74 WEOBLEY
(O.S. 6 in. (a)XVIII, S.W., (b)XVIII, S.E.,
(c)XXV, N.E.)
Weobley is a parish and small town 8 m. S.W. of
Leominster. The town contains a large and interesting
church and an unusual number of mediæval houses.
In spite of the destruction of the market-hall and a
large block of buildings in the middle of the town about
the middle of the last century sufficient remains to make
Weobley a highly remarkable and interesting collection
of timber-framed buildings of 14th to 17th-century
date. Outside the town the most remarkable monuments are the Ley, Fenhampton and Little Sarnesfield.
Ecclesiastical
c(1). Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
(Plates 170, 171) stands at the N. end of the town. The
walls are of local sandstone rubble and ashlar with dressings of the same material; the roofs are covered with
stone slates and ordinary slates. The two ashlar quoins
imbedded in the S. angle between the chancel and aisle
are probably remains of a 12th-century church, and some
indication of the length of the former chancel may be
preserved in the break in the line of the existing S. wall.
The South Aisle was added to this church probably in
the first half of the 13th century and the earlier S. doorway re-set in the S. wall; the Chancel was re-built c. 1250.
Towards the end of the 13th century a general reconstruction of the Nave was undertaken which continued
on well into the 14th century; the N. arcade was built
and a narrow N. aisle added with a North Transept
at the E. end; the W. front was re-built and, rather later,
the S. arcade was re-built and the clearstorey added;
the chancel-arch also was re-built. The walls of the
chancel seem to have been raised a few feet and the
North Vestry added. The South Porch was added
probably soon after. The completion of these alterations is probably indicated by the consecration of three
altars by Bishop Orleton in 1325. The North Tower
was built c. 1330–40, at an angle with and probably just
touching the then existing narrow N. aisle; the tower
would seem to be in some sort defensive as is indicated
by the small size of the windows and by the provision
of a draw-bar inside the only entrance doorway. In
the 15th century the early N. aisle was pulled down and
extended to form the existing North Aisle. The upper
part of the spire was destroyed by lightning late in the
17th century, and afterwards re-built. The church was
restored in 1865.
The church is of considerable architectural interest,
the tower and spire being on an unusual scale. Among
the fittings the mediæval effigies and coffin-lid, the
glass and the early 18th-century door and communion
table are noteworthy.
Weobley, The Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
Architectural Description—The Chancel (54 ft. by
23 ft.) has a much restored 15th-century E. window of
five trefoiled lights with modern vertical tracery in a
two-centred head. In the N. wall are two windows
each of two plain pointed lights in a two-centred head;
the jambs are possibly of early 13th-century date and
the heads of c. 1300; between them is an early 14th-century doorway with chamfered jambs and segmental-pointed head; it perhaps incorporates 13th-century
material. In the S. wall are three windows, the easternmost of early 14th-century date and of three trefoiled
ogee lights; the middle window is similar to that
opposite in the N. wall; the partly restored westernmost window is of mid 13th-century date and of three
graduated lancet-lights; the mullions have internal
shafts with moulded capitals and bases and support
moulded rear-arches springing from moulded corbels on
the splays; the S. doorway is similar to the vestry
doorway. The early 14th-century chancel-arch is two-centred and of three sunk-chamfered orders, the two
outer dying on to the wall and the inner springing from
triple shafts with moulded capitals and bases resting on
crowned head-corbels; the N. shaft, and probably the
corbels, are modern; the moulded label on the W. face
has a head-corbel at the apex; the square responds
have double-chamfered W. angles finished with trefoiled
stops at the top; the N. respond is corbelled out
towards the W. to support the splayed face of the rood-loft staircase.
The North Vestry is of the 14th century, but the
window in the N. wall is modern.
The Nave (63 ft. by 22¾ ft.) (Plate 171) has a late 13th-century N. arcade of five bays with two-centred arches
of two hollow-chamfered orders, with moulded labels
and modern head-stops; the easternmost arch has ballflower ornament on both orders on the S. and one
order on the N.; the octagonal columns and semi-octagonal responds have moulded capitals and bases;
E. of the arcade is the upper doorway to the rood-loft
staircase; it has a segmental-pointed head; below the
threshold level are three blockings, no doubt connected
with the former rood-loft; the blocked sockets of the
front beam may also be seen. The early 14th-century
S. arcade has arches generally similar to those of the
N. arcade but without ball-flower ornament; the
octagonal columns and semi-octagonal responds have
moulded capitals and bases; the walling of the S. arcade
finishes in rough toothing short of the E. wall of the
aisle, the thinner wall which it joins being presumably
of earlier date. The early 14th-century clearstorey has
four windows on each side each of two cinque-foiled
lights with a trefoil or quatrefoil in a two-centred
head; the easternmost pair of windows now open
into the transepts; the others are all partly blocked.
The W. wall (Plate 169) is faced externally with ashlar;
the W. doorway of c. 1300 has a two-centred arch of
four moulded orders, two of which are enriched with
ball-flowers; there is a moulded label; the jambs are
moulded and similarly enriched, and had each a shaft
of which only the moulded capital and band remain;
the splays and rear-arch have ball-flower ornament and
a moulded label; the W. window is of the same
date and has a two-centred head and moulded label;
the mullions, tracery and external head are modern.
