Listed Building: The Manor House and attached Brewhouse (1371865)

Manor house. Built c.1540-60 by Lawrence Washington, who acquired the Manor in 1539. c.1673 it passed to the Rev. Moses Hodges, whose son John made alterations to the house c.1700 and added the north-east wing. By the late C18 the house had become a farm and part was demolished. Of the centre, only the right half with the porch is original. The left half was rebuilt by Sir Reginald Blomfield who restored the house in 1920-30. Coursed limestone rubble, rendered porch, stone slate roof, brick and stone stacks. L-plan, through passage. 2 storeys and attic, 3 bays. Gabled 2-storey porch in centre has entrance with 4-centred arch under square hood with Washington arms in the spandrels. Washington coat of arms in plaster above, 3-light window with wood lintel and old iron casement on first floor. Plaster coat of arms of Queen Elizabeth I in the gable and a triangular device in plaster, said to be the wool stapler's symbol, at the apex. Inner doorway has 4-centred wood arch and C20 panelled door. 4-light wood mullioned and transomed windows with wood lintels on the ground floor. 4-light wood mullioned windows with wood lintels on the first floor. Coped left gable end with kneelers. Former brewhouse, now offices, attached to house by short stone wall to north. Probably c.1700, remodelled C20 by Sir Reginald Blomfield. Coursed limestone rubble, stone slate roof, one storey and loft. 4 bays. 2 doorways with wood lintels in plank doors to left, two C20 windows with wood mullion to right. Interior: Side walls of porch have large C16 plaster figures of a lion and dragon. Great Hall has screen designed by Blomfield and original open fireplace with moulded timber 4-centred arch and stone jambs. Ceiling with moulded cross beams forming 24 square panels. The windows contain reproductions of stained glass arms of the Washington family. The originals are in Fawsley Church and Weston Hall. Oak Parlour on the ground floor has early C18 fireplace with moulded stone surround and panelled walls and overmantel of the same date. In the kitchen is a large open fireplace with ovens. Late C17 staircase with twisted balusters. The Great Chamber, on the first floor, has a fireplace similar to that in the hall and an open timber roof of 2-bays with central cambered collar beam and central moulded pendant, and arched braces carved on moulded wood corbel. Interior of former brew- house not inspected. Lawrence Washington was a wool merchant and became mayor of Northampton in 1532. In 1610 Sulgrave Manor was purchased by his grandson, Lawrence Makepeace. It was sold in 1659 and had no further connection with the Washington family. In 1914 it was purchased as a memorial to George Washington. (H. Clifford Smith, Sulgrave Manor and the Washingtons, London 1933).

Record last edited

Dec 16 2024 10:03AM