Butlers Farmhouse

SAFFRON WALDEN

TL54SE BUTLERS LANE 669-1/6/43 (East side) 28/11/51 Butlers Farmhouse (Formerly Listed as: ASHDON ROAD Butlers Farmhouse)

II

House. c1610, probably built at same time as Audley End House (qv) by Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk, Lord Treasurer to James I. Timber-framed and plastered, peg-tile roof. U-plan of principal S facing range with wings at E and W ends to N. 2 storeys. Modern front' on N side was originally the rear. After a period of disuse, now considerably rebuilt in C20. All windows are now C20 casements with glazing bars, doors also C20. S garden elevation: long range with prominent red brickconcertina' stack, 5 shafts, off centre to W. Smaller similar 3-shaft stack to E end. 3-celled system. Ground floor, roughly central, fully glazed French window, another to E. 4 windows, two 3-light, one 2-light, one fixed. First floor, 5 windows, one 3-light, three 2-light, one fixed. C20 conservatory on W end. N, now front, elevation: stacks as seen from S. End wings and central range have C20 ground floor lean-to, peg-tile roofed, enclosed on central and W side, open on posts on E side. Ground floor, courtyard, central 6-panel door with full-height side lights, single light window to E. W return has fully glazed door. E return `stable' double door and 3-light window. W cross-wing, 3-light window and 1 single light in lean-to N end wall. E cross-wing, simple recessed porch with one boarded and one fielded panel door (original ceiling joists visible in porch soffit). First floor, central range, two 3-light window, W wing one window of 5 lights, E wing one 3-light and one 2-light window. Tall C20 red brick stack set in SW angle of court. Side purlins of W wing gable visible. E end elevation: principal range, 1 single-light ground floor and one 2-light first floor window. Red brick stack through roof pitch of cross-wing. W end elevation: C20 conservatory across main range, 3-light window on ground floor of wing. INTERIOR: considerably rebuilt, with original room divisions reorganised. Original joists remaining have early C17 chamfer stops, common joists of C17 pendant soffit type. E end cross-wing a later addition (jowled post of in-line E end rooms remains), face halved and bladed scarf in principal range wall-plate. In present C20 central stairway, a large moulded plasterwork panel approx 1.5m x 0.6m in-set in position of over-mantel to central first floor chamber (no fireplace now). Quartered shield of arms of Howard and Knivet with garter, supporting lions and motto set in ovolo moulded framing with renaissance heads. RCHM Mon.7 records much more heraldic plasterwork and painting existing in the house.

Listing NGR: TL5605240692