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Mansion House York. the beautiful Stateroom is a perfect double cube and is richly embellished with plasterwork and gold leaf. The Mansion House is grade 1 listed.
York Mansion House
May 2013
Detail of a spandrel in the Yellow Drawing Room at Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire, designed by John Soane for Philip Yorke, 3rd earl of Hardwicke, in 1793. The dome has a glazed lantern carried on segmental arches, with fluted spandrels. The plasterwork is by John Papworth. Wimpole Hall is largely the creation of Edward Harley, earl of Oxford (1689-1741), and Charles Yorke, first earl of Hardwicke and Lord Chancellor (1690-1764).
A mix up between here and Allhallows meant that shots from here were edited and posted as coming from Allhallows. Those have now been deleted, and will be reposted as being from Snodalnd.
I feel better disposed towards Snodland after this visit, as I received a warm welcome on Heritage day, and despite some major renovations going on, the wardens were clearly very proud of their church, and very happy the work to the tower and plasterwork was being carried out. And extolling me to return later in the year when the work is completed.
I intend to.
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In an awkward position, cut off from its village by the railway and bypass and somewhat compromised by the adjoining paper mill. The present church has been extended from its thirteenth century origins, most noticeably by the addition of a tall tower in the fifteenth century. There is a rood loft staircase in the south wall and on a pillar nearby can still be seen an unusual fourteenth-century Crucifixion painted on the stonework within an incised outline. The church was over-restored by Blomfield in 1870 and suffered damage in the Second World War when the medieval glass was destroyed. Fragments that survived have been assembled where possible. New windows were installed, including the thirty-six symbols of the saints in the east window by Hugh Easton (1953), and the Becket Pilgrim window by Moira Forsyth (1966). A large memorial in the south aisle commemorates Thomas Waghorn (d. 1850), who pioneered the overland route to India.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Snodland
NORTHWARD from Ditton, on the western side of the Medway, a small part of Aylesford at New Hyth intervening, is Snodland, called in Domesday, ESNOILAND, and in the Textus Roffensis, SNODDINGLAND and SNODILAND.
SNODLAND lies on the western bank of the river, which is its eastern boundary opposite to Burham. The high road from Stroud to Larkfield goes through the village, which is situated about half a mile, and the church about midway from the river. It lies low, and being near the salt marshes, is not either very pleasant or very wholesome. In the southern part of the parish the stream which flows from Birling turns a pa per mill here, and thence flows into the Medway, not far from which is Snodland and New-Hyth common. In the northern part of the parish next to Lower Halling, is the hamlet of Holborough, usually called Hoborow, no doubt for Old Borough, a name implying the antiquity of this place. Many are inclined to believe, that the usual passage across the river in the time of the Romans, was from hence to Scarborough on the opposite shore. However that may be, Holborow was certainly known to them, for in queen Elizabeth's reign, an urn filled with ashes was discovered in digging for chalk on the hill above this place, a sure token of the Romans having frequented it. (fn. 1) In this hamlet Mr. John May resides in a handsome new-built house, near it there rises a small brook, which flows from hence into the Medway, at about half a mile distance. From this low and flat country, on the bank of the river, the ground rises westward up to the range of high chalk hills, where the land becomes poor and much covered with flints. Upon these hills among the woods is an estate, corruptly called Punish, for it takes its name from the family of Pouenesse, or Pevenashe, written by contraction Poneshe, who were possessed of it as high as king Henry the IIId's. reign, in queen Elizabeth's reign it was called Poynyshe, and was then in possession of the name of Brown, who held it of the bishop of Rochester as of his manor of Halling. (fn. 2) About a mile eastward from the above is a farm called Lads, which in king Edward I's. reign, and some generations afterwards, was in the possession of a family of that name, written in deeds of those times, Lad, and Le Lad.
This parish ought antiently to have contributed to the repair of the ninth pier of Rochester bridge.
Sir John Marsham, bart. and Sir Charles Bickerstaff, had a design of supplying the towns of Stroud, Rochester, and Chatham, with fresh water, by bringing it from the spring rising at the foot of Holborough hill, and others thereabouts, by a cut or channel through Halling and Cuxton thither, four miles of which was through Sir John Marsham's own lands, but after they had proceeded two miles, finding some obstructions, which could not be removed, but by an act, one was procured for the purpose in the 1st year of James II. but nothing further was afterwards done in it, for what reason does not appear.
In the year 838, king Egbert, with the consent of his son king Æthelwulf, gave to Beormod, bishop of Rochester, four plough lands at Snoddinglond and Holanbeorge, with the privilege of leaving them to whomever he pleased; and he granted that the lands should be free from all service, to which he added one mill on the stream, named Holanbeorges bourne, and on the hill belonging to the king fifty loads of wood, and likewife four denberies in the Weald. And in the year 841, Ethelwulf, king of the West Saxons, with the advice of his bishops and great men, gave to the bishop two ploughlands at Holanbeorges, in perpetual inheritance, with the like privilege, and that they should be free from all regal service.
Whilst Ælfstane was bishop of Rochester, who came to the see in 945, and died in 984, one Birtrick, a rich man, who lived at Meopham, with the consent of Elfswithe, his wife, made his testament, and gave, after their deaths, his lands at Snodland to St. Andrew's church at Rochester. (fn. 3)
The bishop of Rochester continued in the possession of this place at the time of taking the general survey of Domesday, about the 15th year of the Conqueror's reign, anno 1080, in which record it is thus entered, under the general title of that bishop's lands:
The same bishop (of Rochester) holds Esnoiland. In the time of king Edward the Confessor it was taxed at six sulings, and now at three. The arable land is six carucates. In demesne there are two carucates and ten villeins, with six borderers, having six carucates. There is a church and five servants, and three mills of forty shillings, and thirty acres of meadow, wood for the pannage of four hogs. In the time of king Edward and afterwards, it was worth six pounds, and now nine pounds.
When bishop Gundulph, soon after this, following archbishop Lanfranc's example, separated his revenue from that of his priory, this manor, together with Holborough, continued part of the bishop's possessions, and was confirmed to the church of Rochester by archbishops Anselm and Boniface.
On a taxation of the bishop's manors next year, it appeared that Holeberge was a member of the manor of Halling, and had in it one hundred and ninety-seven acres of arable land, valued at four-pence per acre at the most, as there was no marle there. That there were here fourteen acres of meadow, six acres of pasture, which were salt, and three lately made fresh, each acre at eight-pence, and the mill at twenty shillings per annum.
Hamo, bishop of Rochester, in the year 1323, new built the mill at Holbergh, with timber from Perstede, at the expence of ten pounds. (fn. 4) At which time the bishop seems to have had a park here.
The estate of Snodland with Holborow, still continue part of the possessions of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester. William Dalyson, esq. of West Peckham, is the present lessee of the bishop's estate in this parish.
THE FAMILY of Palmer, who bore for their arms, Argent, a chevron between three palmers scrips, sable, tasselled and buckled, or resided for some time in this parish, at a seat they possessed in it, called The courtlodge. Several of them lie buried in the church of Snodland, particularly Thomas Palmer, who married the daughter of Fitzsimond, and died anno 1407. Weaver recites his epitaph thus, now obliterated:
Palmers al our faders were
I, a Palmer, livyd here
And travylled till worne wythe age
I endyd this worlds pylgramage
On the blyst Assention day
In the cherful month of May
A thowsand wyth fowre hundryd seven
And took my jorney hense to Heuen
From him descended the Palmers, of Tottington, in Aylesford, and of Howlets, in Bekesborne, now extinct.
The Palmers were succeeded here by the Leeds's, one of whom, William Leeds, lay interred in this church, whose arms, A fess between three eagles, were engraved in brass on his tomb, but they are now torn away; to whom, in the reign of king Charles I. succeeded the Whitfields, of Canterbury. It afterwards passed into the name of Crow, and from thence to the Mays, and it is now the estate of Mr. John May, of Holborough.
VELES, alias SNODLAND, is a manor in this parish, which in the reign of king Edward I. was held as half a knight's fee, of the bishop of Rochester, by John de Pevenashe, John Harange, and Walter Lad, as coparceners, and in the 20th year of king Edward III. Richard Pevenashe, John de Melford, John Lade, and Richard le Veel, paid aid for it.
This manor seems afterwards to have been wholly vested in the family of Veel, called in deeds likewise Le Vitele, and in Latin Vitulus. After they were extinct here, it passed into the name of Blunt, and from that to Turvye, of whose heirs it was held in the latter end of the reign of king Henry VIII. by Richard Harvey. (fn. 5) It passed, after some intermediate owners, by sale to Crow, and from thence in like manner to Mr. John May, whose two sons, Mr. John and William May, of this parish, afterwards possessed it. The latter died in 1777, on which the entire fee of it became vested in his brother Mr. John May, of Holborough, the present possessor of it.
HOLLOWAY COURT is a seat in this parish, which gave name to a family that resided at it. Henry de Holeweye paid aid for it in the beginning of the reign of king Henry III. (fn. 6) His descendant, William de Holeweye possessed it in the 30th year of king Edward I. from which name it passed into that of Tilghman, who were owners of it in the reign of king Edward III. Many of whom lie buried in this church, bearing for their arms, Per fess sable and argent, a lion rampant regardant, doubled queved counterchanged, crowned, as they were painted in very old glass in the windows of this house. Their pedigree is in Vistn. co. of Kent, anno 1619.
Richard Tilghman possessed it in the reign of king Henry IV. and in his descendants it continued down to Edward Tilghman, esq. who was of Snodland, and was twice married; by his first wife he had a son, Francis, and by his second, two sons, the eldest of whom, Whetenhall Tilghman, had part of his father's lands in this parish, which continued in his descendants till about the year 1680, when they were alienated to Sir John Marsham, bart. whose descendant, the right honorable Charles, lord Romney, is the present possessor of them.
¶Francis Tilghman, only son of Edward, by his first wife, was of Snodland, and possessed Holoway-court, where he resided in the reign of king James I. but died without surviving issue. He passed away this estate by sale to Clotworthy, descended from those of that name in Devonshire, and he by will gave it to his sister's son, Mr. Thomas Williams, who alienated it to Richard Manley, esq. who resided here, and dying in 1684, was buried in this church, leaving by Martha, daughter of John Baynard, of Shorne, widow of Bonham Faunce, of St. Margaret's, Rochester one son, Charles, and a daughter, Frances, married to Dr. Robert Conny, hereafter-mentioned. He sold Holloway court to Mr. John Conny, of Rochester, surgeon, son of Robert Conny, gent. of Godmanchester, in Huntingdonshire, and bore for his arms, Sable, a fess argent, cotized or, between three conies of the second. On whose decease his eldest son, Robert Conny, of Rochester, M. D. succeeded to it, and he sold it to Thomas Pearce, esq. a commissioner of the navy, whose three sons and coheirs, Thomas, Best, and Vincent Pearce, conveyed it by sale to Mr. John May, and his eldest son, Mr John May, of Holborough, in this parish, now possesses it.
The church is dedicated to All Saints. It is a small mean building with a low pointed steeple.
The church of Snodland has ever been appendant to the manor. It has never been appropriated, but con tinues a rectory in the patronage of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester.
