Hamstall Hall

Details

SK 1019-1119
12/29

HAMSTALL RIDWARE CP
BLITHBURY ROAD (north-east side)
Hamstall Hall

9.3.53

GV
II*
Mansion remains. C15 core with extensive alterations of the late C16 and later. Red brick of at least three periods suggesting gradual replacement of the earlier timber framing; plain tile roof, massive brick ridge stack.

By the end of the C18 Hamstall Hall comprised an essentially late C16 complex of buildings concentrated in the south corner of a large rectangular courtyard aligned north-west/south-east. The main approach was by way of a gatehouse (q.v.) in the centre of the north-west wall. A C15 tower (q.v.) stood at the south-east corner and was formerly linked to the main house. The existing remains consist of an L-shaped range which occupies the south-east half of the south-west side of the courtyard, a short wing at its south-east corner links it with an elaborate porch.

South-west front: two storeys and attic with C16 brickwork to ground storey and C18 brickwork to second storey. Eight roof bays. Irregular fenestration of C18/C19 casements. Blocked C16 doorway to the left with Tudor arch and sunken spandrels. Boarded door to left of centre. Large gabled wing to the right with stone quoins as high as the off-set second storey, and C19 brick gable. Set-back to the left of the wing is a smaller C18 gabled projection with door to the right-hand side and a small lean-to extension to the left. To the rear of the building are four blocked C16 doorways with Tudor arches, one has panelled spandrels.

South-east front: south-west wing to the left with C19 glazed door and porch, flanked on the right hand side by a brick and stone buttress; two jambs of a blocked first floor window directly above. The wing has two phases of early brickwork in English bond with a toothed eaves band. Attached to the right is the gable end of the main range with ground storey in English bond of the same build as the wing, and C18 brickwork above; two single-light windows with chamfered stone surrounds, to the ground storey, two casements at first floor level and one at attic level. A shaft, single-storey wing, formerly the brewhouse continues the ground storey phase of brickwork to the right and is terminated by The Porch. This is a late C16 brick building with ashlar quoins and dressings and coped gable on shaped kneelers. Two storeys and attic with attic cornice. Central portico with Tuscan columns, supporting a balcony with strapwork balustrade. First floor doorway and flanking windows all with keyed semi-circular arches springing from imposts. In the gable a strapwork embellished oval oculus. Two storey lean-to bay to the left of the same build with four-light chamfer mullioned windows in rebated surrounds, the first floor window is blocked. Ground and first floor cross windows to the right hand return with semi-circular heads and roll and fillet moulded keystones, possibly re-used.

Interior: the porch has a stone fireplace with four-centred head, corbelled lintel and moulded surround. The kitchen is at the north-west end of the main range. In the south-west wall is a massive C16 stone fireplace with shouldered arch and chamfered surround. Network of massive chamfered and stopped ceiling beams with chamfered joists laid flat. Opposed entrances (now blocked) at the north-west end of the room and some evidence that the passage was screened off from the kitchen. Also a blocked doorway in the south-east corner of the room. The bay next to the kitchen is occupied by a chimney stack, a small pantry and a rear entrance lobby. Beyond this is a room with C17 oak panelling. Between this room and the south-west wing is a former through-passage with exposed timber framing. The passage gives access to a late C17 staircase with turned balusters and panelled dado and to two rooms within the south-west wing.

The front room is completely oak panelled and contains a wall cupboard with semi-circular arch and raised key; ovolo-moulded ceiling beam. The rear room retains a C16 stone fireplace with chamfered Tudor arch on corbels. First floor. Exposed close-studded wall framing in the north-west end wall probably C15 incorporating a later window with ogee-moulded mullions. C17 oak wall panelling. The adjoining room to the south-east has C17 oak wall panelling, a Tudor arch fireplace and a smaller chamber ensuite, also completely oak panelled with a carved frieze of dragons. More panelling in the next room to the south-east including a cupboard door with part of a late medieval painting on the back.

Hamstall Hall was the home of the Fitzherberts from the early C16 and much of the C16 building work was probably carried out for Thomas Fitzherbert The Porch is scheduled as an Ancient Monument.

Listing NGR: SK1050219366

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

272875

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Shaw, Stebbing, The History and Antiquities of Staffordshire, (1798), 157
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Staffordshire, (1974), 140
Ferris, I M, A Survey of Hamstall Hall, Staffordshire in South Staffordshire Archaeological and Historical Society Transactions, Vol. 26, (1984-1985), 44-75

End of official list entry

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