Over Langford Manor
Encyclopedia
Over Langford Manor, also known as The Old Courthouse (of the infamous Judge Jeffreys) is a Grade II listed building, in Upper Langford, North Somerset
, England.
The original east-west mediæval farmhouse (late 15th century), now mostly demolished, was the earliest part of the Manor. A north-south wing dating back to both the 16th and 17th centuries abuts the original house. The wall of the sole remaining part of the original mediæval building is 33 inches thick. As the subsequent additions were built, they were of decreasing wall thickness as befitted the times. Accordingly, the central section of the house is 16th century and the most northerly Hall is 17th century. Interestingly, one of the very old internal ceiling beams shows a bevelled surface along one side and a flat surface on the other. The flat surface (to the north) was where an internal wall was once, and this equates to the position of the outside quoins
. This represents where the building stopped for a hundred years or so, before being extended northwards towards the road.
The Manor has had its fair share of famous inhabitants including Sir John Latch who, in 1627, was the High Sheriff of Somerset
. In 1642, Sir John, a staunch Republican
, leased Over Langford Manor and raised soldiers for Cromwell
’s New Model Army
. Two years later, after returning from the Second Battle of Newbury
, he died of shock upon discovering his wife and twelfth child had died in childbirth. The couple’s poignant memorial is in Church of St John the Baptist, Churchill
in Churchill, Somerset
. Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons
bought the manor in December 1873. His daughter Blanch Lintorn Orman went on to help found the Girl Guides
movement in 1910. Sir John's granddaughter, Rotha Beryl Lintorn Orman, founded the British Fascists
in 1923. She lived there until she died in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands from tuberculosis in 1935.
In 1904 Lt Cdr Charles Evans bought the Manor including the Latch porch After demolishing the south wing he transferred some salvaged fireplaces and panelling to adorn the new wing he was building at Nailsea Court
The panelling was installed in his new withdrawing room. Consequently this room was called the Langford Parlour but is now known as the Langford Room. The Latch porch was at Nailsea Court for nearly twenty years, before being returned by Charles Evans to Upper Langford in 1923. The 1911 inscription that he added commemorates the date it was rebuilt at Nailsea Court. Therefore, although it was in Charles Evans’ possession for all that time, it only stood as we see it in the 21st December edition of Country Life in 1912, for twelve years.
The Latch porch is arguably the Manor’s most famous claim to fame, even having picture postcards made of it in the reign of Edward VII. The porch itself is described by Williams as “having decoration and style so exuberant that one is tempted to suspect that some ‘antiquarian’ embellishment has been introduced; this especially at the sides which have shouldered arched openings ovolo
moulded. Unlike most 17th century porches, it is of squat single storey and has a restored pediment
gable to the front where the four-centred arch is ovolo moulded with egg and dart decoration on the arch. It is flanked by Corinthian columns on pedestals supporting a frieze
and dentilled course. In the gable
is a strapwork motif”
In 2003 an application to extend one of the agricultural outbuildings and use it as a farm shop was rejected by North Somerset
Council.
North Somerset
North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is in the town hall in Weston-super-Mare....
, England.
The original east-west mediæval farmhouse (late 15th century), now mostly demolished, was the earliest part of the Manor. A north-south wing dating back to both the 16th and 17th centuries abuts the original house. The wall of the sole remaining part of the original mediæval building is 33 inches thick. As the subsequent additions were built, they were of decreasing wall thickness as befitted the times. Accordingly, the central section of the house is 16th century and the most northerly Hall is 17th century. Interestingly, one of the very old internal ceiling beams shows a bevelled surface along one side and a flat surface on the other. The flat surface (to the north) was where an internal wall was once, and this equates to the position of the outside quoins
Quoin (architecture)
Quoins are the cornerstones of brick or stone walls. Quoins may be either structural or decorative. Architects and builders use quoins to give the impression of strength and firmness to the outline of a building...
. This represents where the building stopped for a hundred years or so, before being extended northwards towards the road.
The Manor has had its fair share of famous inhabitants including Sir John Latch who, in 1627, was the High Sheriff of Somerset
High Sheriff of Somerset
The Office of High Sheriff of Somerset is an ancient High Sheriff title which has been in existence for over one thousand years. The position was once a powerful position responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing law and order in Somerset a county in South West England. In modern times the...