The North Transept and Aisle (21½ ft. wide) has, in
the E. wall, a window of c. 1300, and of two cinque-foiled
lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred outer order.
In the N. wall, the E. bay or transept is gabled and has
an early 14th-century window of two trefoiled lights
with a trefoil in a two-centred head with moulded
labels and internal head-stops; the W. part of the N.
wall is of the 15th century and has a window of four
restored cinque-foiled ogee lights with restored vertical
tracery in a two-centred head; the re-set 14th-century
N. doorway has chamfered jambs and segmental-pointed head; it is now blocked and fitted with a
modern window. In the W. wall is a partly restored
15th-century window of three cinque-foiled ogee lights
with vertical tracery in a two-centred head; the window
appears to have been set inside out.
The South Aisle (17 ft. wide) has a much restored E.
window of c. 1300 and of three trefoiled lights; the
rear-arch has an early 13th-century re-set label with dog-tooth ornament and scrolled and star-stops. The E. bay
of the S. wall is carried up in a modern gable and has
two single-light windows and a round window above,
all modern; further W. there are two windows, the
eastern of three graduated lancet-lights, nearly all
modern externally but with a re-used internal label
somewhat similar to that over the E. window; the
western window is of two lights with tracery in a
pointed head, nearly all restored externally and with
a plain internal label with head-stops; the re-set late
12th-century S. doorway has a round arch of two
moulded orders, the inner continued down the jambs
and the outer with cheveron-ornament and formerly
resting on shafts of which only the foliated capital
on the W. and the defaced bases remain; the moulded
label is of the 13th century; above the doorway is the
mark of the gable of the earlier roof of the porch.
In the W. wall is a 13th-century window of two lancetlights with a plain label; higher up is a two-light
14th-century window, the upper parts of which are
modern.
The North Tower (14 ft. square) is of five storeys (Plate
170), undivided externally; it is ashlar-faced and finished
with a deep plinth and an embattled parapet with gabled
and crocketted pinnacles at the angles, the faces of the
pinnacles being enriched with window-tracery panelling.
The tower was built c. 1330–40, and the spire is of much
the same date. The ground floor is entered by a
skewed passage in the S. wall with a segmental-pointed
vault and a chamfered rib on the inner face; across the
passage is a doorway with chamfered jambs, segmental-pointed head and sockets for a draw-bar on the inside.
The S. face of the wall within the aisle shows rough
cutting and a set-back above the passage; this perhaps
implies that the tower was built against the former aisle
and when this was removed the wall-face was roughly
straightened. The E., N. and W. walls have each a recess
with window panelling (Plate 15) of three trefoiled
lights with net-tracery in a two-centred head; the middle
light only is pierced to form a window, the side lights
having each a bracket head-corbel for an image. The
ground storey has a flat barrel-vault springing from
deep corbelling on the N. and S. walls. The second
storey has a window of one trefoiled light in the W.
wall. There are similar windows in the E. wall of
the third storey, the N. wall of the fourth, and the S.
wall of the fifth storey. The fourth storey appears to
have had an intermediate floor, now removed. The
octagonal spire rests on pointed squinch-arches and
has rolls at the angles; it is supported at the base
by four flying-buttresses springing from the anglepinnacles. At the base, towards the cardinal points,
are four windows or spire-lights, each of two trefoiled
ogee lights with a quatrefoil in a two-centred head,
set in a crocketted gable with side-pinnacles. Higher
up the spire are several loop-lights, and there are
remains of two wooden floors; the base of the spire
forms the bell-chamber.
The South Porch is of stone, and is perhaps of early
14th-century date, subsequently heightened. The
partly restored outer entrance is two-centred and of two
chamfered orders, the inner springing from modern
corbels with old capitals. The side walls have each a
window of one lancet-light. On the aisle-wall is the
mark of the original steep-pitched roof.
The Roof of the nave incorporates some old timbers,
perhaps of early 16th-century date; before the restoration this roof was continued down over the aisles
without a break. The roofs of both aisles were reconstructed with gables and that over the N. aisle is entirely
modern; the S. aisle roof retains two original trusses
at the E. end; these are of early 16th-century date
and of low-pitch, with moulded and cambered tie-beams, curved braces and a carved foliage-boss in the
middle of each truss. In the W. part of the aisle, above
the arcade, is a series of corbels, possibly of a former
corbel-table; further E. are the corbels of the early
16th-century roof; they are carved with a lion's head,
angel, ape, and a grotesque man; at a lower level
are two moulded head-corbels of the 14th century.
The 15th-century roof of the S. porch is of low pitch
and of two bays, with curved and moulded principals,
moulded wall-plates, double-chamfered purlins and
ridge.
Fittings—Bells: six; 3rd by R. Oldfield, 1605;
4th by Isaac Hadley, 17..; 5th and 6th by John Martin,
1657. Brackets: In chancel—on E. wall, two, with
chamfered shelves and moulded corbels, 14th-century;
near southern, plain semi-octagonal bracket with
splayed underside. In N. aisle—on E. wall, moulded
bracket, 14th-century. In S. aisle—on E. wall, square
with broken underside, set on a piece of 13th-century
string-course. Chest: In N. aisle—moulded framing
with panelled front, lid and ends, late 16th or early 17th-century. Churchyard Cross (Plate 46): S. of chancel—
moulded octagonal base with trefoil-headed panels on
three faces and trefoil-headed niche on N. face, five
octagonal steps, 14th-century, shaft and head modern.
