Building record 491/2/1 - Church Farmhouse

Church Farm, remains of a substantial Medieval house which was radically remodelled in the 17th century. Coursed ironstone, rubble, thatch roof, brick end and ridge stacks on stone bases. Hall house with cross-wing.

{1} House. C17th with medieval origins. Coursed ironstone, rubble, thatch roof, brick end and ridge stacks on stone bases. Hall house with cross-wing. 2 storey and attic, 3-window range. A 3-light casement window to ground floor left, two 2-light casements above, all with timber lintels. Cross wing has 2-light ovolo scone mullion window to ground floor with hood mould and 3-light casements to first and attic floors, with timber lintels. Right side has blocked door to right of centre and 2-light casement windows with timber lintels. Entrance to left side by C20th door. Quoins and stone-coped gable to left end. Interior has ogee-stop-chamfered spine beans and open fireplace with chamfered bressumer and bread oven. In roof of main range facing street substantial remains of medieval hall roof comprising base cruck truss cut off just below eaves level and one bay of presumed 2-bay open hall. Believed to be the only clear example of base cruck construction in the county.

{3} This house contains the remains of a substantial early medieval hall house, radically remodelled in the C17th. Plans and elevations shown (fig.11), as well a detailed description of the building. General discussion.
The surviving medieval work comprises the roof structure of a two-bay open hall, measuring c.12.68m x 7.13m, the open central truss being c.6.34m to the apex of the arch. The second eastern bay has been considerably cut back with the insertion of a later stack.
The timber framing of the surviving bay is of considerable interest as this remains the only known clear example of base cruck construction in the county. A date of 1300 to 1325 is proposed for Church Farm. In the post-medieval is was considerably modified.

{6} The base cruck at Church Farm, Newnham was investigated in detail to obtain comparative material to relate to the base crucks in adjoining Counties

{7} Four undated photos, one photo dated 15.05.1989 and two photos dated 14.08.1991;

Description from record 491/2:
{1} The early C16th was a period of prosperity for Newnham, as reflected by the rebuilding of the church at this time. However, for at least two centuries before the abbey of Evesham had owned Newnham and the adjacent manor of Badby. It is possible that Church Farm was built as a centre for the manorial business at Newnham, the farming of the demesne, and the residence of the steward's deputy. Its home close extended south to the Nene, beyond which lay the mill and 200 acres of the lord's land. So it remained until the Reformation; the new owners being the Knightleys of Fawsley, who leased Newnham to the Thorntons until the latter bought the lordship in 1635. The Thorntons built a "handsome seat" south of the churchyard, and must have developed and modernised the farm house opposite as a home farm to supply produce.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 15/145 (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<1> Woodfield P., 1981, The Larger Medieval Houses of Northamptonshire, p.179 (part checked) (Article). SNN23550.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F06 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Woodfield P., 1981, The Larger Medieval Houses of Northamptonshire, p.178-80 (unchecked) (Article). SNN23550.

<4> R.C.H.M.E., 1992, Church Farm, Newnham, 1992, (unchecked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN44525.

<5> 1967, Medieval Archaeology, (unchecked) (Note). SNN15422.

<6> SHAW M., 1981, South Midlands Archaeology: CBA Group 9 Newsletter (11), p. 15 & Fig 5 (Interim Note). SNN4269.

<7> Photographs of buildings in Newnham (Photographs). SNN112905.

<8> Historic England, Undated, CHURCH FARM, NEWNHAM, BF035758 (Archive). SNN116060.

Record last edited

Feb 15 2024 4:00PM