¶Much dispute having arisen between the rector of this parish, and the rector of Woldham, on the opposite side of the river Medway, concerning the tithe of fish caught within the bounds of the parish of Woldham by the parishioners of Snodland, the same was settled, with the consent of both parties, by the bishop of Rochester, 1402, as may be seen more at large in the account of the rectory of Woldham. (fn. 7)
This rectory is valued in the king's books at twenty pounds, and the yearly tenths at two pounds.
One of the towers of Warwick Castle, the only one I could see from the outside (without paying to go in which I didn't do).
I didn't go inside Warwick Castle, and could only get this round tower from outside the grounds.
Grade I listed building.
Warwick Castle, Warwick - British Listed Buildings
1.
1781 Warwick Castle
SP 2864 NW 1/301 10.1.53.
I GV
2.
Early site, probably dating from pre-Norman times. Much mediaeval work
remains. Good C18 and later additions. In 1871 a fire gutted the Great
Hall and East Wing, these being restored by Anthony Salvin. This castle,
(containing a fine collection of antiques and works of art) is considered
of very great national interest. Main block with C14 walls and vaulted
undercroft. Caesan's tower and Guy's tower, the Gatehouse and its Barbican
also C14. The curtain walls may date from this period. Bear and Clarence
towers C15, left incomplete 1485 and later given battlements; probably
intended as a stronghold within the castle similar to that at Raglan.
Late C17 internal features include exceptional plasterwork and wood carvings
to the Cedar Room by Roger and William Hurlbut, completed 1678. Altered
1753-5 by Lancelot Brown, who rebuilt the porch and stairway to the Great
Hall. Porch extended forward and additional rooms built beside it, 1763-9,
by Timothy Lightoler. Watergate tower restored by A Salvin 1861-3. AM.
VCH, viii, pp.454-64.
Warwick Castle, with its Boundary Walls, Stables, Conservatory, Mill
and Lodge form a group.
The tower is Guy's Tower. With England flag.
Lanhydrock is the perfect country house and estate, with the feel of a wealthy but unpretentious family home. Follow in the footsteps of generations of the Robartes family, walking in the 17th-century Long Gallery among the rare book collection under the remarkable plasterwork ceiling. After a devastating fire in 1881 the house was refurbished in the high-Victorian style, with the latest mod cons. Boasting the best in country-house design and planning, the kitchens, nurseries and servants' quarters offer a thrilling glimpse into life 'below stairs', while the spacious dining room and bedrooms are truly and deeply elegant
Situated in North County Dublin, the fine Georgian house is set in a 360 acre demesne, which is one of Fingal's Regional Parks.
Built by Archbishop Cobbe between 1747 and 1752 to the design of the renowned architect, James Gibbs. Newbridge is extremely rare in that it still contains most of it's original furniture thanks to the generosity of the Cobbe family. It offers many surprises. These include the magnificant Red Drawing Room (one of the finest Georgian interiors in Ireland), the Museum of Curiosities (one of the few family museums in Ireland or Britian) and the ornate plasterwork found throughout the house.
Newbridge House is exceptionally unchanged, preserved for future generations thanks to a unique agreement with the Cobbe Family, who have generously provided on loan the original furniture, pictures and other works of art on display in the main rooms open to the public. The Red Drawing Room is one of the finest Irish Georgian interiors and is home to the best documented 18th century private art collection in the country. A private apartment is still maintained for the family continuing a line of occupancy unbroken since the mid 18th century.
The Cobbe family originated in Hampshire and have a traceable ancestry extending back to the 15th Century. One of the family, Charles, 4th Son of the Governor of the Isle of Man, came to Ireland in 1717 as Chaplain to the Duke of Bolton, his cousin, who had been appointed Lord Lieutenant. Born in 1686 he was educated at Winchester and Oxford. He enjoyed Ireland and rapid ecclesiastical promotion- helped no doubt by his Vice-Regal connection. His career reads as follows:
Dean of Ardagh 1718, Bishop of Killala 1720, Bishop of Dromore 1727, Bishop of Kildare 1732, and finally Archbishop of Dublin in 1746 which office he continued to hold until his death in 1765 at the age of 79. He was brought to Donabate Church for burial where a marble tablet was erected to his memory within the church. The Dublin Gazette of the 17th April 1765, records the following: "In the morning the remains of his Grace, the Archbishop of Dublin, was carried from his palace in Cavan Street and interred at Donabate in the County of Dublin."
It is extraordinary that although the Vestry Book, which still survives, was written up regularly at the time, there is no mention of his burial.
On June 19th, 1736, Charles Cobbe, then Bishop of Kildare, paid £5,526.5.6 for the townlands of Donabate, Lainstown, Haggardstown and Newbridge, containing 490 acres. However Bishop Cobbe had a prior interest in these lands, having come to the financial assistance of the Weyms family (port owners) some years earlier. when they had difficulty in repaying a mortgage taken out on the lands. On 21st of July 1742 Bishop Cobbe made his second purchase of lands in the parish. These consisted of the townlands of Kilcreagh, Corballis and Baltra,containing in all 510 acres. Purchase price was £6,425.00. As with the first purchase the Cobbe interest came into being through the owner (Maurice Keating) having difficulty in repaying a martgage. The final purchase of land by the Cobbe family was made in 1811, when Charles purchased the fields north of Newbridge Demesne and bordering on Turvey Avenue.
The Archbishop was succeeded by his son, Thomas, who in 1751 married Lady Elizabeth Beresford, daughter of the Earl of Tyrone. She brought a wealth with her, thus enabling major improvments to be made to the house. In the Red Drawing Room, added by them, they lavishly entertained and hung many of their surperb pictures purchased on their behalf by the incumbent of Donabate Church, the Rev. Matther Pilkington, who was well qualified to buy on their behalf, as it was he who composed the first major English Dictionary of Painters.
Their eldest son Charles died in 1770 and the eldest grandson, also Charles became heir apparent. He joined the army, served in India and returned to Bath in 1805. Four years later he married Frances Conway and immediately went to live at Newbridge where he carried out much refurbishing with the aid of his wife's wealth. It appears that during the family's absence in Bath the Estate had become run down. Charles' considerable energies were used to build it up again. He threw down the "wretched mud cabins" occupied by his tenants and built new houses on his estate which were paid for be the sale of some of the family's most prized paintings, i.e., The Gastor Poussin and a Hobbema. Charles Cobbe died in 1857 and was succeeded by his son, another Charles. He, in turn died in 1886 leaving no male issue - his estate passing to his wife for her lifetime. Prior to her death she had persuaded Thomas Maherby Cobbe, a grandnephew of her late husband, to return to Newbridge from America to take over the estate. He died young in 1914 leaving two infant children, namely Thomas and Francis, the latter dying in 1949. Thomas did not marry and on his death in 1985 was succeeded by Francis' family, Hugh, Alec and Mary. While the property has now been acquired by the County Council, the Cobbe family will continue to reside at Newbridge House from time to time, due to a unique arrangement which had been entered into between the family and the County Council.
The main cathedral in Birmingham, it is where the Bishop of Birmingham is based.
It is the third smallest cathedral in England after Derby and Chelmsford
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
The hall at Ufton Court showing the Elizabethan plaster ceiling and the open gallery over the screen.
Pub Orig CL 19/05/2010
The George Hotel has existed at 25 Lydiard Street, Ballarat, since 1853. The present building was constructed in 1902 to designs of architects E. and B. Smith.
The principal feature of the three storey building is the triple storey, six bay, cast iron verandah. The main facade was originally face brickwork. The first floor facade is characterised by archivolts to the row of windows. The balustraded parapet has a semicircular tympanium.
The interior of the George Hotel has changed greatly over the years since it was built. The most damage was not caused by the ravages of time and the fickle nature of fashion, but a fire in 1988. However the interiors have been lovingly restored, and original features survive to this day.
The ground floor has marble facings, white above the height of the sill and red below; this was an unusual design feature at the time, as most facades were tiled then. The threshold of the main Lydiard Street entrance has the black marble words "George Hotel" inlaid into white marble.
The George's public rooms feature high ceilings with ornate plasterwork, grand chandeliers and fine cornices.
fabulous stairwell -will go back with a "proper camera"!
www.igs.ie/Programmes/Conservation-Grants/City-Assembly-H...
IMG_0494
The four churches of STANTA have had no congregations since 1943, and in the intervening years, have just sat there letting time and the occasional bored squaddie do their worst.
Over the past ten years, work has been undertaken to ensure the churches are dried out, with long an elaborate guttering and down pipes to get rain water away from the foundations of the the buildings.
It was almost too late for All Saints, as the plasterwork added to the church by a Victorian Vicar on the Chancel arch began to sag and break.
The Norfolk Churches Trust paid to have a scaffold frame put in the nave to support the plasterwork, and it has been like that for the best part of the decade.
Most of the nave is fenced off for safety reasons, meaning we all were squeezed into a small part of the west end as we were told the history of the building and plans for the future.
All Saints is the only round-towered church in the STANTA area. Te nave and ailses seem wider than the nave and chancel is long. A striking combination.
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Stanford is at the very heart of the training area, and so far from civilisation that the silence in the air is stunning. I had not heard such a silence in England before. The sheep were fearless, inquisitive as we let ourselves into the churchyard; their lambs hid behind, chins tilted upwards as they watched. As at Tottington, the roofs are blast-proof panels rather than tiles, but this is so well done that you wouldn't know unless you looked carefully.
This is the only round-towered church in the training area, although there are several more just outside, including Threxton and Merton. Here, the Norman round part is surmounted by an octagonal belfry stage, as at nearby Breckles. It probably dates from the 15th century.
As I wandered about the graveyard, tiny spring rabbits bolted from beneath my feet. At first, this was startling, and then comical; they had never seen a human before, and so they waited until I was right on top of them before running for the scrub. I became wary lest I step on one, but I don't think they were ever in any real danger.
As at West Tofts, this church underwent a considerable 19th century restoration, but the difference here is that it seems to have been carried out by the Rector. You might even say that it was an amateur restoration. His is the chancel with its pastel murals, his the great rood, his even the painted glass in the north aisle window, which Pevsner thought worthy of mention, but which is mostly now lost. The arcades rest on elegant, fluted columns, and something very odd has happened at the east end of the south aisle, where a fomer archway appears to have been truncated by the eastern wall. Or was it begun and never finished? Curious.
Again, the roof tiles are stored here, but the benches are gone, the bells have gone. And yet this still feels as if it must have been a very warm and welcoming building, busy in the years of its restoration, and still a touchstone for generations.
Outside, Quantrills and Clarks, Rudds and Gathercoles. One Quantrill memorial has a very curious inset relief which must have been the height of fashion in the early 19th century. A badly eroded Gathercole memorial is profoundly evangelical: Weep not for us our children dear, because we die and leave you here. But look to Christ the crucified, that you may feel his blood applied.
Another for a Quantrill wife hopes that God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes. All about, the silence continues.
Simon Knott, May 2004
statue of the first Bishop of Birmingham - Charles Gore
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
Looking up in the entrance
The Fitzwiliam Museum in Trumpington Street, Cambridge was built in 1837-47 to the designs of George Basevi and completed by C R Cockerell. It is grade I listed.
www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=47298
Originally posted for GuessWhereUK
guessed by BC&IKB
Hardwick Old Hall, Derbyshire, early C16 & 1587-90.
For Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury - Bess of Hardwick (1527-1608).
Grade l listed.
