The New Murrey and Blue blog

As a friend has pointed out, how very pleasing to see an old house like this without an ugly topping of huge Tudor chimneys. What a difference it makes. Sharrington Hall, near Holt in Norfolk, is a truly beautiful old property which the agents Savills describe as a “….Historic Grade II* Jacobean Hall dating back to the 11th Century, with Grade II Barn and five Grade II cottages currently run as successful award winning holiday rental business….” The usual eye-boggling millions are required to have it for yourself.

However, delightful as the exterior is, to me the interior leaves a lot to be desired. I fear that I simply do not like ancient houses that are kitted outside inside as if they were built a few decades ago. But that’s just my outlook, and I’m sure many will think that it’s perfect as it is.

The author of the Country Life article A Norfolk home with six bedrooms and some of the finest interiors is up for sale for only the third time since the 1700s – Country Life describes the above image as having “timeless charm”. That’s definitely not how I see it.

What’s lacking in both the Country Life article and that of Savills—https://countrylife.onthemarket.com/details/14668792/—is something about the house’s history. Who lived there? Did anything happen? So off I set in search of some of Sharrington Hall’s past.

Well, to begin with, there’s disagreement about the description of the Hall as Jacobean. At this site Sharrington-Hall – Norfolk Heritage Explorer you’ll find that it’s a late 15th century mansion. Extended and altered in the 16th to 17th centuries. That’s more like it. The site goes on: “….This Hall has probably been the site of a manorial residence since at least the Norman Conquest, and may once have been moated. The current house is of flint and brick, two storeys high with a pantiled roof. It is largely 16th and 17th century in date, although evidence exists of an earlier part to the west. Alterations took place between the 16th and 18th centuries, before the house fell into slight disrepair in the 19th century. However, there have been several periods of restoration in the last century….”

The same site also says: “….Important survival of a manorial site on a former common edge. Possibly once moated….Present building seems to have three phases of late medieval/early post medieval work two of which may fall within the period from the 1480s to the 1520s. Stone quoins, open hall with cross passage; later phases provided upper floor and stone fireplaces, brick stair turret. Grand extension and remodelling in about 1600 with porch tower, kitchen, second stair turret. Two detached blocks to north perhaps medieval origin, refashioned as 17th century lodging ranges. Modernisation in about 1700 of which panelling survives….Decline in 19th century when north ranges became barns; restored 20th century at several dates….”  

Right, I don’t know about you, ladies and gentlemen, but I’m beginning to get the feeling that not much is known about the holders, occupants and happenings at the hall over the centuries. Wikipedia Sharrington – Wikipedia, I fear it doesn’t mention the hall at all, even though it’s definitely in the village!

At last I came upon a helpful site here A History of Sharrington / Norfolk Geology – Sharrington Village, which tells a lot about the hall’s past, and when it comes to “our” period, says: “….The Dawbney, Daubenye or Daubeney family were Lords of Sharrington and, in 1469, John Daubeney was killed by “shell shot” whilst helping to defend Caister Castle for the Paston Family against John Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk. John was a younger son of the Daubeney family and, in his Will, he left £6 for a Chantry Priest at Sharrington to pray for his soul in the church. (Presumably until the £6 ran out?). John Daubeney’s brass figure, in full armour with sword and spurs and with a Lion? at his feet, resides in All Saints Church….”

You can read a lot more about the (later) Daubenays and their church brasses here Christopher Daubeney | Portfolio of Brasses | Monumental Brass Society (mbs-brasses.co.uk).

I think I’ll leave the search there. Sharrington Hall does have a past, but I still don’t like its present interior.