Description

SS 21 NW MORWENSTOW

1/74 Marsland Manor(formerly listed as
26.9.51 Marsland)

GV II*

Farmhouse, formerly manor house. C16 or earlier origins. Remodelling circa 1656-
1662 (datestones), early C19 alterations. Roughly squared stone rubble, some
brought to course, with polyphant dressings. Some cob to rear, slate roofs,
scantle to rear, renewed to front with roll tile ridges. Stone chimneys, some of
laced stonework and some with moulded polyphant caps. Some evidence for medieval
open hall house in present south range, with massive stack probably inserted C16.
Remodelling of 1656-1662 formed double courtyard plan with east-facing main range -
earlier south range incorporated as kitchen wing. The C17 house has entrance
through C17 gatehouse (q.v.) to a forecourt. East-facing hall range 2-room and
through passage plan with hall heated by front lateral stack, unheated service room
at lower end, through passage leading to inner courtyard at rear of hall. Earlier
south range consists of 2 heated rooms probably used as kitchen and heated service
room to east range, C17 north range consists of heated parlour with lateral stack.
West range, forming fourth side of inner courtyard consists of unheated service
rooms, now in use as store rooms, formerly with accommodation over. Rear entry to
inner courtyard through chamfered square-headed stone doorway in west range. The
north and south ranges have gabled ends. 2 storeys. 3 + 1 asymmetrical east
front has projecting lateral hall stack on front. C18 2-panel front door under
sloping slate roof carried on solid wall and timber bracket with stone seat to
left. Ground floor window left 2-light C20 casement under timber lintel, 4 panes
per light. Ground floor window lighting hall 4-light C17 chamfered polyphant
mullioned window with hoodmould and 8 leaded panes per light. C19 entrance at
right on front. First floor window left 3-light C20 casement under timber lintel,
3 panes per light. Date of 1656 and initials, probably W.A.for William Atkins, in
gable above window. Full dormer above front door has C17 3-light polyphant
mullioned window with 6 leaded panes per light, casement in central light. Similar
full dormer with sill lowered above hall window has C20 3-light casement, 3 panes
per light under chamfered timber lintel. First floor window right 3-light C17
polyphant mullioned window with leaded panes under hoodmould, similar window above
lights garret room.
Interior: Hall has 2 unmoulded cross beams and partially blocked fireplace said to
conceal timber fireplace beam and C17 jambs. Blocked stone mullioned window to
rear wall of hall. C19 dado moulding and 6-panel doors. Through passage has C17
moulded plaster cornice. C17 stone stair to rear of unheated service room. Rooms
in south range to rear of stair, probably former hall and kitchen of earlier build,
heated from single massive stack with massive stone shaft and tapered cap. Both
fireplaces partially blocked, fireplace to rear room has massive roughly-chamfered
stopped fireplace beam approximately 3 metres long. Cross beams to room massive
and unmoulded. Parlour in north range has partially blocked fireplace to lateral
stack and 2 unmoulded cross beams. Late C19/early C20 French windows lead from
parlour to inner courtyard. West range has first floor walls plastered and lath
and plaster partition walls. Rooms to first floor of east range have blocked
fireplaces, one with date of 1662 above former lintel. Roof timbers above hall
probably renewed C19. Roof above parlour replaced C20 after a fire. Trusses above
south range repaired with some replacement of principals. Principals have 2 tiers
of threaded purlins and formerly had collars lap dovetailed into principals; 1
truss, partly concealed by stack, appears to have smoke-blackened collar and one
smoke-blackened principal. Trusses above west range pegged. Truss to plastered
room above storeroom to rear of north range has 2 tiers of threaded purlins and
collar lap dovetailed into 1 principal. C17 features include newel stone stair
with oak treads leading to garret room at right end of east range and polyphant
mullioned windows to north side of north range, west side of west range, north side
of south range. Inner courtyard paved with slate, replacing pitched stone. Forms
a group with gatehouse and barn and walls (q.v.), Cartshed and barn (q.v.) Stables
(q.v.) and mounting block (q.v.).
Marsland Manor is an unusually complete survival of a double courtyard house. it
was in the possession of the Atkin family in 1666. Charles Henderson described it
as "one of the most interesting and picturesque old houses in Cornwall". Sabine
Baring Gould's novel, The Gaverocks, is said to be set at Marsland Manor. Charles
Henderson's 'Materials for a Parochial History of East Cornwall', MS in The Royal
Institution of Cornwall. F C Hamlyn, A History of Morwenstowe After the
Restoration (1930), pp.180-181.

Listing NGR: SS2168716760

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17535317

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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