The house had two full scale great chambers and there are substantial remains of decorative plasterwork by Abraham Smith.
The Kitchen.
Hardwick was home to Bess of Hardwick (1527-1608), one of the most formidable women of Elizabethan England. She was the matriarch of the Cavendish family, building Chatsworth with her second husband and returning to build the two great halls at Hardwick after her separation from her fourth husband the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury.
A mix up between here and Allhallows meant that shots from here were edited and posted as coming from Allhallows. Those have now been deleted, and will be reposted as being from Snodalnd.
I feel better disposed towards Snodland after this visit, as I received a warm welcome on Heritage day, and despite some major renovations going on, the wardens were clearly very proud of their church, and very happy the work to the tower and plasterwork was being carried out. And extolling me to return later in the year when the work is completed.
I intend to.
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In an awkward position, cut off from its village by the railway and bypass and somewhat compromised by the adjoining paper mill. The present church has been extended from its thirteenth century origins, most noticeably by the addition of a tall tower in the fifteenth century. There is a rood loft staircase in the south wall and on a pillar nearby can still be seen an unusual fourteenth-century Crucifixion painted on the stonework within an incised outline. The church was over-restored by Blomfield in 1870 and suffered damage in the Second World War when the medieval glass was destroyed. Fragments that survived have been assembled where possible. New windows were installed, including the thirty-six symbols of the saints in the east window by Hugh Easton (1953), and the Becket Pilgrim window by Moira Forsyth (1966). A large memorial in the south aisle commemorates Thomas Waghorn (d. 1850), who pioneered the overland route to India.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Snodland
NORTHWARD from Ditton, on the western side of the Medway, a small part of Aylesford at New Hyth intervening, is Snodland, called in Domesday, ESNOILAND, and in the Textus Roffensis, SNODDINGLAND and SNODILAND.
SNODLAND lies on the western bank of the river, which is its eastern boundary opposite to Burham. The high road from Stroud to Larkfield goes through the village, which is situated about half a mile, and the church about midway from the river. It lies low, and being near the salt marshes, is not either very pleasant or very wholesome. In the southern part of the parish the stream which flows from Birling turns a pa per mill here, and thence flows into the Medway, not far from which is Snodland and New-Hyth common. In the northern part of the parish next to Lower Halling, is the hamlet of Holborough, usually called Hoborow, no doubt for Old Borough, a name implying the antiquity of this place. Many are inclined to believe, that the usual passage across the river in the time of the Romans, was from hence to Scarborough on the opposite shore. However that may be, Holborow was certainly known to them, for in queen Elizabeth's reign, an urn filled with ashes was discovered in digging for chalk on the hill above this place, a sure token of the Romans having frequented it. (fn. 1) In this hamlet Mr. John May resides in a handsome new-built house, near it there rises a small brook, which flows from hence into the Medway, at about half a mile distance. From this low and flat country, on the bank of the river, the ground rises westward up to the range of high chalk hills, where the land becomes poor and much covered with flints. Upon these hills among the woods is an estate, corruptly called Punish, for it takes its name from the family of Pouenesse, or Pevenashe, written by contraction Poneshe, who were possessed of it as high as king Henry the IIId's. reign, in queen Elizabeth's reign it was called Poynyshe, and was then in possession of the name of Brown, who held it of the bishop of Rochester as of his manor of Halling. (fn. 2) About a mile eastward from the above is a farm called Lads, which in king Edward I's. reign, and some generations afterwards, was in the possession of a family of that name, written in deeds of those times, Lad, and Le Lad.
This parish ought antiently to have contributed to the repair of the ninth pier of Rochester bridge.
Sir John Marsham, bart. and Sir Charles Bickerstaff, had a design of supplying the towns of Stroud, Rochester, and Chatham, with fresh water, by bringing it from the spring rising at the foot of Holborough hill, and others thereabouts, by a cut or channel through Halling and Cuxton thither, four miles of which was through Sir John Marsham's own lands, but after they had proceeded two miles, finding some obstructions, which could not be removed, but by an act, one was procured for the purpose in the 1st year of James II. but nothing further was afterwards done in it, for what reason does not appear.
In the year 838, king Egbert, with the consent of his son king Æthelwulf, gave to Beormod, bishop of Rochester, four plough lands at Snoddinglond and Holanbeorge, with the privilege of leaving them to whomever he pleased; and he granted that the lands should be free from all service, to which he added one mill on the stream, named Holanbeorges bourne, and on the hill belonging to the king fifty loads of wood, and likewife four denberies in the Weald. And in the year 841, Ethelwulf, king of the West Saxons, with the advice of his bishops and great men, gave to the bishop two ploughlands at Holanbeorges, in perpetual inheritance, with the like privilege, and that they should be free from all regal service.
Whilst Ælfstane was bishop of Rochester, who came to the see in 945, and died in 984, one Birtrick, a rich man, who lived at Meopham, with the consent of Elfswithe, his wife, made his testament, and gave, after their deaths, his lands at Snodland to St. Andrew's church at Rochester. (fn. 3)
The bishop of Rochester continued in the possession of this place at the time of taking the general survey of Domesday, about the 15th year of the Conqueror's reign, anno 1080, in which record it is thus entered, under the general title of that bishop's lands:
The same bishop (of Rochester) holds Esnoiland. In the time of king Edward the Confessor it was taxed at six sulings, and now at three. The arable land is six carucates. In demesne there are two carucates and ten villeins, with six borderers, having six carucates. There is a church and five servants, and three mills of forty shillings, and thirty acres of meadow, wood for the pannage of four hogs. In the time of king Edward and afterwards, it was worth six pounds, and now nine pounds.
When bishop Gundulph, soon after this, following archbishop Lanfranc's example, separated his revenue from that of his priory, this manor, together with Holborough, continued part of the bishop's possessions, and was confirmed to the church of Rochester by archbishops Anselm and Boniface.
On a taxation of the bishop's manors next year, it appeared that Holeberge was a member of the manor of Halling, and had in it one hundred and ninety-seven acres of arable land, valued at four-pence per acre at the most, as there was no marle there. That there were here fourteen acres of meadow, six acres of pasture, which were salt, and three lately made fresh, each acre at eight-pence, and the mill at twenty shillings per annum.
Hamo, bishop of Rochester, in the year 1323, new built the mill at Holbergh, with timber from Perstede, at the expence of ten pounds. (fn. 4) At which time the bishop seems to have had a park here.
The estate of Snodland with Holborow, still continue part of the possessions of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester. William Dalyson, esq. of West Peckham, is the present lessee of the bishop's estate in this parish.
THE FAMILY of Palmer, who bore for their arms, Argent, a chevron between three palmers scrips, sable, tasselled and buckled, or resided for some time in this parish, at a seat they possessed in it, called The courtlodge. Several of them lie buried in the church of Snodland, particularly Thomas Palmer, who married the daughter of Fitzsimond, and died anno 1407. Weaver recites his epitaph thus, now obliterated:
Palmers al our faders were
I, a Palmer, livyd here
And travylled till worne wythe age
I endyd this worlds pylgramage
On the blyst Assention day
In the cherful month of May
A thowsand wyth fowre hundryd seven
And took my jorney hense to Heuen
From him descended the Palmers, of Tottington, in Aylesford, and of Howlets, in Bekesborne, now extinct.
The Palmers were succeeded here by the Leeds's, one of whom, William Leeds, lay interred in this church, whose arms, A fess between three eagles, were engraved in brass on his tomb, but they are now torn away; to whom, in the reign of king Charles I. succeeded the Whitfields, of Canterbury. It afterwards passed into the name of Crow, and from thence to the Mays, and it is now the estate of Mr. John May, of Holborough.
VELES, alias SNODLAND, is a manor in this parish, which in the reign of king Edward I. was held as half a knight's fee, of the bishop of Rochester, by John de Pevenashe, John Harange, and Walter Lad, as coparceners, and in the 20th year of king Edward III. Richard Pevenashe, John de Melford, John Lade, and Richard le Veel, paid aid for it.
This manor seems afterwards to have been wholly vested in the family of Veel, called in deeds likewise Le Vitele, and in Latin Vitulus. After they were extinct here, it passed into the name of Blunt, and from that to Turvye, of whose heirs it was held in the latter end of the reign of king Henry VIII. by Richard Harvey. (fn. 5) It passed, after some intermediate owners, by sale to Crow, and from thence in like manner to Mr. John May, whose two sons, Mr. John and William May, of this parish, afterwards possessed it. The latter died in 1777, on which the entire fee of it became vested in his brother Mr. John May, of Holborough, the present possessor of it.
HOLLOWAY COURT is a seat in this parish, which gave name to a family that resided at it. Henry de Holeweye paid aid for it in the beginning of the reign of king Henry III. (fn. 6) His descendant, William de Holeweye possessed it in the 30th year of king Edward I. from which name it passed into that of Tilghman, who were owners of it in the reign of king Edward III. Many of whom lie buried in this church, bearing for their arms, Per fess sable and argent, a lion rampant regardant, doubled queved counterchanged, crowned, as they were painted in very old glass in the windows of this house. Their pedigree is in Vistn. co. of Kent, anno 1619.
Richard Tilghman possessed it in the reign of king Henry IV. and in his descendants it continued down to Edward Tilghman, esq. who was of Snodland, and was twice married; by his first wife he had a son, Francis, and by his second, two sons, the eldest of whom, Whetenhall Tilghman, had part of his father's lands in this parish, which continued in his descendants till about the year 1680, when they were alienated to Sir John Marsham, bart. whose descendant, the right honorable Charles, lord Romney, is the present possessor of them.
¶Francis Tilghman, only son of Edward, by his first wife, was of Snodland, and possessed Holoway-court, where he resided in the reign of king James I. but died without surviving issue. He passed away this estate by sale to Clotworthy, descended from those of that name in Devonshire, and he by will gave it to his sister's son, Mr. Thomas Williams, who alienated it to Richard Manley, esq. who resided here, and dying in 1684, was buried in this church, leaving by Martha, daughter of John Baynard, of Shorne, widow of Bonham Faunce, of St. Margaret's, Rochester one son, Charles, and a daughter, Frances, married to Dr. Robert Conny, hereafter-mentioned. He sold Holloway court to Mr. John Conny, of Rochester, surgeon, son of Robert Conny, gent. of Godmanchester, in Huntingdonshire, and bore for his arms, Sable, a fess argent, cotized or, between three conies of the second. On whose decease his eldest son, Robert Conny, of Rochester, M. D. succeeded to it, and he sold it to Thomas Pearce, esq. a commissioner of the navy, whose three sons and coheirs, Thomas, Best, and Vincent Pearce, conveyed it by sale to Mr. John May, and his eldest son, Mr John May, of Holborough, in this parish, now possesses it.
The church is dedicated to All Saints. It is a small mean building with a low pointed steeple.
The church of Snodland has ever been appendant to the manor. It has never been appropriated, but con tinues a rectory in the patronage of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester.
¶Much dispute having arisen between the rector of this parish, and the rector of Woldham, on the opposite side of the river Medway, concerning the tithe of fish caught within the bounds of the parish of Woldham by the parishioners of Snodland, the same was settled, with the consent of both parties, by the bishop of Rochester, 1402, as may be seen more at large in the account of the rectory of Woldham. (fn. 7)
This rectory is valued in the king's books at twenty pounds, and the yearly tenths at two pounds.
