Lyveden New Bield

Large summer house, now a roofless ruined shell, probably built between 1604 and 1605 by Robert Stickells for Sir Thomas Tresham. The building is constructed of ashlar with white limestone dressings.

The structure follows a regular cruciform plan and was originally two storeys in height with an undercroft. The main architectural features include two-storey polygonal stone mullion bay windows with transoms at the ends of each projecting wing. The return walls of each wing contain four-light stone mullion windows with king mullions. The plinth has three square-head windows with shields between them on each face of the return walls, with a similar arrangement to the plinth of the polygonal bays. All windows are now unglazed. Diamond panels flank the first-floor windows and continue below around the floor windows.

The polygonal end bay of the north wing formed the main entrance porch, with a central arch-head opening set in a square surround featuring a pyramid keystone and moulded cornice. The underside of the arch is decorated with strapwork. Below the archway, a section of coursed rubble wall originally formed a flight of steps. The present entrance to the undercroft is a square-head doorway in the polygonal bay of the south wing.

A metope frieze with moulded cornice runs between the ground and first floors, with remains of a similar Doric entablature visible only on the north-east and west wings. The frieze is decorated with Catholic symbols, Instruments of the Passion, and Judas's money bag. The upper frieze carries an inscription in Latin reading: "Jesus mundi Salus - Gaude Mater Virgo Maria - Verbum autem Crucis pereuntibus quidem Stultita est. - Jesus, Beatus Ventse qui te poravita- Maria Virgo Sponsa innupta - T, eam. alt. - Benedixit te Deus in alternum Maria - Mihi antem absit gloriari nisi in Cruce Domini Nostri IP".

The interior contains no floor or roof structures. The north wing originally functioned as an entrance hall at ground floor level, with an arch-head opening into the porch and similar openings in the opposite cross wall. A niche survives in the north-west corner, and remains of a fireplace are visible on the first floor.

The east wing originally contained the buttery in the undercroft, the parlour at ground floor level, and probably the chapel or bedroom at first floor. An arch-head opening to the bay window features two coats of arms on the underside of the keyblock. Remains of a flue survive in the side wall.

The west wing originally housed the kitchen in the undercroft, the hall at ground floor level, and the Great Chamber at first floor. The kitchen's west wall extends across the bay window and features a large arch-head fireplace. A similar fireplace with four-centred arch head serves the Hall, while the Great Chamber has a square-head fireplace flanked by niches. Square-head doorways provide access to the bay window. At undercroft level, the bay window retains remains of ovens and copper.

The north wing housed a staircase hall. A triple arcade in the cross wall at ground floor level features semi-circular arches with plain pilasters between them, a moulded cornice, and plain square panels between the spandrels. Similar arches at first floor level have large rectangular panels between flanked by pilasters with clover leaf decoration. Two four-centre arch-head openings with a window between them appear in the cross wall at undercroft level. Joist holes, scaffolding holes, and slots for internal rainwater pipes remain visible throughout. The staircase was reportedly removed in the 17th century by Colonel Butler to Cobthorne, Oundle.

This building, which symbolises Christ's Passion, remained incomplete at the death of Sir Thomas Tresham, who was also responsible for the Triangular Lodge at Rushton, which symbolises the Trinity. The building is scheduled as an ancient monument and is owned by the National Trust.