Longthorpe Tower House |
| Hob Uid: 364093 | |
Location :
City of Peterborough
Non Civil Parish
|
| Grid Ref : TL1620398381 |
| Summary : Longthorpe Tower House in the city of Peterborough was originally constructed as stone-built, north-south hall with a slate roof by William de Thorpe circa 1263. The tower was added at the north east circa 1300 and was altered in the early 17th century. It is square in plan with turrets on the corners and walls about 2 metres thick. It is three storeyed, with small, single light windows. A west wing was attached to the hall in the 17th century, and an eastern wing was added earlier in the 20th century century, abutting the south wall of the tower. The wall paintings in the great chamber date to the first half of the 14th century. The north wall depicts the wall of life and the Nativity, below this are pairs of apostles which continue around the room. The south wall has the morality of the Three Living and the Three Dead, the west wall has the Labour of the Months. |
More information : Longthorpe Tower House contains one of the most complete and elaborate schemes of domestic medieval wall paintings in England. The house consists of an original stone-built north-south wing with a slate roof by William de Thorpe circa 1263. There is a solar window in the north wall. The tower was added at the north east circa 1300, with early 17th century alterations. It is square in plan with turrets on the corners and walls about 2 metres thick. It is three storeyed, with small, single light windows. A west wing was attached to the hall in the 17th century, and an eastern wing was added earlier in the 20th century, abutting the south wall of the tower. The wall paintings in the great chamber date to the first half of the 14th century. The north wall depicts the wall of life and the Nativity, below this are pairs of apostles which continue around the room. The south wall has the morality of the Three Living and the Three Dead, the west wall has the Labour of the Months. Listed Grade I. (1-6)
Listed as a strong house by Cathcart King. (7)
The paintings may have been commissioned by Robert de Thorpe or his son in the early fourteenth century. In addition to the popular images of the Twelve Labouts of the MOnths and the Seven Ages of Man there are several images which refer to everyday life at Longthorpe. The ordinary manorial context of these paintings suggest such decoration was more widespread than is commonly thought. (8) |