History

Medieval timber-framed court-house located in the centre of Ruthin. Recent dendrochronological dating has given a felling date of 1421, reflecting an upsurge in development following the uprising of Owain Glyndwr. The building probably had a central 2-bay hall, open to the roof, flanked by storeyed bays. There were prison cells below ground and a gibbet to the W end. The building was converted to the National Provincial Bank in 1925-6, probably by F. H. Shayler. Before this, the building was divided into a number of shops, with corrugated lean-tos against the N side and gabled dormers; these shops included an ironmonger's towards the centre and a bank to the R end.

Exterior

Four-bay range, timber-framed on a stone plinth; slate roof with rebuilt stone ridge stack. The timber-framing consists of 2 tiers of large panels with plaster infill divided by a mid-rail, each bay with prominent curved braces to upper panels. External detail is probably all of 1925-6: The N and S sides have opposing doorways to E bay; wooden casement windows with ovolo-moulded mullions and quarry glazing, are probably contemporary. The N side, facing into St Peter's Square, has doorway with segmental head to L, containing double boarded doors in an iron frame; 2-light casement immediately to its L, and another aligned above to upper tier. Similar 3-light windows to each tier of R-hand bay. The 2 central bays each have a tall 3-light mullioned and transomed window spanning the mid-rail. An attached sign to R reads 'The Old Courthouse AD1401'. The S side is a mirror-image of the N side, except that the doorway to R-hand bay has a single boarded and studded door, and the window to the upper tier is 3-light. East gable end has a 3-light casement to each storey; gable has slightly cambered tie-beam supported by 2 curved braces, and a collar, also on curved braces; finial to apex. West gable end has 2-light casement to each storey, with an additional post to each side.

Interior

Interior open to roof; tie-beam trusses with collars; curved braces supporting the tie-beams and curved struts above. End trusses are cusped to the apex; one row of purlins with cusped windbraces beneath. Intermediate collars between trusses, cusped to centre of soffitt. The interior fittings of the 1925-6 bank conversion are consistent and sympathetic to the character of the building: the walls are panelled up to the mid-rail; counter to E end; segmental arched doorway to W leading to offices; straight central staircase leading to upper storey at W end. The former prison cells below ground are said to be extant but blocked off.

Reasons for Listing

Listed grade II* for its exceptional architectural and historic interest as a medieval civic building of significantly early date, retaining its structural integrity.

External Links

• Cadwr Listing
• The Old Court House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q18162264

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014
• 
  Essex: Buildings of England Series (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Liverpool: Pevsner City Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)