Shenley

119. SHENLEY.

(O.S. 6 in. xl. N.W.)

Ecclesiastical

(1). Parish Church of St. Botolph, stands about a mile N. of the village and 4 miles S.E. of St. Albans. The walls are faced with squared flint-work, similar to that found in the eastern counties, and the quoins are of brick; the roof is tiled. It is a plain rectangular building (85 ft. by 38 ft. externally), originally the Nave and South Aisle of a larger church, and appears to have been re-built c. 1424, when Maud, Countess of Salisbury, made a bequest to the fabric. The Chancel, Tower, and nave arcade were destroyed in 1753.

Architectural Description—The E. and W. windows are modern. In the N. wall are three windows of two cinque-foiled lights, with tracery, and a small doorway, all of the 15th century, restored with cement. In the S. wall are four similar windows, and a contemporary doorway, of one double hollow-chamfered order. Near the E. end is a smaller doorway, of which the jambs and arch are covered with cement. In the W. gable is a small cot for one bell.

Fittings—Brasses and Indents: in the floor, to Elizabeth Alwaye, 1618: on the S. side, indent of knight and lady, late 15th-century. Floor Slabs: to William Cox, 1649: to Mary Anderson, 1673: to Edmund Anderson, 1683: to Robert Now, 1684: to Rebecca Palmer, 1694: others covered by pews. Seating: modern, but with some old carved poppy heads.

Condition—Good.

Secular

(2). Homestead Moat, at Colney Chapel, large and of an oval shape.

(3). Salisbury Hall and Moat, on low ground, about 1½ miles N. of Shenley and 4 miles S.E. of St. Albans. The house is built of brick, and is of two storeys with attics; the roofs are tiled. Sir John Cuttes is said to have built a house on this site in the 16th century, but Sir Jeremiah Snow, who owned it from c. 1669 to 1702, appears to have re-built it entirely, and much of his work remains. Charles II. visited the house several times. A large part of the old building was demolished in 1819, and considerable additions were made in 1884, chiefly at the back.

The house is a fine example of 17th-century architecture, and the plaster medallions in the hall are especially interesting.

The plan is rectangular, with a projecting porch at the W. end of the N. front, which is entirely the work of Sir Jeremiah Snow. The porch is carried up to the roof, and the upper storey is supported by brick piers or buttresses; the entrance archway is of stone, with pilasters, a semi-circular head and moulded pediment, in which is a shield bearing the arms of Snow. The windows in the N. front have modern frames, and the attics, including that of the porch, are lighted by dormer windows, which retain some original detail. The back elevation has twin gables. All the chimney stacks have groups of square shafts set diagonally, with oversailing courses at the top.

Interior—The principal rooms are on the W. of the entrance, the kitchen and offices on the E., and at the back are modern additions. The entrance passage was originally part of the hall, now used as a dining-room; it has a stone-paved floor, and under it a secret passage is said to exist; the walls are panelled with oak, now painted, to a height of 7 ft. Above the panelling are the famous plaster medallions bought by Sir John Cuttes, the builder of the original house, from the nunnery of Sopwell, St. Albans. There are said to have been twelve, but now only six whole medallions and three halves are visible; the other halves are probably built into the wall. They are each about 3 ft. in diameter, and are evidently copies of old coins, each having a large head in low relief, representing a Roman emperor or empress, with the name in the border. They are supposed to be of the 15th century, but the maker is unknown. On one side of the hall is a wide stone fireplace, with moulded jambs and lintel, and in another room on the ground floor is a stone fireplace carved with fruit and flowers. On the first floor are some remains of panelling. Many of the doors and an oak linen cupboard are of the 17th century. Some of the wood chimney-pieces are old, and in three fireplaces are old blue and white tiles of various designs. In the attics are several deep cupboards under the sloping roof, which are said to be entrances to secret passages and hiding holes. The main staircase, from the ground floor to the attics, is of massive oak, and has square newels with carved heads, twisted balusters, and a moulded hand-rail.

The house is completely surrounded by the moat, the main entrance on the N. being reached by a bridge. The island is revetted with a brick wall. Opposite the front of the house are some old brick buildings, most of them outside the moat.

Condition—Good throughout.