Stoke College

1. STOKE BY CLARE Stoke College 2006

TL 7443 26/428 19.12.61.

II*

1. Stoke College was originally a Benedictine Convent of 1050 which was later augmented by the transfer of canons from Clare Priory. In 1415 it was converted into a college and was so used until its dissolution in 1534 when it became a mansion and was granted to Sir John Cheke and Walter Mildmay, from whom it passed to the Triggs family in 1557. Sir Gervase Elwes bought the manor and on his death in 1705 it passed to his grandson, Sir Hervey Elwes, who died without issue in 1763, and was succeeded by his nephew, John Elwes, both of whom obtained noteriety as misers. The College remained in the Elwes family until the present century when it came into the posession of the Loch family. The house was altered in 1897 by Edwin Lutyns for Lord Lock who added the west court with billiard room and bachelors wing. Lutyns also laid out the garden and built the garden wall with a circular window opening. The present house is used as a school. It is a C18 red brick building probably with vestiges of the old priory remaining. These appear to be of the Chapel, now in the library and kitchen. 2 storeys. The windows generally are double-hung sashes with glazing bars, in cased frames. A raised brick band runs between the storeys. The south-west front has 2 wings with 2 storeyed bow ends with 3 window range. The south- east front has 8 window range (3 blocked on the 1st storey). The north-west front has a single storey porch with a wood dooracse with Ionic pilasters and an open pediment. The roof is tiled, with a modillion eaves cornice. The south-east front has 3 dormer windows, 2 hipped and a semi-circular pediment to the centre dormer.

Listing NGR: TL7413643168