Details
This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 07/12/2012
NY 1230
1/77
MARKET PLACE
Nos 38, 40 and 42
Formerly listed as: MARKET PLACE, Nos 40 to 46 (even)
GV
II*
Former house, converted into shops and empty at time of inspection (September
1989). Early to mid-C16, refurbished and extended in 1958, with mid-C19 altera-
tions. Rubble rendered to front range, much patched in brick to rear; Welsh
slate gable-end roofs. Plan and development. Originally a 3-room, cross-
passage plan with external stair turret to rear of passage; in 1598 the house,
believed to be the residence of the Percy family's agent in Cumberland, received
a plaster ceiling to the principal 1st floor room, and it may be that the rear
wing (forming an L-shaped plan overall) was added at this time. 2 storeys
throughout. Exterior. front elevation: regular 3-window hornless sash range,
1st floor with sashes in reveals, 2 with 16 panes, the third with 4; ground
floor with 3 mid-C19 shopfronts (pilasters and cornices, 2-light plate-glass
windows) and contemporary half-glazed and panelled doors. Left-hand end brick
stack; stone coping high above present roof-level indicates original use of the
thatch.
Rear: Main range with no windows; C19 lean to; stair turret in angle between
range and wing, rebuilt in brick, under catslide. Rear wing with much brick
infill: 3 1st floor windows with sashes in reveals, 2 with revised stone
surround; ground floor with modern doorway, another doorway blocked in brick,
and window to right. End stack, part rendered. Clear masonry joint between
front range and wing visible from side alley (E).
Interior: Much early work survives. Ground floor flagged throughout, but
substantially re-arranged when converted to shops (although retaining the origi-
nal 3 units). 1st floor. Principal room (to left): Plaster ceiling (damaged)
dated 1598, single ribs forming connected quatrefoils containing various devices
(fleur de lys, animals, the Percy crescent, and the initials AM with knot);
large royal coat of arms over blocked fireplace. Stairs (later c.1800) with
turned balusters. Dividing this room from the next is a plain plank and muslin
screen. Centre room with stone 4-centred arched doorway in rear wall (origi-
nally leading into stairs, now removed). Simple slate fire surround to right-
hand room. Rear wing: fireplaces with simple stone surrounds, one with oven.
1st floor: one room with cyma recta moulded plaster cornice and (original)
plain plaster ceiling. Roof: possibly of 2 builds from E to W (left
to right) 2 trusses with pegged and morticed principals and cambered ties; third
truss (over plank and muslin screen), king-post and queen struts; 4th truss,
principals and cambered tie; 5th truss, principals with collar. This building
is a remarkable survival in Cumbria of a C16 town house with 2 plaster ceilings,
plank and muslin screen, intact roof structure and various other features survi-
ving, and with an attractive mid-C19 front elevation in addition.
All the listed Bulildings in Market Place form a group with Kirkgate Corner,
St Helen's Street.
Listing NGR: NY1226130747
