Nailsea Court
Encyclopedia
Nailsea Court in Nailsea
, Somerset
, England dates from the 15th century and is a Grade I listed building.
documents for Queen Elizabeth
about the Spanish Armada
invasion plans.
In 1693, the court was purchased by Nathaniel Wade. He supported James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
in the Monmouth Rebellion
and was defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor
. He was condemned to death at Taunton
by Judge Jefferys
. After being interviewed by King James
, in the Tower of London
, Major Wade was pardoned and returned home to Nailsea.
During the 19th century, the court was used as a farmhouse and fell into disrepair. Charles Edward Evans purchased the Court in 1906 and undertook restoration, including the reconstruction of the west wing carried out by Arthur Stratton. The Manorial Tithe Barn behind the house was used during World War I
as a convalescent ward for sailors from Naval hospitals and the fireplaces in the main house had brick insets built to reduce their size and conserve coal.
After Evans death in 1944, the court was purchased by the Whitefield family, who turned part of it into flats before it was sold in the 1970s to Mr McGrath.
In the 1990s, the house and grounds were bought by a development company and converted into five private homes.
. The porch has a 4-centred arched door opening and a frieze
with Greek
fret carving
.
The interior of the building has been changed many times since its construction. The Langford Room in the south wing has many brought-in features, including panelling
from Judge Jeffreys' house at 18 Fore Street, Taunton
, an over-mantel together with additional panelling from Field Marshal Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons
' house at Over Langford Manor
(a.k.a The Old Courthouse or Upper Langford Court, and from which the Langford Room takes its name) , a fine plaster ceiling from Ashley Manor, Bristol
and a carved frieze. The dining room door, which dates from around 1590, is also known as the "Nailsea door" has large arcaded upper panel with elaborate carving on both sides. The hall has a framed ceiling in 6 bays with chamfered
and stopped beams, and a stone fireplace.
There is a variety of stained glass
within the building including coats of arms, a sundial
and various birds. A window to the west of main range has medieval stained glass including picture of swan ringing a bell, as at the Bishop's Palace, Wells
, with others including; peacock, heron, owl, crane and a bird with a bell attached to one leg. Others are representations of; a fox with a bird in its mouth, and an archer drawing his bow.
, walnut
and cherry
trees. There is a walled sunken garden and kitchen garden has raised vegetable beds, a glass-house and box knot garden
. The old tennis court has been converted to a formal lawn with herbaceous borders.
Nailsea
Nailsea is a town in the unitary authority of North Somerset within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England, approximately to the southwest of Bristol and about to the northeast of the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare. The nearest village is Backwell, which lies south of Nailsea on the...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England dates from the 15th century and is a Grade I listed building.
History
Richard Perceval, who was born at Nailsea Court deciphered SpanishSpanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
documents for Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
about the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
invasion plans.
In 1693, the court was purchased by Nathaniel Wade. He supported James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth
James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, 1st Duke of Buccleuch, KG, PC , was an English nobleman. Originally called James Crofts or James Fitzroy, he was born in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II and his mistress, Lucy Walter...
in the Monmouth Rebellion
Monmouth Rebellion
The Monmouth Rebellion,The Revolt of the West or The West Country rebellion of 1685, was an attempt to overthrow James II, who had become King of England, King of Scots and King of Ireland at the death of his elder brother Charles II on 6 February 1685. James II was a Roman Catholic, and some...
and was defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor
Battle of Sedgemoor
The Battle of Sedgemoor was fought on 6 July 1685 and took place at Westonzoyland near Bridgwater in Somerset, England.It was the final battle of the Monmouth Rebellion and followed a series of skirmishes around south west England between the forces of James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth and the...
. He was condemned to death at Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
by Judge Jefferys
George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys
George Jeffreys, 1st Baron Jeffreys of Wem, PC , also known as "The Hanging Judge", was an English judge. He became notable during the reign of King James II, rising to the position of Lord Chancellor .- Early years and education :Jeffreys was born at the family estate of Acton Hall, near Wrexham,...
. After being interviewed by King James
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
, in the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
, Major Wade was pardoned and returned home to Nailsea.
During the 19th century, the court was used as a farmhouse and fell into disrepair. Charles Edward Evans purchased the Court in 1906 and undertook restoration, including the reconstruction of the west wing carried out by Arthur Stratton. The Manorial Tithe Barn behind the house was used during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as a convalescent ward for sailors from Naval hospitals and the fireplaces in the main house had brick insets built to reduce their size and conserve coal.
After Evans death in 1944, the court was purchased by the Whitefield family, who turned part of it into flats before it was sold in the 1970s to Mr McGrath.
In the 1990s, the house and grounds were bought by a development company and converted into five private homes.
