Wolfeton House (sometimes Wolveton House) is an early Tudor and Elizabethan manor house in Dorset, England. It is situated amongst water-meadows north-west of Dorchester not far from the confluence of the rivers Frome and Cerne. It is near to the village of Charminster.
The compact original courtyard section of the current building dates back to about 1480. Possibly dating back to Roman times, the house has been the country seat of several families, including the Mohuns and Trenchards. The surviving building was built by the Trenchard family, one of the most prominent families in Dorset during the 16th century.[1]
In January 1506 Sir Thomas Trenchard entertained in Wolfeton/Wolveton Philip of Austria, Archduke of Austria, King of Castile, and his wife Queen Joanna of Castile, after their ship, en route to Spain, was brought to English shores at Melcombe Regis by storm, close to Wolfeton. Concerning this chance event, the famous story about John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford, who having been born the son of a Weymouth wine importer, became a favoured courtier of King Henry VIII, is told by the Dorset historian John Hutchins (d.1773) as follows: In this house John Russell of Berwick (Dorset), Esq, laid the foundation of the honours and fortunes of the illustrious family of the Duke of Bedford. Having resided some years in Spain, he was sent for by his relation Sir Thomas Trenchard to attend and entertain the Archduke of Austria, King of Castile, who recommended him to the favour of King Henry VII who took him into favour and appointed him one of the gentlemen of his privy chamber and afterwards recommended him to his son Henry VIII.[2]
In June 2023, planning permission to build housing near the manor was refused by Dorset Council.[3]
Buildingedit
Parts of Wolfeton House date back to the south side of an early quadrangular courtyard house, dating from the 16th century. The house has a three floored tower on the south side, with the topmost stage build in approximately 1862. West of the tower the wall was built in 16th century and leads to the octagonal garderobe tower.[4]
Inside the house is oak panelled and includes an extensive collection of Elizabethan and Jacobean carvings, including those of Roman Soldiers and a figure of a Briton brandishing a club. The main staircase of stone is believed to be unique, built in 1580 with carved figures in the balustrade. The Great Chamber's floor is original and dates to the 16th century, whilst the fireplace is carved with figures including a Native American.[5]
Gatehouseedit
The gatehouse at Wolfeton House includes an inscription panel stating it was finished in 1534. The gatehouse is 2 storeys high with an attic and was built approximately 30 metres (98 ft) east of the main building. It has two round towers which are not identical in size, with an entrance archway between, but off-centre. Around the door is a label mould, with two stops, showing a satyr and a woodmouse each holding staves. Above the door is cartouche dating from the early 18th century.[4] It is available for holidays through the Landmark Trust.
Referencesedit
^Newth, John (June 2013). "A complete jumble – Wolfeton Few Dorset houses can match the character and charm of Wolfeton. John Newth has visited". Dorset Life. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
^John Hutchins, History of Dorset, Vol.I, 1774, p.453
^"Wolfeton House: Developer loses appeal to build near manor". BBC News. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
^ ab"Wolfeton House". Historic England. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
^Ross, David. "Wolfeton House". Britain Express. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
Further readingedit
Albert Bankes (1907). "Wolfeton House". Journal of the British Archaeological Association. London: British Archaeological Association: 176–209.
"Wolfeton House". The Archaeological Journal. Longman, Rrown, Green, and Longman: 270–295. 1992.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wolfeton House.
Historic Houses Association: Wolfeton House – visiting information
Tour UK: Wolfeton House
Great Houses & Manors of Dorsetshire
Landmark Trust
April 17, 2024
wolfeton, house, south, front, sometimes, wolveton, house, early, tudor, elizabethan, manor, house, dorset, england, situated, amongst, water, meadows, north, west, dorchester, from, confluence, rivers, frome, cerne, near, village, charminster, contents, histo. 50 43 41 N 2 27 25 W 50 728 N 2 457 W 50 728 2 457 The south front of Wolfeton HouseWolfeton House sometimes Wolveton House is an early Tudor and Elizabethan manor house in Dorset England It is situated amongst water meadows north west of Dorchester not far from the confluence of the rivers Frome and Cerne It is near to the village of Charminster Contents 1 History 2 Building 3 Gatehouse 4 References 5 Further reading 6 External linksHistory editThe compact original courtyard section of the current building dates back to about 1480 Possibly dating back to Roman times the house has been the country seat of several families including the Mohuns and Trenchards The surviving building was built by the Trenchard family one of the most prominent families in Dorset during the 16th century 1 In January 1506 Sir Thomas Trenchard entertained in Wolfeton Wolveton Philip of Austria Archduke of Austria King of Castile and his wife Queen Joanna of Castile after their ship en route to Spain was brought to English shores at Melcombe Regis by storm close to Wolfeton Concerning this chance event the famous story about John Russell 1st Earl of Bedford who having been born the son of a Weymouth wine importer became a favoured courtier of King Henry VIII is told by the Dorset historian John Hutchins d 1773 as follows In this house John Russell of Berwick Dorset Esq laid the foundation of the honours and fortunes of the illustrious family of the Duke of Bedford Having resided some years in Spain he was sent for by his relation Sir Thomas Trenchard to attend and entertain the Archduke of Austria King of Castile who recommended him to the favour of King Henry VII who took him into favour and appointed him one of the gentlemen of his privy chamber and afterwards recommended him to his son Henry VIII 2 In June 2023 planning permission to build housing near the manor was refused by Dorset Council 3 Building editParts of Wolfeton House date back to the south side of an early quadrangular courtyard house dating from the 16th century The house has a three floored tower on the south side with the topmost stage build in approximately 1862 West of the tower the wall was built in 16th century and leads to the octagonal garderobe tower 4 Inside the house is oak panelled and includes an extensive collection of Elizabethan and Jacobean carvings including those of Roman Soldiers and a figure of a Briton brandishing a club The main staircase of stone is believed to be unique built in 1580 with carved figures in the balustrade The Great Chamber s floor is original and dates to the 16th century whilst the fireplace is carved with figures including a Native American 5 Gatehouse editThe gatehouse at Wolfeton House includes an inscription panel stating it was finished in 1534 The gatehouse is 2 storeys high with an attic and was built approximately 30 metres 98 ft east of the main building It has two round towers which are not identical in size with an entrance archway between but off centre Around the door is a label mould with two stops showing a satyr and a woodmouse each holding staves Above the door is cartouche dating from the early 18th century 4 It is available for holidays through the Landmark Trust References edit Newth John June 2013 A complete jumble Wolfeton Few Dorset houses can match the character and charm of Wolfeton John Newth has visited Dorset Life Retrieved 26 August 2016 John Hutchins History of Dorset Vol I 1774 p 453 Wolfeton House Developer loses appeal to build near manor BBC News 26 June 2023 Retrieved 27 June 2023 a b Wolfeton House Historic England Retrieved 26 August 2016 Ross David Wolfeton House Britain Express Retrieved 26 August 2016 Further reading editAlbert Bankes 1907 Wolfeton House Journal of the British Archaeological Association London British Archaeological Association 176 209 Wolfeton House The Archaeological Journal Longman Rrown Green and Longman 270 295 1992 Booton Peter Dorset Interiors Wolfeton House Dorset MagazineExternal links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wolfeton House Historic Houses Association Wolfeton House visiting information Tour UK Wolfeton House Great Houses amp Manors of Dorsetshire Landmark Trust Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wolfeton House amp oldid 1214340579, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
