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{{Short description|Wealden hall house in Alfriston, East Sussex, England}} |
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{{Use British English|date=February 2023}} |
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{{Infobox historic site |
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| name = Alfriston Clergy House |
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| native_name = |
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| native_language = |
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| image = The Clergy House, Alfriston - geograph.org.uk - 1260729.jpg |
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| caption = The house in spring |
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| type = [[Wealden hall house]] |
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| locmapin = East Sussex |
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| coordinates = {{Coord|50|48|24.5|N|0|9|29|E|display=inline}} |
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| gbgridref = TQ 52131 02951 |
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| location = [[Alfriston]] |
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| area = [[East Sussex]] |
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| built = Mid-14th Century |
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| architect = |
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| architecture = |
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| governing_body = |
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| owner = [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] |
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| designation1 = Grade II* |
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| designation1_offname = The Old Clergy House |
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| designation1_date = 13 October 1952 |
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| designation1_number = {{Listed building England|1191431}} |
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'''Alfriston Clergy House''' in [[Alfriston]], [[Polegate]], [[East Sussex]], England, was the first property to be acquired by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]. It was purchased in 1896 for £10.<ref>{{cite news | url= |
'''Alfriston Clergy House''' in [[Alfriston]], [[Polegate]], [[East Sussex]], England, was the first built property to be acquired by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]. It was purchased in 1896 for £10.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3553504/50-National-Trust-hidden-gems.html | title=50 National Trust hidden gems | publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | first=Marianna | last=Walker | date=1 June 2008 | accessdate=2010-07-07}}</ref> The house lies adjacent to the [[Church of St. Andrew, Alfriston|Church of St. Andrew]]. It is a Grade II* [[listed building]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The old clergy house|url=https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1191431|website=Historic England|accessdate=5 February 2018}}</ref> The house is open to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alfriston Clergy House |url=https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=National Trust |language=en}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Alfriston Clergy House oak leaf carving 2007.JPG|left|thumb|upright|Detail of oak leaf.]] |
[[File:Alfriston Clergy House oak leaf carving 2007.JPG|left|thumb|upright|Detail of oak leaf.]] |
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The house is a 14th-century [[Wealden hall house]]. Although the name reflects the fact that the parish priest and his housekeeper used it, the house was originally built as a farmer's house. It is a very modest property — not at all like the grand [[rectory|rectories]] that many [[Church of England]] clergy occupied by the 19th century. It is a low-ceilinged, two-storey, timber-framed building with a [[thatching|thatched roof]]. Part of the house was rebuilt in the 17th century. |
The house is a 14th-century [[Wealden hall house]]. Although the name reflects the fact that the parish priest and his housekeeper used it, the house was originally built as a farmer's house. It is a very modest property — not at all like the grand [[rectory|rectories]] that many [[Church of England]] clergy occupied by the 19th century. It is a low-ceilinged, two-storey, timber-framed building with a [[thatching|thatched roof]]. Part of the house was rebuilt in the 17th century. |
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It is commonly said that a detail on a cornice wood carving of an oak leaf, may have inspired the National Trust's emblem, but there is no evidence to prove that claim.<ref>{{cite news |last=Knight |first=Jane |date=August 1, 2009 |title=The great British weekend: Cuckmere Valley, East Sussex |work=[[The Times]] |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/breaks/article6732054.ece |url-status= |accessdate=2010-07-07}}{{deadlink|date=September 2023}}</ref> It has a rare [[chalk]] and sour [[milk]] floor which resembled an early form of cement.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Built 1350 - A Look At Alfriston Clergy House, Sussex UK |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr6SXmnJZJs |website=YouTube |quote=4:06 from museum caption}}</ref> Outside there is a small but well-planted cottage garden, which was designed by [[Graham Stuart Thomas]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1427888/Graham-Thomas.html | title=Graham Thomas | publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | date=19 April 2003 | accessdate=2010-07-07}}</ref>{{Clear|left}} |
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The house is open to the public. |
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===National Trust=== |
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The 1895 decision by [[National Trust]] about the approach to adopt to the repair and presentation of the Clergy House was critical in shaping its subsequent way of dealing with almost all its properties, which continues to this day. It was also influential in promoting more widely a much more conservative attitude to the restoration of historic buildings than had been common practice in the 19th century. This was a direct result of the close links between the newly formed National Trust and the [[Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings]]. The SPAB had been founded by [[William Morris]] 18 years earlier as a protest against excessive |
The 1895 decision by the [[National Trust]] about the approach to adopt to the repair and presentation of the Clergy House was critical in shaping its subsequent way of dealing with almost all its properties, which continues to this day. It was also influential in promoting more widely a much more conservative attitude to the restoration of historic buildings than had been common practice in the 19th century.<ref>."The National Trust. The Next Hundred Years. Ed. Howard Newby. National Trust 1995. {{ISBN|0707801907}}.</ref> This was a direct result of the close links between the newly formed National Trust and the [[Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings]] (SPAB). The SPAB had been founded by [[William Morris]] 18 years earlier as a protest against [[Victorian restoration|excessive restoration]] which robbed buildings of their true value and interest. The early Founders of the Trust knew William Morris and were equally horrified by the damage that had been done, mostly to churches, in the name of restoration.<ref>"From William Morris. Building Conservation and the Arts and Crafts Cult of Authenticity 1877-1939. Ed. Chris Miele.Yale University Press. New Haven & London. 2005. {{ISBN|0-300-10730-7}}</ref> |