. In 1642, Sir John, a staunch Republican
Republicanism in the United Kingdom
Republicanism in the United Kingdom is the movement which seeks to remove the British monarchy and replace it with a republic that has a non-hereditary head of state...
, leased Over Langford Manor and raised soldiers for Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
’s New Model Army
New Model Army
The New Model Army of England was formed in 1645 by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War, and was disbanded in 1660 after the Restoration...
. Two years later, after returning from the Second Battle of Newbury
Second Battle of Newbury
The Second Battle of Newbury was a battle of the English Civil War fought on 27 October, 1644, in Speen, adjoining Newbury in Berkshire. The battle was fought close to the site of the First Battle of Newbury, which took place in late September the previous year.The combined armies of Parliament...
, he died of shock upon discovering his wife and twelfth child had died in childbirth. The couple’s poignant memorial is in Church of St John the Baptist, Churchill
Church of St John the Baptist, Churchill
The Church of St John the Baptist in Churchill, Somerset, England, was largely built around 1360 and is a Grade I listed building.There was a Norman chapel on this site in 1180, from which the nave has survived into the present church....
in Churchill, Somerset
Churchill, Somerset
Churchill is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England. It is located in the unitary authority of North Somerset, on the western edge of the Mendip Hills about east of Weston-super-Mare...
. 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...
bought the manor in December 1873. His daughter Blanch Lintorn Orman went on to help found the Girl Guides
Girl Guides
A Guide, Girl Guide or Girl Scout is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 10 and 14. Age limits are different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Scouts. The term Girl Scout is used in the United States and several East Asian...
movement in 1910. Sir John's granddaughter, Rotha Beryl Lintorn Orman, founded the British Fascists
British Fascists
The British Fascists were the first avowedly fascist organisation in the United Kingdom. William Joyce, Neil Francis Hawkins, Maxwell Knight and Arnold Leese were amongst those to have passed through the movement as members and activists.-Early years:...
in 1923. She lived there until she died in Las Palmas in the Canary Islands from tuberculosis in 1935.
In 1904 Lt Cdr Charles Evans bought the Manor including the Latch porch After demolishing the south wing he transferred some salvaged fireplaces and panelling to adorn the new wing he was building at Nailsea Court
Nailsea Court
Nailsea Court in Nailsea, Somerset, England dates from the 15th century and is a Grade I listed building.-History:Richard Perceval, who was born at Nailsea Court deciphered Spanish documents for Queen Elizabeth about the Spanish Armada invasion plans....
The panelling was installed in his new withdrawing room. Consequently this room was called the Langford Parlour but is now known as the Langford Room. The Latch porch was at Nailsea Court for nearly twenty years, before being returned by Charles Evans to Upper Langford in 1923. The 1911 inscription that he added commemorates the date it was rebuilt at Nailsea Court. Therefore, although it was in Charles Evans’ possession for all that time, it only stood as we see it in the 21st December edition of Country Life in 1912, for twelve years.
The Latch porch is arguably the Manor’s most famous claim to fame, even having picture postcards made of it in the reign of Edward VII. The porch itself is described by Williams as “having decoration and style so exuberant that one is tempted to suspect that some ‘antiquarian’ embellishment has been introduced; this especially at the sides which have shouldered arched openings ovolo
Ovolo
Ovolo in architecture, is a convex molding known also as the echinus, which in Classical architecture was invariably carved with the egg-and-dart ornament. The molding is called a quarter-round by woodworkers...
moulded. Unlike most 17th century porches, it is of squat single storey and has a restored pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
gable to the front where the four-centred arch is ovolo moulded with egg and dart decoration on the arch. It is flanked by Corinthian columns on pedestals supporting 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...
and dentilled course. In the gable
Gable
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...
is a strapwork motif”
In 2003 an application to extend one of the agricultural outbuildings and use it as a farm shop was rejected by North Somerset
North Somerset
North Somerset is a unitary authority in England. Its area covers part of the ceremonial county of Somerset but it is administered independently of the non-metropolitan county. Its administrative headquarters is in the town hall in Weston-super-Mare....
Council.