Description

THORNBURY
SS 30 NE

5/62 The Priory
-

- II

House formerly rectory. Circa late C15 with probably early C16 alterations and
further C17 and C18 modifications. Much extended in early-mid C19 and altered in
C20. Stone rubble walls partly rendered. Gable ended slate roof. Wide projecting
rubble lateral stack at side of older range, with brick shaft. Very small,
apparently late Medieval, octagonal stone ashlar stack with crenellated top on front
gable of old range. Rendered brick stack to rear right-hand gable end.
Plan: complex development of plan, now consisting of 2 parallel ranges with a
connecting range in between which contains a staircase at the rear and hallway to its
front. The left-hand range is the original one and must have been built as an open
hall with central hearth. What survives, however, appears to be only part of a
Medieval house, which may have been built around a courtyard as it seems to have been
of quite high status. Judging from the Medieval chimney stack on the front gable of
this range, which serves a first floor fireplace, a first floor chamber was inserted
at that end of the hall by the early C16. This advanced development of plan
presumably reflects the status of the house as rectory. Further alterations took
place in the C17 by which time the rest of this range had been floored and 2 lateral
fireplaces added one at the far end on the left-hand wall - which heated the rear
room - and one on the right-hand wall to the front room. In the C18 alterations to
windows were made. In the early-mid C19 substantial additions were made to the
right-hand side of this range probably replacing earlier buildings and consisting of
a stair wing and a 3-room range parallel to the old one projecting slightly from it.
There was apparently a narrow gap between the 2 parts which was only later filled
in. The C19 range was heavily remodelled earlier in the C20.
Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical double gabled 4-window front, one left-hand one
to the older range is recessed. It has 2 C20 12-pane sashes on the first floor and
one below to the left with a C20 part-glazed door to its right. All are in early
C18 openings with stone segmental arches above. Over the first floor windows is a
recessed plaque carved with a worn coat of arms - reputedly of Elizabeth I. Below is
a small slate sundial. Built in front of this gable is a C20 porch/conservatory
which projects parallel to the right-hand gable. The latter has been extended at
its left end and a straight joint is visible between its 2 parts. It has a 16-pane
C19 sash on the first floor to left, otherwise 3 late C20 windows. The right-hand,
front elevation to the C19 range has late C20 casements with 2 bay windows on the
ground floor. Lower small range at its right-hand end with C19 16-pane sashes on
the first floor.
Interior: the main features survive in the older range which has some good C17
panelling in its front room which has moulded rails and fluted Ionic pilasters. This
panelling fits rather awkwardly in the room and may be re-used open fireplace with
C17 chamfered and step-stopped wooden lintel. Several early C18 2 panel door
survive. One original cruck truss survives of massive scantling with morticed
cranked collar and remains of windbracing. A partition has been inserted under the
collar wnich has the vestiges of C17 decorative plasterwork consisting of 2 flower
heads. The other roof trusses are of unusual scissor-braced form with the braces
halved into the principals and appear to be of late C17 or C18 date.
Despite substantial later additions the surviving early fabric of this house makes
it of considerable interest.

Listing NGR: SS3973508364

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q26456481

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

• 
  Old House Eco Handbook: A Practical Guide to Retrofitting for Energy-Efficiency & Sustainability
• 
  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  London 3: North West: North West v. 3 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Harrow on the Hill: A photographic portrayal of listed buildings and structures (Historic Buildings Picture Guides)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)