21 EARDISLAND (C.c.)
(O.S. 6 in. (a)XI, S.E., (b)XVIII, N.E.)
Eardisland is a parish and village (Plate 104) 5 m. W.
of Leominster. The church, Burton Court, Staick House
and Knapp House are the principal monuments.
Ecclesiastical
a(1) Parish Church of St. Mary, stands in the
village. The walls are of local sandstone rubble with
dressings of the same material; the roofs are tiled.
The Nave was built c. 1200, perhaps with a tower at
the W. end; the nave then formed the whole church,
and traces of lancet-windows and an oval light above
are said to have been found in the E. wall when
the present chancel-arch was inserted. The South
Porch was added early in the 14th century, and c. 1330–40
the Chancel and North Vestry were added. The old
tower fell probably in 1728, the date of the bells, and
was replaced by the existing West Tower. The church
was restored in 1864, when the Organ Chamber was added
and the chancel and tower-arches re-built.
Eardisland, the Parish Church of St Mary
Architectural Description—The Chancel (27 ft. by
18½ ft.) is of early to mid 14th-century date, and has an
E. window of four trefoiled lights with net tracery in a
two-centred head with a moulded label. The cross on
the E. gable is of the same period. In the N. wall is a
doorway with moulded jambs and segmental-pointed
head; further W. is a modern opening. In the S. wall
are two windows each of two trefoiled lights with a
quatrefoil in a two-centred head; between them is a
doorway with moulded jambs and segmental-pointed
head. The chancel arch is modern.
The North Vestry has a 14th-century lancet-window
in the E. wall and a modern window in the W. wall.
Re-set in the N. wall of the organ-chamber is a window
similar to the S. windows of the chancel.
The Nave (79½ ft. by 24½ ft.) has, in the N. wall, four
windows, the easternmost is similar to the S. windows
of the chancel but has a moulded label, with head-stops;
the other three windows are narrow lancet-lights of
late 12th-century date. The N. doorway, of the same
date, has roll-moulded jambs, segmental-pointed head
and chamfered label; it has been partly restored and
perhaps re-set. In the S. wall are five windows, the
easternmost is a single square-headed light perhaps of
the 16th century; the second window is similar to the
easternmost window opposite; the third window is of
early 14th-century date and of three pointed lights in a
two-centred head with a moulded label, head-stops and
ball-flower enrichment to the head; the fourth window
is a lancet-light similar to those in the N. wall; the
westernmost window is modern; between the second
and third windows is a late 12th-century doorway, now
blocked; it is similar to the N. doorway and has foliage
sprigs carved on the ends of the label; the 13th-century
S. doorway has moulded jambs, two-centred arch and
moulded label with carved foliage stops; W. of the
doorway is a length of battering plinth which perhaps
indicates that the former tower continued W. on the
line of the S. wall of the nave; the 18th-century tower
sets back at this point, but incorporates a similar plinth
which may be old material re-set.
The South Porch is of early 14th-century date and has
an outer entrance with jambs and two-centred arch of
two chamfered orders with moulded capitals at the
springing level. The side walls have each a window
of one trefoiled ogee light.
The Roof of the chancel is of trussed-rafter type with
curved braces forming two-centred arches; it is of the
14th or 15th century. The roof of the nave is modern
except for an early 16th-century tie-beam against the
W. wall. This is moulded and embattled and has a
broad band of running vine ornament.
Fittings—Bracket: In porch—over S. doorway of
nave, rounded stone corbel or bracket, mediæval. Chair
(Plate 48): In chancel—with turned legs, curved arms
and panelled and carved back, early to mid 17th-century.
Coffin-lids: In vestry—re-used as window-lintel, with
foliated stem; re-used as lintel to locker, with head of
cross; both probably late 13th-century. Door: In
chancel—in vestry-doorway, ledged and battened, with
strap-hinges, plain scutcheon and ring-handle, mediæval.
Glass: In nave—in N.E. window, fragments of border,
14th-century; in second S. window, fragments including foliated quarries, borders, etc., 14th and 15th-century. Monument and Floor-slab. Monument: In
nave—in S.E. corner, incised slab with foliated cross
under cinquefoil ogee canopy with crockets and finial,
plain shield and marginal inscription in black-letter
beginning "Hic jacet tumulata Alicia uxor . . .
