More information : [SE 3918 5378] ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH [G.T.] RIBSTON HALL [G.T.] (Originally a Preceptory of Knights Templars) [T.I.] [SE 3980 5393] TILTING GROUND [G.T.] (1) A Preceptory of Knights Templars, founded at Ribston about 1217, was seized c. 1308-12 and handed to the Knights Hospitallers, but remained a preceptory. By the 16th century it had ceased to be a residence, was leased to lay farmers, and after the Dissolution passed to the Goodricke family. The present house is dated 1674, but the attached chapel of St. Andrew contains two 13th century doorways. (2-5) Ribston Hall and chapel are in good condition. See G.Ps AO 62/238/1, AO/62/238/2 and AO/62/238/3 for east and south aspects of the Hall, and the south west aspects of the Chapel respectively. The pasture field, known as the Tilting Ground, is bordered on the west side by a well defined, dry fish pond, the remains of which are correctly shown on O.S. 25" 1932. (6)
8.3.52 5/29 Ribston Hall Grade II* Large country house. 1674 and early C18. Built for the Goodricke family. Red brick, Flemish bond, ashlar dressings, Westmorland slate roof. 2 storeys, 15 bays. C17 south front: rusticated quoins. Central panelled double doors have flanking Corinthian columns and open segmental scrolled pediment. Flanking 4-pane sash windows in architraves with floating cornices. 1st floor has 15-pane sash windows with architraves. Decorated panel below central window. Pairs of short ashlar pilasters below windows. Oversailing eaves with modillion cornice. Hipped roof, probably M-shaped. 2 stacks on ridge above bays 5 and 11. Further stacks on parallel ridge to rear, and on ridges of side wings. C18 rear elevation has central doorway with Tuscan columns supporting triangular pediment. All windows are 15-pane sashes in recessed frames. The 2 outer bays break forward as side wings. Left return: newly-pointed wall with round-headed staircase window. Right return has chapel (q.v.) attached. A lower, 7-bay range of C18 and C19 date, attached to the left (west) end of the house, was demolished c1980. Interior: the central 5 bays of the south side of the house contain the saloon, with mid C18 plasterwork, a ceiling renewed c1790-1800 and redecorated 1846 by C. Moxon of London, to whom the existing colours are due. The plasterwork contains many classical motifs including laurel wreaths, urns, trophies and eagles. Wall panels contain copies of Italian paintings. Elaboraate end fireplaces, main door in round-headed arch; doorway to north entrance hall has flanking Corinthian columns and triangular pediment. Other rooms on south side of house include: (west end) small room with panelling and C17 carved wood overmantle with fruit and flowers. At the east end: a library with access to chapel (q.v.) On the north side of the house - a fine Adam-style dining room with columns and fine plasterwork and carved wood. In process of redecoration. 5/30 Chapel of St. Andrew, 15.3.66 Ribston Hall Grade II* Chapel of St. Andrew, attached to south-east end of Ribston Hall. C13 with restorations 1700 and C19. Early work probably by the Knights Templars, later alteration and restoration by Sir Harry Goodricke and the Dent family. Limestone and sandstone coursed rubble, saandstone quoins. Flat roof. Nave and chancel in one range of 4 bays. Repositioned doorway, chamfered, with hood-moulds and head-stops in 2-storey lean-to porch at east end of south wall. A second similar (blocked) doorway towards west end of this wall. Between the doors: a 2-light window with Reticulated tracery and square hood-mould, flanked by gabled buttresses. East and west windows inserted 1820 and 1852, each of 3 lights. Battlemented parapet at east end, with stair turret built into corner between the chapel and the Hall. Bulbous finial on south-east corner. Parapet at west end pierced with quatrefoils and bearing 2 finials. West wall also has 3 square recesses, one with a much weathered coat of arms. Interior: entrance into the chapel from the hall is at the west end of the north wall. Altar end and reredos have early C18 panelling with scrolls and foiliage in high relief. Memorials include one on south wall to Sir Harry Goodricke who 'restored and embellished' the chapel in 1700. Another (1652) to Richard Goodricke. Font with stem and wide spiral-fluted bowl of c1700. The west window has painted glass which is probably a copy of the New College window by Reynolds. The west window is signed by Willement 1852. H. Speight refers to a commission signed to dedicate and consecrate a new chapel at Ribston in 1444 (7) |