Description

BEVERSTON -
ST 89 NE
3/15 Chavenage House and Chapel
GV I

Manor house and attached chapel. House mainly of 1576, built by
Edward Stephens on site of older house, enlarged in C17, altered in
C18 by Rev Richard Stephens, enlarged to south west in 1904-5 by
John Micklethwaite. Random coursed rubble stone with flush quoins,
stone slate roof, scattered stone ridge and end stacks with ashlar
flues and moulded cornices, several set diagonally in pairs and
with one polygonal flue with carved cap immediately left of porch
and one very large stepped external stack on north side. Core of E
shape, 2 storeys and attic, with central porch on east side,
additional small wings to north and south probably of C17, and
large south west cross wing of early C20. Porch leads into open
screens passage with hall to left and kitchen and buttery to right
through Tudor-arched door. Scattered fenestration, mostly hollow
moulded 2-light stone mullions or single lights, with square
hoodmoulds, and with some arched or cusped lights possibly
originating from ruins of Horsley Priory. To left of porch, 2
large 3-light 3-tiered stone mullion and transom windows with
arched lights and some stained glass, lighting great hall. Porch
has 2-light trefoils with quatrefoil and hoodmould, above square-
headed doorway with lozenge-carved lintel and square hoodmould with
diamond stops and initials and date "ES 1576". Hipped 2-light
leaded casement dormer to each side of porch. Small projecting
gabled section in angle to left facing central gable on wing to
right. South side has castellated bays and parapet added in C18,
and very large single storey bow window to south gable end of 1904
wing, with 5-light stone mullion and transom over, which otherwise
has 2 or 3-light stone fenestration on west side.
Interior: former open hall, now with ceiling, with altered
minstrels' gallery over C16 screen, Renaissance style fireplace of
c1680; adjoining dining room has panelling dated 1627 and
contemporary Gothic fireplace. Upper rooms contain Mortlake
Tapestries of early C17. Chapel: tower built as folly c1700, two
stages with stepped diagonal buttresses, embattled parapet with
corner pinnacles and stairvice, heavily ornamented west side with
sculptured niches. Main body of c1800 linking it to house.
Interior not accessible. The house has strong associations with
Cromwell and the Civil War and much is unaltered since the C16 and
C17.
(David Verey, Buildings of Enqland - Gloucestershire: the
Cotswolds, 1979; Country Life, Vol 29, 1911; house guide book)

Listing NGR: ST8719395190

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Chavenage House at Wikipedia
• Chavenage House official website
• Wikidata Q5088488

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

• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Devon (Pevsner Buildings of England)
• 
  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)