Fig. 8. 



Plan of Alfold 

 House. 



DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE 



example is shown from Lingfield (Fig. 7)/ but instances may be de- 

 tected in many other places where later additions have almost obscured 

 them. 



The plain roof running over all was probably adapted to suit the 

 large Horsham slates or 

 thatch ; in other cases 

 the wings are gabled or 

 hipped at a slightly dif- 

 ferent angle to the main 

 roof. Large plain and 

 hipped roofs are however 

 by no means always origi- 

 nal, since an examination 

 of the timbers often shows 

 that gables have been 

 shorn off to simplify re- 

 pairs. Of such a form 

 was the Crown Inn at 

 Chiddingfold, which has 

 a fine king-post roof and 

 timbers left beneath the 

 modern accretions ; from 



these timbers its original form has been clearly demonstrated.^ The 

 house is mentioned in deeds of 1383, and another deed of 1548 speaks 

 of additions lately made to ' le Croune.' 



The plan of Alfold House is a good example of an early sixteenth 

 century house (Fig. 8). We have here the two offices and stairs to the 

 upper floor. A large brick chimney has been put in with its back to the 

 screen, which is an arrangement frequently found. On the other side 

 of the hall is a Tudor-arched door leading to the solar. It is uncertain 

 whether the stairs and the other parlour were original, or added when 

 the brick chimney was put in. 



A later type that obtained is shown in the plan of Rake House, 

 Witley, which was built some time before 1602 (Fig. 9). What is called 

 the hall was probably from the first the kitchen, and the offices are arranged 

 in a new way. There is a fine mantel and panelling in the inner parlour, 

 and still better in the state room above. Henry Bell, who had been 

 Controller of the Household to James I. and had purchased the royal 

 manor of Witley, lived and died here, and bequeathed the property to 

 his nephew-in-law Anthony Smith, also a Court servant and a man of 

 substance. There are eight armorial coats of glass in the house showing 

 the alliances, and this family, whose representatives still own an exten- 

 sive property here, was of importance. These facts are mentioned 

 because we have here the house of a substantial county family which 

 lived in it for a century. It is very unusual to find a plan that remains 

 so unaltered ; and both here and at Alfold House there is clear evidence 



* See also Surr. Arch. Coll. iv. 253. 



2 Ibid. xiii. xi. 



469 