Coffin-lids: In chancel—incorporated in Monument
(3), two pieces of 13th-century coffin-lids with foliated
crosses. In S. aisle—against E. wall, tapering slab (Plate
47) with foliated cross and foliated stem flanked by a
crozier and a mitre, inscription at top "Hic jacet Hugo
B(i)ssop," 13th-century. Communion Table (Plate 50):
with turned legs and feet, moulded rails and shaped
brackets, with the date 1707 on front-brackets. Doors:
In S. aisle—in S. doorway, of moulded framing with
riveted battens, shaped pendant at head and shield with
initials and date S.H., I.B., CH.W. 1712, plain ring-handle.
In doorway to tower—of plain battens in two leaves,
probably 17th-century, also door of rough battens to
ringing-chamber. Font (Plate 58): octagonal bowl with
a panel of window-tracery in each face, moulded underside, plain stem and moulded base, early 14th-century.
Font-cover, with moulded edge and long straight
handle, late 17th or early 18th-century. Glass: In
N. aisle—in E. window, fragments of grisaille and
coloured borders, 14th or 15th-century; in tracery of
middle window in N. wall, figures of six seraphim (Plate
172) holding instruments of the Passion, remains of
tabernacle-work in heads of lights and various fragments, 15th-century. In S. aisle—in middle window,
fragments forming border, 14th-century. Monuments and
Floor-slabs. Monuments: In chancel—against N. wall,
(1) to Col. John Birch, M.P., 1691, monument (Plate
173) of white and grey marble consisting of a pedestal
and round-headed niche flanked by Corinthian columns
supporting entablatures and broken pediment with
achievement-of-arms, trophies of arms flanking main
composition, in niche, standing figure of man in armour
holding baton; (2) altar-tomb and effigy, usually ascribed to Sir William Devereux, 1402, but bearing the
crest of Marbury, freestone altar-tomb with three quatre-foiled panels in front and one at each end enclosing blank
shields and divided by smaller panels with trefoiled heads,
alabaster effigy (Plate 174) of man in armour of c. 1430
with hip-belt, collar of SS., feet on lion, head on helm
with Moor's head crest, both arms missing and figure
much defaced; against S. wall, (3) recess, altar-tomb
and effigies (Plate 174), ascribed to Sir John Marbury,
1437, recess with moulded jambs, two-centred arch and
label, altar-tomb made up of old and modern material,
effigies of alabaster, of man in plate-armour with hipbelt, collar of SS., feet on lion, head on helm with
Moor's head crest, both arms missing, of lady with
sideless gown, cloak, collar and horned head-dress,
angels supporting cushion, both arms missing, c. 1450.
In N. aisle—against N. wall, (4) altar-tomb with
modern side and ends, moulded plinth and marble
slab with four round sinkings at the angles, probably
early 16th-century. Floor-slabs: In N. aisle—(1)
part of slab with remains of incised cross; (2) broken
slab with ornamental cross and book; (3) broken
double slab, with two plain crosses; (4) fragment,
built into S.E. angle of tower, with base of cross and
remains of Lombardic inscription; all 14th or 15th-century. In S. aisle—(5) part of slab with incised
cross, mediæval; (6) to Simon Bridgis, 1707–8 (?),
with shield-of-arms. Niches: On S. side of chancel-arch, gabled crocketted and finialed canopy with cinque-foiled arch, springing from two heads, moulded bracket
below carved with the bust of a king and with a re-used
base-moulding below, 14th-century. On W. front of
nave—flanking W. window, two with cinque-foiled
heads and moulded labels, early 14th-century.
Paintings: On upper parts of nave-columns, traces of
simple painted scroll-work and black-letter inscriptions,
late 16th or early 17th-century. Piscina: In chancel—
recess with trefoiled head and broken drain, late 13th-century. In S. aisle—in S. wall, recess (Plate 61) with
moulded trefoiled head enriched with dog-tooth ornament, semi-circular moulded label with similar ornament,
projecting defaced drain, early 13th-century. Plate:
includes cup of 1595 (?) with band of engraved ornament and a cup of 1636, perhaps remade. Pulpit:
Loose in nave-aisles—various portions of stone pulpit
with moulded cornice and moulded underside, stem
with moulded top and chamfered plinth, 14th-century.
Scratchings: On various parts of nave—mason's
marks. Screen: Across N. aisle—part of base of
screen with moulded framing and three large panels,
remains of painted spiral bands; against N. wall,
square moulded post, with crocketted niche, moulded
finial and a shield with the symbol of the Trinity; in
tower—portion of the same or a similar screen; late
15th-century. Miscellanea: In chancel—at back of
Monuments (2 and 3), wooden shields repainted with the
arms of Devereux and Marbury, probably 16th-century.
Incorporated in modern stalls—panels of carved woodwork, late 16th or early 17th-century.
Condition—Good.
Secular
c(2). Weobley Castle (Plan, p. 198), earthworks, at
the S. end of the town, ¼ m. S. of the church, occupies a
slight rise in the ground and consists of a much damaged
main work to the S., with a bailey to the N. of it. The
defences are most complete on the E. half of the work,
but even here they seem to have been much altered
and the outlines are difficult to reconcile with the early
plan of the buildings reproduced in Robinson's Castles
of Herefordshire. As it now exists the main work
consists of a high semi-circular bank towards the E.
and defended towards the S. by a deep double ditch
with a high intermediate bank; the two ditches unite
with the single ditch of the bailey on the E. of that
work, thus isolating the intermediate bank. The
bailey is of roughly oval form and retains its bank and
ditch on the E. side, but remains of its ditch only on
the W. On this side the whole work has been much
denuded and reduced to little more than a series of
scarps representing the general outline of the enclosure.