The main cathedral in Birmingham, it is where the Bishop of Birmingham is based.
It is the third smallest cathedral in England after Derby and Chelmsford
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
A mix up between here and Allhallows meant that shots from here were edited and posted as coming from Allhallows. Those have now been deleted, and will be reposted as being from Snodalnd.
I feel better disposed towards Snodland after this visit, as I received a warm welcome on Heritage day, and despite some major renovations going on, the wardens were clearly very proud of their church, and very happy the work to the tower and plasterwork was being carried out. And extolling me to return later in the year when the work is completed.
I intend to.
------------------------------------------
In an awkward position, cut off from its village by the railway and bypass and somewhat compromised by the adjoining paper mill. The present church has been extended from its thirteenth century origins, most noticeably by the addition of a tall tower in the fifteenth century. There is a rood loft staircase in the south wall and on a pillar nearby can still be seen an unusual fourteenth-century Crucifixion painted on the stonework within an incised outline. The church was over-restored by Blomfield in 1870 and suffered damage in the Second World War when the medieval glass was destroyed. Fragments that survived have been assembled where possible. New windows were installed, including the thirty-six symbols of the saints in the east window by Hugh Easton (1953), and the Becket Pilgrim window by Moira Forsyth (1966). A large memorial in the south aisle commemorates Thomas Waghorn (d. 1850), who pioneered the overland route to India.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Snodland
NORTHWARD from Ditton, on the western side of the Medway, a small part of Aylesford at New Hyth intervening, is Snodland, called in Domesday, ESNOILAND, and in the Textus Roffensis, SNODDINGLAND and SNODILAND.
SNODLAND lies on the western bank of the river, which is its eastern boundary opposite to Burham. The high road from Stroud to Larkfield goes through the village, which is situated about half a mile, and the church about midway from the river. It lies low, and being near the salt marshes, is not either very pleasant or very wholesome. In the southern part of the parish the stream which flows from Birling turns a pa per mill here, and thence flows into the Medway, not far from which is Snodland and New-Hyth common. In the northern part of the parish next to Lower Halling, is the hamlet of Holborough, usually called Hoborow, no doubt for Old Borough, a name implying the antiquity of this place. Many are inclined to believe, that the usual passage across the river in the time of the Romans, was from hence to Scarborough on the opposite shore. However that may be, Holborow was certainly known to them, for in queen Elizabeth's reign, an urn filled with ashes was discovered in digging for chalk on the hill above this place, a sure token of the Romans having frequented it. (fn. 1) In this hamlet Mr. John May resides in a handsome new-built house, near it there rises a small brook, which flows from hence into the Medway, at about half a mile distance. From this low and flat country, on the bank of the river, the ground rises westward up to the range of high chalk hills, where the land becomes poor and much covered with flints. Upon these hills among the woods is an estate, corruptly called Punish, for it takes its name from the family of Pouenesse, or Pevenashe, written by contraction Poneshe, who were possessed of it as high as king Henry the IIId's. reign, in queen Elizabeth's reign it was called Poynyshe, and was then in possession of the name of Brown, who held it of the bishop of Rochester as of his manor of Halling. (fn. 2) About a mile eastward from the above is a farm called Lads, which in king Edward I's. reign, and some generations afterwards, was in the possession of a family of that name, written in deeds of those times, Lad, and Le Lad.
This parish ought antiently to have contributed to the repair of the ninth pier of Rochester bridge.
Sir John Marsham, bart. and Sir Charles Bickerstaff, had a design of supplying the towns of Stroud, Rochester, and Chatham, with fresh water, by bringing it from the spring rising at the foot of Holborough hill, and others thereabouts, by a cut or channel through Halling and Cuxton thither, four miles of which was through Sir John Marsham's own lands, but after they had proceeded two miles, finding some obstructions, which could not be removed, but by an act, one was procured for the purpose in the 1st year of James II. but nothing further was afterwards done in it, for what reason does not appear.
In the year 838, king Egbert, with the consent of his son king Æthelwulf, gave to Beormod, bishop of Rochester, four plough lands at Snoddinglond and Holanbeorge, with the privilege of leaving them to whomever he pleased; and he granted that the lands should be free from all service, to which he added one mill on the stream, named Holanbeorges bourne, and on the hill belonging to the king fifty loads of wood, and likewife four denberies in the Weald. And in the year 841, Ethelwulf, king of the West Saxons, with the advice of his bishops and great men, gave to the bishop two ploughlands at Holanbeorges, in perpetual inheritance, with the like privilege, and that they should be free from all regal service.
Whilst Ælfstane was bishop of Rochester, who came to the see in 945, and died in 984, one Birtrick, a rich man, who lived at Meopham, with the consent of Elfswithe, his wife, made his testament, and gave, after their deaths, his lands at Snodland to St. Andrew's church at Rochester. (fn. 3)
The bishop of Rochester continued in the possession of this place at the time of taking the general survey of Domesday, about the 15th year of the Conqueror's reign, anno 1080, in which record it is thus entered, under the general title of that bishop's lands:
The same bishop (of Rochester) holds Esnoiland. In the time of king Edward the Confessor it was taxed at six sulings, and now at three. The arable land is six carucates. In demesne there are two carucates and ten villeins, with six borderers, having six carucates. There is a church and five servants, and three mills of forty shillings, and thirty acres of meadow, wood for the pannage of four hogs. In the time of king Edward and afterwards, it was worth six pounds, and now nine pounds.
When bishop Gundulph, soon after this, following archbishop Lanfranc's example, separated his revenue from that of his priory, this manor, together with Holborough, continued part of the bishop's possessions, and was confirmed to the church of Rochester by archbishops Anselm and Boniface.
On a taxation of the bishop's manors next year, it appeared that Holeberge was a member of the manor of Halling, and had in it one hundred and ninety-seven acres of arable land, valued at four-pence per acre at the most, as there was no marle there. That there were here fourteen acres of meadow, six acres of pasture, which were salt, and three lately made fresh, each acre at eight-pence, and the mill at twenty shillings per annum.
Hamo, bishop of Rochester, in the year 1323, new built the mill at Holbergh, with timber from Perstede, at the expence of ten pounds. (fn. 4) At which time the bishop seems to have had a park here.
The estate of Snodland with Holborow, still continue part of the possessions of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester. William Dalyson, esq. of West Peckham, is the present lessee of the bishop's estate in this parish.
THE FAMILY of Palmer, who bore for their arms, Argent, a chevron between three palmers scrips, sable, tasselled and buckled, or resided for some time in this parish, at a seat they possessed in it, called The courtlodge. Several of them lie buried in the church of Snodland, particularly Thomas Palmer, who married the daughter of Fitzsimond, and died anno 1407. Weaver recites his epitaph thus, now obliterated:
Palmers al our faders were
I, a Palmer, livyd here
And travylled till worne wythe age
I endyd this worlds pylgramage
On the blyst Assention day
In the cherful month of May
A thowsand wyth fowre hundryd seven
And took my jorney hense to Heuen
From him descended the Palmers, of Tottington, in Aylesford, and of Howlets, in Bekesborne, now extinct.
The Palmers were succeeded here by the Leeds's, one of whom, William Leeds, lay interred in this church, whose arms, A fess between three eagles, were engraved in brass on his tomb, but they are now torn away; to whom, in the reign of king Charles I. succeeded the Whitfields, of Canterbury. It afterwards passed into the name of Crow, and from thence to the Mays, and it is now the estate of Mr. John May, of Holborough.
VELES, alias SNODLAND, is a manor in this parish, which in the reign of king Edward I. was held as half a knight's fee, of the bishop of Rochester, by John de Pevenashe, John Harange, and Walter Lad, as coparceners, and in the 20th year of king Edward III. Richard Pevenashe, John de Melford, John Lade, and Richard le Veel, paid aid for it.
This manor seems afterwards to have been wholly vested in the family of Veel, called in deeds likewise Le Vitele, and in Latin Vitulus. After they were extinct here, it passed into the name of Blunt, and from that to Turvye, of whose heirs it was held in the latter end of the reign of king Henry VIII. by Richard Harvey. (fn. 5) It passed, after some intermediate owners, by sale to Crow, and from thence in like manner to Mr. John May, whose two sons, Mr. John and William May, of this parish, afterwards possessed it. The latter died in 1777, on which the entire fee of it became vested in his brother Mr. John May, of Holborough, the present possessor of it.
HOLLOWAY COURT is a seat in this parish, which gave name to a family that resided at it. Henry de Holeweye paid aid for it in the beginning of the reign of king Henry III. (fn. 6) His descendant, William de Holeweye possessed it in the 30th year of king Edward I. from which name it passed into that of Tilghman, who were owners of it in the reign of king Edward III. Many of whom lie buried in this church, bearing for their arms, Per fess sable and argent, a lion rampant regardant, doubled queved counterchanged, crowned, as they were painted in very old glass in the windows of this house. Their pedigree is in Vistn. co. of Kent, anno 1619.
Richard Tilghman possessed it in the reign of king Henry IV. and in his descendants it continued down to Edward Tilghman, esq. who was of Snodland, and was twice married; by his first wife he had a son, Francis, and by his second, two sons, the eldest of whom, Whetenhall Tilghman, had part of his father's lands in this parish, which continued in his descendants till about the year 1680, when they were alienated to Sir John Marsham, bart. whose descendant, the right honorable Charles, lord Romney, is the present possessor of them.
¶Francis Tilghman, only son of Edward, by his first wife, was of Snodland, and possessed Holoway-court, where he resided in the reign of king James I. but died without surviving issue. He passed away this estate by sale to Clotworthy, descended from those of that name in Devonshire, and he by will gave it to his sister's son, Mr. Thomas Williams, who alienated it to Richard Manley, esq. who resided here, and dying in 1684, was buried in this church, leaving by Martha, daughter of John Baynard, of Shorne, widow of Bonham Faunce, of St. Margaret's, Rochester one son, Charles, and a daughter, Frances, married to Dr. Robert Conny, hereafter-mentioned. He sold Holloway court to Mr. John Conny, of Rochester, surgeon, son of Robert Conny, gent. of Godmanchester, in Huntingdonshire, and bore for his arms, Sable, a fess argent, cotized or, between three conies of the second. On whose decease his eldest son, Robert Conny, of Rochester, M. D. succeeded to it, and he sold it to Thomas Pearce, esq. a commissioner of the navy, whose three sons and coheirs, Thomas, Best, and Vincent Pearce, conveyed it by sale to Mr. John May, and his eldest son, Mr John May, of Holborough, in this parish, now possesses it.
The church is dedicated to All Saints. It is a small mean building with a low pointed steeple.
The church of Snodland has ever been appendant to the manor. It has never been appropriated, but con tinues a rectory in the patronage of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester.
¶Much dispute having arisen between the rector of this parish, and the rector of Woldham, on the opposite side of the river Medway, concerning the tithe of fish caught within the bounds of the parish of Woldham by the parishioners of Snodland, the same was settled, with the consent of both parties, by the bishop of Rochester, 1402, as may be seen more at large in the account of the rectory of Woldham. (fn. 7)
This rectory is valued in the king's books at twenty pounds, and the yearly tenths at two pounds.
