| Summary : Number 20 is one of the remaining 28 houses in Vicar's Close. Originally there were 41 single unit houses, later some houses were paired to make two-unit double fronted dwellings. Number 28 is a two storey, single unit house, now with Georgian sash windows and front door, but with its medieval lateral stack and 15th century decorative chimney surviving. Internal stone arches to the windows and doors remain in the hall and the three bay arch-baced roof is vitually intact. Built of coursed and squared rubble with Doulting stone dressings, the back of the building is rendered with square quoins to the west extension. The roof is of slate and the party walls are coped with gabled finials. The construction of Vicar's Close was begun in 1348, though the work was interupted by the Black Death, dendrochronology has confirmed that number 10 was partly built in the mid 14th century. The construction of the Close was completed in the 15th century, since then the house has been extended to the rear and new stairs and partitions have been added from the late 18th century onwards. |