Rayne Hall (EHER 27655)

Complex and well preserved hall house, originating in the early to mid 14th century, with additions dating to the late 15th to early 16th century and the earlier 17th century, under the ownership of the wealthy Capell family. The house serves as a parent record for the other elements of the manorial complex.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Rayne Hall (NR). <1> Rayne Hall is early 16th century with some 14th century detail in the roof of the main block. Formerly much larger and the home of the Capel Family. Part demolished and remodelled in the late 17th century. Interior has interesting features. <2> - <4> Rayne Hall. House. Early to mid 14th century origin extensively altered for Sir William Capell late 15th century with later alterations and additions. RCHM 4. Grade II*. <5> March 1975. Field visit. Rayne Hall (name confirmed) as described. See photograph. <6> The house was recorded in detail for the RCHME's Gentry Houses Project. <7> In late July 1998, RCHME carried out a Level 1 survey of the environs of Rayne Hall in response to a request from the owner Mrs S. Pertwee. A full investigation of the house itself made further investigation of that building unnecessary. The Level 1 survey revealed the earthworks of a homestead moat, possibly contemporary with the 14th century house and possible garden compartments enclosed by a larger moat-like arrangement of ponds, perhaps of earlier 16th century date. The earlier 16th century garden wall mentioned by previous sources was assigned a new record number. Two timber framed barns of earlier 16th century date and a cartlodge/stable block of 17th-18th century date form part of the agricultural side of the manorial complex. The brick west tower of the church was also rebuilt by the Capell family in the earlier 16th century. For further details, see RCHME Level 1 report held in Archive. <8> In late December 1998, RCHME carried out a Level 3 survey of the complex. This broadly confirmed the conclusions of the level 1 survey, and made clear the planned relationship between the house and the ornamental and agricultural components of the manor. A number of additional buildings associated with the post-medieval manor and probably with the later medieval manor were identified from documentary sources: a gatehouse, a 'great stables', and a fish house. There was also a hunting park. The history of the Capell family has been discussed at some length <9> - <11>. The assertion that the house was formerly much larger derives from Minet's interpretation of a Schedule of 1622 <11>. This interpretation cannot in fact be supported by the evidence of the extant building. It seems more likely that many of the rooms mentioned in the Schedule were in outbuildings rather than the house itself, and that the house remains substantially unchanged from 1622. For further details, see RCHME Level 3 report and plan at 1:1000 scale. <12> See also: <13> - <19>