Building record 2102/0/6 - The Priory

Possibly an early monastic house later converted to a fortified manor house. Largely rebuilt in 1880. The present house is predominantly modern but retains original fabric, probably from the 14th to 16th centuries, in the south and east faces. Two storeyed, built of stone rubble with Welsh slate roofs

{1] Embattled medieval manor house, largely rebuilt 1880. Early remains incorporated from C14 and C16. Coursed rubble, Welsh slated roof behind parapet. 2 storeys. South front has C14 blocked window, Cl6 stone mullioned 4 light lattice casement window in chamfered surround. 2 stone chimney stacks with diagonally set shafts. West pentice bay with straight join to main block. East side reset C14 panel with shield in quatrefoil. Modern north wing. In possession of Longueville family from early C14 to 1688. VCH, IV, p 74.

{3} The manor-house, mentioned by Leland, stood immediately north of the church, and some remains of it are incorporated in a modern house on a portion of the site. In Bridges's time part of the house was still standing, 'the first story supported with broad arches and at the south end a turret with a staircase leading up to the leads'.
{4} Buck's view (1729), in which the house is mistakenly called a Cistercian Priory, is also reproduced. Pennant, about 1780, speaks of the 'poor remains' of the mansion of the Longuevilles at Little Billing, {5} and in 1789 the ruins were described as 'much reduced' in the course of sixty years. The turret and practically the whole of the east end of the building had then gone, but some portion of the western end was still standing, of two stories, with embattled parapet and large ground-floor bay window on the north side. {6} These features have in their turn disappeared and such ancient work as still remains is very slight or of a fragmentary character. The older part, which includes a small pointed window on the south side near ground level, may be of 14th-century date, and at the east end in a modern wall is inserted a quatrefoil circle containing a shield inscribed 'pro aīa', apparently of the same period. A four-centred doorway and a mullioned window with rounded lights are probably of the 16th century, but in its present form the house, known locally as the Castle, dates only from 1880

{7}The medieval manor of Little Billing was acquired in 1688 by the Thursby family of Abington;

{8} Medieval pottery from the manor house site; SP80436183; found 22/6/1970;

{12} The remains of the manor house at Little Billing were misidentified as a priory in 1729 by Messrs. Buck and have also been called a castle. The east end was converted into a farmhouse.{14} Not mentioned in {11}.
The owner of the manor house has a circa 1730 print by 'Buck' showing a rambling, castellated building of composite architectural style part ecclesiastical, part domestic. It was quite possibly an early monastic house converted to a fortified manor house. The present house is predominantly modern but retains original fabric probably 14th to 16th century in the south and east faces.

{13} No change.

{15} Photo dated 1990;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 28/394 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> Shaw M.; Williams J., 1971-1981, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Record Cards, M3 (checked) (Index). SNN133.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> Salzmann, L F., 1937, A History of the County of Northamptonshire, p. 74 (Book). SNN110592.

<4> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p. 409 (Book). SNN77325.

<5> PENNANT, 1782, A Journey From Chester to London, p. 320 (Uncertain). SNN59260.

<7> 1984, Northamptonshire Archaeology, 5/231 (Journal). SNN25193.

<8> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.230 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<9> Gough, R., 1789, Description of two antient mansion houses in Northamptonshire and Dorset., p. 67-69 & pl. 1 (Article). SNN111546.

<10> Historic England, THE PRIORY, BILLING, BF061881 (Archive). SNN114734.

<11> Knowles; Hadcock, 1971, Medieval Religious Houses England and Wales (Book). SNN10192.

<12> Harper, F R, 1966, Field Investigators Comments, F1 FRH 14-FEB-66 (Note). SNN110348.

<13> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 06-AUG-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

<14> Baker G., 1822-36, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, Hist.Northants,1,1822,28, (G.Baker) (Book). SNN10400.

<15> Photographs of buildings in Northampton (Photographs). SNN114989.

Record last edited

Nov 29 2023 3:07PM