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The Clergy House was severely derelict in 1890 when the new vicar, the |
The Clergy House was severely derelict in 1890 when the new vicar, the Reverend F. W. Beynon, sought advice on its repair from a London architect, Owen Fleming. In 1891 Beynon contacted the SPAB for advice<ref>{{cite book |title=Alfriston Clergy House |date=1995 |publisher=National Trust |location=Swindon |isbn=1-84359-093-X |page=11}}</ref> and after £124 was raised by appeal some work was undertaken. But the project got into difficulties. In July 1894 Beynon asked the SPAB for its view of the nascent, but unknown, National Trust to see if it might be interested in taking on the Clergy House. The SPAB put him in touch with [[Canon Rawnsley]], one of the National Trust's founders. Before the Trust decided to acquire the building another founder of the Trust, [[Octavia Hill]], contacted the Society for advice. In her letter she said that they "will be asked to 'restore' it, so far as that odious word means preserve from decay of course we should wish to do so." This dislike of damaging 19th century restoration practices was confirmed by the National Trust committee in March 1895 when it resolved that "restoration means such work as may be necessary to the preservation of the building with as little new work as possible." This set the pattern for all its later acquisitions.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} |
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[[File:Alfriston sundial.jpg|thumb|Centenary sundial, Alfriston Clergy House 1896-1996]] |
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In June the Ecclesiastical Commissioners agreed to sell the building for £10. Octavia Hill then asked the SPAB to recommend an architect "who could be there himself whose heart was in the matter and who could decide point by point on the spot what to do and see it being done, with knowledge of art and craft." This was entirely in line with SPAB's views about the best and most careful way to repair an old building. The SPAB suggested [[Alfred Powell]], who undertook the repairs, though the National Trust's first ever appeal for funds proved disappointing. |
In June the Ecclesiastical Commissioners agreed to sell the building for £10. Octavia Hill then asked the SPAB to recommend an architect "who could be there himself whose heart was in the matter and who could decide point by point on the spot what to do and see it being done, with knowledge of art and craft." This was entirely in line with SPAB's views about the best and most careful way to repair an old building. The SPAB suggested [[Alfred Hoare Powell|Alfred Powell]], who undertook the repairs, though the National Trust's first ever appeal for funds proved disappointing.<ref name="Jenkins">{{cite journal |last1=Jenkins |first1=Jennifer |title=The Roots of the National Trust |journal=History Today |date=January 1995 |volume=45 |pages=3–9 |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hft&AN=503343816&site=eds-live&scope=site |issn=0018-2753}}</ref> |
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As a result of this early co-operation the National Trust and SPAB developed a close working relationship which continues to this day. Over the years many of its properties from country houses to cottages have been repaired by architects trained by the SPAB, and working to the conservation principles put into practice at the Clergy House. |
As a result of this early co-operation the National Trust and SPAB developed a close working relationship which continues to this day. Over the years many of its properties from country houses to cottages have been repaired by architects trained by the SPAB, and working to the conservation principles put into practice at the Clergy House.<ref name="Jenkins" /> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Portal|East Sussex}} |
{{Portal|East Sussex}} |
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{{Commons category}} |
{{Commons category|Alfriston Clergy House}} |
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*[ |
*[https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/alfriston-clergy-house Alfriston Clergy House] at [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] |
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*[http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=294939&resourceID=5 The Old Clergy House] at [[English Heritage]] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in East Sussex]] |
[[Category:Grade II* listed buildings in East Sussex]] |
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[[Category:National Trust properties in East Sussex]] |
[[Category:National Trust properties in East Sussex]] |
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[[Category:Clergy houses in England]] |
[[Category:Clergy houses in England]] |
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[[Category:Grade II* listed houses]] |
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[[Category:Thatched buildings in England]] |
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[[Category:Timber framed buildings in England]] |
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[[Category:Alfriston|Clergy House]] |
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[[Category:Hall houses]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:10, 29 September 2023
50°48′24.5″N 0°9′29″E / 50.806806°N 0.15806°E
| Alfriston Clergy House | |
|---|---|
 The house in spring | |
| Type | Wealden hall house |
| Location | Alfriston |
| Coordinates | 50°48′24.5″N 0°9′29″E / 50.806806°N 0.15806°E |
| OS grid reference | TQ 52131 02951 |
| Area | East Sussex |
| Built | Mid-14th Century |
| Owner | National Trust |
Listed Building – Grade II* | |
| Official name | The Old Clergy House |
| Designated | 13 October 1952 |
| Reference no. | 1191431 |
  Location of Alfriston Clergy House in East Sussex | |
Alfriston Clergy House in Alfriston, Polegate, East Sussex, England, was the first built property to be acquired by the National Trust. It was purchased in 1896 for £10.[1] The house lies adjacent to the Church of St. Andrew. It is a Grade II* listed building.[2] The house is open to the public.[3]
History
[edit]
The house is a 14th-century Wealden hall house. Although the name reflects the fact that the parish priest and his housekeeper used it, the house was originally built as a farmer's house. It is a very modest property — not at all like the grand rectories that many Church of England clergy occupied by the 19th century. It is a low-ceilinged, two-storey, timber-framed building with a thatched roof. Part of the house was rebuilt in the 17th century.
