Description

SP98NE ALDWINCLE HARLEY WAY
(South side)

1/3 Lyveden New Bield

GV I

Large summer house,now roofless ruined shell. Probably c.1604-5, by Robert
Stickells for Sir Thamas Tresham.
Ashlar with white limestone dressings. Regular cruciform plan.
Originally 2 storeys with undercroft. 2-storey polygonal stone mullion bay
windows, with transoms, to ends of each projecting wing. Return walls of each
wing have 4-light stone mullion windows with king mullions. Plinth has 3
square-head windows with shields between, to each face of return walls with
similar arrangement to plinth of polygonal bays.
All windows are without glazing. Diamond panels flanking first
floor windows and below around floor windows. Polygonal end bay of north wing
was main entrance porch. Central arch-head opening set in square surround with
pyramid keystone and moulded cornice. Underside of arch has strapwork
decoration. Section of coursed rubble wall below archway was originally flight
of steps. Present entrance into undercroft is a square-head doorway in polygonal
bay of south wing. Metope frieze with moulded cornice between ground and first
floor and remains of similar Doric entablature to only NE and west wings. The
frieze is decorated with Catholic symbols, Instruments of the Passion and
Judas's money bag. The upper frieze has the following inscription "Jesus mundi
Salus - Gaude Mater Virgo Maria - Verbum autem Crucis pereuntibus quidem
Stultita est. - Jesus, Beatus Ventse qui te poravita- Maria Virgo Sponsa innupta
- T, eam. alt. - Benedixit te Deus in alternum Maria - Mihi antem absit gloriari
nisi in Cruce Domini Nostri IP". Interior: there are no floor or roof
structures. North wing was originally entrance hall at ground floor. Arch-head
opening into porch with similar openings in opposite cross wall. Niche is in
north-west corner. Remains of fireplace to first floor room. East wing was
originally the buttery in the undercroft, parlour at ground floor and probably
the chapel or bedroom at first floor. Arch-head opening to bay window has 2
coats of arms to underside of keyblock. Remains of flue in side wall. West wing
was originally the kitchen in the undercroft, hall at ground floor with Great , -
Chamber at first floor. Kitchen has west wall across bay window with large
arch-head fireplace. Similar fireplace with 4-centred arch head to Hall and
square-head fireplace, flanked by niches, to Great Chamber. Square-head doorways
give access to bay window. Undercroft level of bay window has remains of ovens
and copper. North wing was staircase hall. Triple arcade in cross wall, at
ground floor level has semi-circular arches with plain pilasters between.
Moulded cornice and plain square panels between spandrels of arches. Similar
arches at first floor level have large rectangular panel between flanked by
pilasters with clover leaf decoration. Two 4-centre arch head openings, with
window between in cross wall at undercroft level. Joist holes, scaffolding holes
and slots for internal rainwater pipes are all visible. The staircase is said to
have been removed in C17 by Colonel Butler to Cobthorne, Oundle. This building,
which symbolises Christs passion was incomplete at the death of Sir Thomas
Tresham who was also responsible for the Triangular Lodge, Rushton, which
symbolises the Trinity. Scheduled as an ancient monument. Property of National
Trust.
(Gardens at Lyveden New Bield are listed in HBMCE Register of Parks and Gardens
at Grade II*) Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p.300.

Listing NGR: SP9840385309

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Lyveden New Bield at Wikipedia
• Lyveden New Bield official website
• Wikidata Q6710590

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)
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  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  London 4: North: North v. 4 (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Wiltshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Building Small Projects (New Best of Fine Woodworking)