly covered by an 18th-century addition. The
chimney-stacks are built in pairs and have recessed
sides and moulded cappings.
Interior—The Entrance Hall, with the rooms on
either side of it, and the vestibule and dining-room
have mid 18th-century woodwork, etc., and this
is also the date of the modelled plaster ceiling of
the hall. The Breakfast-room, E. of the inner vestibule, has a panelled dado and a moulded cornice;
the plaster ceiling (Plate 187) has a large panel with
recessed angles, enriched mouldings and modelled
fruit, flowers, etc.; the four angles have each a
square panel filled with naturalistic foliage; the
rest of the ceiling is occupied by four long panels
enclosed by modelled plaster-work. The small
room E. of the Breakfast-room has panelled walls
with dado-rail and cornice; the fireplace has a
bolection-moulded surround and a panelled overmantel with a landscape-painting on canvas. The
small room E. of the secondary staircase is lined
with re-fixed early 17th-century panelling with a
narrow cornice; the fireplace (Plate 11) is flanked
by pilasters with jewel-ornament and supporting
an ovolo-moulded shelf; the overmantel is of two
bays divided and flanked by enriched pilasters on
pedestals; the bays have L-shaped panels surrounding a raised central panel with enrichment;
the doorway to the adjoining staircase has a
round head, with plain key-block and springing
from panelled pilasters. In the basement is a
doorway with early 17th-century wooden linings
and a round arch, springing from moulded corbels
and having a fluted key-block with pendant; the
door is of two leaves each with four raised panels;
three other doorways have architraves of the same
period. On the first floor the rooms on the N. side
were re-fitted and decorated about the middle of the
18th century. The large N.W. room was formerly
two rooms, and each part retains its original ceiling
(Plate 185). The larger ceiling has an enriched
entablature with an eagle and two palm-branches
on the W. side; in the middle is a square panel
with a wide floral band continued round a circular
panel in the middle of each side; the L-shaped
panels in the angles are filled with scrolled
acanthus-ornament. The smaller ceiling has a
coved cornice round the walls and an oval band of
flowers in the middle; the spandrels are filled with
scrolled acanthus-ornament. The Great Parlour,
on the S. side, is lined with original panelling with
dado and enriched entablature; the architraves
of the doors and windows are also enriched; the
fireplace has a bolection-moulded surround of
brown veined marble; the overmantel has a large
panel with enriched mouldings and surmounted by
a wreath with the names J. and D. (?) Shaw and two
carved swags; in the panel is a classical landscape
painted on canvas. The elaborate plaster ceiling
(Plate 186) has a square recessed central panel with
a modillioned cornice and a broad band of scrolled
acanthus-foliage; the subsidiary panels of the
ceiling have each an elliptical band with floral
ornament; the spaces at the ends have cherubs,
cartouches and scrolled acanthus-ornament. On
the walls were six panels of Flemish tapestry, of
late 17th-century date, now at the Victoria and
Albert Museum, South Kensington; they represent
the story of Theodosius and the apple. The room
E. of the great parlour has an original ceiling with
a coved cornice and a round central panel with a
band of flowers and foliage. The Great Staircase
(Plates 183–4) is of the square well-type with a
short flight leading from the second landing to a
gallery on the W. side; this gallery has square carved
and panelled posts and heavy turned balusters; two
of the posts are surmounted by a vase and a basket
of flowers respectively; the staircase itself has
newels similar to the posts above described, with
vases on the free newels and baskets on the posts
against the walls; the strings have entablaturemouldings with a pulvinated frieze of bay-leaves;
the space between the strings and enriched handrails is divided into panels by panelled and carved
uprights, the panels being filled with pierced
acanthus-scrolls, including some with amorini.
The dado corresponds to the stair-rail, but has
plain panels except the panels under the gallery,
which have acanthus-scrolls. The external W. wall
is panelled with moulded dado-rail and windowboards. The ceiling of the staircase (Plate 182) has
a coved cornice terminating in a band of guilloche
and foliage-ornament; within it is an oval band
of fruit and flowers with scrolled foliage in the
spandrels; in the oval panel is a modern painting.
The walls of the staircase, hall and other rooms are
lined with elaborate architectural, pictorial and
other decoration on wall-paper, ascribed to the
middle of the 18th century. Between the staircase and the central landing the former partition
has been cut away to form a wide opening. The
ceiling of the landing is coved at the sides with a
band of leaves, etc., surrounding an octagonal
lantern; the lantern has a moulded architrave and
a balustrade with large turned balusters. The
secondary staircase (Plate 27), on the E. side of
the central landing, has moulded strings and handrails, heavy turned balusters and square newels
with ball-terminals.
East of the house and on the N. side is an original
wall enclosing a large yard and two gate-piers
with pineapple terminals. East of the yard is an
outbuilding, now converted into a cottage; it is
of one storey, the windows have flat heads and the
chimney-stack is panelled.
Condition—Good.
Monuments (7–23).
The following monuments, unless otherwise
described, are of late 17th or early 18th-century
date and of two storeys; the walls are of brick
and the roofs are tiled.
Condition—Good or fairly good, unless noted.
Eltham.
b(7) Langerton House, on the W. side of Courtyard, 100 yards E. of No. 32 Courtyard (4), is of
two storeys with attics. The E. front is symmetrically designed and has a brick band between the
storeys and a wooden eaves-cornice; the doorway
has Doric pilasters supporting an entablature, of
which the cornice is missing; the windows have
flat arches and there are three dormers in the roof.
The boundary-walls, next the road and to the N.
and S. of the house, include considerable portions
of 16th-century brickwork.
b(8) Range of houses (Plate 1), Nos. 29, 31 and
33, on the E. side of Courtyard, 150 yards S. of the
church, has a brick band between the storeys and
a wooden eaves-cornice. Inside the building, the
front room of No. 33 has a half-round recess
with a round moulded and enriched head, moulded
imposts and carved spandrels.
b(9) Houses (Plate 1), Nos. 80, 82 and 84, on
the S. side of High Street, at the E. angle of Courtyard, are of two storeys with attics; the walls
are timber-framed and weather-boarded and partly
re-fronted in brick. Inside No. 82 is an original
moulded beam, and both this house and No. 84
have a newel-staircase.
b(10) The Greyhound Inn (Plate 1), adjoining
(9) on the E., was re-built c. 1720, but contains
two mid 16th-century stone fireplaces (Plate 12)
with stop-moulded jambs and depressed arch in
a square head, with carved shields and foliage
in the spandrels. In a room on the first floor is
some early 17th-century panelling, re-fixed.
b(11) Cliefden House, on N. side of High Street,
150 yards E. of the church, was built, probably,
c. 1720, but contains an early 17th-century staircase, enclosed by walls, but having moulded 'grip'
hand-rails and square newels (Plate 26) enriched
with geometrical designs and with square moulded
terminals; the enriched splat-balusters against
the walls have all been removed except two. On
the first floor is a 16th-century panelled door with
strap-hinges. The opening at the foot of the upper
flight of the stairs is of early 17th-century date,
with a round arch and key-block with a pierced
pendant. On the second floor is a late 16th-century moulded door-frame of oak.
The stables (Plate 6), N. of the house, were
built c. 1720, but incorporate an early 17th-century
chimney-stack with two shafts set diagonally.
b(12) Eltham House and garden-house, 20 yards
E. of (11), was partly re-fitted and re-decorated
about the middle of the 18th century. The S.
front (Plate 2) has square-headed window-openings and a modillioned eaves-cornice, with a
modern blocking-course above. The doorway is
flanked by Ionic columns, supporting an entablature and pediment. The back elevation
(Plate 2) is generally similar to the front, but the
upper part of the wall has been re-built; the doorway has a flat hood (Plate 10) resting on carved
brackets; an oval window, lighting the stairs, has
a scrolled iron grille on the inside. Inside the
building, some of the rooms retain their original
panelling and two fireplaces have marble surrounds.
The staircase (Plate 24) has straight moulded
strings, twisted balusters and square newels; the
walls have original panelling and cornice.
