Marlipins Museum
Encyclopedia
Marlipins Museum, is a 12th to early 13th century Grade II* listed building on the High Street in Shoreham-by-Sea
, a town in Adur
district in West Sussex
, England. It is distinguished by its chess-board pattern of stone flint on its frontal façade.
The initial estimate of the date of the building is thought to be 12th century based on new evidence which has emerged following the demolition of the adjunct building during the construction of the new annexe. The northern wall was originally constructed between 1167 and 1197 and that this was demolished and replaced by a new wall in the 15th century
It is thought to be the oldest complete secular building in Britain.
The Caen stone
frontage is thought to have been added in the late 13th to early 14th century along with other renovations. Repairs and reconstruction then took place to the roof in the 15th century and new timbers installed in 16th century.
These theories range from it being a storehouse for wool and hides, a hospital, the remains of the Carmelite Priory, and even a meeting-house for the Knight Templar. There have also been suggestions it was built for ecclesiastical purposes but there is no real evidence for this.
The buildings may well have served as a Court of Piepowders
(dusty feet) for those frequenting the markets held outside its doors, whilst it might have originally been built by the de Braoses as their depot in the town (they dwelt at nearby Bramber Castle
).
1346 The deeds show the Marlipins building (now a Museum) sold by Stephen Must. It is described as a stone corner tenement called 'Malduppine' situated in the Otmarcat .....
1489 Procession Street is described on the south of the Malapynnys. the building is described as a certain cellar ..... chamber or loft above the cellar built and sold to a merchant of Suthampton.
1703 Current spelling of Marlipins seems to have been first recorded.
1922 The Marlipins is purchased by the Sussex Archaeological Trust; this Trust being created by the Sussex Archaeological Society to manage its properties (plaques with this name can still be seen at Lewes Castle
, Anne of Cleves House
Museum and the Priest House. The building was in a bad state of repair and the renovation was made primarily with local contributions. It was opened as a museum in 1928, and is one of several properties administered by the Sussex Archaeological Society
.
Pictures from the extensive art collection are changed regularly and displayed at the two new galleries recently built.
The building was listed at Grade II* by English Heritage
on 8 May 1950. Such buildings are defined as being "particularly important ... [and] of more than special interest". As of February 2001, it was one of six Grade II* listed buildings, and 119 listed buildings of all grades, in Adur district.
Shoreham-by-Sea
Shoreham-by-Sea is a small town, port and seaside resort in West Sussex, England. Shoreham-by-Sea railway station is located less than a mile from the town centre and London Gatwick Airport is away...
, a town in Adur
Adur
Adur is a local government district of West Sussex, England. It is named after the River Adur and is historically part of the English county of Sussex...
district in West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England. It is distinguished by its chess-board pattern of stone flint on its frontal façade.
The initial estimate of the date of the building is thought to be 12th century based on new evidence which has emerged following the demolition of the adjunct building during the construction of the new annexe. The northern wall was originally constructed between 1167 and 1197 and that this was demolished and replaced by a new wall in the 15th century
It is thought to be the oldest complete secular building in Britain.
The Caen stone
Caen stone
Caen stone or Pierre de Caen, is a light creamy-yellow Jurassic limestone quarried in northwestern France near the city of Caen.The limestone is a fine grained oolitic limestone formed in shallow water lagoons in the Bathonian Age about 167 million years ago...
frontage is thought to have been added in the late 13th to early 14th century along with other renovations. Repairs and reconstruction then took place to the roof in the 15th century and new timbers installed in 16th century.
Origins
There are various theories about the origins of the building and its intended purpose.These theories range from it being a storehouse for wool and hides, a hospital, the remains of the Carmelite Priory, and even a meeting-house for the Knight Templar. There have also been suggestions it was built for ecclesiastical purposes but there is no real evidence for this.
The buildings may well have served as a Court of Piepowders
Court of Piepowders
A Court of Piepowders was a special tribunal in England organised by a borough on the occasion of a fair or market. These courts had unlimited jurisdiction over personal actions for events taking place in the market, including disputes between merchants, theft, and acts of violence...
(dusty feet) for those frequenting the markets held outside its doors, whilst it might have originally been built by the de Braoses as their depot in the town (they dwelt at nearby Bramber Castle
Bramber Castle
Bramber Castle is a Norman motte-and-bailey castle in the village of Bramber, West Sussex overlooking the River Adur .William De Braose constructed the castle c1070, along with the Norman church, on a natural mound and most of the surviving masonry dates from this time...
).
History
The deeds for Marlipins survive back to 1347. These deeds describe Marlipins as an 'Oat Market on the corner of Motherlove Street' (a corruption of its modern name 'Middle Street') Later when it belonged to the Prior of Lewis is become known as 'his cellar'.1346 The deeds show the Marlipins building (now a Museum) sold by Stephen Must. It is described as a stone corner tenement called 'Malduppine' situated in the Otmarcat .....
1489 Procession Street is described on the south of the Malapynnys. the building is described as a certain cellar ..... chamber or loft above the cellar built and sold to a merchant of Suthampton.
1703 Current spelling of Marlipins seems to have been first recorded.
1922 The Marlipins is purchased by the Sussex Archaeological Trust; this Trust being created by the Sussex Archaeological Society to manage its properties (plaques with this name can still be seen at Lewes Castle
Lewes Castle
Lewes Castle stands at the highest point of Lewes, East Sussex, England on an artificial mound constructed with chalk blocks. It was originally called Bray Castle.-History:...
, Anne of Cleves House
Anne of Cleves House
Anne of Cleves House is a 15th century timber-framed Wealden hall house on Southover High Street in Lewes, East Sussex, England. It formed part of Queen Anne's annulment settlement from King Henry VIII in 1541, although she never visited the property...
Museum and the Priest House. The building was in a bad state of repair and the renovation was made primarily with local contributions. It was opened as a museum in 1928, and is one of several properties administered by the Sussex Archaeological Society
Sussex Archaeological Society
The Sussex Archaeological Society, founded in 1846, is the largest county-based archaeological society in the UK. Its headquarters are in Lewes, Sussex...
.
Today
Today the museum holds permanent displays which concentrate on Shoreham's important maritime past and the local history of this part of Sussex. The Archaeology Gallery looks at the Shoreham area from early prehistory to medieval times.Pictures from the extensive art collection are changed regularly and displayed at the two new galleries recently built.
The building was listed at Grade II* by English Heritage
English Heritage
English Heritage . is an executive non-departmental public body of the British Government sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
on 8 May 1950. Such buildings are defined as being "particularly important ... [and] of more than special interest". As of February 2001, it was one of six Grade II* listed buildings, and 119 listed buildings of all grades, in Adur district.
External links
- Sussex Past Site - most current information
- Marlipins Adur Site
- Shoreham History Portal