Summary
A Listed Grade II 15c farmhouse of cob and volcanic trap mix, rendered under dry slate gabled-end roof. There is some smoke-blackened timber surviving in the roof.
Summary from record 169358:
The farmhouse at Francis Court Farm. Shown on the 1840 tithe map.
Identification Images (0)
Monument Types
- FARMHOUSE (Built, Medieval - 1400 AD to 1499 AD)
- FARMHOUSE (Mid 19th C to Early 21st century - 1840 AD (pre) to 2050 AD (between))
Description
The name appears to come from John Le Frannceys (John the Frenchman) who is mentioned in a dispute with his brother in 1243-4. The present house is a good example of a developed cross-passage house with an excellent late 16c ceiling with moulded beams and joists in the wing.
The list description is as follows:
'Farmhouse. 15c core, with major re-modellings in late 16c/early 17c and 19c. Cob and volcanic trap mix, rendered, under dry slate gabled-end roof. Originally a 3-room through-passage plan, with a fragment of a smoke-blackened roof surviving. Now L- shaped, with addition of parlour wing to rear of left-hand end. Internal end stacks, and a lateral front stack just below roof- ridge line (but formerly an axial stack before late 19c re- roofing) backing on to former passage. External end stack to parlour wing. 2 storeys throughout.
Front : Scattered fenestration; three 2-light windows above, lintels at wall-plate level; 19c panelled door to passage, under tiled and boarded porch; one 2-light and one 3-light window to left, one 3-light window to right of passage entrance. All timber casements with 6 panes per light. Lean-to and another front entrance with 19c panelled door to extreme right-hand end. Clear evidence to rear (before present plaster applied) of 19c heightening. Opposed rear cross-passage door; 20c French windows to wing.
Interior : kitchen at lower end to right of passage with 2 beams, both chamfered with hollow step stops; former end fireplace partially dismantled. Hall fireplace with chamfered stone jambs and 2 recesses in rear wall and a course of vertical slates; 1 axial beam, chamfered unstopped. Parlour wing with a good ceiling of circa 1600; 1 large cross beam with composite moulding of ovolo and cavetto, and 12 subordinate axial beams to each side, with double-concave mouldings, stopped.
Roof: lower end completely 19c. Fragments of a medieval roof survive in the form of a hip cruck at the left hand end, and (now resting on inserted axial stack) one blade and side-pegged yoke of a smoke-blackened principal, possibly a jointed cruck. The 19c roof continues over the entire length of house. 19c water hand pump under right-hand front porch.'
References
- SNA69021 - Report: South West Archaeology Ltd. 2021. Killerton Estate, Devon, Archaeological and Historic Landscape Survey, Volumes I & II. 169358.
- SNA69023 - Digital archive: South West Archaeology Ltd. 2021. Shapefiles from Killerton Estate Archaeological and Historic Landscape Survey. GIS & PDF. 169358. [Mapped feature: #169597 169358]
- SZQ11049 - Monograph: Su Jarwood. 1998-1999. Killerton Estate Research.
- SZQ3265 - Unpublished document: Isabel Richardson. 1984-1989. Killerton Vernacular Buildings Survey.
Other Statuses and References
None Recorded
Associated Events
- ENA477 - Field Survey, Vernacular Building Survey, Killerton, 1984-91
- ENA10045 - Archaeological Intervention, Archaeological and Historic Landscape Survey of Killerton Estate (Ref: Report no.210722)
Associated Finds
None Recorded