Description

NORTH HILL
SX 27 NE
4/78 East Berriow
22.11.60
GV II*
House. Probably early C16, possibly with earlier origins. Stone rubble with varying
masonry techniques including laced courses of slate stone and granite. The rear
elevation of the house is painted. Bitumen coated slate roof with gable ends and
some early crested ridge tiles. Stone rubble end stacks with cloam oven projection
to right hand stack.
Plan: Original arrangement uncertain. The house has a 2 room and through passage
plan with large room, probably the hall, on left and smaller room on right, both
heated by end stacks. There is a thick stone rubble cross wall on the lower (right
hand side) of the passage which continues up to first floor level and a plaster
partition, possibly covering or replacing earlier screen on higher left hand side of
the passage. It is possible that part of the house may have been originally open to
to roof. The ceiling beams in the hall are multiple moulded suggesting a late C16
date for the flooring of the hall. It is uncertain whether the house originally had
an open hearth, although there are several pieces of blackened roof trusses which
have been reset in the right-hand room and support the ceiling beams. It is
therefore probable that the roof structure was replaced contemporary with the
flooring of the right hand room.
The porch in front of the entrance and stair turret are probably late C16 or early
C17.
Exterior: Two storeys. Porch to right of centre, of granite rubble with large
dressed granite quoins and lean-to slate roof. Chamfered granite 4-centred arch with
flat stops. Granite open channel or runnel outside to front right. To right 2-light
mullion window with leaded glass and hood mould. Square-plan stair projection to
left of porch, the stair lit by a C19 20-pane sash. Renewed 20-pane sash to far left
with 6-pane sash above. There are several straight joints and blocked openings in
this elevation, with several masonry techniques.
Rear elevation of 2-storey with asymmetrical 3-window front. Straight joint to right
of centre. 4-centred hollow chamfered granite arch with stepped stops. C20 window
to left and 2-light mullion window to right, the mullion removed. 20-pane sash to
far right. First floor with two 20-pane sashes flanking 2-light casement.
Interior: Hollow chamfered granite almost 2-centred arch to inner doorway with
stepped stops and drawbar. Through passage with granite flags. Thick cross wall on
lower side of passage and lath and plaster partition on higher left hand side,
possibly covering earlier hall screen. The smaller right hand room has a chamfered
timber doorframe partly covered by a later door frame. Above the doorframe are
several pieces of possibly sooty reused roof trusses which probably come from the
earlier roof structure. Adjoining the fireplace is one smoke-blackened section of a
truss which is curved and has a mortice for an arch brace or collar. Massive deep
chamfered cross beam with stepped stops. High quality fireplace of ashlar stone with
multiple moulded lintel and jambs, the right-hand jamb reset. In the hall the two
cross beams are multiple moulded with two hollow chamfers flanking an ovolo mould.
The floor joists are also moulded with cavetto and ovolo moulds and both the beams
and joists have stepped stops. On the higher side the joists have been partly
replaced and the lower right hand side of the cross beam nearest the passage which
functions as a bressummer for a jetty-type arrangement is unmoulded and covered by
plaster (information from owners). The partition above this beam continues up into
the roof structure (to below collar level) and the first floor level changes
correspondingly. However, as both the cross beams have identical moulding a jetty is
unlikely. The hall fireplace has been remodelled and an internal partition inserted
to divide the hall. On rear wall a granite corbelled bracked which appears to predate
the flooring of the hall; possibly a shelf for a candle or alternatively a corbel to
support the foot of a cruck truss. Circa C17 stair in square-plan turret, the treads
radiating from a central solid core. Roof structure appears to have been replaced in
the C17, 4 trusses which are halved, lapped and pegged at the apices, trenched
purlins and slightly cambered collars, halved, lap-jointed and pegged onto the face
of the principals. Later circa late C18 or C19 roof structure above. There appears
to be two pieces of blackened timber reused in the C17 roof structure in the
partition above the putative jetty-type arrangement. One piece is unmoulded whilst
the other is a piece of reset muntin which is moulded and grooved.
House of Sampson Jakeman temp Mary I. Jakeman was prosecuted for his support of
Elizabeth I. (Information from owners).
Particularly interesting and unusual survival for Cornwall. A full detailed survey
may help a fuller analysis of the development of the plan.
Chesher, V.M. and F.J. The Cornishman's House, 1968.

Listing NGR: SX2713075833

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17565055

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

• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Bedfordshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1968)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair
• 
  Period property manual, victorian house manual 2 books collection set by ian rock
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings