Birbecks (EHER 27173)

A mid 16th to 17th century timber-framed and plastered farmhouse, with an associated barn.

1993. Field survey. House is mid 16th century and early 17th century. Timber-framed and rendered with gabled, tiled roof. Of two storeys with off-centre ridgeline stack of grouped diagonal shafts and early 17th century moulded bargeboards. Front has 3 three light casements, on first floor over 2 three light and one single light casement all with leaded lights. Small, gabled 20th century porch with exposed framing. Rear elevation has catslide lean-to at south end with tall stack, large flat roofed rear extension and 20th century conservatory. First floor has 3 three light leaded casements. The present house is based on an in-line hall house of early to mid 16th century with long internal wall bracing. In the early to mid 17th century this was raised to a full 2 storeys, by the addition of short jowled posts over the original wall plates and was slightly extended, to the north. The plan form/structure is now somewhat confused, but some floor joists are chamfered and belong to the earlier phase. Entrance passage to rear of porch has brick paved floor. Early 17th century stack has one ground floor and two first floor arch headed fireplaces each with a mantel shelf of moulded brick and tile. Ground floor fireplace has salt cupboard and contemporary panelled doors on each flank. Stairs rise in front of stack in American colonial fashion. Moulded balusters contemporary with later phase or slightly later. Northern ground floor room has corner cupboard, from elsewhere, with elliptical arch, fluted pilasters and serpentine shelves. <1> See photographs: <2> NRHE data transfer: 9 Redgates Lane, Sewards End (Birbecks). Formerly shown as Swaine's Farmhouse. A 17th century timber-framed and plastered house. Grade II. <3> Swaine's Farm, cottage and barn. The cottage has an original chimneystack with grouped diagonal shafts. The barn east of the cottage is four bays. <4>