Architecture
The building consists of a main 3 storey block with two wings with gabled roofsGable
A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. The shape of the gable and how it is detailed depends on the structural system being used and aesthetic concerns. Thus the type of roof enclosing the volume dictates the shape of the gable...
. The porch has a 4-centred arched door opening and a frieze
Frieze
thumb|267px|Frieze of the [[Tower of the Winds]], AthensIn architecture the frieze is the wide central section part of an entablature and may be plain in the Ionic or Doric order, or decorated with bas-reliefs. Even when neither columns nor pilasters are expressed, on an astylar wall it lies upon...
with Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
fret carving
Fretwork
Fretwork is an interlaced decorative design that is either carved in low relief on a solid background, or cut out with a fretsaw, coping saw, jigsaw or scroll saw. Most fretwork patterns are geometric in design. The materials most commonly used are wood and metal. Fretwork is used to adorn...
.
The interior of the building has been changed many times since its construction. The Langford Room in the south wing has many brought-in features, including panelling
Panelling
Panelling is a wall covering constructed from rigid or semi-rigid components. These are traditionally interlocking wood, but could be plastic or other materials....
from Judge Jeffreys' house at 18 Fore Street, Taunton
Taunton
Taunton is the county town of Somerset, England. The town, including its suburbs, had an estimated population of 61,400 in 2001. It is the largest town in the shire county of Somerset....
, an over-mantel together with additional panelling from Field Marshal Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons
John Lintorn Arabin Simmons
Field Marshal Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons GCB GCMG , was a British soldier.-Military career:Simmons was the fifth son of Captain Thomas Frederick Simmons, Royal Artillery of Langford in Somerset...
' house at Over Langford Manor
Over Langford Manor
Over Langford Manor, also known as The Old Courthouse is a Grade II listed building, in Upper Langford, North Somerset, England....
(a.k.a The Old Courthouse or Upper Langford Court, and from which the Langford Room takes its name) , a fine plaster ceiling from Ashley Manor, Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
and a carved frieze. The dining room door, which dates from around 1590, is also known as the "Nailsea door" has large arcaded upper panel with elaborate carving on both sides. The hall has a framed ceiling in 6 bays with chamfered
Chamfer
A chamfer is a beveled edge connecting two surfaces. If the surfaces are at right angles, the chamfer will typically be symmetrical at 45 degrees. A fillet is the rounding off of an interior corner. A rounding of an exterior corner is called a "round" or a "radius"."Chamfer" is a term commonly...
and stopped beams, and a stone fireplace.
There is a variety of stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
within the building including coats of arms, a sundial
Sundial
A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the Sun. In common designs such as the horizontal sundial, the sun casts a shadow from its style onto a surface marked with lines indicating the hours of the day. The style is the time-telling edge of the gnomon, often a thin rod or a...
and various birds. A window to the west of main range has medieval stained glass including picture of swan ringing a bell, as at the Bishop's Palace, Wells
Bishop's Palace, Wells
The Bishop's Palace, Wells, Somerset, England, is adjacent to Wells Cathedral and has been the home of the Bishops of the Diocese of Bath and Wells for 800 years....
, with others including; peacock, heron, owl, crane and a bird with a bell attached to one leg. Others are representations of; a fox with a bird in its mouth, and an archer drawing his bow.
Gardens
The House is surrounded by 5 acres (2 ha) of gardens and approached by a tree-lined drive of mature sweet chestnutSweet Chestnut
Castanea sativa is a species of the flowering plant family Fagaceae, the tree and its edible seeds are referred to by several common names such Sweet Chestnut or Marron. Originally native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, it is now widely dispersed throughout Europe and parts of Asia, such as...
, walnut
Walnut
Juglans is a plant genus of the family Juglandaceae, the seeds of which are known as walnuts. They are deciduous trees, 10–40 meters tall , with pinnate leaves 200–900 millimetres long , with 5–25 leaflets; the shoots have chambered pith, a character shared with the wingnuts , but not the hickories...
and cherry
Cherry
The cherry is the fruit of many plants of the genus Prunus, and is a fleshy stone fruit. The cherry fruits of commerce are usually obtained from a limited number of species, including especially cultivars of the wild cherry, Prunus avium....
trees. There is a walled sunken garden and kitchen garden has raised vegetable beds, a glass-house and box knot garden
Knot garden
A knot garden is a garden of very formal design in a square frame, consisting of a variety of aromatic plants and culinary herbs including germander, marjoram, thyme, southernwood, lemon balm, hyssop, costmary, acanthus, mallow, chamomile, rosemary, Calendulas, Violas and Santolina...
. The old tennis court has been converted to a formal lawn with herbaceous borders.