When: 04-05-2015
Where: Longthorpe Tower
Price: £6 for two adults £4 for a guidebook
Review: Very popular – it was cold the day we went but there were still a number of people there.
Tip: Opening is restricted – limited to weekends and bank holidays – check the English Heritage site before setting out.
This hasn’t been open long, I found it had opened in 2013 by Dr Janina Ramirez (famous historian and TV presenter)
We were determined to go see it because of the well preserved mediaeval artwork. We visited on a bank holiday monday – one of the few that it opens during the year – don’t turn up on a weekday.
We have been National Trust members for a while but haven’t yet stretched to being members of English Heritage as well. If you do a lot of ancient building exploration joining would be worthwhile.
Patience is the order of the day if you want photographs of the walls inside the tower. It was very popular the day we went. I imagine that remains true throughout the year due to the restricted opening times.
Second Floor
The address is Thorpe Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE3 6LU. However parking is in St Botolph’s church car park. This is no particular hardship as long as you are reasonably mobile. However bear in mind that access to the tower is up a set of external stairs.
The tower is the only part of the site that is accessible as the rest of it is still in private hands. Whilst I’m sure it’s lovely to live in such a prestige location I’m not certain about lots of visitors traipsing past your door every day.
The tower was apparently originally built by Robert Thorpe who was a lawyer. It was an addition to an earlier house.
The tower is a solar tower – added around 1300 but is unusual in that they were usually added to grand houses – possessed by nobles – rather than someone from the legal profession.
The tower or solar contained Thorpe’s private apartments, the second floor contains Thorpe’s bedroom. Thorpe was a Steward of Peterborough Abbey which at the time owned nearly all the land.
As an official of the cathedral Thorpe would have been a well-respected professional in his day. However he is the mediaeval equivalent of a man made good (from humble origins). Thurstan De Thorpe was still a (villein) serf to the manor at Orton Waterville until 1200 (or thereabouts).
However by 1226 his son William was able to buy the manor at Longthorpe. No one seems to have dug too deeply into how they got their cash…
This site however speculates that with education it was possible to elevate yourself (even in an era when to pass yourself off as gentry was illegal).
The family seems to have loved that habit of naming the son after the father: William begat William who built the manor house and the church whose car park you used on the way in. Originally St Botolphs was on the edge of the village. It was for the use of the manor originally but now is the parish church.
Second William begat Robert (which would be easier only Robert then begat you guessed it – Robert).
First Robert is the one we have to thank for the solar – it is a scaled down version of a similar construction more frequently found in castles. Robert became enriched through services to the nearby abbey. However by 1320 was working directly for Edward II. (He received a knighthood).
Second Robert became a steward to the Abbey like his father and the wealth continued. It was he who commissioned the paintings, which were painted around 1330.
As a defensive building it is sadly lacking (Robert was attacked there in 1327 and held to ransom). It was designed to show off the owner’s wealth and status – this it does rather better.
It is likely that connections with the Abbey allowed Robert access to artisans with significant skills (such as those commissioned for work on the 1st floor). However the skills are somewhat variable as some paintings are better executed than others.
Sadly it wasn’t to be for the Thorpes – although the building remained with the family, the final Thorpe – William – died without children in 1391.
Thereafter it was a second home for a while for John Whittlebury. This family retained the house from 1391 and sold it to the Fitzwilliam family in 1501.
The Fitzwilliam family retained the house thereafter – the tower alone was gifted to the nation in 1948. This was probably because it required some quite expensive structural work which was taken on by the then Ministry of Works.
It is a great shame that the adjoining buildings can’t be viewed as well. After all that history one would imagine that they are magnificent.
The ground floor is unpainted and historically would have been used for storage. (The painted room is on the first floor). But you can’t get into the ground floor in any case.
The second floor is also unpainted but has some interesting displays including this helmet.
On the day we went (probably for everyone on reflection) we were invited to lift the above helmet to discover how heavy it was.
It is extremely heavy, how a mediaeval knight managed this together with a suit of armour I do not know – they must have been very hardy types.
This is the stone seat of a Garderobe – this is a basic form of mediaeval toilet.
