Building record 727/14/1 - The Vicarage

Vicarage. Late C17, extended 1854 by E.F. Law. Coursed squared limestone, old plain-tile roof, brick end and ridge stacks.

{1} Vicarage. Late C17, extended 1854 by E.F. Law. Coursed squared limestone, old plain-tile roof, brick end and ridge stacks. 3-unit plan. 2 storeys and attic, 5-unit plan. 4-panel door with overlight and wood lintel to right of centre. C20 back door with overlight and wood lintel to left. 12-pane sash windows to ground and first floor with wood lintels. Datestone to far right removed from another location: fluted pilasters supporting frieze and cornice framing panel with arms of Sir Robert Banastr. S/RB/1613. 3-window range of 1854 to rear, doubling depth of house, has yellow brick dressings, tripartite sash window to left of part- glazed garden door and canted bay window to right. Interior: parlour with C18 fielded panelling and fitted cupboard with semi-domed head and shaped shelves; stone-flagged hall; kitchen has ogee-stop-chamfered spine beam and large blocked open fireplace with chamfered bressumer. Staircase hall in rear range has open-well staircase with stick balustrade. standard and ramped and wreathed mahogany handrail. Collar-truss roof. Left end bay to rear range is addition.

{3} Dendrochronological survey, undertaken as part of the wider Historic Towcester Survey, found that the felling date for the timber in the roof was winter AD 1689/90, which fits well with the known history, since the vicarage is thought to have been built by Charles Palmer who became vicar here in 1688. A date of AD 1574-9 from the fireplace lintel may indicate when a house was originally constructed on this plot. A further date of AD1824/5 from a rafter suggests renovation or repair.

{4} Undated photo, also photo dated July 1982, and two photos dated November 1986;

{5} Notes and sketches on coats of arms found at Vicarage House;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 13/135 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F08 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Bridge, M and Tyers, C, 2021, The Vicarage, Moat Lane (Chantry Lane), Towcester, Northamptonshire: Tree-ring Analysis of Oak Samples (Report). SNN112891.

<4> Photographs of buildings in Towcester (Photographs). SNN114425.

<5> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/274/3 (Archive). SNN115.

Record last edited

May 1 2024 11:23AM