Description

MALDON

TL8507SW HIGH STREET
574-1/7/128 (North side)
02/10/51 Plume Library, including tower of
former Church of St Peter
(Formerly Listed as:
HIGH STREET
(North side)
Plume Library and St Peter's Church
Tower)

GV I

Public library, incorporating the west tower of the former
Church of St Peter. Tower of late C14, upper part rebuilt;
library c1699 with addition of 2 bays at east end 1821.
Restored by Ewan Christian in 1875. Tower flint and septaria
rubble, ashlar and red brick dressings. Library red brick in
Flemish bond with some burnt headers; stone dressings; slate
roof.
PLAN: 3-stage west tower with angle buttresses with stair
turret to north-east which gives access to upper floor of
library, which is of 2 storeys; 7-bay range.
EXTERIOR: tower has buttresses heavily restored with bands of
tiling and brick. Blocked west door has 2-centred head,
continuously-moulded double-chamfered reveals and label.
2-light west window with Perpendicular tracery and small
fragments of stained glass in head. 2-centred south door is
later insertion. Single lights to bell or ringing chamber and
crenellated top stage. Tower arch is double-chamfered with
attached-column responds with moulded capitals. Library has
quoins, a first floor plat band, plinth and coved cornice.
Windows have cross-casements with leaded lights under gauged
arches with keyblocks. C20 door to south side in former window
opening.
INTERIOR: ground floor has C20 library fittings. First floor
has contemporary panelling with fluted pilasters at angles and
centre of end wall. Cornice. Peninsula bookcases between
windows. 1920s fireplace with Jacobean overmantel. End room in
added 2 bays has reused panelling of similar date and blocked
fireplace.
HISTORY: the nave of St Peter's church collapsed in 1665. The
library, which originally housed the grammar school on the
ground floor, was given to the town by Dr Thomas Plume on his
death in 1704. It is one of the oldest public libraries in
England, containing over 7,000 volumes, mainly of the C16-C17.
(RCHME: Essex: 1921-: 178).

Listing NGR: TL8509207055

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Plume Library official website
• Wikidata Q17536878

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.

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