Building record 805/9/1 - Nos. 10 (Nene Cottage), 12, 14, 16 & 17 Main Street (The Old Inn)

Formerly the Old Inn. It dates from the 15th century, on the evidence of the name it predates the New Inn, which was constructed between 1461 and 1476. it never had the architectural elaboration of the later building; it was subsequently subdivided into eight cottages.

{1} Inn now 5 dwellings. Early/mid C15, altered and partly rebuilt C19. Regular coursed and coursed rubble limestone with thatch roof. Originally probably a 6-unit plan with central carriage arch, now blocked. 2 storeys. Irregular 12-window range. Nos. 10 (Nene Cottage) and 12 have C19 and C20 casements, some with glazing bars, all under wood lintels. No. 16 has a one-window range of sash windows, with glazing bars, under gauged stone heads. Nos. 16 and 17 have 2 C19 casements to ground floor and 2 C20 casements to first floor, under wood lintels and one shallow stone arch. 4 doors between window ranges. No. 12 has a C20 door under wood lintel, No. 14 has a plank door with a C15 wooden surround with 4-centred arch head. No. 16 has a 6-panelled door with gauged stone head and No. 17 has a C19 plank door under a wood lintel. Evidence of a blocked door and flight of steps to left of doorway to No. 12. Entrance to No. 10 is a C20 door in end elevation to right. Quoins to former carriage arch are visible in bay to left of entrance to No. 14. Straight joint to centre of range is evidence of rebuilding or refacing. Bay to far right probably added C19. Gabled roof with hipped end to right. 6 brick and stone stacks to ridge and end. Some C19 and C20 extensions and alterations to rear have concrete tile roofs. Interiors not inspected but No. 14 noted as having 2 fireplaces with 4-centred heads, C17 staircase and doorways with 4-centred and square heads. Also noted as having close studded timber-framed wall at first floor to left of range. No. 10 noted as having an open fireplace. Probably some original roof structure remains. Originally the Old Inn which served Fotheringhay Castle. (RCHM: An Inventory of Architectural Monuments in North Northamptonshire: p73)

{5} Section 3 in main report.
Although lying outside the outer defences of the 15th century castle, there were two properties at the castle gate which were an integral part of the functioning of the castle. These were the Inns, both probably constructed in the 15th century to provide lodgings for guests to the castle. The Old Inn was a 15th century range. A coat of arms recorded in 1821 may date the building to the reign of Edward IV (1461-83). However there is record of two tenements and one cottage lying between the College and the castle which were identified as belonging to the College 1460-1. Further documentary analysis may show that this is the Old Inn being converted to tenements and granted out following the construction of the New Inn. Old Inn is not identified in the 1548 rental suggesting that, like the other land not recorded in the rental it was owned by the College. This plot is certainly the only property on the south side of the main road at this end of the village which was not in 1716 identified as formerly belonging to the College. It is unlikely that the tenements could lie elsewhere, unless they lay on the small back lane, for the road and bridge to the east was not apparently constructed until the mid 15th century. Certainly the building was converted to tenements at some time in the late or post medieval period.
This interpretation may be supported by the fact that the New Inn was built between 1461 - 1476. It is the only building described as the 'Inn' under the rental of 1548, where it is described as including 'all the houses barns and edifices and yard'. It is described in detail in 1624.

{7} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 6/72 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G10 p.40 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<3> 1793, Fotheringhay Inclosure Map 1793, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100484.

<3> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1984, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.73, Fig. 91 & Pl. 78 (Series). SNN77384.

<4> 1806, 1806 Schedule to 1716 map, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100482.

<5> FOARD G., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Fotheringhay (Medieval and Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100481.

<6> 1696, Fotheringhay 1696, (unchecked) (Map). SNN100483.

<7> Photographs of buildings in Fotheringhay (Photographs). SNN112503.

<8> Historic England, Undated, OLD INN, FOTHERINGHAY, BF084356 (Archive). SNN113302.

<9> Historic England, Undated, 16-17, MAIN STREET, FOTHERINGHAY, BF081557 (Archive). SNN113322.

Record last edited

May 3 2022 1:03PM