Building record 1301/7/1 - No. 59 Thorpe Street (Thorpe House) and attached wall to south

Farmhouse. Mid C16. Probably modified late C16 and C18. Squared coursed limestone with Colleyweston slate, Welsh slate and pantile roofs. Thought to be the birthplace of John Grimbald, builder of Trinity College Library and Clare College, Cambridge.

{1} Farmhouse. Mid C16. Probably modified late C16 and C18. Squared coursed limestone with Colleyweston slate, Welsh slate and pantile roofs. Originally 3-unit plan with central cross wing. 2 storeys with attic. Main front of 3 bays with central gabled cross wing rising to attic storey. Central 2-storey gabled porch has 4-centred arch head opening at ground floor and 2-light stone mullion window above with leaded lights. 6-light stone mullion window to ground floor right, central king mullion, hood mould and hollow reveals. Similar 4-light window with square-head lights to ground floor left. 3-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights to first floor left and right also have hollow reveals. 3-light stone mullion attic window to central gable has leaded lights. Small single-light window to ground floor right of porch has arch-head light. Ashlar gable parapets and ball finials to cross wing and left gable. Right gable has square finial. Right gable has 3-light stone mullion window at first floor, similar to those on main front. Quatrefoil set in a diamond surround to attic above. Rear elevation has central gable with large lateral stack to left and similar stack to far right. 3-window range of 2-light stone mullion windows with arch-head lights, that to right is blocked. Similar 3-light window to ground floor right has drip mould and renewed mullions. 3-light stone mullion attic window. C19 brick lean-to at base of cross wing has plain tile roof. Single-storey range attached at right angles to right has garage and outbuildings forming part of house. C19 lean-to attached at intersection with main house has slate roof and ashlar porch with 4-centred head. Casement to right has glazing bars and wood lintels. Some stone mullion windows have iron cames. Attached wall to right of main front has 4- centred arch head opening. Interior: centre entrance hall has wide C18 staircase with windows at head, attic stair is remains of original wooden spiral. Room to right of entrance hall has cross beams moulded in one direction only, restored C16 fireplace with moulded stone surround and 4-centre hood and pair of C18 panelled doors. Room to left of entrance, formerly the kitchen has large open fireplace with bressumer. 2 small rooms occupying the ground floor of the central cross wing have raised floor levels with cellars below. Close studded screen walls and ground and first floor and ribbed and studded doors with 4-centred arch heads and stone chamfered jambs. 2 first floor rooms have C16/C17 fireplaces with 4-centred heads. Panelled cupboard door to right of fireplace in first floor room. Some original roof structure survives. Kitchen, probably C18 has remains of open fireplace. Thought to be the birthplace of John Grimbald, builder of Trinity College Library and Clare College, Cambridge.

{2}John Gage purchased Thorpe House in 1630; previously belonged to Tawyer Family; the large house & close was described as capital messuage or mansion in 1604 but had no manorial status; in 1661 Gage sold his property to Sir John Langham for five thousand pounds including Thorpe House

{3}Thorpe House - probably dates from the mid sixteenth century and originally formed a three-unit plan with central cross wing.

{6} Two undated photos;

Woodfield, P, Undated, Thorpe Farm, Raunds (Plan). SNN112221.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 5/126 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> Manorial Descent, 29-31 (unchecked) (Chapter). SNN41460.

<3> Parry S., 1993, Raunds Area Survey Report, p.236 (unchecked) (Draft). SNN1175.

<4> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G07 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN41470.

<5> 1950, Thorpe Street in Raunds, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN1398.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Raunds (Photographs). SNN112980.

Record last edited

Feb 16 2022 2:58PM