Thaxted was regarded by Sir John Betjeman as one of the finest towns in England, with its juxtaposition of medieval and Georgian architecture. The patterns on the external plasterwork of these old houses are beautiful, and this type of work can be seen on many buildings in the town and in surrounding towns and villages. It is known as pargeting and is the traditional art of decorative or ornamental plastering . Pargeting is a form of bas relief or wall sculpture. Written records suggest that the craft has been practised since the time of Henry VIII in the 15th century, and reached its zenith in the 17th century. The decoration is formed of lime plaster and is most frequently, but not exclusively, on timber framed buildings
Hardwick Old Hall, Derbyshire, early C16 & 1587-90.
For Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury - Bess of Hardwick (1527-1608).
Grade l listed.
The house had two full scale great chambers and there are substantial remains of decorative plasterwork by Abraham Smith.
The Great Hall.
The plasterwork overmantel over the fireplace showing the heraldic symbols of Bess's family.
Hardwick was home to Bess of Hardwick (1527-1608), one of the most formidable women of Elizabethan England. She was the matriarch of the Cavendish family, building Chatsworth with her second husband and returning to build the two great halls at Hardwick after her separation from her fourth husband the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury.
Clandon Park House is an early 18th-century grade I listed Palladian mansion in West Clandon, near Guildford in Surrey.[2]
It stands in the south east corner of Clandon Park, a 220-hectare (540-acre) agricultural parkland estate which has been the seat of the Earls of Onslow for over two centuries. The house and gardens were gifted to the National Trust in 1956,[3] but the rest of the park remains in private ownership.[4] Some of the house's contents have also been acquired by the Trust in lieu of estate duty.[5]
Construction of the house, designed by Italian architect Giacomo Leoni, began about 1730, and the interiors were finished by continental sculptors and plasterers in the 1740s. It replaced an Elizabethan house. The park was landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in 1781, and there are two formal gardens on either side of the house. Nearby is a Māori meeting house, one of only three outside New Zealand, that was brought to England in the late 19th century. After being transferred to the National Trust, the house underwent restoration before it was opened to the public, and later became a wedding venue and filming location for period dramas.
The house was badly damaged by fire in April 2015, probably caused by an electrical fault in the basement, leaving it "essentially a shell". Thousands of historic artefacts, paintings, and items of furniture were lost in what has been described as a national tragedy. In January 2016, the National Trust announced that some of the principal rooms on the ground floor would be fully restored to the original 18th-century designs, and upper floors will be used for exhibitions and events.
History[edit]
The estate and Elizabethan house, together with Temple Court Farm at Merrow, was purchased in 1641 from Sir Richard Weston of nearby Sutton Place,[6] by Sir Richard Onslow, MP for Surrey in the Long Parliament and great-grandfather of Thomas Onslow, 2nd Baron Onslow, who rebuilt it. Many members of the Onslow family followed political careers; three of them, including Arthur Onslow, were Speakers of the House of Commons. Their portraits would later hang in the Speaker's Parlour at Clandon House.[7]
Engraving of the house, showing the west front and deer park, c. 1824
The house was built, or perhaps thoroughly rebuilt, in about 1730–33 (the latter date is on rainwater heads) by Thomas Onslow, 2nd Baron Onslow to the design of the Venetian architect Giacomo Leoni. It is a rectangular building of red brick and stone dressings. Clandon House interiors, completed in the 1740s, featured a two-storey Marble Hall, containing marble chimney pieces by the Flemish sculptor Michael Rysbrack, and a rococo plasterwork ceiling by Italian-Swiss artists Giuseppe Artari and Bagutti.[8]
Clandon Park was landscaped by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown in 1776–81, replacing a French garden and transforming part of a disused canal into an ornamental lake.[9] A porte-cochère was added to the principal facade in 1876. A sunken Dutch garden was created by Frances, Countess of Onslow at the north front of the house in the late 19th century. In 1895, the house was investigated for paranormal activity by the Marquess of Bute and Ada Goodrich Freer on behalf of the Society for Psychical Research. During World War I, the Onslow family created and managed a hospital in Clandon House for the war injured.
A mix up between here and Allhallows meant that shots from here were edited and posted as coming from Allhallows. Those have now been deleted, and will be reposted as being from Snodalnd.
I feel better disposed towards Snodland after this visit, as I received a warm welcome on Heritage day, and despite some major renovations going on, the wardens were clearly very proud of their church, and very happy the work to the tower and plasterwork was being carried out. And extolling me to return later in the year when the work is completed.
I intend to.
------------------------------------------
In an awkward position, cut off from its village by the railway and bypass and somewhat compromised by the adjoining paper mill. The present church has been extended from its thirteenth century origins, most noticeably by the addition of a tall tower in the fifteenth century. There is a rood loft staircase in the south wall and on a pillar nearby can still be seen an unusual fourteenth-century Crucifixion painted on the stonework within an incised outline. The church was over-restored by Blomfield in 1870 and suffered damage in the Second World War when the medieval glass was destroyed. Fragments that survived have been assembled where possible. New windows were installed, including the thirty-six symbols of the saints in the east window by Hugh Easton (1953), and the Becket Pilgrim window by Moira Forsyth (1966). A large memorial in the south aisle commemorates Thomas Waghorn (d. 1850), who pioneered the overland route to India.
www.kentchurches.info/church.asp?p=Snodland
NORTHWARD from Ditton, on the western side of the Medway, a small part of Aylesford at New Hyth intervening, is Snodland, called in Domesday, ESNOILAND, and in the Textus Roffensis, SNODDINGLAND and SNODILAND.
SNODLAND lies on the western bank of the river, which is its eastern boundary opposite to Burham. The high road from Stroud to Larkfield goes through the village, which is situated about half a mile, and the church about midway from the river. It lies low, and being near the salt marshes, is not either very pleasant or very wholesome. In the southern part of the parish the stream which flows from Birling turns a pa per mill here, and thence flows into the Medway, not far from which is Snodland and New-Hyth common. In the northern part of the parish next to Lower Halling, is the hamlet of Holborough, usually called Hoborow, no doubt for Old Borough, a name implying the antiquity of this place. Many are inclined to believe, that the usual passage across the river in the time of the Romans, was from hence to Scarborough on the opposite shore. However that may be, Holborow was certainly known to them, for in queen Elizabeth's reign, an urn filled with ashes was discovered in digging for chalk on the hill above this place, a sure token of the Romans having frequented it. (fn. 1) In this hamlet Mr. John May resides in a handsome new-built house, near it there rises a small brook, which flows from hence into the Medway, at about half a mile distance. From this low and flat country, on the bank of the river, the ground rises westward up to the range of high chalk hills, where the land becomes poor and much covered with flints. Upon these hills among the woods is an estate, corruptly called Punish, for it takes its name from the family of Pouenesse, or Pevenashe, written by contraction Poneshe, who were possessed of it as high as king Henry the IIId's. reign, in queen Elizabeth's reign it was called Poynyshe, and was then in possession of the name of Brown, who held it of the bishop of Rochester as of his manor of Halling. (fn. 2) About a mile eastward from the above is a farm called Lads, which in king Edward I's. reign, and some generations afterwards, was in the possession of a family of that name, written in deeds of those times, Lad, and Le Lad.
This parish ought antiently to have contributed to the repair of the ninth pier of Rochester bridge.
Sir John Marsham, bart. and Sir Charles Bickerstaff, had a design of supplying the towns of Stroud, Rochester, and Chatham, with fresh water, by bringing it from the spring rising at the foot of Holborough hill, and others thereabouts, by a cut or channel through Halling and Cuxton thither, four miles of which was through Sir John Marsham's own lands, but after they had proceeded two miles, finding some obstructions, which could not be removed, but by an act, one was procured for the purpose in the 1st year of James II. but nothing further was afterwards done in it, for what reason does not appear.
In the year 838, king Egbert, with the consent of his son king Æthelwulf, gave to Beormod, bishop of Rochester, four plough lands at Snoddinglond and Holanbeorge, with the privilege of leaving them to whomever he pleased; and he granted that the lands should be free from all service, to which he added one mill on the stream, named Holanbeorges bourne, and on the hill belonging to the king fifty loads of wood, and likewife four denberies in the Weald. And in the year 841, Ethelwulf, king of the West Saxons, with the advice of his bishops and great men, gave to the bishop two ploughlands at Holanbeorges, in perpetual inheritance, with the like privilege, and that they should be free from all regal service.
Whilst Ælfstane was bishop of Rochester, who came to the see in 945, and died in 984, one Birtrick, a rich man, who lived at Meopham, with the consent of Elfswithe, his wife, made his testament, and gave, after their deaths, his lands at Snodland to St. Andrew's church at Rochester. (fn. 3)
The bishop of Rochester continued in the possession of this place at the time of taking the general survey of Domesday, about the 15th year of the Conqueror's reign, anno 1080, in which record it is thus entered, under the general title of that bishop's lands:
The same bishop (of Rochester) holds Esnoiland. In the time of king Edward the Confessor it was taxed at six sulings, and now at three. The arable land is six carucates. In demesne there are two carucates and ten villeins, with six borderers, having six carucates. There is a church and five servants, and three mills of forty shillings, and thirty acres of meadow, wood for the pannage of four hogs. In the time of king Edward and afterwards, it was worth six pounds, and now nine pounds.
When bishop Gundulph, soon after this, following archbishop Lanfranc's example, separated his revenue from that of his priory, this manor, together with Holborough, continued part of the bishop's possessions, and was confirmed to the church of Rochester by archbishops Anselm and Boniface.
On a taxation of the bishop's manors next year, it appeared that Holeberge was a member of the manor of Halling, and had in it one hundred and ninety-seven acres of arable land, valued at four-pence per acre at the most, as there was no marle there. That there were here fourteen acres of meadow, six acres of pasture, which were salt, and three lately made fresh, each acre at eight-pence, and the mill at twenty shillings per annum.
Hamo, bishop of Rochester, in the year 1323, new built the mill at Holbergh, with timber from Perstede, at the expence of ten pounds. (fn. 4) At which time the bishop seems to have had a park here.
The estate of Snodland with Holborow, still continue part of the possessions of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester. William Dalyson, esq. of West Peckham, is the present lessee of the bishop's estate in this parish.
THE FAMILY of Palmer, who bore for their arms, Argent, a chevron between three palmers scrips, sable, tasselled and buckled, or resided for some time in this parish, at a seat they possessed in it, called The courtlodge. Several of them lie buried in the church of Snodland, particularly Thomas Palmer, who married the daughter of Fitzsimond, and died anno 1407. Weaver recites his epitaph thus, now obliterated:
Palmers al our faders were
I, a Palmer, livyd here
And travylled till worne wythe age
I endyd this worlds pylgramage
On the blyst Assention day
In the cherful month of May
A thowsand wyth fowre hundryd seven
And took my jorney hense to Heuen
From him descended the Palmers, of Tottington, in Aylesford, and of Howlets, in Bekesborne, now extinct.
The Palmers were succeeded here by the Leeds's, one of whom, William Leeds, lay interred in this church, whose arms, A fess between three eagles, were engraved in brass on his tomb, but they are now torn away; to whom, in the reign of king Charles I. succeeded the Whitfields, of Canterbury. It afterwards passed into the name of Crow, and from thence to the Mays, and it is now the estate of Mr. John May, of Holborough.
