Beaupre Hall
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Beaupré Hall was a large 16th century house mainly of brick, which was built by the Beaupres in Outwell, Norfolk, England and enlarged by their successors the Bells. grid reference TF513045 - shown on this map from circa 1890.
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[edit] Construction
The oldest parts date from about 1500 and include much of the central block running south-west to north-east, with a long wing running north-west at an angle. The gatehouse was placed in front of the main block and probably dates from about 1525. Fifty years later, after Sir Robert Bell succeeded to the property in virtue of his marriage with the heiress of Edmund Beaupré, the north-east section was rebuilt from the screen of the hall, a porch with an upper story was added on both sides, and a bay added at the daïs on the front; about the same time a large wing was constructed at right angles to the south-east, and connected with a wall to the gatehouse to form a court. This wing and part of the main block were destroyed a century ago, though part of the south-east end wall still remains. Before the end of the 16th century another court was formed to the south-west by a wing projecting from the main block and abutting upon the south-west side of the gatehouse. Considerable alterations, mainly internal, were made about 1750.
[edit] Architecture
The gatehouse is of brick with stone dressings, the upper part being mainly of ashlar. The arches of the passage are four-centred. Above is a room lighted back and front by a square-headed window with stone mullions and transom. There are embattled angleturrets rising well above the parapet. The room contains a late-16th-century fireplace. The spacious chapel occupied the extreme end of the north-west wing. It is now roofless and the walls have partly collapsed. It is not correctly orientated and the altar was at the northwest end. Here there is a six-light window with uncusped heads; the mullions are missing. There is a similar window, now blocked, in the wall on the left. There are some good 16th-century chimney-stacks. The main door of the house has 16th-century linenfold panelling. Several rooms on the first floor retain late-16th-century panelling; another room has early 18th-century panelling and yet another Georgian wainscoting. The drawing-room, formerly part of the hall, has an early 17th-century chimney-piece and a deep wooden cornice, the sole remnant of panelling now no longer in existence. The back of the house was somewhat altered in the 19th century and suffered greatly in the process. Of late years a number of windows which had been modernized in the main block have been restored to their original form with stone mullions and transoms. The building at the southwest angle retains its characteristic flanking finials, which were also formerly found on the porch and other parts. The roofs are covered with stone tiles except some portions which have been repaired with blue slates. To the south are some fine contemporary farm buildings with stepped gables, moulded brick stringcourses, and massive timbers.
[edit] Heraldry
The two windows of the present entrance hall are filled with fine heraldic glass dating from 1570–80. The heraldry displays the matrimonial alliances of the various owners before 1580; the mantling is particularly fine. The following coats occur: Image 1. Top Left 1-4 Bottom 5-8 Image 2. Top 9-11 Bottom 12-14
- Beaupré impaling Meeres,
- Beaupré impaling Fodryngaye,
- Beaupré impaling Mountford,
- Beaupré quartering Fodryngaye,
- Beaupré impaling Fodryngaye,
- Thomas Fodryngaye,
- Coggeshall,
- Fodryngaye,
- Bell,
- Sir Robert Bell,
- Bell impaling Harrington,
- Beaupré quartering Fodryngaye,
- Bell quartering Beaupré,
- Beaupré impaling Fodryngaye.
The Beaupré panels are larger than the Bell panels and slightly earlier in date.
[edit] Final Years
During World War II, the estate was used by the RAF, and may have suffered significant damage by Nazi bombing. Beaupré Hall fell into a state of further disrepair until its unfortunate demolition in 1966.
[edit] Source
- A History of the County of Cambridge and the Isle of Ely: Volume IV
- Hussey, C., Beaupre Hall Wisbech, Coventry Homes and Gardens Old & New, pb. Country Life, 1923
