Description

SO 33 SW MICHAELCHURCH ESCLEY CP MICHAELCHURCH ESCLEY

4/76 Michaelchurch Court,
29/9/52 steps and terrace walls
- to entrance front

GV II*

House. C16 and early C17, altered and extended c1866 by G F Bodley for
Guy Trafford. Coursed rubble, timber-frame; stone slate roof and rubble
stacks. L-plan: main range has combined entrance and garden front facing
east; cross-wing over cellar projects eastwards from south end of main
range; porch range projects from and masks the great part of the east front
of the main range; one large stack with 2 diagonally-set C20 shafts projects
from the rear side of the main range and a similar one from the south side
of the cross-wing, end stack to north gable of main range. Two storeys and
and attics. Prominent timber-framed 3-gabled porch range on rubble base
has close-stud and quadrant brace decoration. 6:2 windows to main range,
3:1 to porch range and 1:4 to cross-wing, mainly mullioned and transomed
windows with lead quarries in metal casements, except for porch range
which has 2- and 3-light casements on ground and first storey respectively.
Cross-wing: ground storey has 5 lights under late C19 segmental hood; first
storey, 5 smaller lights; gable, 3 lights. Main range and porch range:
blocked entrance now one large light immediately to right of cross-wing,
5-light C19 window, to left of main entrance a 2-light window, to its right
two 2-light C19 casements; first floor has 2-light casement above blocked
entrance, 2-light window, partly obscured by porch a 2-light casement, one
set of casements to each of the 3 bays of the jettied timber-framed upper
portion of the porch range; attic has two 4-light dormers with cambered and
embattled tie-beams beneath gable containing 2 sets of quadrant-braces.
Entrance under south bay of early C17 porch which is flanked by 2 layers
of plank and muntins. Rear elevation has random mullioned and transomed
fenestration, probably mainly late C19 or early C20 apart from 4 evenly
spaced dormers with 3 lights under each gable. Side entrance from north
immediately to rear of porch range through framed oak door frame with 3
chamfered mullions in fanlight over nail-studded 6-panelled C17 door.
Interior: Porch has elaborate plasterwork consisting of interlacing motifs
of grapes and leaves containing the date 1602, the initials MLCEN P,
grotesque face above large chamfered door posts and C19 12-panelled nail-
studded door. Flagged floors. Principal room to left of entrance has C19
panelling; to right is a C17-style dog-leg staircase probably largely C19
rising part a genuine C17. Two-light window in the rear wall. C17 panelling
and fireplace to main front room of cross-wing. To the rear of the cross-
wing is a plastered wall of posts and rails with remains of decorative
floral painting of early C17. Repositioned early C18 door surround in cross-
wing at bottom of C19 staircase. First floor has another C17 panelled room
with contemporary plaster ceiling in cross-wing, a c1800 Dale cast iron basket
grate and 2 conch niches, probably 1930s in the chief room of the main range.
To rear 1930s bathroom with original bath, tiling and heated towel rail.
Broach stop-chamfered beams to landing at junction of cross-wing and main
range with blocked segmental head through timber-framed wall between the
2 parts. Over the porch is close-studded partition; external decorative
quadrant braces are visible on the interior. Attic room of main range is
6 roofing bays long: 3 types of truss: open uncollared triangular; queen
strut to collar from tie-beam; central post from tie to collar; 3 rows of
purlins. Walls and steps to east front are possibly by G F Bodley.

Listing NGR: SO3084634397

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17537941

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

• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Pioneers of Modern Design: From William Morris to Walter Gropius (Penguin Art & Architecture)
• 
  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of History Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings
• 
  Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Care and Repair