A footpath traverses the whole site from N. to S.,
crossing the N. ditch of the bailey by a causeway which
no doubt represents the original entrance. It crosses
also a slight causeway over the outer S. ditch, but this
is probably modern. The round towers shown on the
early plan seem to indicate that the former masonry
castle was of the 13th century, but of this there are
no remains above ground. The castle belonged to
the family of Lacy in the early Middle Ages, passing
from them to the families of Verdon, Crophull and
Devereux. Leland states that in his day it was a goodly
castle but somewhat in decay. (Arch. Camb. XV,
1869.)
Condition—Bad.
b(3). Homestead Moat, nearly 1 m. W.N.W. of the
church, is now dry and encloses a roughly rectangular
island with an entrance on the N. There are remains
of a bank and other works to the E. of the moat.
Condition—Poor.
a(4). Nunsland Farm, outbuilding and moat, nearly
2 m. N.W. of the church. The Outbuilding is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with a tiled roof. It was
built perhaps early in the 18th century and has exposed
external framing and internal ceiling-beams.
The Moat formerly surrounded the site and was of
almost square form. It is still wet on the S.E. but has
been largely obliterated on the N.W.
Condition—Of outbuilding, fairly good.
b(5). Brockaly, cottage, ½ m. N.E. of (4), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was
built late in the 17th century and has been partly
heightened. The external framing is exposed, as are
some of the ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
a(6). The Birches, house, 1¾ m. W.N.W. of the
church, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with
stone and slate-covered roofs. It is of T-shaped plan
with the cross-wing at the E. end. The date of the
main block is uncertain, but the higher cross-wing is
probably of the 16th century and has some exposed
and close-set timber-framing; the upper storey
projects on part of the E. face. The framing of the
main block is in large panels, and there is a doorway with
a flat triangular head cut in a cross-beam.
Condition—Good.
b(7). Little Sarnesfield, house and barn, nearly
1 m. W. of the church. The House is of two storeys,
timber-framed, and faced with later brickwork; the
roofs are slate-covered. It was built probably in the
14th century and consists of a central hall with crosswings at the N. and S. ends. The hall was later divided
into two storeys, and there are 18th-century and modern
additions on the E. Inside the building, the S. wing
retains two original trusses, one with a tie-beam, having
curved braces below and two struts above forming
foiled openings; the second truss has a collar with
curved braces, the principals being cut to a trefoil
above the collar. The N. wing has some original
framing in the E. wall. There are exposed ceiling-beams in the lower rooms.
The Barn, N. of the house, is a timber-framed building of six bays, and probably of early 17th-century date.
Condition—Good.
c(8). The Ley, house (Plate 103), nearly ¾ m. S.W. of
the church, is of two storeys with attics; the walls are
timber-framed and the roofs are stone-covered. It was
built c. 1589 on a modified H-shaped plan with the crosswings at the E. and W. ends and with a lower wing
extending S. from the E. cross-wing.
The house is a good example of its period, with the
external appearance very little altered.
Weobley, the Ley
The exterior has the timber-framing in large squares,
almost entirely exposed. The N. front has a moulded
beam between the two main storeys. In the middle of
the main block is a projecting and gabled bay-window
of two storeys each with a window of five transomed
lights with moulded frame and mullions; below the
lower window the studs of the framing are moulded,
and above the window is an enriched band; the gable
has enriched barge-boards and plaster panels with
pomegranates and other devices. At the back of this
bay a gabled dormer rises from the main roof, with
moulded and enriched barge-boards and two scrolled
brackets. In the angle of the W. wing is a two-storeyed
and gabled porch. The porch (Plate 176) itself has
moulded framing and carved scrolled brackets supporting the projecting upper storey; the doorway has a
flat pointed head, and above it are two carved panels,
(a) an impaled shield-of-arms with the initials I.B. for
James Bridges, (b) the words "In Dei nomine," the
date 1589, and two leaves. The upper storey has
moulded angle-posts, moulded barge-boards with
scrolled brackets at the base and a pendant at the apex;
the slightly projecting window, of three transomed
lights, has a moulded frame and mullions. The inner
doorway of the porch has a moulded frame with ornamental stops and has a panelled door with two wooden
latches; above it are three lights with moulded frame
and mullions. The gabled ends of the wings have each
a projecting bay-window of two storeys and also gabled;
they generally resemble the bay of the main block,
without the ornamental details; the barge-boards
of the gable of the E. wing have decayed enrichments.
The E. elevation has a chimney-stack with three brick
shafts, set diagonally and probably re-built; there are
two windows of two transomed lights, perhaps later
insertions; the windows of the lower S. wing appear
to have been altered. Inside the building, the principal
rooms have original moulded ceiling-beams and joists.
The hall has some original panelling, and there is a
door of similar panelling.