(Burtoni?)," 15th-century. Floor-slab: In chancel—
to John B(rew)ster, 1684. Niche: In chancel—in N.
wall, recess with two-centred head, mediæval. Piscinæ:
In chancel—recess (Plate 61) with moulded jambs and
trefoiled head, projecting moulded sill and quatre-foiled
drain, 14th-century. In nave—in S. wall, recess with
head cut down by later window, 14th-century. Recesses:
In chancel—in N. wall, level with floor, two with
chamfered jambs and segmental-pointed arches, 14th-century; in external face of S. wall (Plate 79), with
moulded jambs, cinque-foiled segmental-pointed arch
with foliated spandrels and moulded label with one head-stop, 14th-century, probably tomb-recess. In nave—in
N. wall, with moulded jambs, segmental-pointed head
and label; in S. wall, similar recess, with finial to label
having three shields, two with three bars and the third
with the emblems of the Passion; both 14th-century,
shields repainted, probably tomb recesses. Scratchings:
In nave—onN.E. and second S. window, various mason's
marks and assembly numerals. Screen (Plate 77): Now
under tower-arch, of eight narrow bays with a modern
door incorporating old material at N. end, close lower
panels and open upper panels with foiled ogee and
traceried heads, moulded posts and cornice with running
vine-ornament, probably late 15 th-century. Sedilia (Plate
61): In chancel—three bays with moulded jambs and
divisions, and trefoiled arches in a single square head,
14th-century. Stoup: In nave—E. of S. doorway,
mutilated stone bowl set in modern recess.
Condition—Good.
Secular
a(2). Moated Mound (Plan, p. xxix), 40 yards N.
of the church, is about 49 yards in diameter at the base
and rises some 16 ft. above the moat level. A causeway
crosses the moat on the N.W.
Condition—Good.
b(3). Burton Court, 1,500 yards S. of the church, is
a late 18th-century building except for the great hall
which is of early 14th-century date with a slate roof
and plastered walls, probably timber-framed originally.
The roof of the hall (Plate 35) is original and of five
bays with curved braces below the collar-beams, forming
two-centred arches; the upper edges of the collar-beams
are cusped, and there are two ranges of cusped wind-braces below the purlins. The fireplace in the W. wall
has an overmantel made up of two ranges of enriched
arcaded panelling with terminal figures; flanking the
fireplace are two terminal figures of angels of foreign
origin.
The Outbuildings include a timber-framed dovecote
N. of the house and a granary W. of the house, both
of the 17th century. The dovecote (Plate 41) is
square with a gabled roof and square lantern in the
middle. The granary has a lower storey of stone and
an upper timber-framing.
Condition—Of house, good.
a(4). Staick House (Plate 118), on the N. bank of the
Arrow and about 240 yards N. of the church, is of two
storeys, timber-framed and with stone-slate or tilecovered roofs. The earliest part of the house appears to
be the N. part of the E. wing, which was built probably
in the 14th century; a little later, and probably late in the
same century, the great hall was built as an independent
timber-frame. The W. wing was added probably in
the second half of the 16th century. At the same period
or early in the 17th century the hall was divided into
two storeys. The E. wing was extended to the S.
about the middle of the 17th century, and late in the
same, or early in the following century, the W. wing
was extended towards the N.
Eardisland, Staick House
The Hall-block retains much of its original square
framing with some curved braces under the eaves; a
dormer has been added, however, on both the N. and S.
sides; the same type of framing is to be seen in the
original part of the E. wing. The W. wing with its
one-storey extension has late square framing, but the
extension of the E. wing has wide-spaced vertical
framing; the upper storey projects at the S. end of this
wing on shaped brackets and a moulded bressummer,
and the gable has diagonal framing.
Inside the building the ground-floor rooms generally
have exposed ceiling-beams; those of the inserted floor
in the hall-block are apparently of two dates. In the
W. wing is a 16th-century wall-post with a moulded
head. The Entrance Hall in the hall-block has an
overmantel made up of enriched 17th-century panelling;
in the E. wall are two doorways, one probably of the
14th century, with a shaped ogee head and the other
probably of the 16th century, with a shouldered head.
The staircase incorporates some late 17th-century
twisted balusters. The roof of the great hall survives
largely complete though obscured by later alterations;
it is of four bays with a central main truss and three
subsidiary trusses; the main truss has a tie-beam with
curved braces forming a two-centred arch and springing
from moulded capitals on the wall-posts, one of which
remains; at the apex of the arch is a carved patera;
the collar-beam has curved braces below it and the
upper surface with the principals is cut to form a trefoil
with ogee points; the subsidiary trusses have only
collar-beams similar to the main truss; below the
purlins are foiled wind-braces; the timbers are all
chamfered and smoke-blackened. The 14th-century
E. wing has a roof of six bays with two main and three
subsidiary trusses; the main trusses have tie-beams,
vertical struts and collar-beams and in the middle of
the tie-beams are carved paterae; the subsidiary trusses
have collar-beams only; the wind-braces are plain.
