Description

NY 53730 42850 AINSTABLE STAFFIELD
NY 54 SW

6/14
The Nunnery
27.12.67
G.V. I

Guest house, formerly Benedictine Nunnery. Walls partly of mid C13, with
additions and alterations of C16 and early C17 for the Graham family, further
C17 alterations for John Aglionby (1694 date stone removed to stable block);
early C18 east facade (formerly thought to be 1715 but looks 1740s) for Henry
Aglionby, H.A.A. (or H.M.) cipher over entrance. Medieval walls of large blocks
of red sandstone rubble with C16 extensions of smaller sandstone rubble; C18
work of red sandstone ashlar, green slate roof, numerous ashlar ridge and end
chimney stacks. 2½storeys, 9 bays, double span. Facade has plinth and quoins
with V-shaped joints, string course, moulded cornice; central 3 bays project and
have moulded parapet with flanking open balustraded parapets. Double panelled
door and radial fanlight in moulded round arch with false keystone; pilastered
surround, moulded entablature and frieze with metopes and triglyphs, segmental
moulded pediment. Sash windows with glazing bars in moulded stone architraves.
Ground floor rear wall is medieval for almost its complete length. Fenestration
of different periods; small blocked probably medieval staircase windows to
right; blocked C16 2 light mullioned windows, one with segmental rear arch with
C13 dog-tooth decoration, now forming internal niche. Central blocked C16
entrance; 3 1694 cross mullioned windows to right ground floor; other sash
windows with glazing bars are early C18. Part of ground floor south end wall is
also medieval and continues internally, parallel with the rear wall; mixed
fenestration of medieval, C16, C18 and C19 windows on various levels. Similar
C16, C18 and C19 windows on various levels in north end wall; repositioned
inscription stone THOUGH VAILED BENEDICTINS/ARE REMOVED HENCE/THINK OF THEIR
POVERTY CHASTITY/FAITH AND OBEDIENCE (last word now weathered away). Interior
has many original features of different periods; probable C16 stone fireplace;
early C18 wooden panelling, mid C18 staircase with 3 balusters to each step and
carved tread-ends. Referred to as the nunnery of Armathwaite in 1200, but often
destroyed and rebuilt in Scottish raids. Leased in 1538 to Leonard Barrow;
granted to William Graham in 1553, whose son Fergus married Barrow's daughter;
sold to Sir John Lowther in 1690 for £1,436 and exchanged for Drumburgh Castle
in 1694; remained in Aglionby family, through the female line until 1893. See
Transactions Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society, new
series, vol xvii, p.1-5; vol lx p.52-54.

Listing NGR: NY5372842850

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17530646

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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