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Learning
Materials
The Conversion
of Hinchingbrooke Nunnery.
The
conversion of Hinchingbrooke from a nunnery to a country house took place
over a period of about 60 years.
Here is a list of the main owners, the changes they made and the approximate
dates.
Richard
Cromwell. (1538-45).
- He
began his work in 1538. He died in 1545.
- He
used locally made red bricks to fill in many medieval doors and church
windows.
- He
converted the church and divided it into two floors. A long gallery
was built on the upper floor.
- The
stone fire place has his initials RC carved in it as well as Tudor roses.
- He
kept many of the existing walls. These were plastered over and only
revealed in recent times.
- He
also converted the prioresses' lodgings. in the south west corner of
the building.
Henry
Cromwell. (1545-1602).
- He
built the new kitchen range or service wing. Look at the brickwork for
the diaper pattern which is typical of Tudor brickwork. Can you find
it anywhere else around the house?
- He
rebuilt the north side of the house with the great hall. He added a
new wooden porch to make the entrance more impressive. He moved the
gate house and two bay windows to Hinchingbrooke from Ramsey Abbey.
These also helped to show off his wealth.
Sir
Oliver Cromwell. (1602-1627).
- He
built the great bow window on the east side
of the house. This was later moved to the south side of the house after
a fire in 1830.
- He
improved the interior.
You
can mark the locations of these changes on the plan your teacher will
give you.
|
Other Historical Links -
Oliver
Cromwell
Hinchingbrooke's Local History Pages -
Samuel Pepys
Civil
War
Brief History
of the House
The House through
the ages |