Padworth: Difference between revisions

A secondary manor of Padworth (Hussey's) existed under John de la Husse in the 13th century, after whom it was named. It farmed at the [[Domesday Book|Domesday Survey]] 2½ [[hide (unit)|hides]], which was held of William de Ow by a man named 'Gozelin' and in this instance its Saxon era owner was recorded as 'Ælfstan' with its nominal dues ([[feudal system|that is, being held under]]) the crown (King [[Edward the Confessor]]). The period of titled bearers owning either manor was when the main manor (sometimes called Coudrays) was held by [[Tichborne baronets|Sir Benjamin Tichborne, bart.]] and the [[Forster baronets]] (1629–1681). The [[manor house]] is [[listed building|Grade II* listed (the mid-category)]].<ref name=eh>{{NHLE|num=1117314|accessdateaccess-date=10 December 2014}} Padworth College (former manor house). Citing:<br />BOE, Berkshire, p. 191; Berkshire Architectural Guide, [[John Betjeman|Betjeman, John]] and [[John Piper (artist)|Piper, John]];<br />[[Country Life (books)|Country Life]], Vol. 52, pp. 342–348, 372–378, 414–417</ref> It was built afresh in 1769 by designs of John Hobcraft. It has plasterwork by Joseph Rose. Its entrance is a double-height space, a staircase with a wrought iron [[balustrade]] to three sides. It has a vaulted 3-bay arched [[arcade (architecture)|arcades]]s on each floor to one side with [[Doric columns]] on the ground floor and columns with [[Adamesque]] capitals on the floor above.<ref name=eh/>

The Church of England parish church of St John the Baptist is aisleless and built about 1130 with two three-light [[Tudor period]] ornately carved windows and with its vestry and porch having been added in 1890. A smaller Tudor window is pictured above, with two lights on the south-east square tower façade, above the font, which does not have the entrance. The roof of the nave was largely replaced in the 19th century.<ref name=bh/> Rare features include the Norman chancel arch and north and south doorways, the semi-domed apse and the 18th-century monuments.<ref>[[John Betjeman|Betjeman, John]], ed. (1968) ''Collins Pocket Guide to English Parish Churches; the South''. London: Collins; p. 114</ref> It is [[listed building|listed in the top category of listed building, Grade I]].<ref>{{NHLE|num=1155386|accessdateaccess-date=10 December 2014}}</ref>