More information : (SW 72712639) Merthen on site of (NAT) Manor House (NR). (1)
Merthen Farmhouse is a 16th c manor house, altered and added to at the back in the 19th and 20th c (3). It was built by John and Grace Reskymer alias Greber 'and over the door are their initials, with a date that appears to be 1583'. (2) Merthen is shown as a large castelled mansion with four round towers standing in the middle of a wood, on a reliable chart of c1545. It is not known if this stood on the site of the present house. (2,3)
From circa 1400 to 1700 Merthen was the chief place of the parish, with a castellated mansion and a deer park. No chapel is recorded. Leland visited Merthen in 1538 when he found it a
"ruinous manor place." (4,5)
"The old Manor house is said to have been a sumptuous building surrounded by an extensive deer park - this building has disappeared. The present house is situated at the head of an avenue"
Merthen still retains the doorway of 1583 and mullioned windows with drip mouldings. It is generally outstanding though much renovated. (6)
Manor house dated 1575 but may be earlier. It is L-shaped in plan, with a wing, now demolished forming part of a rear courtyard. There was also a forecourt. This may have been the form of the house in the mid sixteen century which was depicted on a chart of the south coast of England c.1545. Leland in 1538, described the house as a `ruinous manor house'. The date 1575 on the porch may not refer to a complete rebuilding by John Reskymer but a reduction and remodelling of the house. The house was again remodelled in the first half of the nineteenth century with much of the interior altered in the twentieth century. In the eleventh century Merthen was part of the manor of Winnianton and was given to Richard, Earl of Cornwall in 1225. It eventually passed to Ralph Reskymer in the early 15th century and was sold to Sir Francis Vyryon of Trelowarren in 1629. Listed Grade II*. (7) |