The Old House

KENTON SX 98 SW

5/204 The Old House -

GV II

House. Late medieval origins, remodelled and probably extended in the C17, late C20 renovations. Whitewashed rendered cob and stone, some rebuilding in brick thatched roof, gabled at ends ; end stack to crosswing, rear lateral stack. Plan: L plan, the main range facing the road with a front left wing at the left end, at right angles in the main range is a late medieval open hall in origin, probably floored in the C17 when the crosswing may have been added with a fine first floor chamber. There is a possibility that the main range has been truncated, (brick end wall). Exterior: 2 storeys. Asymmetrical 1 window front, the eaves thatch eyebrowed over a C20 timber casement with small panes, C20 porch and front door, crosswing projects to front at the left. The left return of the crosswing, party rebuilt in brick, has C20 small-pane timber casements. Interior: The ground floor of the wing has chamfered crossbeams with chamfers and runout stops. The first floor of the crosswing has the remains of a fine chamber with decorated plasterwork:- a plaster cornice (visible in the roofspace) and a plaster overmantel with figures and the remains of a floral motif. Roof: The roof of the main rannge preserves blackened timbers, the jointed cruck main trusses mortised at the apex the collars lap dovetailed into the principals. An evolved house of late medieval origins. The manor of Chiverstone is mentioned in Domesday. In the C14 it belonged to Sir John de Chiverstone who married Joan Courtenay, daughter of the Earl of Devon and sister of Sir Philip Courtenay who built Powderham Castle. In his will he stated that if he died without issue he would leave his land to his wife's family "to which he was much addicted", and thus the manor passed to the Courtenays. Historical information from the present owner, Mrs Strange, who has researched the history of the house.

Listing NGR: SX9470983838