Mawley Hall
Encyclopedia
Mawley Hall is a privately owned 18th-century country mansion near Cleobury Mortimer
, Shropshire
, England
. It is a Grade I listed building.
The Blount family of Sodington Hall
, Mamble
, Worcestershire
, wealthy coalowners and ironfounders, acquired estates in neighbouring Shropshire. They were prominent Roman Catholics, and Walter Blount was created a baronet in 1624 (see Blount Baronets
). As Royalist supporters and on the losing side during the English Civil War
they suffered financial difficulties in the 17th century, but their fortunes recovered following the English Restoration
of 1660.
In 1730 Sir Edward Blount commissioned Francis Smith of Warwick
to design a new mansion house for the estate at Mawley. It is built on a rectangular plan of nine by seven bays with a nine bay three storey entrance front to the north east. The advanced three central bays carry Doric
pilasters and pediment
. The garden front to the south west is similar in design and decoration with a cental entrance approached by a double flight of steps with wrought iron ballustrades. The house is particularly noted for its Baroque
interiors, plasterwork by Francesco Vassalli and the Adam style dining room.
The Blounts were in residence until the mid 20th century. In 1962 the house was sold to Anthony Galliers Pratt, who carried out a total restoration and whose son, Rupert, remains in residence. The house is open to the public but at restricted times.
Cleobury Mortimer
Cleobury Mortimer is a small rural market town in Shropshire, England. The town's parish has a population of 1,962 according to the 2001 census. Although sometimes regarded as a village, it is in fact the second smallest town in Shropshire , having been granted a town charter in 1253.Several...
, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It is a Grade I listed building.
The Blount family of Sodington Hall
Sodington Hall
Sodington Hall is a small early 19th century country house at Mamble, Worcestershire. It is a Grade II listed building.The manor of Sodington came to the Blount family in the 14th century when Walter Blount married Johanna de Sodington. The manor house occupied a moated site and was said to have...
, Mamble
Mamble
Mamble is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills District in the county of Worcestershire, England. It is located on the A456 between Bewdley and Cleobury Mortimer. Notable buildings include the 13th century sandstone church of St John the Baptist and the 17th century Sun & Slipper Inn...
, Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
, wealthy coalowners and ironfounders, acquired estates in neighbouring Shropshire. They were prominent Roman Catholics, and Walter Blount was created a baronet in 1624 (see Blount Baronets
Blount Baronets
The Blount Baronetcy of Sodington, [Mamble] in the County of Worcester, was created in the Baronetage of England on 5 October 1642 for Walter Blount, High Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1619 and Member of Parliament for Droitwich from 1624 to 1625. He later fought as a Royalist in the Civil War. He...
). As Royalist supporters and on the losing side during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
they suffered financial difficulties in the 17th century, but their fortunes recovered following the English Restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
of 1660.
In 1730 Sir Edward Blount commissioned Francis Smith of Warwick
Francis Smith of Warwick
Francis Smith of Warwick was an English master-builder and architect, much involved in the construction of country houses in the Midland counties of England...
to design a new mansion house for the estate at Mawley. It is built on a rectangular plan of nine by seven bays with a nine bay three storey entrance front to the north east. The advanced three central bays carry Doric
Doric
Doric may refer to:* Doric Greek, the dialects of the Dorians* Doric order, a style of ancient Greek architecture* Doric mode, a synonym of Dorian mode* Doric dialect...
pilasters and pediment
Pediment
A pediment is a classical architectural element consisting of the triangular section found above the horizontal structure , typically supported by columns. The gable end of the pediment is surrounded by the cornice moulding...
. The garden front to the south west is similar in design and decoration with a cental entrance approached by a double flight of steps with wrought iron ballustrades. The house is particularly noted for its Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
interiors, plasterwork by Francesco Vassalli and the Adam style dining room.
The Blounts were in residence until the mid 20th century. In 1962 the house was sold to Anthony Galliers Pratt, who carried out a total restoration and whose son, Rupert, remains in residence. The house is open to the public but at restricted times.