Knights Templars Terrace (EHER 30072)

The provincial mansion of the Abbot of Westminster, now three houses. It was built in the early 16th century and altered in the 18th and late 19th century. The building is timber framed, and the roof is covered with handmade red plain tiles. Following the Dissolution it was converted to an inn.

December 1967. Grade I listed. The provincial mansion of the Abbot of Westminster, now three houses. It was built in the early 16th century and altered in the 18th and late 19th century. The building is timber framed, with two facades of yellow brick in Flemish bond with stone dressings, the remainder plastered with some exposed framing. The roof is covered with handmade red plain tiles. The front range comprises five large bays facing south-east, with three rear wings of two bays, forming an 'E-shaped' plan. The first floor bears a stone plaque near the left end inscribed 'Knights Templars Terrace', and a stone plaque over the door of no. 5 inscribed '1873 J.C. & A.C.'. This property was part of the manor of Church Hall, held by the Abbot of Westminster from before the Conquest until 1539, then by the Bishop of Westminster, and from 1550 by the Bishop of London. The position, size and high quality of timber and workmanship indicate that it was built for the Abbot of Westminster as a provincial mansion, continuing in similar use after the Dissolution. The manor was leased from 1553, and by 1604 the building had become a major inn called 'The White Lyon', later 'The Red Lion'. By 1791 this house and no. 7 (item 9/160) had been converted to four tenements, as they remain today. In a major restoration of around 1878, panelling was found bearing carvings of pomegranates, a heads, strawberry leaves and the crest of Henry VIII, now missing, and a photograph was taken of the Church Street elevation stripped to the timber framing. The brick facades and present windows and doors date from that operation. <1> See photos <2>. Nos. 1-5 High Street and No. 1 Church Street appear to have formed the provincial Mansion of the Abbot of Westminster. Dating to the early sixteenth century, it is a timber-framed building infilled with plaster and yellow brick, with a range of five large bays facing south-east and three rear wings of two bays, forming an E-plan. Following the Dissolution it was converted to an inn. <3> This article records observations made during refronting (brick) and other building works to the Old Red Lion Inn. During the process of refacing the building two former fronts of timber and lathe and plaster dating to the 17th and the 18th century were uncovered. The earlier fronting of around 1600 was plastered and marked out into large squares in dark grey with white bands. This was in a poor condition and removed to expose the original frame (in an almost perfect state). The inn dates to no later than 1520. The front is formed using stout studding in oak with clay between. It has a projecting upper storey and the timbers/studwork were painted red and the intervening walls in white. Remains of original windows with closely set mullions were apparent as was evidence of a central porch with a room above, the latter suggested by a four centred arch which once opened into it. The long wall jetty was supported on well designed brackets and pillars of oak with capitals. The central main entrance opened onto a cross-passage with rooms either side. One of these rooms, had, below the paper and canvas lining, carved panelling. From the floor were a row of plain uncarved panels then a row of elegant linen or napkin pattern panels and another row finished in strawberry leaf and last of all a row of arabesques, heads, symbols, foliage and designs. The supporters of a shield within the carved panels bore a heart pierced with crossed darts. The supporters were the Lion and Griffin of Henry VIII. The panels were painted a soft green and the carved heads red, green and brown with some gilding and pink faces. The panels were removed (not clear whether they were replaced). The original walls of rammed clay and straw were then revealed. A brick fireplace with a double niche above was also uncovered. <4> The building dates from around 1540 and built as a gatehouse to the adjacent range. It was gabled to the street with a long wall jetty to the rear. In the 17th century the frontage was cut back and the roof reconstructed parallel to the street. In the 19th century the kitchen and adjacent wing were added. The remainder of the report discusses structural failure, repair, damp, and beetle attack. <5> Catalogue of owner/tenants from manor court rolls/ rent assizes and petty sessions records ranging from 1564-1884. <6> NRHE data transfer: no new information.