Description

TL 86 NW HENGRAVE

4/47 Hengrave Hall
14.7.55
I

A large mansion built round a courtyard, incorporating the earlier de Hemegrave
wing, 1525-1538, by John Eastawe, for Sir Thomas Kitson, merchant. Buff brick
and limestone ashlar walls, clay plaintile roofs. Original symmetrical front
altered 1775; central gateway with octagonal turrets flanked by 3 bay ranges
terminated by similar turrets. Mullion and transome windows with hood moulds
and arched heads to lights; leaded casements and fixed lights, with
rectangular, diamond and stained glass; oriel window to chapel of 3 lights
with 2-light flanking windows on west side; similar oriel on east side
replaced in C18 by mullioned and transomed windows and octagonal buttresses.
Four-centred arched gateway with receding orders and enriched spandrels;
recessed doorway with original double panelled doors. Gateway flanked by
ornamental stone pillars. Over the doorway is a richly decorated trefoiled
oriel, late Perpendicular in design, with Rennaissance detailing, retaining
much original colouring (compare Thornbury, Gloucs). Flanking the gateway, 2
octagonal turrets with Crocket-ornamented onion finials. At the east end C18
crenellated parapets, and at the west end coped gables. Ornate red brick
chimneys have (except one stone pair) brick circular moulded shafts. Major
alterations 1775 and again 1897-1900 when north wing built on site of
demolished de Hemegrave wing. Splayed stone mullioned and transomed oriel to
Great Hall with carved figure finials and stone roof with fan-vaulted soffit
and traceried panelled rear arch; good heraldic glass. Hall has c.1900 oak
hammerbeam roof, carved screen and gallery. Oriel in chapel has complete C16
painted glass on Biblical themes. Other C16 work includes: stone fireplaces
and oak doorcases all with ogee-moulded chamfers, 4-centred heads and sunk
spandrels; first-floor coved ceilings of trefoil form, with moulded cornice
fixed to both lobes, the coupled-rafter roofs having purlins trenched over the
collars. Large limestone fireplace c.1600 in Dining Room, in Rennaissance
style with Ionic pilasters and pediment framing painted coat of arms. On the
chimney breast further painting with strapwork and mermaids etc., supporting
coat of arms. Alterations C.1900 include: strapwork plaster ceilings in 2
rooms, oak panelling, fireplaces, staircases, radiators in first floor
corridors with brass cases pierced with fleur-de-lys and escutcheons, wallpaper
by Morris & Co. in several rooms. 100 yards west a pair of wrought iron garden
gates with flanking railings; 150 yards south-west a wrought iron field-gate
with scrolly bracing, cast iron traceried piers with onion caps and fleur-de-
lys finials. John Wilby, composer of madrigals, lived here 1592-1628. For
detailed description and history, John Gage, History of Suffolk, Thingoe
Hundred, 1838 and History and Antiquities of Hengrave in Suffolk, 1822.

Listing NGR: TL8239468541

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Hengrave Hall at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q5714331

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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