The Rectory

THE RECTORY

A rectory at Wilburton comprising three principal building periods spanning from the 15th century through the early 18th century, with significant alterations in the late 19th century.

The earliest element, a 15th-century timber-framed structure occupying the north end of the site, was originally a hall-type building. This range was probably constructed for public use, possibly as a guildhall or similar communal building, as suggested by the absence of visible heating provision and the arrangement of a first-floor hall. The timber frame is partly exposed at first-floor level on the front, while the back wall and ground floor front have been cased in late 19th-century red brick with black mortar courses. The building comprises five bays in a straight range plan with a cross-passage at the lower end of the hall. It stands two storeys high, with the east side wall jettied for its full length. The jetty is carried on exposed bull-nose joists of substantial scantling. First-floor windows comprise three late 19th-century leaded-light casements, with three similar windows at ground-floor level and a late 19th-century doorway, probably positioned on the site of the original.

The interior of the 15th-century section retains the evidence of its original form as a first-floor hall, open to the roof. A 17th-century chimney stack was subsequently inserted into the roof. Few timber wall frames are visible, though two substantial studs remain exposed in the west wall of a ground-floor room at the north end. The ceiling frame at ground level shows little exposed timberwork except for the main beam in the centre room, which features a broad hollow moulding. Parts of an early 17th-century staircase or fireplace surround incorporating carved oak caryatid and Atlantes figures have been reset into the fireplace. The roof is of crown-post type, arranged in five bays with unmoulded posts and two-way bracing to the collar purlin. One bay was removed when the chimney stack was inserted. The display truss, positioned slightly north of the inserted stack, is distinguished by a chamfered post with moulded capital and base. Its upper stage features four rising braces to the collar purlin and collar, while the lower stage carries curved downward bracing to a cambered tie-beam. The collar purlin has been cut where the chimney stack was installed. The absence of smoke blackening in the roof timbers, combined with the lack of any visible heating provision, suggests the building originally served a non-domestic, possibly civic purpose.

In the late 17th century, the house underwent extensive remodelling when a family wing was added to the south. The 15th-century building thereafter served domestic service functions. The late 17th-century house is likely also timber-framed and was originally rendered, as evidenced by a watercolour held in private hands. The walls have since been cased in red brick with applied framing at first-floor level. This section stands two storeys with an attic storey, and originally featured side stacks to the west wall, now internal. A gabled wing to the west side of this late 17th-century section links with the 15th-century building and is contemporary, as confirmed by roof evidence. The wing includes late 19th-century red brick to its gable end and part of the side wall. The main late 17th-century range is covered by a plain tiled hipped roof. Two gable dormers appear at the front, though these are 19th-century replacements of the originals. Three first-floor late 19th-century leaded-light casements light the principal rooms. A central doorway set within a porch and flanked by bay windows, all of late 19th-century date, provide the main entrance.

The interior of the late 17th-century section has been substantially remodelled in the 19th century. However, the plan retains its near-symmetrical arrangement with an entrance hall containing the staircase and flanking family and guest rooms. The space contains circa-1840 fireplaces, one executed in white marble. Within this part of the house are further examples of 16th- or early 17th-century carved oak caryatids and Atlantes figures, possibly recovered from a staircase, fireplace surround, or overmantel. The late 17th-century roof survives except over the rear gable section, which was rebuilt in the late 19th century when the red brick to the west gable wall was repaired; this later roof incorporates material from the original roof structure. The hipped roof over the main range employs similar construction techniques.

An early 18th-century addition was made to the west wall of the late 17th-century house. This addition is constructed in red brick with English bond pattern and covered by a plain tiled roof. It stands two storeys with an attic storey and features an end stack to the south gable.

Late 19th-century alterations have significantly impacted the exterior appearance of the house. The 15th-century range has been underbuilt and faced in red brick with black mortar courses, particularly to the back wall and ground-floor front. The late 17th-century section has similarly been encased, with new windows, doors, and dormers inserted. Applied timber framing has been applied at first-floor level of the cased walls as a stylistic feature.

Other contemporary outbuildings on the site are constructed in late 17th- and early 18th-century red brick.

The structural evidence of crown-post roof construction with downward bracing from the crown-post is noted as paralleling examples found at the Blank Hostry, Ely and the barn, now the refectory, at Kings School, Ely, as well as examples in Essex, structures dated to the 14th century. However, the crown-post at The Rectory exhibits bracing from a much lower point in the column, indicating a different and probably later date.