Building record 2853/14/1 - No.25 Bridge Street (The Library House)

An early to mid 17th century house that was converted into a school house in 1749 for Elizabeth Hutcheson's School and adapted to a house and library in 1752 for William Law. An inscription above the door reads "Books of piety are lent to any person of this or ye neighbouring towns". The building is constructed of squared coursed limestone with a double pitch Collyweston slate roof with ashlar gable stacks and parapets and gabled roof dormers. The eastern end is attached to the School Room. The south facing front has a regular three window range of stone mullioned windows divided by a central door.

{1} House. Early/mid and late C17. Converted to Schoolhouse 1749 for Elizabeth Hutcheson's School and adapted to house and library in 1752 for William Law. Squared coursed limestone with Collyweston slate roof. Originally 2-unit plan. 2 storeys with attic. 3-window range with flanking 3-light ovolo-moulded stone mullion windows, with hood moulds to ground floor windows. Smaller 2-light window, to first floor centre, and single-light windows to ground and first floor, far right. All windows have lead d lights. Central, 6-panel, part-glazed, door has moulded stone surround. Pair of gabled roof dormers with leaded casements. Ashlar gable parapets and ashlar end stacks. Inscription immediately above door, "Books of Piety are lent to any person of this or ye Neighbouring Towns". Sundial, with pediment, above inscription. Interior not inspected, but room to left of entrance noted as having bolection-moulded panelling with wooden cornice. This early C18 panelling was adapted in 1752 to incorp rate bookcases for William Law's library. Room to right of entrance noted as having bolection moulded cupboard doors. Staircase has wave moulded splat balusters. Roof structure has cambered collars and clasped purlins. Originally single storey with cross-wing; the building was raised late C17.

{2} House. Early/mid and late 17th century. Converted to Schoolhuse 1749 for Elizabeth Hutcheson's school and adapted to house and library in 1752 for William Law. Originally 2-unit plan. 2 storeys with attic. 3-window range. Originally single storey with cross-wing; the building was raised in the late C17th.

{3} For three years this former house was adapted to becomming a school. From 1749 to 1752 it was a schoolhouse for Elizabeth Hutcheson. It became a house again in 1752 when William Law moved in.

{6} Undated photo, also photo dated November 1976 and one dated September 1982;

Historic England, Undated, THE LIBRARY HOUSE, KINGS CLIFFE, BF084129 (Archive). SNN114412.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 13/94 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G12 p.50 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.98 (unchecked) (Series). SNN77384.

<4> Law W.; Hutcheson E., 1755, A Short Account of The Two Charitable Foundations at Kings Cliffe, (unchecked) (Book). SNN108188.

<5> Waller A.K., 1973, William Law, His Life and Thought, (unchecked) (Book). SNN108187.

<6> Photographs of buildings in King's Cliffe (Photographs). SNN112705.

Record last edited

Nov 25 2022 3:52PM