Condition—Good.
c(9). Fenhampton, house, nearly 1¼ m. S.W. of the
church, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with stonecovered roofs. The N. and middle parts of the house
were built early in the 17th century, and the S. part is
probably an 18th-century addition. There is a later
addition on the W. side. Much of the timber-framing is
exposed. The E. front has a gable at each end and a two-storeyed and gabled porch (Plate 43) projecting from
the middle block; the upper storey projects on the free
sides with a moulded bressummer and scrolled brackets;
the porch itself has a flat pointed outer archway and four
large posts in the side walls, forming openings in the
upper part. Inside the building some of the ceiling-beams are exposed.
Condition—Good.
c(10). Ivy Cottage, 600 yards S. of (9), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with slate-covered roofs.
It was built in the 17th century and heightened in the
18th century. The external framing and internal
ceiling-beams are exposed.
Condition—Good.
c(11). The Field, house, nearly 1 m. S.E. of the
church, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with stonecovered roofs. It was built probably early in the 18th
century and has exposed external framing.
Condition—Good.
Meadow Street, E. side
c(12). House (Plate 181), 230 yards W. of the church,
is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with tile-covered
roofs. It was built probably in the 16th century and
has exposed external framing and internal ceiling-beams.
The upper storey projects at the W. end on a moulded
bressummer and curved brackets, springing from shafts
attached to the main posts. The chimney-stack has
diagonal projecting nibs and is probably of the 17th
century.
Condition—Good.
c(13). House, 50 yards S.S.E. of (12), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with slate-covered roofs.
It was built early in the 17th century and has exposed
external framing and moulded ceiling-beams. An
outbuilding N.W. of the house is of the same date and
character.
Condition—Good.
c(14). House, 80 yards S.S.E. of (13), is of two
storeys, timber-framed and with stone-covered roofs.
It was built probably in the 14th century with a central
hall and a cross-wing at the N.W. end. The hall was
divided into two storeys, probably late in the 16th
century, and there is a 17th-century addition at the back.
The timber-framing, in large squares, is exposed.
The upper storey of the cross-wing projects at the S.W.
end on curved brackets. In the S.E. end of the hall is
an original crutch-truss, and inside it is a second crutchtruss with a collar, having struts forming foiled
openings above and curved braces below; several
cusped wind-braces remain. Elsewhere the ceiling-beams are exposed and the inserted floor in the hall
has a wall-post with a shaped head.
Condition—Good.
S.W. side
c(15). House, nearly opposite (12), is of two storeys,
timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It probably formed
one wing of a 15th-century building and has some
exposed framing, that in front being close-set and
original; the upper storey formerly projected in front
but has been under-built; the gable has original bargeboards with traceried enrichment. Inside the building,
the ceiling-beams are exposed.
Condition—Good.
c(16). House (Plate 182), 150 yards S.S.E. of (15), is
of two storeys, timber-framed, and with stone-covered
roofs. It formed the main block of a larger building
which was built perhaps in the 15th century, but the
existing building has been much altered and perhaps
re-built at a subsequent date. The external framing is
exposed, as are the ceiling-beams. The destroyed wing
on the S.E. had a projecting upper storey and part of an
original moulded beam remains at the first-floor level.
Condition—Fairly good.
c(17). House (Plate 182), 8 yards S.S.E. of (16), is of
two storeys with attics; the walls are timber-framed
and the roofs are tiled. It was built in the 17th century
and has exposed external timber-framing, but has been
much altered internally.
Condition—Good.
c(18). Public Hall (Plate 182), formerly a barn or
outbuilding, 15 yards S.S.E. of (17), is of one storey,
timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was built
probably in the 17th century and has exposed external
framing.
Condition—Fairly good.
Weobley, Plan Showing the Position of Monuments
c(19). The Old Vicarage (Plate 182), house, immediately S.S.E. of (18), is of two storeys, timber-framed,
and with stone and tile-covered roofs. The date of
the original building is uncertain, but the two closely
adjoining gabled wings on the front are apparently
of late 16th-century date. Both have exposed framing,
and the upper storey projects on curved brackets and
plain attached shafts on the main posts. In the upper
storey of each wing is the scrolled bracket and moulded
sill of a window which formerly projected but is now
replaced by a modern frame. Inside the building are
some exposed ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
Bell Square, S. side
c(20). House and shop, 170 yards S.S.W. of the
church, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled
roofs. It was built late in the 14th or early in the 15th
century, with a cross-wing at the E. end and has later
additions on the S.E. and S.W. The original timber-framing in large panels is exposed in front and the
upper storey of the cross-wing projects and retains one
curved bracket. The barge-boards have original
traceried enrichment. The return-walls of the wing
have each remains of original wood tracery, either
window-heads or panels. Inside the building are
exposed ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(21). House (Plate 180), immediately E. of (20), is of
two storeys, timber-framed and with tiled roofs. It was
built in the 14th century with a central hall and crosswings at the E. and W. ends. At a later date the hall
was divided into two storeys.
The house is a complete example of 14th-century
work with original roof-trusses in the hall and wings.
The external timber-framing in large squares is
exposed. The upper storey projects at the front end
of both cross-wings on curved brackets and plain shafts
attached to the main posts. The gables have original
barge-boards with traceried enrichment, and below the
base-beams of the gables are foiled struts. In the
W. wing is the original doorway with a two-centred
head and an old battened door with strap-hinges.
In the Hall-block is a slightly projecting 17th-century
window of four lights with moulded frame, sill,
mullions and transom. In the return of the E. wing
adjoining the main block are remains of two trefoil-headed panels or windows. Inside the building, the
ceiling-beams are exposed. The original roof of the
hall is of two bays with a central truss (Plate 38); this
consists of curved timbers carried down to the ground
and a collar-beam with curved braces below and struts
above, forming foiled openings with the principal rafters;
the wall-plates are moulded, and several foiled wind-braces remain. The roofs of the wings have original
trusses with braced tie-beams resting on wall-posts and
struts above forming foiled openings with the principal
rafters. The 17th-century staircase retains its moulded
grip-handrails, chamfered newels and moulded strings
and risers.
Condition—Fairly good.
Broad Street (Plates 178, 179), W. side
c(22). Red Lion Hotel (Plate 180) and outbuilding,
140 yards S. of the church. The House is of two storeys,
timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. The E. cross-wing
of the house was built in the 14th century, but the main
block has been much altered and re-built in the 17th
and 18th centuries. The timber-framing is mostly
exposed, that in the original wing being mainly in
large square panels. The upper storey of the original
wing projected on the E. side and S. end, but has been
under-built at the S. end; on the E. side it rests on
curved and moulded brackets springing from shafts
attached to the main posts; the angle-post has a
moulded capping; at the N. end is an original doorway, now blocked, with moulded jambs and ogeehead. In the upper storey are two original windows,
now blocked, each of three trefoiled ogee lights with
cusped spandrels; the mullions have been removed.
The upper storey of the S. end of the wing retains two
curved braces forming an arch in the framing. The
interior of the building has been much altered and the
roof of the original wing re-built of old materials.
The Outbuilding (Plate 177), N. of the house, has been
partly demolished. It is a timber-framed structure of
mediæval date, and has two heavy crutch-trusses in the
N. and S. walls; the framing of the side-walls is in
large squares.
Condition—Good.
c(23). House (Plate 180), opposite and S. of (22), is
of two storeys, timber-framed, and with tile and stonecovered roofs. It was built late in the 14th century,
with a cross-wing at the N. end. The main or hallblock was divided into two storeys, probably in the
17th century. The timber-framing, in large panels, is
mainly exposed, as are some of the ceiling-beams.
The upper storey of the cross-wing projects on the N.
and E. on curved brackets springing from shafts
attached to the posts; the angle-post has a moulded
capping and a heavy diagonal bracket. The gabled
upper storey at the end of the wing retains two pairs of
arched braces, forming arches in the framing. Inside
the building, the main block has a central collar-beam
truss with curved braces forming a round arch.
Condition—Good.
c(24). Range, formerly two houses, 70 yards S. of
(23), is partly of two and partly of three storeys; the
original walls are timber-framed and the roofs are tiled.
The S. house is perhaps of mediæval origin altered and
partly re-built in the 17th century; the N. house has
been practically re-built in modern times but contains
some 17th-century fittings. The S. house has exposed
framing in large squares and a porch made up of old
timbers from elsewhere. Inside the N. house is a 17th-century staircase (Plate 74) with moulded grip-handrail, shaped or moulded newels and twisted balusters.
There is also a wood-carving, perhaps of the 15th
century, representing the Virgin and St. Michael and
flanked by two shields with merchants' marks.
Condition—Good.
c(25). House, immediately S. of (24), has been
re-built late in the 18th century but incorporates at the
N. end part of an older timber-framed wall and at the
same end a passage with moulded ceiling-beams,
probably of early 16th-century date. On the S. side
of the passage is part of a panelled wood screen.
Some timber-framing is also exposed on the W. side
of the house.
Condition—Poor.
c(26). House, immediately S. of (25), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with slate-covered roofs.
It was built probably early in the 15th century but has
been much altered and re-built. The timber-framing
is exposed at the back. Inside the building is one
original roof-truss of collar-beam type, with curved
braces below and a foiled spandrel above the collar.
Condition—Good.
c(27). House, immediately S. of (26), is perhaps of
mediæval origin but has been practically re-built.
There are indications that the upper storey formerly
projected in front.
Condition—Good.
E. side
c(28). House, opposite (22), is of two storeys with
attics, timber-framed, and with slate-covered roofs.
It was built early in the 17th century, but was largely
re-built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Some timber-framing and ceiling-beams are exposed.
Condition—Good.
c(29). House, 20 yards S.S.E. of (28), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was
built in the 17th century and has exposed external
timber-framing and ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(30). House, immediately S.S.E. of (29), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was
built late in the 17th or early in the 18th century, and
has exposed external timber-framing.
Condition—Good.
c(31). House, immediately S.S.E. of (30), is of
similar type and date; the roofs are slate-covered.
Condition—Good.
c(32). House and barn, 10 yards S.S.E. of (31).
The House is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with
tiled roofs. It was built probably late in the 14th
century, with a central block and cross-wings at the N.
and S. ends; the lower storey has been refronted in
modern stonework, and the middle block has been
otherwise altered. The timber-framing is exposed in
the upper part of the W. front and is in large panels;
the end of the N. wing has curved braces in two panels
forming two-centred arches; the corresponding braces
in the S. wing are foiled; the middle block has thinner
framing and the middle panel has curved braces forming
a round arch. Inside the building are some exposed
ceiling-beams.
The Barn, E. of the house, is timber-framed and of
17th-century date.
