Robert Raikes' House

Details

GLOUCESTER

SO8318SW SOUTHGATE STREET 844-1/12/261 (West side) 23/01/52 Nos.36 AND 38 Robert Raikes' House (Formerly Listed as: SOUTHGATE STREET (West side) Nos.36 AND 38)

GV II*

Merchant's house, later shop and dwelling, now shop (No.36) and public house (The Golden Cross, No.38). Mid to late C16 with substantial early C18 addition at rear and internal alterations; C19 and C20 alterations. Timber frame with wattle and daub panels, brick, slate roof, two brick stacks with octagonal shafts. PLAN: a block comprising two, lateral, timber-framed ranges of three bays with a third, parallel range and a cross wing both in brick added at rear in early C18, the northern bay converted to shop and dwelling and the central and southern bays converted to public house with staff accommodation in the upper floors. EXTERIOR: three storeys, attic and cellars; on the front three cross-gabled bays jettied at first, second and attic-floor levels; on the ground floor a late C20 shop-front to No.36, a mid C20 front to the bar-room of the public house has large windows with glazing bars between the timber storey posts. The upper floors a good example of West Country decorative timber-framing: a similar pattern to both upper floors, in each bay divided into three by secondary posts and into three horizontal zones of small panels, with ogee braces in the lower panels, quadrant braces in the angles of the intermediate panels and plain upper panels; in each of the attic cross-gables a lower zone of small panels with quadrant braces in the angles. The framing pattern, probably painted, is repeated on the return end walls of the range at second-floor level. The first-floor jetty is supported by consoles and the second and attic floors by curved knee braces off the storey posts with moulded bressumers above. The gables have scalloped and pierced barge boards and turned spike finials. On both of the upper floors in each end bay a central C19 horned sash and in the central bay a similar sash to either side of central panels of framing; in each gable a small pair of casements above the zone of panels. Rear elevation of two storeys and attic; four bays with a

single bay return end to right; raised band at first-floor level and crowning modillion cornice. Doorway in second bay from left in a former window opening; replacement early C19 sashes to ground floor with slender glazing bars (3x4 panes) and original sashes to first floor with thick glazing bars (3x5 panes); four gabled roof dormers each with a pair of casements. INTERIOR: ground floor of No.38 mostly opened throughout for public house bar; exposed beams and joists supported by posts with some reused timbers; within the central bay behind the front range early C18 open well staircase with quarter landings, altered in early C19, with stick balustrade, but retaining early C18 raised and fielded dado panels; at the first-floor landing at the head of the stairs a two-bay timber screen with arches on pilasters to each side, but the original central column removed. Room with bed alcove in the early C18 range has original moulded cornice, part of fielded panel dado, and full-height panelling with moulded frames on one wall, other rooms in C18 range believed to have similar details. Within the central C16 range exposed timber-framing in several walls, and early inserted C18 features including a stone chimney-piece with an eared architrave surround. In each of the principal rooms on the upper floors of the front range a projecting brick chimney breast with a wide, stone-framed fireplace with moulded jambs and shallow Tudor-arched head; several chamfered bridging beams. In No.36 on the north side a circular stair with a timber newel post and timber treads. Double purlin roof above the front range, and a raised cruck roof above the C18 rear range, possibly an earlier frame reused. In cellar the walls partly of rubble, otherwise brick, and with brick barrel vaults. HISTORY: The Gloucester Journal was first published from 36/38 Southgate Street by Robert Raikes Senior on 9th April, 1722. Raikes moved his printing office here in 1758, transferring it from Blackfriars. A notable example of a later C16 town house, with ornamental panelling in the West Midlands carpentry tradition. Scheduled Ancient Monument. (BOE: Verey D: Gloucestershire: The Vale and the Forest of Dean: London: 1976-: 251).



Listing NGR: SO8306918463

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

472473

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Verey, D, The Buildings of England: Gloucestershire 2 The Vale and The Forest of Dean, (1970), 251

End of official list entry

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