MONTEAGLE HOUSE . YATELEY . HANTS

A medium-sized 2 storey dwelling situated on gently rising ground 2 km southwest of the original village centre, and now on the periphery of modern residential development.

The principal block is of latest C16 or earliest C17 date, set on a north-south main axis and fronting east, and ajoined at the rear (west) by large C20 extensions. The original block was formerly wholly timberframed, and accommodated a pair of modest single bay rooms on both floors; separated by a narrower central bay accommodating a large brick stack serving hearths on both floors, and flanked by a stair and ground floor blind lobby entry. The lower sections of the front and both gable end walls are more modern reconstruction, but their upper sections and most of the rear wall seem to preserve a fair proportion of the original framing, albeit much obscured by later cladding and finishes. The framing is characteristic of the period, with fairly small square panels and short straight braces. The surviving rear wall framing suggests the former presence of an outshot along the rear of he building; now superceded by the later extensions.

The roof structure survives largely complete, excepting some sections of modern replacement rafters. It is of unusual type, being very stoutly constructed with a pair of intermediate trusses over each end bay, and staggered side purlins into which the intermediate rafters are morticed. This type of roof is more commonly associated with better quality later C17 dwellings, although some early C17 examples are known in the region. For a dwelling of this size, the more common arrangement of main queen-post trusses and clasped purlins would have been expected. The roof structure seems to be of contemporary date to the rest of the framing. The stack emerges through the roof as a cruciform cluster of 4 flues terminating in simple caps, now remodelled.

Of particular interest, is the small 2 storey brick-built porch set slightly off-centre against the lobby entry. The walls are now rendered, masking their original brickwork details, but there remains clear evidence of a simple hood-mould over the round-headed portal. Both levels of the porch were originally lit by a pair of narrow splayed window lights in either flank wall; of which those in the south wall remain. A larger window above the portal is probably a C18 insertion. The gable incorporates a pair of small trusses perhaps reused from earlier contruction.

On the basis of its design and character, and earliest C17 date seems mist probable. The structure represents a fairly modest and un pretentious, but nevertheless quite well-appointed dwelling, typical of its period. There are examples of large and better appointed dwellings of the period in the region, but this example must be considered an an equally significant survival

Measured & Drawn 1980

R. Warmington, RIBA

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