Condition—Good.
c(33). House and stable, 30 yards S.S.E. of (32).
The House is of early to mid 18th-century date, but
contains some re-set woodwork of 15th, late 16th
and early 17th-century date. The 15th-century work
includes moulded beams, carved heads and spandrels
carved with flowers and foliage. The later work
includes a certain amount of panelling, panelled doors,
etc. There is also an iron fire-back with the initials
and date I.W. 1633.
The Stable, S. of the house, is timber-framed and
probably of mediæval origin. It formed part of a
larger structure.
Condition—Good.
c(34). House, S.S.E. of (33), is of two storeys,
timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It has been much
altered, but the gabled E. end with exposed framing
may be of late 16th or early 17th-century date.
Condition—Good.
c(35). Range (Plate 180), of three tenements, at the
corner of High Street and 25 yards S. of (34), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. The
main rectangular block was built probably in the 15th
century and the cross-wing at the S. end is probably
a 16th-century addition. The timber-framing in large
panels is mostly exposed. The upper storey of the
main block projects on the W. front on curved brackets,
springing from shafts attached to the main posts;
under the projection is an original moulded cornice.
The gable of the S. wing appears to have been altered;
two panels of the framing have curved braces in the
angles. Inside the building are some exposed ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(36). Block, of two houses, on the island site,
320 yards S.S.E. of the church, is of two storeys with
attics, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was
built probably late in the 15th century, to which date
belongs most of the N. house; the S. house was
altered and largely re-built in the 17th century. The
timber-framing is mostly exposed. The gabled E.
front of the N. house has original close-set framing;
on the W. side the upper storey projects and is gabled,
and at the first-floor level is an original moulded beam.
The E. part of the S. house has framing in large panels
but the gable has foiled barge-boards, perhaps of the
15th century and re-set. The large gable on the S.
front has four ranges of panels in the framing, and at the
first-floor level is a moulded beam. Inside the N.
house the ground floor has a 16th-century moulded
ceiling-beam, and the N.W. room is lined with 17th-century panelling. There is similar panelling in a
room on the first floor, which has original moulded
ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(37). House (Plate 28), on the W. side of Portland
Street, opposite (36), is of two storeys, timber-framed,
and with slate-covered roofs. It was built probably in
the 15th century, with a central-hall and cross-wings
at the N. and S. ends. The N. cross-wing has been
destroyed. The timber-framing is mostly exposed.
The hall-block has a framed cove in the E. front, bringing the eaves out to the front of the projecting wing; in
the middle of the upper part of the wall is an original
window of six lights. The upper storey projects at
the E. end of the S. wing on curved brackets and with a
moulded cornice above and below the projection; the
original doorway has been replaced by modern work;
in the first floor is an original window of five lights with
restored mullions. Inside the building, the former
screens passage is included in the S. wing; in its S.
wall are two original doorways with ogee heads; the
framing of the N. wall, formerly the screen, is partly
original. The hall was formerly open to the roof
but has a later inserted floor. Both the hall and the
S. wing retain an original roof-truss of collar-beam
type, with curved braces below and foiled principals
above the collar-beam. The ceiling-beams are mostly
exposed.
Condition—Poor.
High Street, N. side (Plate 179)
c(38). House and outbuilding, immediately E. of (35).
The House (Plate 179) is of two storeys, timber-framed,
and with slate and tile-covered roofs. It was built
probably late in the 14th century, but the roofing seems
to have been altered to form one long range, perhaps
in the 15th century, coving being added to the recessed
parts of the front to make the eaves continuous. The
outbuilding projecting to the N. is probably a 15th-century addition. The original building would seem
to have consisted of the two projecting wings with the
block between them; the E. block was either an
extension or the incorporation of a distinct 14th-century building adjoining on the E. The timber-framing is in large squares except for the closer set
framed coving of the recessed parts. The upper storey
projects on the S. front of the supposed original
wings on curved brackets and also on the return face
of the W. wing, with a diagonal brace at the angle.
The upper storey of this wing has cusped braces to the
framing of the S. end. Inside the building, some of the
ceiling-beams are exposed. The E. block has a 14th or
15th-century roof-truss (Plate 38) of collar-beam type
with curved braces below and a foiled spandrel above
the collar-beam; the moulded wall-plates are original.
In the W. wall of the supposed original E. wing is a
blocked doorway with an ogee head.
The Outbuilding, N. of the house, is a timber-framed
structure, perhaps of the 16th century, with a 17th-century extension on the E.
Condition—Of house, good.
c(39). Unicorn Inn (Plate 182), immediately E. of
(38), is of two storeys with attics, timber-framed, and
with slate-covered roofs. It was built in the 17th
century and has a long wing, used as a barn, on the N.
side. The timber-framing and ceiling-beams are exposed. The original staircase has shaped slat-balusters,
moulded strings and newels.
Condition—Good.
c(40). House (Plate 181), two tenements, 18 yards
E.N.E. of (39), is of two storeys, timber-framed, and
with slate-covered roofs. The W. tenement was built
probably early in the 16th century and has a 17th-century
wing at the back; the E. tenement is probably of later
16th-century date. The timber-framing is exposed, and
the upper storey projects on the whole of the S. front
on curved brackets, with a moulded bressummer.
Inside the building are some exposed ceiling-beams
and doorways with triangular heads.
Condition—Fairly good.
