| Summary : The standing and roofed remains of a 12th century great hall located 40 metres NNW of All Saints Church, Sinnington, just to the east of the later Sinnington Hall. The hall is believed to have been built by Guisborough Priory in the later 12th century for the grange that was acquired from Ralph de Clere after 1168. At the same time, de Clere had given the church at Sinnington to the Benedictine nunnery at Yeddingham. In 1239 Yeddington Priory agreed to support the chapel at St Martin and the other buildings at Sinnington owned by Guisborough Priory. In 1431-32 Matilda of York paid for a series of modifications to the chapel at Sinnington, which has been identified as the great hall, including the installation of partitions and flooring, and the filling of old windows. After the Dissoultion in the 1530s the hall is thought to have reverted to domestic occupation, becoming the rectory of William Thwaytes, but in the following centuries, probably the 17th century or later, the building was re-roofed and converted into a barn and stables. The hall is orientated north-south and is aproximately 21 metres by 11 metres externally, limestone built with a pitched slate roof. The west wall retains two partially blocked three light 15th century windows and, at the north end, a pair of two centred arched doorways. The east wall has an original 12th century door and window together with an additional larger three light 15th century window, all of which are now blocked. There is part of a large blocked 15th century window in the south wall. Internally the hall has four bays, with the two end bays divided from the central pair by stone partition walls. The central pair of bays were originally divided by a 15th century oak screen which survived into the early 20 the century. The carved oak cross beam for this partition believed to have been paid for by Matilda of York is still in place. Scheduled and Listed Grade I. |