Building record 1174/5/3 - Two Barns at Passenham Manor

A pair of early 17th century barns, part dated 1626, for Sir Robert Banastre. They are of coursed squared limestone construction with old plain-tile roofs. The larger one of the two is approximately 33 metres long comprising 8 bays. It has central double opposed doors, that to rear blocked, with bar stop-chamfered wood lintels and a arch-braced collar truss roof. To the left gable wall are three ventilation slits with ventilation slits also to the long side walls. Over the slits of the left gable end is a pair of two-light windows and a similar window to the gable above. The smaller barn stands at right angles to the left end to give an L-plan and is approximately 23 metres long. In the gable facing the road there is a datestone inscribed 1626. The barn has eight bays with a roof of very similar construction to the larger barn. There are also similar ventilation slits and central double opposed doors. Between the right gable end of the larger barn and smaller barn there is a one-window link building of two storeys and loft. This has four bar-stop-chamfered bridging beams to each floor and a gabled roof continuing that of the larger barn. There is a door and window to all floors with wood lintels. A carriage arch with wood lintel has been blocked but the lintel survives.

`{1} Pair of barns. Early C17; part dated 1626. For Sir Robert Banastre. Coursed squared limestone, old plain-tile roofs. The larger of the two is approximately 33 metres long. 8 bays with central double opposed doors, that to rear blocked, with bar stop-chamfered wood lintels and arch-braced collar truss roof. Arch-braces are stop-chamfered. Crown post and two additional collars to each truss, 4 tiers of wind-braced purlins, ogee-stop-chamfered wall posts and timber corbels. Roof has deep projection with struts to eaves and extension wall posts. 3 ventilation slits to left gable end wall and ventilation slits to long side walls all with bar stop-chamfered wood lintels to inner splays. Pair of 2-light windows over slits to left gable end and similar window to gable above, all with wood lintels. Diagonal off-set buttresses to angles and off-set buttresses between bays, all with wave-moulded plinths (c.f. those to chancel of Church of St. Guthlac). Smaller barn stands at right angle to left end to give L-plan and is approximately 23 metres long. Datestone inscribed 1626 to gable facing road. 8-bays with roof of very similar construction except for having 3 tiers of purlins. Similar ventilation slits and central double opposed doors. 1-window link building between right gable end of larger barn and smaller barn of two storeys and loft has four bar-stop-chamfered bridging beams to each floor and gabled roof continuing that of larger barn. Door and windows to all floors with wood lintels. A carriage arch with wood lintel has been blocked; lintel survives.

{3} By the manor house two barns ar right angles. The larger one is of pre-Reformation date. It is 110ft long and has three collar-beams one on top of the other. The smaller is dated 1626.

{5} The Barns were erected by Sir Robert Banastre, Comptroller of the Royal Household to James I from 1626. The work had apparently been completed by the time of his death in 1646.The two buildings are contemporary. The larger barn, in a late medieval style, was a storehouse for produce raised by taxation, and kept for provisioning the royal household. The second barn appears to be for the stabling of animals, in connection with Banastre’s duties as Clerk Controller of the Royal Household of James I. The buildings were linked as a slightly later date.
The larger of the two is built of tooled and well coursed limestone. It is of 8 bays with entrances each side in the wider 5th bay from the SE, the openings 3.8m high on both sides to admit laden carts.
The smaller barn forms the north side of the yard with a central throughway with high double doors, and an access door towards the west end of the north face. There is a later high door opening at the west end, clearly a later modification, probably of the later 18th century. The building is also constructed of coursed squared tooled limestone. It is 6.7m wide and 25.8m long internally. Of 8 bays. The total internal height to the common rafters is 9.7m.
The two barns are linked at upper level by an inserted floor, the outer walls being carried by large lintel beams. This link appears to be slightly later than either barn. Although the mouldings suggest a similar date still well within the 17th century.
The barns were included in the sale catalogue of 1911. the large barn contained stabling for five. Harness cupboard, fodder bay and the second barn, called the ‘Little Barn’ or corn barn was partly paved and floored, with a loose box and manger and rack.
Barn 2 is has a date stone in the road gable end, reading 1626, now almost illegible through erosion.
Source also contains detailed building descriptions and discussion about the history and purpose of the barns, drawings and photos.

{6} Undated photo, also three photos dated 29.10.1993;

{7} Detailed plan with measurements;

{9} Three undated photos;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 19/82 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F11 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN45262.

<3> Pevsner N.; Cherry B., 1973, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.370 (unchecked) (Series). SNN1320.

<4> Brown O.F.; Roberts G.J., 1973, Passenham, The History of a Forest Village, (unchecked) (Book). SNN4109.

<5> Woodfield P., 2005, The Whittlewood Project: Historic Buildings Survey, Passenham with Old Stratford, (checked) (Report). SNN105033.

<6> Photographs of buildings in Old Stratford (Photographs). SNN112954.

<7> Dryden H.E.L., 1842-1895, Dryden Collection, DR/25/208/2 (Archive). SNN115.

<8> Woodfield, P, 2003, The Whittlewood Project: Phase 1 rapid survey of all buildings within the 12 parishes of the survey, identifying buildings that have, or are likely to have, fabric dating from before 1700 (Report). SNN116636.

<9> Photographs of buildings in Old Stratford (Photographs). SNN112954.

Record last edited

May 21 2025 12:00PM