VELES, alias SNODLAND, is a manor in this parish, which in the reign of king Edward I. was held as half a knight's fee, of the bishop of Rochester, by John de Pevenashe, John Harange, and Walter Lad, as coparceners, and in the 20th year of king Edward III. Richard Pevenashe, John de Melford, John Lade, and Richard le Veel, paid aid for it.
This manor seems afterwards to have been wholly vested in the family of Veel, called in deeds likewise Le Vitele, and in Latin Vitulus. After they were extinct here, it passed into the name of Blunt, and from that to Turvye, of whose heirs it was held in the latter end of the reign of king Henry VIII. by Richard Harvey. (fn. 5) It passed, after some intermediate owners, by sale to Crow, and from thence in like manner to Mr. John May, whose two sons, Mr. John and William May, of this parish, afterwards possessed it. The latter died in 1777, on which the entire fee of it became vested in his brother Mr. John May, of Holborough, the present possessor of it.
HOLLOWAY COURT is a seat in this parish, which gave name to a family that resided at it. Henry de Holeweye paid aid for it in the beginning of the reign of king Henry III. (fn. 6) His descendant, William de Holeweye possessed it in the 30th year of king Edward I. from which name it passed into that of Tilghman, who were owners of it in the reign of king Edward III. Many of whom lie buried in this church, bearing for their arms, Per fess sable and argent, a lion rampant regardant, doubled queved counterchanged, crowned, as they were painted in very old glass in the windows of this house. Their pedigree is in Vistn. co. of Kent, anno 1619.
Richard Tilghman possessed it in the reign of king Henry IV. and in his descendants it continued down to Edward Tilghman, esq. who was of Snodland, and was twice married; by his first wife he had a son, Francis, and by his second, two sons, the eldest of whom, Whetenhall Tilghman, had part of his father's lands in this parish, which continued in his descendants till about the year 1680, when they were alienated to Sir John Marsham, bart. whose descendant, the right honorable Charles, lord Romney, is the present possessor of them.
¶Francis Tilghman, only son of Edward, by his first wife, was of Snodland, and possessed Holoway-court, where he resided in the reign of king James I. but died without surviving issue. He passed away this estate by sale to Clotworthy, descended from those of that name in Devonshire, and he by will gave it to his sister's son, Mr. Thomas Williams, who alienated it to Richard Manley, esq. who resided here, and dying in 1684, was buried in this church, leaving by Martha, daughter of John Baynard, of Shorne, widow of Bonham Faunce, of St. Margaret's, Rochester one son, Charles, and a daughter, Frances, married to Dr. Robert Conny, hereafter-mentioned. He sold Holloway court to Mr. John Conny, of Rochester, surgeon, son of Robert Conny, gent. of Godmanchester, in Huntingdonshire, and bore for his arms, Sable, a fess argent, cotized or, between three conies of the second. On whose decease his eldest son, Robert Conny, of Rochester, M. D. succeeded to it, and he sold it to Thomas Pearce, esq. a commissioner of the navy, whose three sons and coheirs, Thomas, Best, and Vincent Pearce, conveyed it by sale to Mr. John May, and his eldest son, Mr John May, of Holborough, in this parish, now possesses it.
The church is dedicated to All Saints. It is a small mean building with a low pointed steeple.
The church of Snodland has ever been appendant to the manor. It has never been appropriated, but con tinues a rectory in the patronage of the right reverend the lord bishop of Rochester.
¶Much dispute having arisen between the rector of this parish, and the rector of Woldham, on the opposite side of the river Medway, concerning the tithe of fish caught within the bounds of the parish of Woldham by the parishioners of Snodland, the same was settled, with the consent of both parties, by the bishop of Rochester, 1402, as may be seen more at large in the account of the rectory of Woldham. (fn. 7)
This rectory is valued in the king's books at twenty pounds, and the yearly tenths at two pounds.
Statue of the first Bishop of Birmingham Charles Gore, outside the Cathedral of St Philip's.
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
Night shots in the grounds of St Philip's Cathedral
New shots of the statue of Charles Gore. This time with the detail of the coat of arms below it.
statue of the first Bishop of Birmingham - Charles Gore
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Used the flash on this one. (for some reason flashing outside in the dark makes it even darker - thats why I rarely use flash outside)
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
The Great Hall, Montacute House. a plasterwork frieze of a local scene of villagers implementing their own form of justice?. The subject matter deals with a custom that was known by several names such as ‘Skimmity-Ride’, ‘Skimmington Ride’ or ‘Charivari’. In the southwest of England the event was normally called ‘riding skimmington’.
The scene is of two frames depicting the story. In the first scene the wife hits her husband over the head with a clog in her left hand. In her right hand she is holding something. It maybe the handle of a ladle which has broken off? The husband has taken out the plug from one of three barrels (or kegs or tuns) to pour himself some ale into a bowl. He is deftly balancing the swaddled baby in his left arm. A startled neighbour, carrying his gloves, witnesses the scene.
The neighbour is alert to the transgression. The problem is not necessarily the minding of the baby or the drink. The offence is that the husband has allowed himself to be beaten by his wife. The fact that he is minding the baby also brings up questions as to whether men actually did such tasks or was it another indicator that his wife was dominating him?
The neighbour is holding his gloves which may suggest he is on his way to church on Sunday or making a visit. The scene he witnesses is taking place inside a simple, wooden structure with a thatched roof.
The second scene moves the story along. Neighbours have gathered for the ‘skimmity-ride’. The man ‘riding the stang’ (the ‘stang’ being a stout pole) in the image could be the husband, a neighbour imitating him or an effigy. If a substitute rider was used it was customarily ‘the neighbour nearest the church’.
Sitting astride a pole must have been extremely uncomfortable. It does look like the husband. The rider plays a wooden flute and drum which would have provided the ‘rough music’ that usually accompanied such a procession. The leader of the troop may be the neighbour who witnessed the transgression. Equally the witness could be the man at the rear, pointing his finger at the scene. The accompanying neighbours have the role of mocking the man who has allowed his wife to dominate him. The stylised, naive plants and trees suggest the time of year could be late spring or summer. The day of the week is likely to be a Sunday as they head off to the church.
A bird merrily flies overhead. The bird does resemble a cuckoo, with its fan-like tail. The cuckoo is the symbol of a cuckold. In early modern moral values, it was assumed that a man who allowed himself to be beaten by his wife was a cuckold . Direct sexuality immorality was a behaviour forbidden by law and could be dealt with in the church courts. However, a wife beating her husband was not an offence for the courts.
The majority of skimmington rides in early-modern England occurred because a wife had dominated a husband, often by physical assault
On the way back from Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire, we went in the afternoon on the May Day Bank Holiday Monday to Farnborough Hall in Warwickshire.
It's not open much, just on Saturday and Wednesday afternoons and on Bank Holiday's. Photos inside of the hall was not allowed as it is still a private home. But owned by the National Trust.
Farnborough Hall is a country house just inside the borders of Warwickshire, England near to the town of Banbury, (grid reference SP4349). The property has been owned by the National Trust since 1960 when the Holbech family endowed it to them, and is still run and lived in by Geoffrey Holbech's daughter Caroline Beddall and her family. It is a Grade I listed building.
The Holbech family acquired the Farnborough estate in 1684 and the honey-coloured two-storey stone house was built soon after.
Major changes to the property occurred between 1745 and 1750 when the entrance front was remodelled and the rococo plasterwork was added to the interior. This work was carried out by William Holbech who wanted a suitable setting for the sculpture and art he had brought back from his Grand Tour. He most likely used designs by his close friend Sanderson Miller, an architect, who lived a few miles away. Long Palladian facades with sash windows, pedimented doorways and a balustraded roofline were added to the earlier classical west front.
Unlike many of its contemporaries, Farnborough Hall and its landscaped gardens have experienced little alteration in the last 200 years and they remain largely as William Holbech left them.
The entrance opens straight into the Italianate hall. The walls are adorned with busts of Roman emperors set into oval niches and the panelled ceiling is stuccoed with rococo motifs. The dining room on the south front was especially designed to display works by Canaletto and Giovanni Paolo Panini. The original works are long gone, being replaced by copies. The drawing room has panels of elaborate stuccowork featuring scrolls, shells, fruit and flowers; these serve as a framework for more Italian works of art. A stucco garland of fruit and flowers encircles the skylight above the staircase hall.
Grade I Listed Building
Listing Text
FARNBOROUGH
SP4349
16/2 Farnborough Hall
07/01/52 (Formerly listed as
Farnborough Hall including
Garden House)
GV I
Country house. Late C17 for William Holbech; remodelled c.1745-1750 for William
Holbech the younger, probably by Sanderson Miller. Plasterwork by William
Perritt. Ironstone ashlar with grey limestone ashlar dressings. Slate mansard
hipped roof.Ashlar ridge stacks. U-plan. Remodelled in Palladian style. 2
storeys and attic; 2-5-2 bays. North and west fronts have splayed plinth, string
course and quoins and modillion cornice. High parapet with balustrading of
c.1750 to each bay throughout. Recessed centre; wings project one bay.
Half-glazed panelled door. Pedimented Roman Doric doorcase of half-columns and
pilasters; metopes have bucrania and rosettes. Chamfered 2-light mullioned
basement windows, mostly blocked. Sashes in moulded architraves with consoles
and cornice. Inner sides of wings have round-headed niches with similar
architraves. Lead rainwater heads. Remaining one-bay section of similar, lower
service wing, set far back on left. West front of c,170i, of 3-1-3 bays. Centre
projects slightly. Sliding sash door. Architrave with segmental pediment. Late
C18 sashes have thin glazing bars. Moulded stone architraves with keystones
throughout. Pedimented dormer above balustrade has shouldered architrave. Fine
late C17/early C18 decorated lead rainwater heads. South front of 1-5-1 bays. No
string course. Centre has sliding sash door in shouldered architrave and
pediment on consoles. Windows have balustrading below. First floor has square
6-pane sashes. Outer bays have 12-pane sashes. Plain stone architraves with
cornices. One bay section of service wing slightly recessed on right.
Half-glazed door. Tripartite sash above. Interior: the very fine Palladian
Entrance Hall of c1750, formed to incorporate William Holbecb's collection of
antique and contemporary classical sculpture, is one of the earliest of these
rare schemes. Marbled stone fireplace with consoles and Rococo frieze.
Overmantel with pilaster strips and copy of a Panini painting. Broken pediment
with head of Roman boy. Large moulded niches to left and right have imposts and
keystones. Oval medallion portraits of a Severan lady above. Mahogany 6-panelled
doors with original fittings in moulded architraves with pulvinated frieze and
cornice. Moulded oval niches housing busts, on elaborate plaster consoles
between doors and as overdoors. Left: C2 head of boy. Left wall: C18 Emperor
Caracalla; C18 warrior; early C3 Roman lady; Goddess. Right: C18 Septimus
Severus. Right wall: Emperor Hadrian; antique head of a Roman; antique Marcus
Aurelius; C3 head of elderly man. Front wall: head of Goddess; C18 medallion
head of Socrates above window; head of Appollo between windows; Marcus Aurelius
as a boy; medallion of bearded man between window and door; C2 head of a Roman
above door. 2 Neoclassical medallions of a female figure and putto. Ceiling of
octagonal and rectangular compartments with Rococo plasterwork and cartouches of
Diana and Bacchus. Fine floor of light and dark flags, echoing ceiling
compartments. Rococo Dining Room of c.1750, designed to incorporate views of
Rome and Venice by Canaletto and Panini, is one of the earliest of such schemes.
