84 



^otc$ on %{er ^pljant HJiiuor^pouse. 



By Haeold Bkakspeae, A.R.I.B.A. 



?^jJBOTJT three miles north-west of Aldboiime on the top of the 

 fe^^ downs is situated the old manor-house of the Groddards of 

 Ujiham, now for the most part degenerated into a farm-store, -ttith 

 the hall divided into kitchen and parlour for the use of the present 

 occupier. With the exception of a few alterations which wiU be 

 noticed later, the bidldiug is all one date, of about the middle 

 of the sixteenth century. It is rectangular on plan, with a central 

 projecting jwrch and two square bay-windows towards the front, 

 and is built in bands of flints and fi'eestone with dressings of the 

 latter. 



The porch has a handsome arched entrance doorway sui-mounted 

 by a bracketted entablatiu-e with circular plaques in the spandiils ; 

 upon the frieze over the keystone are the letters and date E.. Gr., 

 E.G., 1599. At either end of the lintel of the two-light transomed 

 window in the gable above are the letters T.Gr., and A.Gr. ; these 

 initials also occiu' in the pointed oval panel below the window. 

 The inner door and moulded wooden fi'ame are of the time of 

 Queen Anne. 



The hall occupied the front of the house fi-om the porch towards 

 the right; the oriel has been walled up, and the small mndow 

 between it and the porch enlarged by the insertion of a timber- 

 framed casement under the original sUl ; the same has been done to 

 what was the end window of the hall. The original chimney-jDiece 

 remains ; it has a bold ornamental frieze above wliich are the arms 

 of Queen Elizabeth in plaster work, well modelled in high relief ; 

 the arms themselves mth the sinister supporter are much mutilated, 

 but the dexter supporter (a lion rampant crowned) is in excellent 

 preservation. On a scroll below is the motto, hoxi soit qui mal 



Y PENSE. 



