LAMPORT HALL, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 93 



FIG. 52. Lamport Hall. 



later times when the continued study of Italian models appears 

 to have made designers too fearful of committing solecisms to 

 allow them to give free play to their fancy. 



The attribution of Thorpe Hall to Webb rests on tradition 

 and the character of the work. His connection with another 

 Northamptonshire house, Lamport Hall, is vouched for by 

 Bridges, the county historian, who says (writing in the early 

 years of the eighteenth century) : " Sir Justinian Isham . . . hath 

 here a very elegant seat ; part of which is old, and part new built 

 in his father's time, by John Webb, son-in-law to Inigo Jones. He 

 hath several drawings of mouldings, architraves, and freezes, 

 made in the years 1654 and 1655, with some letters from Mr 

 Webb dated in 1657, relating to the gate, and pilasters, and the 

 execution of an intended depository." Owing to alterations 

 which have been made from time to time, there is little of the 

 original work left except the front (Fig. 52), which exhibits the 

 simple, dignified yet interesting treatment characteristic of 

 Webb's manner. Here the whole of the architectural detail is 

 in stone, there are two principal stories which stand on a 

 windowed basement ; there are no strings nor cornices between 

 the basement and the main cornice which crowns the walls ; 

 above this is a parapet which seems to have been altered from 

 its original design. The wall space is occupied by windows 

 carefully proportioned, and in the centre of the facade is a slight 

 projection according to Webb's custom. The angles of the 

 building are emphasised with quoins. The whole design is 



