52 AND 54, CHURCH STREET

Details

TL 8422-8522 COGGESHALL CHURCH STREET (south-east side)

9/66 Nos. 52 and 54 31.10.66 (formerly listed as No. 52 (Oakdene) and No. 54 (Dorrit))

GV II*

House, now 2 houses. 1565, altered in late C19. Timber framed, plastered with some exposed framing, with late C19 facade of red and gault brick in Flemish bond, roofed with handmade red plain tiles. Main range facing NW with 2 axial stacks, and rear wing with one internal stack, forming a T-plan. 2 storeys. 3-window range of late C19 sashes with marginal lights and segmental arches of gault brick. No. 52, C19 3-panel door, and no. 54, C20 6-panel door, both with plain overlights and similar arches. 7 flush bands and diaper and cross patterns of gault bricks; dentilled eaves cornice of gault bricks; the remainder of the facade is of red brick. Late C19 carved wooden fascia in C16 style, with grotesque heads, birds and scrolls, initials TC (identified as Thomas Clerke, recorded in 1567 (J.S. Gardner (ed.), Coggeshall, Essex, 1951, 35), and ANO DNI 1565, probably an accurate copy of a decayed original. The right elevation of the rear wing has a partly underbuilt jetty with roll-moulded bressumer, evidence of a former oriel above, and 2 original flank windows. In rear elevation, 2 early C19 sashes of 12 lights, on first floor. The main range has an underbuilt jetty, roll-moulded transverse and axial beams with lamb's tongue stops, joists plastered to the soffits. Exposed studding. At the left end of no. 52 is a blocked doorway with carved and moulded Tudor doorhead, into what was formerly the parlour from the originally storeyed hall and above it a similar doorway into the former solar, with hollow-chamfered Tudor head. To rear of it is a similar doorway into the rear wing. At right end, wide wood- burning hearth, the mantel beam having a double-ogee moulding turning down at the ends, possibly used earlier in a timber-framed chimney; blocked fireplace on first floor, apparently with a brick depressed arch, c.1600. In front of it an original closet complete with plain Tudor head and door of 4 moulded wedge- shaped planks on original strap hinges, a rare feature meriting special care. Jowled posts. Original ceiling with 2 roll-moulded bridging beams in each bay, and plain joists of vertical section. On first floor, re-sited C16 linenfold oak panelling and plain panelling of c.1600. Original floorboards. Storey heights of approximately 3 metres and 2.50 metres. Original clasped purlin roof with arched wind-bracing. At the right end the only studding is above the collar. This house abuts on an earlier house to the right (item 9/19, q.v.), and therefore requires no studding except where the upper gables are out of alignment. The left stack is C19. Apart from the altered front elevation this house retains an exceptionally complete structure, all of one build. The combination of the late medieval features (roll mouldings and Tudor doorheads) and the Renaissance lamb's tongue stops confirms the carved date on the fascia. At the right end part of the ground floor is combined with No. 1 Albert Place, (item 9/19, q.v.). RCHM 31.

Listing NGR: TL8520422758

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

116098

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Gardner, J S, Coggeshall Essex, (1951), 35

End of official list entry

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