More information : (ST 1363 4368) Court House Manor House (NR). (1) Court House, East Quantoxhead, a remarkably perfect example of Domestic architecture of the reigns of Elizabeth, and James I. A house on the site of the present one had been lived in continuously since about 1207, and was occupied as a farmhouse for about 200 years prior to 1889. The mediaeval manor-house appears to have been rebuilt at about the end of the 15th c. This in turn was remodelled and enlarged from 1614-29. (2,3) The house is a very good example of its type. (4) See AO/65/132/2 No change; outstanding. Published survey 1/2500 correct. Four fishponds (centred ST 1375 4382) of unknown date are shown on the OS 6" (1962) One has now been infilled and the remainder are incorporated into a long, narrow lake. (5) II* The Court House C. 16/C. 17. Has been described as "a remarkably perfect example of the simple type of domestic architecture prevalent during the reigns of Elizabeth and James I". Coursed rubble, 2-storey, entrance elevation to E. is L-shaped with central full-height porch to left-hand wing. Windows are 4-light leaded casements with moulded stone mullions and single transoms, drip-moulds. Moulded semi-circular head door opening with arched dripmould. (Oldest part (W. side) said to date from C. 13). Good interiors, overmantels with Flemish ornamental plasterwork, Italian plasterwork to ceilings and friezes. Cornice, plain parapet with coping. Owned by Luttrells for 700 years. See "County Life" Vol. XXXI, p. 168. (6) ST 13 43 EAST QUANTOXHEAD CP 13/73 Court House 22.5.69 GV I Manor House. Medieval tower, wall adjacent in South East corner and West range, front block 1614 and 1624, addition at rear 1659. Blue lias random rubble, slate roof behind parapet with moulded cornice, stone stacks. Plan: around courtyard, hall entered from 2-storey porch with screens passage, parlour to South, North East drawing room wing, stairwell behind kitchen on North front, tower and service area to West. 2-storeys, 1:1:1:1:1 bays, recessed unlit bay left, 2-storey porch and projecting wing right, stone ovolo moulded mullioned and transomed windows, some with original leading, under hood moulds, all 4-light except for 3-light in porch with coats of arms in recessed panel below. Moulded, arched entrance outer bay left and to porch, segmental headed inner door, moulded jambs and stops, C17 studded door. Left return, South front overlooking Church of St Mary (qv). Remains of medieval building, crenellated East end with merlons pierced with quatrefoil decoration and shields continued as wooden parapet, evidence of refenestration below. Medieval 4-storey crenellated tower at rear. Interior: notable collection of 7 plasterwork lower mantels mostly with biblical scenes, some with supporters and strapwork decoration one dated 1614, another 1629; plasterwork friezes; a number of moulded 4 centred arch doorways, C17 doors; Jacobean dog leg stair with pyramidal turned balusters. (VCH Somerset Vol 5 forthcoming; photograph in NMR; Country Life, February 3, 1912) (7) Additional Bibliography (8-13)
The house and its surrounding lanscape were the subject of a large scale survey as part of the EH survey of the Quantock Hills AONB. Full details are contained in the project report (14, 15).
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