Gaunt House

STANDLAKE SP40SW 11/246 Gaunt House 12/09/55

• II

House. Early C17, with earlier (possibly late medieval) origins; C18 and later alterations. Coursed limestone rubble; hipped roof, surmounted by reset carved figure, of stone slates to front and concrete tiles to rear; stone ridge stack to left, and large offset rear lateral stone stack. 2-storey hall range with flanking cross wings which enclose 3 sides of rear courtyard. 2 storeys; 5-window range. Early C17 chamfered stone doorway, with 4-centred arch and chamfered imposts, to right of central hall range: ancient studded door of lapped planks with strap hinges. Concrete lintels over C18 three-light leaded first-floor casements, and C19 transomed 3-light windows with runners to iron opening lights; outshut and timber lintels over C20 casements to right of door. Rear right wing has stone end stack and outshut, Rear left wing has early C17 outshut to right; left side wall, 3-window range, has C18 leaded casements and C19 transomed windows; also, hood moulds over early C17 three-light window with C20 mullions, and chamfered light above C17 plank door set in hollow-chamfered architrave with basket arch. Interior: hall has early C17 chamfered arched fireplace, and C18 collar-truss with staggered butt purlins also over right wing, Left wing: chamfered and moulded stone arched fireplaces and C17 ribbed doors; ground-floor room to rear of stack has plastered beam with lozenge and floral decoration, and first-floor room above has plastered beam with stencilled decoration; collar-truss roof with butt purlins; newel stairs in outshut to right. Rear right wing has queen-post truss with windbraces, clasped purlins and mortices for bracing. The cross wings were gabled to the front before the hall was re-roofed in the C18. Two jowled posts of heavy scantling in right wall of left wing have mortices for large braces and are part of a former, possibly late medieval, hall and cross wing. Gaunt House occupies a medieval moated site. It was owned by Dr. John Fell of Oxford, a staunch Royalist who gave the house to the King's Army as a base for the garrison securing New Bridge (q.v.) in 1643-5: it was later attacked and taken by the Parliamentarians. (J. Skelton, Antiquities of Oxfordshire, 1823, fol.13r).

Listing NGR: SP4072903234