Workshop 25 Metres North East Of Church Of St James

ST 92 NE ANSTY ANSTY VILLAGE (west side)

3/32 Workshop 25 metres north-east of Church of St. James

6.1.66

GV II*

Banqueting House, now workshop. 1570-80, attributed to Robert Smythson. Limestone ashlar to west, other elevations coursed rubblestone, corrugated iron roof of c1927. Single storey, 4 windows to west front. Two pairs of 4-light square-headed windows with Tudor-arched lights and hoodmoulds; only the left of these survives intact, the rest are blocked or partly removed, to right is blocked round-arched door with impost, several C20 inserted fixed windows. Right return, south gable, has 2-light hollow- moulded mullioned window with hoodmould to ground floor, two blocked formerly 2-light mullioned windows to first floor have missing mullions. Left return, north gable, has double-chamfered round-arched doorway to right and remains of 4-light window similar to those on wide side. Rear, east front, has restored double- chamfered round-arched doorway to left, corresponding with doorway on west front, inserted C20 sliding doors and windows. Interior has steel trusses to low-pitched C20 roof, replacing former roof of steeper pitch. West wall has two pairs of round- headed, semi-circular niches with rusticated pilasters and cornices, arranged between each pair of windows; all features fire- shattered. Fireplace in centre of west wall said to have similar features. Some traces of original decorative plasterwork, including a panel over north door of west wall with moulded architrave and ribbon bows, also simple moulding marking junction with possible former coved ceiling cornice. Plan probably consisted of open hall with through passage at south end where there may have been services and limited accommodation on upper floor. The attribution to Symthson is based on the combination of Classical and Tudor styles, similarly found at Old Wardour where Smythson probably worked c1576, although the property, together with the Manor House (q.v.), was not acquired by Sir Matthew Arundell of Wardour until 1594. The paired niches correspond closely with those flanking the entrance at Old Wardour; particularly in the unusual use of single rustication blocks, also extensively employed by Smythson at Wollaton, Nottingham. (Unpublished VCH records; M. Girouard, Robert Smythson and the Elizabethan Country House, 1983 .

Listing NGR: ST9567726342