A bedroom on the first floor of this wing has a
late 16th-century window with moulded frame and
mullions.
Condition—Good.
a(5). The Old Manor House and dovecote, 180
yards N.W. of the church. The House is of two
storeys, timber-framed and with tiled roofs. It was
built in the first half of the 17th century on an L-shaped
plan with the wings extending towards the N.W. and
S.W. Late in the same century the N.W. wing was
extended and heightened, and in the 18th century a
brick extension was made on the S.E. front. Most of
the external timber-framing is exposed. The front
doorway has an original moulded frame and a battened
door with strap-hinges. Inside the building are
exposed ceiling-beams.
The Dovecote (Plate 104), N.E. of the house, is a square
brick building, gabled on each face and with a square
central lantern and weather-vane; it is probably of
late 17th or early 18th-century date.
Condition—Good.
a(6) Court House, 140 yards N.N.W. of the church,
is of two storeys with attics; the walls are of stone
with some timber-framing, and the roofs are slate-covered. It was built probably late in the 16th century,
but has been extensively altered in the 18th and 19th
centuries and extended towards the S.W. Inside the
building are some exposed ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
Monuments (7–52)
The following monuments, unless otherwise
described, are of the 17th century and of two storeys,
timber-framed, and with tile or slate-covered roofs.
Most of the buildings have exposed external timber-framing and internal ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good or fairly good, unless noted.
a(7). Old School House (Plate 104), on the N. side of the
road opposite (6), was built probably in the 16th century.
The upper storey projects at the N. end on modern
brackets and old attached shafts on the posts; the
framing at this end is close-set. Standing at the N.
end of the house is the old whipping-post (Plate 80)
with iron staples and gyves for the wrists.
a(8). Cottage, 15 yards E. of (7), has been heightened.
a(9). Range of cottages and barn (Plate 21), 260 yards
N.W. of the church. The Cottages are of three periods,
the W. block being of mid 16th-century date, the E. block
of the early 17th century, and the middle portion rather
later. The upper storey projects at the W. end. The
E. cottage has been heightened.
The Barn, S. of the range, is of three bays.
a(10). Arrow Lawn, house, 20 yards N. of (9), is
modern except for the W. range, formerly of two
storeys but with the upper floor removed.
a(11). Outbuilding, at Riversdale N. of (10), is now of
one storey.
a(12). House, 80 yards W. of (11), has been much
added to and altered.
a(13). House and shop on the S. side of the road, 150
yards N.W. of the church, has been heightened and
plastered. The upper storey formerly projected on
the N. front but has been under-built.
a(14). White Swan Inn, 15 yards S.W. of (13), has an
18th or early 19th-century block in front.
a(15). Knapp House, 40 yards S.W. of (14), is part
of a 14th or early 15th-century building, to which an
addition has been made on the S., probably in the 16th
century; this and the adjoining bay of the original
building were heightened in the 18th century. The N.
bay of the building contains two original roof-trusses,
one with a pair of crutches or blades, a collar with
curved braces and remains of cusped openings above it;
the second truss has only a collar with two struts above,
forming three cusped openings. The external framing
of the original building is in large squares.
Condition—Poor.
a(16). Cottage, S. of (15), has been partly refaced and
heightened.
a(17). House, three tenements, 210 yards W. of the
church, is of late 16th or early 17th-century date, and
of H-shaped plan with the cross-wings at the N. and
S. ends.
b(18). Cottage, 100 yards S. of (17), has a thatched roof
and diagonal framing in the S. gable.
b(19). Cottage, 20 ft. S.E. of (18), has been partly
heightened and has a thatched roof.
b(20). Cottage, nearly opposite (19), has been
heightened.
b(21). Cottage, 90 yards S.E. of (20), has a thatched
roof.
b(22). Cottage, on the N.W. side of the road, ¼ m.