It is commonly said that a detail on a cornice wood carving of an oak leaf, may have inspired the National Trust's emblem, but there is no evidence to prove that claim.[4] It has a rare chalk and sour milk floor which resembled an early form of cement.[5] Outside there is a small but well-planted cottage garden, which was designed by Graham Stuart Thomas.[6]
National Trust
[edit]The 1895 decision by the National Trust about the approach to adopt to the repair and presentation of the Clergy House was critical in shaping its subsequent way of dealing with almost all its properties, which continues to this day. It was also influential in promoting more widely a much more conservative attitude to the restoration of historic buildings than had been common practice in the 19th century.[7] This was a direct result of the close links between the newly formed National Trust and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). The SPAB had been founded by William Morris 18 years earlier as a protest against excessive restoration which robbed buildings of their true value and interest. The early Founders of the Trust knew William Morris and were equally horrified by the damage that had been done, mostly to churches, in the name of restoration.[8]
The Clergy House was severely derelict in 1890 when the new vicar, the Reverend F. W. Beynon, sought advice on its repair from a London architect, Owen Fleming. In 1891 Beynon contacted the SPAB for advice[9] and after £124 was raised by appeal some work was undertaken. But the project got into difficulties. In July 1894 Beynon asked the SPAB for its view of the nascent, but unknown, National Trust to see if it might be interested in taking on the Clergy House. The SPAB put him in touch with Canon Rawnsley, one of the National Trust's founders. Before the Trust decided to acquire the building another founder of the Trust, Octavia Hill, contacted the Society for advice. In her letter she said that they "will be asked to 'restore' it, so far as that odious word means preserve from decay of course we should wish to do so." This dislike of damaging 19th century restoration practices was confirmed by the National Trust committee in March 1895 when it resolved that "restoration means such work as may be necessary to the preservation of the building with as little new work as possible." This set the pattern for all its later acquisitions.[citation needed]
In June the Ecclesiastical Commissioners agreed to sell the building for £10. Octavia Hill then asked the SPAB to recommend an architect "who could be there himself whose heart was in the matter and who could decide point by point on the spot what to do and see it being done, with knowledge of art and craft." This was entirely in line with SPAB's views about the best and most careful way to repair an old building. The SPAB suggested Alfred Powell, who undertook the repairs, though the National Trust's first ever appeal for funds proved disappointing.[10]
As a result of this early co-operation the National Trust and SPAB developed a close working relationship which continues to this day. Over the years many of its properties from country houses to cottages have been repaired by architects trained by the SPAB, and working to the conservation principles put into practice at the Clergy House.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ Walker, Marianna (1 June 2008). "50 National Trust hidden gems". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "The old clergy house". Historic England. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ "Alfriston Clergy House". National Trust. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ^ Knight, Jane (1 August 2009). "The great British weekend: Cuckmere Valley, East Sussex". The Times. Retrieved 7 July 2010.[dead link]
- ^ "Built 1350 - A Look At Alfriston Clergy House, Sussex UK". YouTube.
4:06 from museum caption
- ^ "Graham Thomas". The Daily Telegraph. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ ."The National Trust. The Next Hundred Years. Ed. Howard Newby. National Trust 1995. ISBN 0707801907.
- ^ "From William Morris. Building Conservation and the Arts and Crafts Cult of Authenticity 1877-1939. Ed. Chris Miele.Yale University Press. New Haven & London. 2005. ISBN 0-300-10730-7
- ^ Alfriston Clergy House. Swindon: National Trust. 1995. p. 11. ISBN 1-84359-093-X.
- ^ a b Jenkins, Jennifer (January 1995). "The Roots of the National Trust". History Today. 45: 3–9. ISSN 0018-2753.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alfriston Clergy House.
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