SNN100406 - Stables At 'Cobthorne', 16 West Street, Oundle

'Cobthorne' is a Commonwealth period house, listed at Grade I, built c.1658 behind a forecourt on the S side of West Street, near the centre of the toen (TL 0403 8815). It is said by Bridges to have been built for Major General William Butler, the Lord Chamberlain appointed by Cromwell, and is rumoured that it incorporates timber taken from the structure of Lyveden New Bield, the pleasure house erected for Sir Thomas Thresham from 1594 to the early years of the 17th century overlooking his magnificent gardens. Any substantial house erected during this period when little building activity was taking place, is of considerable importance to the history of architecture generally, as well as of regional importance in Northamptonshire. It may be compared with the larger and almost contemporary mansion, Thorpe Hall, designed by Peter Mills for the Chief Justice for England, a few miles away near Peterborough. The stable building is adjacent and to the west of the side elevation of 'Conthorne'. It consists of two arms, a shorter one aligned along the road, and a longer one returning from the w end, running to the s. The building as a whole is listed Grade II* A perusal of earlier maps available shows the same outline as at present, and does not add any to the understanding of the building as it now is. It is considered that in-depth historical research would be not useful for the present purposes of understanding the building.