Summerhouse And Curtain Wall At Benington Lordship (30 Metres To South East Of House)

Benington TL 2923 BENINGTON CHURCH GREEN (north side)

11/12 Summerhouse and Curtain Wall at Benington Lordship - (30m to SE of house)

GV II

Summerhouse and adjoining curtain wall. Circa 1842 by James Pulham for the Proctor family. Flint and stucco modelled to appear ashlar, flint wall with external buttresses. Hidden part of summerhouse to E of red brick with pitched tile roof. Set on the bank of the inner edge of the moat to the inner bailey of the. medieval castle. Main facade faces W and irregular curtain wall links it to gatehouse at NW attached to the Lordship (q.v.). Front a ruined tower with machicolations overhanging a wide Romanesque arched doorway of 2 recessed orders and hood mould each with chevron ornament. Demi-figures holding battle axes as stops. Stiff leaf caps to corner shafts. Winged head and cartouche with runic inscription over door. Doorway checked for inward opening doors. Interior a square cell about 3m wide. Walls of stucco lined as ashlar. Tas de charge on corbel head in each corner with marks of former plaster groined vault. Central round-headed niche in back wall with Buddha (renewed) above an ancient Greek large stone inscribed tablet set into the wall, a memorial to Aurchilus Zosimos, a slave and business representative. Below the 6-line Greek inscription is a later one viz 'This part of an ancient monument was discovered on the Plain of Troy/ near Alexandria Troas by the Hon Captain John Gordon RN/ and given by him to George Proctor of Bennington (sic) Herts/ A D MDCCCXXXII'. Iron brackets set in each side wall as if to support helmet and gaunlets.

Listing NGR: TL2970023655