The Garden-house (Plate 2), N. of the house,
is of 18th-century date and of one storey; the
walls are of red brick. The building is long and
narrow and has two large windows on either
side of a central feature, the bays being divided
and flanked by plain pilasters. The central
feature (Plate 2) is carried up above the rest of
the building and is flanked by Corinthian pilasters
supporting enriched entablatures and a pediment;
between the pilasters is a round-headed doorway,
with impost-mouldings and a carved key-stone;
above it is a semi-circular, round-headed niche
with an impost-moulding carried round it.
b(13) Houses and shops, Nos. 31 and 33, 70
yards E. of (12), are partly of weather-boarded
timber-framing. The front has been much
altered. The building was demolished in 1929.
b(14) Philpot Almshouses, range of six tenements,
120 yards E. of (13), were founded by will of
Thomas Philpot, 1680, and built, according to a
tablet on the front of the building, in 1694. The
S. front (Plate 1) has a brick band between
the storeys, raised over the doorways; the
windows, of three lights, have solid frames and
mullions and lead glazing; the doorways have
heavy frames and flat moulded hoods; the doors
are of moulded battens. Inside the building, some
staircases retain their original splat-balusters.
b(15) Cottage, two tenements, standing back from
the road, 50 yards N.E. of (13), is of L-shaped plan,
timber-framed and weather-boarded.
b(16) House, No. 130, on the S. side of High
Street, 420 yards E. of the church, is of L-shaped
plan with a late 18th-century extension to the S.
wing. The N. front is symmetrical and has a
brick band between the storeys and three flat-topped dormer-windows in the roof. The windows
are square-headed, and the central doorway is
flanked by fluted pilasters with scrolled brackets
and a shell-hood. The back has a wooden eaves-cornice. Inside the building is some original
panelling and a room on the ground floor has a
coved cornice. Several fireplaces have original
moulded surrounds. The staircase has straight
moulded strings, turned balusters and square
newels.
b(17) Range of Cottages (demolished in 1929),
Nos. 136, 138 and 140, 20 yards E. of (16) and
at the corner of Pound Place.
b(18) Range of Cottages (demolished in 1929)
(Plate 1), Nos. 2–16 and 18 and 20, on the W.
side of Pound Place, and adjoining (17) on the S.,
is generally similar to (17), but with some timberframing in the upper storey.
b(19) Pippin Hall Farm, house (Plate 6), on
the S. side of Bexley Road, 1,200 yards E. of the
church, was built about the middle of the 17th
century. The solid window and door-frames are
perhaps original.
Woolwich.
a(20) House, No. 30, on the S. side of Church
Street, 260 yards W. of St. Mary's Church, has a
modillioned eaves-cornice.
a(21) Houses, Nos. 15, 16 and 17, on the S. side of
Church Street, 60 yards W. of (20), have a brick
band between the storeys and remains of a wooden
cornice to the eaves.
a(22) House and shop, No. 5 Nile Street, on the W.
side of the Free Ferry Approach, 280 yards E.N.E.
of the church, has been much altered. Inside the
building is some re-used early 18th-century
panelling.
Plumstead.
b(23) Bostall Farm, house and barn, 700 yards E.
of St. Nicholas's Church. The House (Plate 188)
was built late in the 16th or early in the 17th
century and has a later addition at the E. end.
The walls are partly timber-framed and weather-boarded. The upper storey projects and is gabled
at the E. of the original block on both sides,
forming a cross-wing. On the N. side are two
chimney-stacks, probably of the 17th century.
The lower part on the E. end is built of rubble.
Inside the building, there is some exposed timberframing in the cross-wing and some original ceilingbeams.
The Barn (Plate 188), N.W. of the house,
is timber-framed and weather-boarded. It was
built in the 17th century and is of seven bays
with side-aisles and an entrance on the S.
Unclassified
b(24) Mound, on Plumstead Common, 800 yards
S.S.W. of St. Nicholas's Church, is of roughly
circular form, 79 ft. in diameter, about 4 ft. high
and with a shallow sinking in the top.
Condition—Poor.