Marble fireplace with decorated pilaster strips and consoles. Overmantel with
large eared picture frame. Broken pediment with black marble bust of
philosopher. Large round-headed niche opposite has moulded cornice and broken
pediment. Moulded 6-panelled mahogany doors in elaborately moulded eared
architraves with vine-ornamented pulvinated frieze and broken pediments. Very
fine plasterwork. 3 pairs of elaborately moulded plaster picture frames of
differing designs. 2 windows in moulded architraves with Vitruvian scroll frieze
and scrolled pediments. Wall panel has oval pier glass in elaborate frame with
urns and large cornucopia. Four wall panels have elaborate trophies, with
musical instruments on the window wall, and guns, bows etc. Library has Rococo
fireplace. Oak open-well staircase and ceiling c.1695; lower flight replaced
1926. Redecorated c.1750. Fluted and turned balusters and moulded handrail,
carved scrolled open string, and dado of bolection-moulded panels. Moulded
doorcases. Fine Rococo plasterwork. Acanthus string course with central ram's
heads. 3 walls have large projecting panels with elaborately moulded eared
architraves and scrolled pediments with central motif. Each panel has a plain
oval niche and moulded console, similar to Entrance Hall, housing a bust. Left
wall has early C3 Roman lady; centre: Emperor Lucius Verus; right: early C2 head
of a lady. Landing has similar panel. Flanking 6-panelled doors in moulded
architraves. Moulded archway with keystone to left. Late C17 moulded 8-panelled
door to right. Oval skylight has very rich high relief wreath. Corner panels
with arms and intials of William and Elizabeth Holbech. Skylight has 4 panels of
Rococo plasterwork and paterae. C19 coloured glass. The Holbech family have
lived at Farnborough Hall since 1692.
(G. Jackson-Stops: Farnborough Hall: National Trust Guidebook; Buildings of
England: Warwickshire: pp.292-293; Gordon Nares: Farnborough Hall: Country Life
11 and 18 February 1954).
Listing NGR: SP4307349413
This text is from the original listing, and may not necessarily reflect the current setting of the building.
Clock Court , also called the Stable Block
Grade II Listed Building
Farnborough Hall Stable Block and Attached Gatepiers
Listing Text
FARNBOROUGH
SP4349
16/14 Farnborough Hall: stable
block and attached gatepiers
GV II
Stable block and attached gatepiers. Early/mid c18; left range and remodelling
1815-1816 by Henry Hakewill for William Holbech. Ironstone ashlar with string
course. Shallow hipped slate roofs with large widely-spaced wood dentils.
L-plan, with wing on right to rear, flanking forecourt of Farnborough Hall
(q.v.). 2 storeys; 7 bays. To yard: right range of 5 bays. Central chamfered
segmental carriage arch. 6-panelled doors to left and right inside 4-panelled
double-leaf doors and overlight above. Cross windows, on ground floor with many
glazing bars, and stone flat arches; first floor has leaded lights and stone
lintels with keystones. Slightly taller left range. Blank ground floor. First
floor has 2 round windows, the left blocked. Left return side to forecourt:
5-window range. String course. Central one-bay, one storey projection with
hipped roof. Diocletian window. Ground floor has stone cross windows. First
floor has 2-light stone mullioned windows. Leaded lights. Painted wood square
cupola with clock has simple pilasters, entablature and cornice. Dome with
weathervane. One-storey, one-window section to left has cross-window and stone
lintel with keystone. To rear: 5-bay loggia with chamfered wood posts and arched
braces between. Interior not inspected. Attached square gatepiers have pyramidal
caps.
(G. Jackson-Stops: Farnborough Hall: National Trust Guidebook 1984. Gordon
Nares: Farnborough Hall: Country Life 11 and 18 February 1954).
Listing NGR: SP4307849466
This text is from the original listing, and may not necessarily reflect the current setting of the building.
The 18th Century State House
Facts About the 18th Century State House
•Construction: 1772-1779
•Architect: Joseph Horatio Anderson
•Cornerstone: laid by Governor Robert Eden, March 28, 1772
•Roof Replacement and Construction of Dome by Joseph Clark, Architect: Begun 1785
•Number of Stories: Two
•Height:
oInterior of Dome, from Floor to Ceiling: 113'
oExterior, to the Weather Vane: 181'
•Oldest state capitol still in continuous legislative use
•Served as U.S. capitol from November 1783 – August 1784 when Continental
•Congress met in Old Senate Chamber
Brief History of the 18th Century State House
The present Maryland State House is actually the third one to stand on State Circle in Annapolis. The first state house was built soon after the capital of Maryland was moved from St. Mary’s City to Annapolis in 1695. This first state house burned down in 1704. The second state house on State Circle was completed in 1709 and, within 60 years, had become much too small for the colony’s growing government and was too dilapidated to warrant renovation. It was torn down and construction on the new state house was begun in 1772, with Joseph Horatio Anderson as architect and Charles Wallace as the “undertaker.”
Work on the third state house was begun in 1772 and first occupied in 1779. However, by 1784 the building was already in need of work: the roof leaked and the cupola was described as inadequate, unimpressive and too small for the building. By 1788, the roof had been replaced, the old cupola had been taken off and the exterior of the dome we see today had been completed. The interior, with its beautiful plasterwork, was finished by 1795. The architect of the dome was Joseph Clark.
The jewel of this new State House was the Old Senate Chamber, featuring a gallery, described as “more elegant than required,” balanced on the opposite wall by an ornately carved niche, the Old Senate Chamber was the embodiment of Annapolis-style design and craftsmanship.
Detailed History of the 18th Century State House
On March 28, 1772, Governor Robert Eden laid the cornerstone for what would be the third State House built on State Circle in Annapolis. The first, built soon after the capital was moved from St. Mary’s City to Annapolis in 1695, burned down in 1704. The second was completed by 1709 and, 60 years later, had become far too small for the growing business of government and was too dilapidated to warrant enlarging it. The decision was made to raze it and Charles Wallace undertook the work when no one else submitted “plans and estimates” for the project.
With Mr. Wallace as the “undertaker” and Joseph Horatio Anderson as the architect, work was begun on the new State House in early 1772. While work progressed well for the first year and a half, at least one hurricane and the Revolutionary War intervened to cause enormous delays and difficulties. By the end of 1779, the building was still not completed, and Mr. Wallace’s finances and patience with the project were exhausted.
When the Continental Congress came to Annapolis to meet in the Old Senate Chamber from November 1783 – August 1784, they found a State House which was still unfinished. Although the Old Senate Chamber was complete, the roof was not and it had leaked during the last few winters, damaging the upstairs rooms. The dome—or cupola—atop the State House was variously described as inadequate, unimpressive, and too small for the building and, it, too, leaked.
In order to rectify the situation, Joseph Clark, an Annapolis architect and builder, was asked to repair the roof and the dome. Clark first raised the pitch of the roof to facilitate the runoff of water and covered it with cypress shingles. The crowning achievement of Clark’s work on the State House was, of course, the extraordinary dome which he designed and built. It is not known where Clark’s inspiration for the unusual design of the dome came from, but it is very similar to one in Karlsruhe, Germany called the Schloßturm.
By the summer of 1788, the exterior of the new dome was complete. It was constructed of timber and no metal nails were used in its construction and, to this day, it is held together by wooden pegs reinforced by iron straps forged by an Annapolis ironmonger.
Although the exterior of the dome was completed by 1788, the interior was not completed until 1797. Tragedy struck the project in 1793 when a plasterer named Thomas Dance fell to his death from the inside of the dome. By 1794, Joseph Clark was completely disillusioned with the project and left it to John Shaw, the noted Annapolis cabinetmaker, to oversee completion. Over the years, John Shaw did much of the maintenance work on the State House, built various items for it and, in 1797, made the desks and chairs which furnished the Old Senate Chamber.
The State House Annex
Facts About the State House Annex
•Construction (Replacing Annexes built in1858 and 1886): 1902-1905
•Architects: Baldwin and Pennington of Baltimore
•Number of Stories: Three
About the State House Annex
The “new” annex to the State House was built between 1902-1906 to replace two 19th century annexes that were poorly built and inadequate in size. The Baltimore architects Baldwin & Pennington designed and supervised the construction of the new annex, which houses both the Senate and the House of Delegates.
Both chambers feature unusual black and gold marble in tribute to the colors of the Maryland flag, as well as skylights by the studio of Louis Comfort Tiffany. The doors of this annex that lead out to State Circle are actually the back doors of the State House but are now the main entrance for visitors. The doors are of cast bronze and the Maryland seal is featured in the roundels.
Another feature of the annex is the grand staircase to the second floor. On the landing is the monumental painting of Washington Resigning His Commission painted in 1859 by Edwin White.
The walls in the Annex are lined with Italian marble. The black and white alternating tile floors in the new annex were selected to match the 1881 tiles in the original portion. The fossils in the black marble date back 450 million years.
Noteworthy plaques and memorials in the State House Annex include:
•The State House Building Commission
•The American’s Creed by William Tyler Page, December 23, 1919
The Dome
Facts About the Dome
•Height, from base to weather vane: 121'
•Diameter at base: 40'
•Construction begun: 1785
•Interior work completed: 1797
•Wood used in dome construction: Timber from Maryland’s Eastern Shore, supplied by Dashiell family of Cypress Swamp, Somerset County.
•Architect of the dome: Joseph Clark
•Possible model for design of the dome: Schloßturm, the dome of the free-standing tower next to the palace of Karl-Wilhelm, Markgraf of Baden, in Karlsruhe, Germany
History of the State House Dome
When the Continental Congress came to Annapolis to meet in the Old Senate Chamber from November 1783 – August 1784, they found a State House which was still unfinished. Although the Old Senate Chamber was complete, the roof was not and it had leaked during the last few winters, damaging the upstairs rooms. The dome—or cupola—atop the State House was variously described as inadequate, unimpressive, and too small for the building and, it, too, leaked.
In order to rectify the situation, Joseph Clark, an Annapolis architect and builder, was asked to repair the roof and the dome. Clark first raised the pitch of the roof to facilitate the runoff of water and covered it with cypress shingles. The crowning achievement of Clark’s work on the State House was, of course, the extraordinary dome which he designed and built. It is not known where Clark’s inspiration for the unusual design of the dome came from, but it is very similar to one in Karlsruhe, Germany called the Schloßturm.
By the summer of 1788, the exterior of the new dome was complete. It was constructed of timber and no metal nails were used in its construction and, to this day, it is held together by wooden pegs reinforced by iron straps forged by an Annapolis ironmonger.
Although the exterior of the dome was completed by 1788, the interior was not completed until 1797. Tragedy struck the project in 1793 when a plasterer named Thomas Dance fell to his death from the inside of the dome. By 1794, Joseph Clark was completely disillusioned with the project and left it to John Shaw, the noted Annapolis cabinetmaker, to oversee completion. Over the years, John Shaw did much of the maintenance work on the State House, built various items for it and, in 1797, made the desks and chairs which furnished the Old Senate Chamber.