S. side
c(41). Cottage, nearly opposite the end of Portland
Street, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with stonecovered roofs. It was built in the 17th century and has
exposed framing and ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(42). House (Plate 28), 15 yards N.E. of (41), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. The gabled
E. wing is probably of late 14th or early 15th-century
date, but the age of the low W. wing is uncertain.
The framing in large panels is exposed and the gable
has original barge-boards with foiled or cusped
decoration. Some ceiling-beams are exposed.
Condition—Fairly good.
c(43). House and shop, immediately E. of (42), is of
two storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It is
probably of mediæval origin but has been altered and
enlarged in the 18th century. Much of the timber-framing is exposed. The upper storey projects on the
N. side, but is now enclosed in an early 18th-century
addition.
Condition—Good.
c(44). House, two tenements, opposite (35), is of
two storeys, timber-framed, and with slate-covered
roofs. It was built in the 17th century and has exposed
framing in the upper part of the front.
Condition—Good.
c(45). House, on the N. side of the road, 70 yards E.
of (40), is of one storey with attics, originally timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was built early in
the 17th century, but was refronted in brick in the
18th century. The framing is exposed at the E. end
and part of the N. side. Inside the building the
ceiling-beams are exposed.
Condition—Good.
Hereford Street, E. side
c(46). The Throne, house, at the N.E. corner of the
street, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with tile
and stone-covered roofs. It was built late in the 16th
or early in the 17th century on an L-shaped plan with
the wings extending towards the S. and E., with a
small wing towards the S.E. There are 18th-century
and modern additions on the S. and E. Much of the
exterior is heavily overgrown with ivy, but some of the
timber-framing is exposed. The W. gable of the E.
wing has enriched barge-boards. The upper storey
projects on the W. side of the S. wing and is supported
on posts. The S.E. wing has a moulded beam on the
N. side. Inside the building are some exposed ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(47). House, immediately S. of (46), is of two
storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was
built possibly in the 16th century, but has been refronted
and altered in the 18th century. Some of the framing
is exposed. Inside the building the S. room has
moulded ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(48). House, immediately S. of (47), incorporates
some 17th-century timber-framing, but has been almost
re-built in the 18th century.
Condition—Good.
c(49). Cottage, 45 yards S. of (48), is of two storeys,
timber-framed, and with tiled roofs. It was built early
in the 17th century and has some exposed timber-framing. The chimney-stack has diagonal nibs on the
long sides.
Condition—Good.
W. side
c(50). Old Grammar School, 45 yards S. of High
Street, is of one storey with attics, timber-framed, and
with tiled roofs. It was built early in the 17th century,
and the E. front (Plate 181) is a well-preserved example of
its period. The timber-framing is close-set, and the front
has a projecting porch and two gabled dormers. The
porch (Plate 43) has moulded framing and a square-headed entrance with scrolled brackets under the lintel;
above it are three enriched scrolls and a moulded tie-beam; the gable has enriched barge-boards and a turned
apex-post. The sides of the porch have turned balusters.
Further N. is an original bay-window of five transomed
lights and a moulded sill resting on three shaped
brackets. The dormers have curved braces in the
framing of the gables. Inside the building are some
original moulded ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
Chamber Walk
c(51). House (Plate 182), on the E. side, 500 yards S.
of the church, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and
with tiled roofs. It was built late in the 17th or early in
the 18th century, but has been much modernised. The
framing and a ceiling-beam are exposed.
Condition—Good.
c(52). House (Plate 182), on the W. side, 20 yards N.
of (51), is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with tiled
roofs. It was built late in the 17th century, and has
exposed framing and ceiling-beams.
Condition—Good.
c(53). House and forge, 40 yards N. of (52), is of
two storeys, timber-framed, and with stone-covered
roofs. The W. wing is probably of mediæval date,
but the main block was re-built probably early in the
18th century. The timber-framing is mostly exposed.
Condition—Good.
c(54). House (Plate 181), immediately N. of (53), is of
two storeys, timber-framed, and with slate-covered roofs.
It was built probably in the 14th century with a central
hall and cross-wings at the N. and S. ends; the N. wing
survives, but the hall and S. wing, now under one roof,
seem to have been reconstructed at a later period.
The timber-framing in large panels is exposed and the
upper storey projects at the E. end of the N. wing on
curved brackets and shafts attached to the main posts;
the panels of the first floor retain a pair of original
cusped braces, and the barge-boards have cusped
enrichment. Towards the S. end of the main block is a
five-light window, with chamfered mullions, and perhaps
of the 15th century. Inside the building some ceiling-beams are exposed. The former hall has a roof-truss
of collar-beam type, with braces forming a round arch.
The N. wing has original cusped wind-braces on both
sides of the roof. Projecting W. from the house is a
long timber-framed outbuilding, perhaps of the 16th
century.
Condition—Good.
Back Lane
c(55). Cottage, on the E. side, 275 yards S. of the
church, is of two storeys, timber-framed, and with
tiled roofs. It was built late in the 17th or early in the
18th century, and has exposed timber-framing.
Condition—Good.
c(56). Cottage, on the W. side of the road, 70 yards
N.N.W. of (55), is of the same date and character. It
has been heightened.
Condition—Good.
c(57). Cottage, two tenements, 10 yards N. of
(56), is again similar in date and character. It also
has been heightened.
Condition—Good.