The Priory

Details

SAFFRON WALDEN

TL5338 COMMON HILL 669-1/1/120 (West side) 28/11/51 No.3 The Priory

II*

House. Late C16, c1600 addition, C18 refurbishment and refronting, C19 and C20 additions. Timber-framed, plastered, red brick, peg tile and slate roofs. Plan essentially rectangular of conjoined units irregular additions to rear. 2 storeys, attics and cellars. Front E elevation: 3 principal units in red brick, peg-tiled roofs, N-S, (1) 5 bay range has central early C17 style concertina stacks (rebuilt) with prominent C18 timber porch projecting in bay 4 from N, Tuscan columns and pediment, door of 2 leaves each with 4 moulded panels. Above, pedimented Venetian window, sashes with glazing bars, 2x4, 3x4 with upper radial glazing, 2x4, modillioned broken pediment, modillions continue along adjoining roof eaves. Ground floor windows have gauged brick voussoirs. Both ground and first floor have 3 flush sash windows with glazing bars and moulded architraves. First floor 4x4 panes (gap in front of stack), ground floor 2 similar and one with C19 horned sashes and margin glazing (gap at N end). To S, unit (2) 3 bays, similar but taller roof and slightly set back, early C17 concertina stack of small bricks at S end. Doorway early C19, cornice hood, doorcase has flush bead moulded panels, door has overlight and 4 panels, upper 2 glazed. 2 sash windows, one with gauged brick voussoirs, horned sashes with margin lights, other segment headed with similar sashes. First floor, 2 sash windows with moulded architraves, 4x4 panes. To S, unit (3) one and a half storeys, C19, of 2 bays, roof hipped at S end, one flat and one segment headed window, sashes with margin lights. C20 dormer window with flat roof, 3 casements with glazing bars, 6x4 panes. Rear W elevation: units seen as front, rear addition to (1) in red brick, to (2) timber-framed plastered and brick, all now with C20 pargetting. (1) central stack has double gabled late C16 stair tower in front. N-S, Timber-framed and plastered with eaves cove, ground floor twin sash window 2x(3x4) panes. 2 storey slated lean-to with ground floor C20 door fully glazed 3x5 panes, first floor casement window 4x2 panes. 2 storey lean-to in front of stair tower with 2x2 paned casement windows on both floors. 3 bay slated 2 storey lean-to, roof low pitch running from principal roof ridge, minor stack in roof pitch, 2 first floor 2-light C19 casement windows, one segment headed, 4x3 panes, one flat headed 4x2 panes. Ground floor C19 2-light casement window 4x3 panes, C20 door upper glazing 2x3 panes. Single storey slated lean-to with 2x3 paned casement window and C19 boarded door on N face. To S, (2) High roof slated with a C20 flat roofed dormer window of 3 casements 6x4 panes. 2 storey slated lean-to below 2 window range, first floor two 2-light casement window 4x2 panes. Ground floor, C20 bowed French window, fully glazed with side lights 6x5 panes in all under peg-tiled lean-to roof. Adjacent, C20 3-light casement window 6x4 panes. To S, (3), ground floor peg-tiled lean-to with C20 3-light casement window 6x3 panes, C20 door with 2-paned overlight, door of 4 panels, upper 2 glazed, 2 similar C20 casement windows 2x3 panes. 2 C20 flat roofed dormer windows, one 3-lights 6x4 panes and one 2-lights 4x4 panes. N end elevation: (1) timber-framed and plastered with round attic window with radial glazing bars. S end elevation: (3), C19 ground floor sliding sash window 6x3 panes, attic flat dormer window 4x4 panes. INTERIOR: timber framing evident in N and central units (1 and 2). Heavier in N block built as a 2 celled, 2 storey-and-attic, lobby-entrance house with rear stair tower and central brick stack. Ground floor 4 centred arched chamfered brick fireplace has pink ruddle remaining on brickwork. Also, attic timber lintelled fireplace. N end has remnants of side purlin roof construction visible. Halved and bridled scarf joint in front wall plate, binding joist with lamb's tongue chamfer stop. Stair tower has lower balusters of early C17 shaped board form and round newel post. Central unit (2) built soon after, timber-framed, central unit added at S with slight set back converting house to 3 celled system with kitchen fireplace and heated chamber over. Later work includes conversion of ground floor N end room in C18 with fielded panelling and dado rail, also a bolection moulded door on first floor. Cellars, N end has flint and brick walling with brick floor. S cellar has some walling of thin early C17 bricks, also twin brick vaults. (The Buildings of England: Pevsner N & Ratcliffe E: Essex: London: 1965-: 336; Stacey HC: Saffron Walden in Old Photographs: Saffron Walden: 1980-: PLATE 134).

Listing NGR: TL5396438562

Legacy

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

Legacy System number:

370502

Legacy System:

LBS

Sources

Books and journals
Pevsner, N, The Buildings of England: Essex, (1965), 336
Stacey, HC, Saffron Walden in Old Photographs, (1980)

End of official list entry

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