The First Dome: 1769-1774
Just as the Articles of Confederation did not effectively govern the country, the first dome of the State House at Annapolis did not survive more than a decade of Maryland weather. In 1769, the General Assembly of Maryland passed an act to erect a new state house, securely covered with slate tile or lead. The architect was Joseph Horatio Anderson, and the undertaker or builder of the project was Charles Wallace. According to William Eddis in 1773, the work was carried on with great dispatch and when completed would “be equal to any public edifice on the American continent.”
The exact date of the completion of the first dome or cupola is not known but evidence suggests that it was completed by the year 1774. In a 1773 Act of Assembly, Charles Wallace was instructed to fix an iron rod pointed with silver or gold at least six feet above the cupola. The General Assembly also recommended that the roof be covered with copper because the slate originally specified would require frequent repairs and cause other inconveniences. According to Charles E. Peterson’s “Notes on Copper Roofing in America to 1802”, it was more than likely that local copper was put on the roof to advertise the new industry of Maryland.
The Second Dome: 1785-1794
According to the Intendent of Revenue, Daniel St. Thomas Jenifer, the first dome of the State House was a contradiction of architectural design. A survey of the timbers in 1784 revealed that they were so decayed by water damage that a new dome would be required.
“It was originally constructed contrary to all rules of architecture; it ought to have been built double instead of single, and a staircase between the two domes, leading up to the lanthorn. The water should have been carried off by eaves, instead of being drawn to the center of the building, to two small conductors, which are liableto be choked by ice, and overflowed by rains. That it was next to impossible, under present construction, that it could have been made tight”.
On February 24, 1785 Jenifer placed a notice in the Maryland Gazette for carpenters work to be made to the dome and roof under the execution of Joseph Clark
“The work We are a Doing is to put a Roof on the Governor’s House and we are going to take the Roof of the State house and it is a going to Raise it one story higher and the Doom is to be Sixty foot higher then the old one”.
Clark raised the pitch of the dome to facilitate the runoff of excess water, the chief reason the timbers rotted in the original dome.
“The Annapolis dome is in its proportions like the original Karlsruhe tower. Possibly its more classical feeling is a result of the universal trend of architectural styles rather than the influence of the altered Schloßturm. Yet the arched windows below the architrave in Annapolis, one with the lower part closed, are like the windows below the Architrave in Karlsruhe in all of which the lower parts are closed. The horizontal oval windows below the main curving section of the dome in Annapolis resemble the vertical ovals in the equivalent part of the Karlsruhe tower. The small square windows above the balustrades and the architraves themselves in both buildings are similarly placed.”
The main cathedral in Birmingham, it is where the Bishop of Birmingham is based.
It is the third smallest cathedral in England after Derby and Chelmsford
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
A monkey drunk on fermented grapes amongst the vines. Just a small detail from the playful Rococo plasterwork in this amazing space.
For those unfamiliar with Bristol's Royal Fort House, it contains the finest set of Rococo designed rooms in teh Uk, and was open this Saturday for the Doors Open event.
Castletown House is a Palladian country house built in 1722 for William Connolly, the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. It formed the centre piece of a 550 acre (220 ha) estate. The house was bought in 1967 by Desmond Guinness for £93,000 to save it from vandalism and it became the flagship of the Irish Georgian Society. In 1994, the house was transferred to state ownership and is now managed by the Office of Public Works. The transfer has paved the way for a major programme of restoration and conservation work of the house and demesne lands.
The Portland stone staircase at Castletown is one of the largest cantilevered staircases in Ireland. It was built in 1759 under the direction of the master builder Simon Vierpyl (c.1725–1811). Prior to this the space was a shell, although a plan attributed to Edward Lovett Pearce suggests that a circular staircase was previously intended.
The solid brass balustrade was installed by Anthony King, later Lord Mayor of Dublin. The opulent rococo plasterwork was created by the Swiss-Italian stuccadore Filippo Lafranchini, who, with his older brother Paolo, had worked at Carton and Leinster House for Lady Lousia’s brother-in-law, the first Duke of Leinster, as well as at Russborough in Co. Wicklow. Shells, cornucopias, dragons and masks feature in the light-hearted decoration which represents the final development of the Lafranchini style.
Coronet Cinema, Notting Hill Gate, London. Detail of the plasterwork above where the boxes should be. The Coronet has survived many attempts to demolish / trash the fine architecture. In 1972 an application to demolish and replace with shops was made by then owners Rank Organisation. In 1989 MacDonalds applied to convert it to one of their fast-food outlets. Bought and used by the Kensington Temple, although it's primary function was still showing films. Most recently it was acquired by the Print Room Theatre and adapted into a live venue again using just the dress circle and a false (removable) floor above the front stalls. The rear stalls now function as a bar. The Gallery (top balcony) is unused.
Notting Hill, London Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, London, UK - Coronet Theatre, Nottinghill Gate
January 2011, image reworked 2021
Wedding cake type plaster ornamentation adds interest to the ceiling and the period type light fixture completes the scene. original ceiling plaster ornamentation of this kind is rare so it was a real treat to see this lovely example.
The main cathedral in Birmingham, it is where the Bishop of Birmingham is based.
It is the third smallest cathedral in England after Derby and Chelmsford
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
The main cathedral in Birmingham, it is where the Bishop of Birmingham is based.
It is the third smallest cathedral in England after Derby and Chelmsford
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
Just a small detail from the playful Rococo plasterwork in this amazing space.
For those unfamiliar with Bristol's Royal Fort House, it contains the finest set of Rococo designed rooms in teh Uk, and was open this Saturday for the Doors Open event
Inside the tomb of Jamali (Sheikh Fazlullah) dating to 1528-29. From Lucy Peck, "The walls combine incised plasterwork with inlaid encaustic tiles."
Embarking on a tour of The Alhambra, starting with the Nasrid Palaces, which consist of three palaces; the Mexuar Palace, the Comares Palace and the Palace of the Lions. One of the most famous images from there is the Patio de Arrayanes. There are decorations everywhere, as evidenced by this magnificent piece of arabesque, as well as decorations in the Baño de Comares.
entrance to cathedral from west side. Statue of 1st Bishop of Birmingham
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
The main cathedral in Birmingham, it is where the Bishop of Birmingham is based.
It is the third smallest cathedral in England after Derby and Chelmsford
The Cathedral Church of St Philip is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of Birmingham. It was built as a parish church and consecrated in 1715. It became a cathedral in 1905 for the newly formeed Diocese of Birmingham. It was built in the early 18th century in the Baroque style by Thomas Archer and is located on Colmore Row in Birmingham (and Temple Row to the south and west). The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.
Designed 1709 and consecrated in 1715, though the tower not completed until 1725. Raised to cathedral status in 1905. By Thomas Archer, his first big commission, and of far more than local importance as a major monument of the English Baroque. Stone, refaced in 1864-9 by J A Chatwin. Restored after war damage, 1947-8. Rectangular in plan with slight east and west projections representing chancel and tower; the aisles extend further than the nave at each end to form vestibules containing stairs to the galleries either side of the tower and vestries either side of the chancel. The vestries are part of the alterations made to the east end in 1883-4 by J A Chatwin who also extended Archer's original shallow apsidal chancel. Tower and porches either side with Borrominesque detail. Side elevations with arched windows separated by Doric pilasters carrying an entablature and parapet with urns on the skyline. Inside, a 5-bay arcade, north and south galleries and plasterwork by Richard Hass. Principal among the furnishings are the organ-case of 1715 by Thomas Schwarbrick of Warwick, the wrought-iron chancel rails in the style of Tijou or Bakewell of Derby and the east and west stained glass windows of 1885-97 designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made by William Morris.
Cathedral Church of St Philip - Birmingham - Heritage Gateway
THE FIRST DWELLING AT LEVENS WAS A MEDIEVAL PELE TOWER, BUILT BY THE DE REDMAN FAMILY OF YEALAND REDMAYNE. THE BELLINGHAM FAMILY, WHO WERE WEALTHY LANDOWNERS, CHOSE LEVENS AS THEIR MAIN RESIDENCE IN THE 1590S AND INCORPORATED THE FORTIFIED TOWER INTO A GENTLEMAN’S RESIDENCE. THEY EMPLOYED LOCAL CRAFTSMEN TO CARVE THE OAK PANELLING, INCORPORATED ELABORATE ITALIAN PLASTERWORK, INCLUDING ELIZABETH THE FIRST’S COAT OF ARMS AND STAINED GLASS - ALL OF WHICH CAN BE SEEN TODAY.
THE HISTORIC HOUSE BECAME THE PROPERTY OF COLONEL JAMES GRAHME IN 1688 AFTER HIS CAREER AT COURT IN THE SERVICE OF KING JAMES II. HE BROUGHT WITH HIM A YOUNG FRENCH GARDENER, GUILLAUME BEAUMONT, A PUPIL OF LE NOTRE AT VERSAILLES, TO PLAN A FASHIONABLE GARDEN AT LEVENS. THIS FAMILY HOME CONTAINS FINE FURNITURE, PAINTINGS, ONE OF THE BEST EXAMPLES IN EUROPE OF SPANISH LEATHER WALL COVERINGS, THE EARLIEST ENGLISH PATCHWORK, WELLINGTONIANA, CLOCKS AND MINIATURES, AND HAS BECOME ONE OF THE FINEST STATELY HOMES IN SOUTH CUMBRIA.
THERE ARE TEN WONDERFUL ACRES OF GARDENS AT LEVENS HALL. THEY INCLUDE THE UNIQUE COLLECTION OF ANCIENT AND EXTRAORDINARY TOPIARY CHARACTERS SCULPTED FROM BOX AND YEW. THEY RISE UP FROM A SPECTACULAR SEASONAL UNDERPLANTING POPULATED WITH AN EVER-CHANGING RANGE OF OVER THIRTY THOUSAND FLOWERS. FURTHER ON, BEYOND THE ROMANTIC OLD ORCHARD AND SEPARATED BY THE GREAT BEECH HEDGES, LIE THE MAGNIFICENT HERBACEOUS BORDERS. THESE ARE TRADITIONALLY DOUBLE IN FORMAT AND ARE AMONGST THE FINEST TO BE FOUND IN ENGLAND. THERE ARE ALSO WALL BORDERS, VEGETABLE AND HERB GARDENS, A ROSE GARDEN, FOUNTAIN GARDEN, FINE LAWNS, WILDFLOWER MEADOWS & WILLOW LABYRINTH ETC.
GHOSTS AT LEVENS HALL
THE MOST FAMOUS GHOST AT LEVENS HALL IS ABOUT A GYPSY WOMAN WHO IS SAID TO HAVE DIED CURSING THE HOUSE, CLAIMING THAT NO MALE HEIR WOULD INHERIT UNTIL THE RIVER KENT CEASED TO FLOW AND A WHITE FAWN WAS BORN IN THE PARK. STRANGELY, THE ESTATE PASSED THROUGH THE FEMALE LINE FOR FOUR GENERATIONS UNTIL THE BIRTH OF ALAN DESMOND BAGOT IN 1896 WHEN THE RIVER DID INDEED FREEZE OVER AND A WHITE FAWN WAS BORN IN THE PARK. THE THREE MALE HEIRS SINCE HAVE ALL BEEN BORN ON FREEZING WINTER DAYS.
AN EPISODE FILMED BY THE TELEVISION PROGRAMME ‘MOST HAUNTED’ IN 2002 DISCOVERED SOME LIGHTS, SOUNDS AND DISTURBING ATMOSPHERES NOT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED BY VISITORS.