S.S.W. of the church, has been heightened.
a(23). Cottage, at the S.W. corner of the churchyard,
has been heightened and extended towards the N.
a(24). Cottage, 30 yards S. of (23), has been heightened.
b(25). Cottage, 120 yards S. of the church, has been
heightened.
b(26). Glenarrow Mill, 300 yards E.N.E. of the church,
is partly of stone and partly timber-framed. There is
little evidence of the relative dates of the parts of the
building, but it is possible that the timber-framed part
may be an addition to the earlier stone building.
Condition—Partly ruinous.
a(27). Cottage, on the S. side of the Leominster road,
300 yards N.E. of the church, has been heightened.
a(28). Staick Cottage, 60 yards W. of (27), was of
L-shaped plan with the wings extending towards the
S. and E. An outbuilding forms an extension of the E.
wing. Part of the building is thatched, and the N.
front has been refaced.
a(29). Cottage, on the W. side of the lane, 70 yards
N.N.W. of (4), has a thatched roof.
a(30). Cottage, 70 yards N. of (29).
a(31). Cottage, immediately N. of the bridge.
a(32). House and shop, 10 yards W. of (31), is of late
16th or early 17th-century date, and has been refronted.
Eardisland, Plan Showing the Position of Monuments
a(33). Cottage, 20 yards N.W. of (32), was of L-shaped
plan with the wings extending towards the N. and E.
There are various modern additions.
a(34). Outbuilding, E. of Nun House, 600 yards N.W.
of the church.
a(35). Cottage, on the E. side of the lane, 770 yards N.
of the church, has a corrugated-iron roof.
a(36). Cottage, on the N. side of the lane, ¾ m.
W.N.W. of the church, has a thatched roof.
a(37). Broom Farm, house, over 1¼ m. W.N.W. of the
church, is of H-shaped plan with the cross-wings on the
E. and W. The W. cross-wing appears to be modern.
b(38). Cottage, on the E. side of the lane, 1 m. S.W.
of the church, has been heightened.
b(39). Cottage, 20 yards W. of (38), has been
heightened and added to on the N.W.
b(40). Hardwick House, 250 yards S. of (39), is an
18th-century building but adjoining it on the N.E. is
a 17th-century outbuilding. There is a second out-building of the same age N.W. of the house.
b(41). Upper Hardwick Farm, house, 520 yards W.S.W.
of (40), was built late in the 16th or early in the 17th
century. A later 17th-century wing was added on the
N.E.
b(42). Cottage, on the S. side of the road, 350 yards S.
of (40), has a thatched barn at the S.W. end.
b(43). House (Plate 30), on the N.W. side of the
road at Lower Hardwick, 1½ m. S.W. of the church, has
an E. cross-wing of late 16th-century date and a W. wing
perhaps of rather later date. The upper storey projects
at the S. end of the E. wing and the E. face of the same
wing has close-set timber-framing.
b(44). House (Plate 23), 100 yards S. of (43), has a
later extension at the N.E. end. The upper storey
projects on part of the N.W. front on a moulded
bressummer and brackets; this part of the house has
two gables.
b(45). House, 50 yards N.W. of (44), has been largely
re-built.
b(46). Downway, cottage, two tenements, 1½ m.
S.S.W. of the church.
b(47). Cottage, on the S. side of the road at Lower
Burton, 1¼ m. S. of the church, has been partly re-built.
b(48). House, 180 yards E.N.E. of (47), has been
much altered, heightened, and added to.
b(49). Lower Burton Farm (Plate 23), house and barn,
330 yards N.N.E. of (48). The House was built probably
late in the 16th century on an L-shaped plan with the
wings extending towards the W. and S. The upper
storey projects at the S. end of the S. wing on curved
brackets. The Barn, S.E. of the house, is of three bays.
b(50). Outbuilding at Stytches Farm, 1,450 yards S.E.
of the church, is of three original bays with a later
extension.
b(51). Upper Rhydimoor Farm, house and barn, 250
yards N. of (50). The House has an added early
18th-century wing on the E. The Barn, E. of the
house, is of three bays.
b(52). Lower Rhydimoor Farm, house and barn, 370
yards N. of (51). The House (Plate 32) was originally
of T-shaped plan with the cross-wing at the S. end.
A later wing was added to the N.E. incorporating a
building with diagonal framing and perhaps formerly
detached. The Barn N.W. of the house is of three bays.
Unclassified
a(53). Mound at Monk's Court, 320 yards N.N.W. of
the church, is of roughly circular form about 31 yards
in diameter at the base and rising some 4½ ft. above the
surrounding ground.
Condition—Fairly good.