Listed Building: No. 4 (11/151)

Cottage, formerly summerhouse. Dated 1685, altered C19. Ironstone ashlar and coursed ironstone rubble, C20 plain-tile roof, brick end stack. 1-unit plan. 2 storeys and attic; 1-window range. Main front faces walled garden to rear is ashlar-faced and has central blocked door with eared and moulded stone surround. Large inscription panel above of red sandstone with moulded stone sill and bolection-moulded stone surround. Inscription, now worn, reads "A DEO SUNT REGES/CONSILIA PRODITORUM INANIA; DUM GEMIT AD BELGAS PERITURIS/ABSOLOM ARMIS/HANC STUDIO PACISQUE DEO/SACRAVIMUS ARCEM/PRID.IDUUM JULII MDCLXXV/M/TW". Upright keyed oval windows flank door, that to left blank. Inscription panel flanked by similar niches rendered inside; rendering to right niche incised with eared urn. Wave-moulded plinth, chamfered quoins and stone-coped gable. Present entrance to left at basement level. Elevation facing road has one 2-light casement window to basement (ground floor on road side) 1st and attic floors. Gable on this side rebuilt in red brick. The cottage was built as a summerhouse or gazebo to walled garden of the seat of the Wards, demolished 1777. The inscription refers to Dryden's poem 'Absolom and Achitophel' published in 1681. Absolom of the poem and inscription is the Duke of Monmouth. The initials are those of Thomas and Mary Ward.

Record last edited

Nov 6 2012 12:37PM