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MOOR PARK IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 November 2016

Paul Drury ,
Sally Jeffery  and
David Wrightson
Paul Drury
Affiliation:
Drury McPherson Partnership, 23 Spencer Road, Twickenham TW2 5TZ, UK. Email: [email protected]
Sally Jeffery
Affiliation:
67 Devonshire Road, Chiswick, London W4 2HU, UK. Email: [email protected]
David Wrightson
Affiliation:
22 Esmond Gardens, South Parade, Chiswick, London W4 1JT, UK. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The surviving fabric of the house at Moor Park, near Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, built in 1679–84 for the Duke and Duchess of Monmouth on the site of an older house, is hidden inside the present stone casing by James Thornhill of c 1725. Its design is attributed to Hugh May, and it was constructed by a team of Office of Works craftsmen, many of whom were working with May at Windsor Castle, Berkshire. Analysis of the remaining structure, together with new research into the documentary evidence, has permitted a reconstruction of the roof along with partly conjectural reconstructions of the elevations and of some interior features. The study throws light on the process of commissioning, building and interior finishing of the house, the materials used, the close-knit circle of architects and craftsmen involved and the possible intervention of the clients. It illustrates the originality of the designs and is compared to May’s other works and other houses of the period.

Type
Papers
Information
The Antiquaries Journal , Volume 96 , September 2016 , pp. 241 - 290
Copyright
© The Society of Antiquaries of London 2016 

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References

Manuscript sources

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