Given it’s on an outside wall and would have been exposed to the elements I couldn’t help wondering why the seat wasn’t wood faced as it must have been very cold in winter.
Apparently a good cure for moths was to hang clothes in the Garderobe as the smell deterred them.
The word wardrobe apparently has its origin in this practice of hanging clothes in a small space.
As you can see mediaeval rooves were not hot on insulation the tile pegs can be clearly seen here. The house might be impressive but it doesn’t seem to have been cosy.
All the windows have been glazed over but historically glass would have been very expensive indeed. Certainly areas like the Garderobe were often left open to the elements in order to dispel the odours.
Rooftop views of adjoining buildings to which sadly there is no access.
The existing access is provided by a timber stairwell up through an enlarged former window. Originally the access would have been through a door (now blocked) to the adjoining hall. Additionally there is no direct access from the first floor to the ground floor storage area – access originally being gained through the adjoining building.
The adjoining hall is Grade I listed like the tower.
The narrow stairwell to the first floor.
It is best to avoid people on the way down – passing on those stairs would be challenging.
I didn’t find the rope of much assistance. Pushing against the wall whilst muttering “steep stairs piggin’ steep stairs” in the end being much more efficacious.
An arrow slit on the main stairwell – now glazed.
How on earth did servants get up and down these stairs whilst carrying things? I’m not clear if Thorpe liked to dine in his chamber but the kitchens were elsewhere in the site so it would have involved some trek if he did.
Small room off the recess in the second floor probably originally a latrine.
The First Floor
And so at last to the first floor, this is what the fuss is all about. After the paintings became unfashionable the walls were whitewashed over (around the time of the reformation). The paintings were thus hidden from view for centuries.
After a period of lease to the Home Guard in World War II the tower became part of a farm again in September 1945. The farmer (Hubert Horrell – a nicely alliterative name that) was prepared for decorating. He discovered sufficient of the pictures to make him believe that the tower was of importance.
He notified the owner (Captain Fitzwilliam) who thankfully recognised the importance of the pictures. He decided to fund an expert examination. He spoke to The Society of Antiquaries of London. Eventually a wall-painting specialist, Edward Clive Rouse was determined to be the man to start releasing the paintings from the layers of whitewash.
It took years – until 1948 – to reveal all of the paintings.
It is now regarded as one of the best preserved wall decorations of a mediaeval domestic building (in England if not in Europe).
Sadly the paintings are much faded now but are said to have been very bright indeed on discovery.
They were painted onto dry plaster using pigments including red/white lead, chalk or vermilion mixed with egg and oil. There is also evidence that some of the paintings were gilded.
Some of the depressed lines were made in the plaster whilst it was still wet.
Some of the detail that was evident at their discovery in 1946 can no longer be seen . Thankfully Mr Rouse was an excellent record keeper creating a small scale watercolour of every painting as he found it.
Potentially I assume this could mean that they could be restored. Something that has been done to great effect in some of the Egyptian tombs I notice.
This first floor room is believed to have been the great chamber for the manor.
It probably had several uses including dining room or reception room. The paintings were therefore for the purpose of impressing guests.
The West Wall
This is the Left hand side of the west wall. The west wall consists of a large alcove with a tiny window offset to the right hand side.
This leaves a large expanse of wall – now painted.
However remember that the paintings date to some-time after the building was erected.
Nonetheless this design seems to indicate that painting the walls was always in the plans. Otherwise why leave this large expanse of wall space and such a small window.
The tower has suffered subsidence in the past which lead to some alterations although it is believed that originally the North wall looked similar in construction.
The above picture shows 4 figures on the arch which are identified as the labours of the months – only 4 can be seen here starting with January at the bottom and moving up to April.
The months have an inscription (where this survives). January is said to be a man warming himself by the fire. February is too destroyed to be certain. March is a man digging. April again is damaged but it is speculated that he may have held flowers. This is in common with depictions at the time of rural people and what they were doing in each of the months.
The only other month that remains is December (the other side of the arch).
Close up of the lower left hand side said to be a pecking bird and the upper part of the door in the South wall that used to lead into the great chamber but is now sealed.
