Monument record 5159/0/5 - Hawkfield Lodge

Hawkfield Lodge was one of the three buildings erected by Thomas Tresham as a sign of his Catholic faith. However, unlike the Trinagular Lodge and Lyveden New Bield, this building no longer exists.

{1}On Tuesday August 2nd 1596 foundation was laid of new lodge "....in Hawkfield...." at Rushton; good deal of stonework had already been prepared; no remains now exist but amongst Rushton papers are 2 small ground-plans & carefully drawn elevation of building identified by Leven's notes as Hawkfield Lodge; plan of ornate dodecagon with smaller upper storey allowing for parapet with rails; Leven's scattered entries concerning working & setting of "....coynes & jawmes...." for windows & doors; few walls; 6 trees felled for lintels; 3 doors mentioned of which 2 had date stones & 3rd with Tresham arms; Levens notes progress of works on structure during 1597; notes for following year not found & not sure whether roof was ever completed with its great stone ball finial; diameter of lodge was only 17ft & appears to not have had chimney; must therefore have been built for ornament but probably used as shelter in bad weather; plans & elevation included along with payments to masons,

{2} Using historic map evidence, the author argues that the most likley location for Hawkfield Lodge was where Park House now stands (SP8382). The first direct reference to the construction of Hawkfield Lodge was made by Levens in April 1596 noting that rough masons were 'scalping stone for ye […] Hawkfild Lodge'. The design of the two lodges at Rushton were intentionally related; the Triangular Lodge had a triangular plan with a hexagonal internal space, while the Hawkfield Lodge had a hexagonal plan with six internally defined triangles.

<1> 1904, REPORT ON MANUSCRIPTS IN VARIOUS COLLECTIONS, (unchecked) (Report). SNN43608.

<2> Fairey, K, 2015, "Tres testimonivm dant": Resurrecting the Hawkfield Lodge at Rushton as Part of Sir Thomas Tresham's Architectural Testament, pp. 55-82 (Article). SNN114496.

Record last edited

Dec 9 2022 10:18AM