The upper picture is said to be St Anthony. Part of the inscription survives. St Anthony is the figure standing praying – asking how to find salvation. Opposite him is an angel sitting making a basket (working) and an angel behind stood (praying).
Overhead – now largely lost was the head and shoulders of God watching from above. The answer to his question – you can find salvation by praying and working.
The inscription read “do thus and you shall be saved” (apparently SIC FAC ET SALVUS ERIS) apologies to anyone who actually understands Latin.
St Anthony was the patron saint of basket weavers which is perhaps why this was the illustration chosen of work.
Alternatively Peterborough is considered the gateway to the fens and basket weaving has for a long time been considered a Fenland craft.
Two rabbits can just be seen behind Saint Anthony although these are less well done – appearing more like Disney Rabbits than real rabbits.
The border below is quite faded but apparently represents textile. It contained images of a lapwing and owl and a parrot apparently although you may find it difficult to pick those out now.
The two large figures are said to be a teacher and a student with perhaps the teacher wearing a doctor’s cap.
To the left of the teaching scene, on the walls of the recess. From the bottom of this picture: a square niche in the wall, above it a Heraldic Shield, above that a creature (mostly lost) and above that a heraldic banner.
Continuing to the left of the teaching scene, further up the wall on the same side. On the right hand side of this picture can be seen more heraldic banners, to the left a figure (unidentified).
On the West wall the lancet window is small and to the extreme right hand side (North). The window was apparently placed so that painting could be presented on the remainder of the wall. This is an alcove to the right of the window – 2 figures and an inscription which is now hard to make out.
The figure on the left wears a garment with a hood, the figure on the right is said to be a child. The hooded figure is saying to the child “Our Lady will absolve us from sin” (NOTRE DAME NOUS ASOUDRA DE LA PECHE)
This is the Right Hand Side of the West Wall said to be representations of a Bittern and of a Crane. (The Bittern is the uppermost picture). These were apparently not often painted from life but from representations of such creatures found in a bestiary.
The left hand side of the window in the West Wall this is said to be Saint Paul In his right hand a sword in a scabbard.
A close up of the same image.
The East Wall
In the upper part of the wall two figures address one another. The one on the left has been almost completely lost (some of the foot can be seen The figure on the right is complete. He is holding gloves and has a dog standing behind him, however the inscription which would have told us what this meant has now been lost.
Below him is a person in a crown standing behind a wheel. This is called a wheel of five senses and originates with Aristotle but found this form in the 13th century. The rim of the wheel has on it a Monkey, a hawk, a spiders web, a boar and a cockerel – of which the monkey (though partially missing) seems the best done.
These had the following meanings:
Monkey – taste
Hawk – smell
Spider’s web – touch
Boar – hearing
Cockerel – sight
The artist made a mistake with the cockerel and his first attempt can be just seen above the current version.
At one time the wheel would have had inscriptions which indicated what it meant – these are now lost.
It is believed that this means the five senses need to be regulated through reason and restraint.
To the right are two damaged creatures said to be hounds and to the left a damaged creature said to be a squirrel.
It can be seen here that the Boar is not very well done (could easily have been an overweight dog). The remnants of one of the damaged hound pictures can be seen.
Above on the ceiling is a representation apparently of an organ player (a mobile or portative organ with 16 pipes).
Close up on the Spider’s web which could as easily be a dartboard I suppose or given the date more likely an archery target.
Above the doorway can just be seen a very faded set of pictures said to be of the apostles.
This image is in the recess for the current doorway (which was a lancet window). It was enlarged to make space for the current doorway.
This picture appears above a doorway that would have led to a latrine. It is a picture to remind the viewer of mortality and was popular in mediaeval times.
Baased on a 13th Century poem originating probably in France. The legend is that 3 men meet with 3 dead and the 3 dead urge them to repent. The poem may have first been told by Baudoin de Condé a minstrel attached to the court of Marguerite II, Countess of Flanders in the 13th Century.
In this representation the first king is now lost, the second has a red crown which you might be able to see, the third is the one speaking with his finger raised.
The three dead startle the three kings and the kings rebuke them for this. But the dead state that they are the king’s ancestors and question them about why they have not said mass for their souls.
The message is designed to point out how fleeting is the existence of man and hence provide a moral message.
The three next to the king with the upraised finger are now in black but the pigment was lead which has oxidised with time, originally they would have appeared as in white shrouds. The last though is without a shroud – naked – and covered in maggots.
Above the current entrance door there is an aperture cut in the 1940s to expose the remnants of the original lancet window. The current entrance was enlarged in the 17th century and is now back in use. It uses a wooden staircase constructed in the 1940s. The hole which you can see here (when viewed from the correct angle) shows the original construction.
The figure just before the hole is said to be one of the apostles. (The Halo is visible – potentially at one time having been gilded).
To the left of the apostle above is this image of an apostle on the same wall. There is no indication as to which apostle is which. This one appears to be writing I think. Traditionally an apostle writing is generally thought of as St Paul – after his letters to the Corinthians and so on…
Facing the current entrance (I.e. looking towards the east wall) there is a niche just inside the door on the left hand side.
It is of a bearded man teaching three pupils the only discernible word when uncovered in the 1940s was apparently OREILLEZ which may mean “hear me” in old French.
The North Wall
This is the Right Hand Side of the North Wall, uppermost is the second half of the “seven ages of man” the last figure is the easiest to see with a crutch he is decrepitude above him is old age (said to show a man with his life savings).
Above you can see the entire seven ages of man of which a great deal is lost. It starts at the left hand side with an infant; above this is a young boy with a spinning top; above that is adolescence but of which little can be seen.
In the centre top is a youth with a hawk; descending the right hand side is manhood – with a sword; old age – with life savings and decrepitude – with a crutch.
Beneath the 7 ages of man is a depiction of the nativity which has been partly encroached upon. (The window was widened in an attempt to counteract subsidence).
Originally it would have been a small window as for the west wall seen above. However what remains is Mary seated on a chair with Jesus. The missing part would have shown the crib , the ass, an ox (parts of these can still be seen).
The ceiling above the North Wall upper left of this shot is a partial figure believed to be a cymbalum player.
In the other quarter of the vault is the Eagle of St John and beneath that the figure of St David. To the right a Psaltery player.
The South Wall
This is the left hand side of the south wall. Above is a coat of arms said to be that of Edward III.
The border was originally of the Thorpe coat of arms and at one time was gilded – not that you can see it now. Apparently fleur de lys were once visible here – but you need better eyesight than mine to make then out now.
Below the border is an alternating checkerboard pattern said to be painted to look like a hanging cloth. It is likely that this once was behind a high-backed chair that sat against the wall in this position.
This is the right hand side of the South wall uppermost is the arms of Edmund of Woodstock. He was the Earl of Kent and a half-brother of Edward II. He was executed following a planned rebellion against the regent Isabella (after the king was deposed).
The Earl is considered to have been Robert Thorpe’s landlord and so it is likely this is the reason for the inclusion of this coat of arms.
Beneath this something which is much more fun, it is a Bonnacon. You can just see the arm and bow of an archer and the rear of a beast that appears to be ejecting poo in his direction.
Apparently you would be foolish indeed to shoot upon this mythical beast which despatched its victims with flaming ordure expelled from its behind with some force.
The Tower
This is one of the buttresses – showing that the knitting together of the walls is no longer that exact.
Buttress and wall look close to separating here – further evidence of subsidence damage probably.
Here you can see external cracks visible in both North and East walls.
Above the current entrance – the outline of the former lancet window which was enlarged to make this entrance can be clearly seen here.
Visible subsidence cracks on the exterior – work to attempt to remediate these resulted in thickening to the north wall and a change to the window aperture.
This is further up the same wall showing that the cracking extends up to the Battlements.
It is a fascinating place and I have had plans to revisit. Indeed given the gradual fading of the artworks (and no obvious sign that they are to be restored) it might be as well to visit sooner than later.
If you are not of the historic nature (but your partner is) you can indulge them and chill afterwards in Thorpe wood which is nearby.
On that day on May it was beautiful and I have no doubt restful at most times of year.
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