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© Mr Robert J Harvey ARPS

IoE Number: 292893
Location: FIRLE PLACE,
  FIRLE, LEWES, EAST SUSSEX
Photographer: Mr Robert J Harvey ARPS
Date Photographed: 28 October 1999
Date listed: 17 March 1952
Date of last amendment: 17 March 1952
Grade I

FIRLE5206Firle PlaceTQ 4707 33/48317.3.52.I

FIRLE 1. 5206 Firle Place TQ 4707 33/483 17.3.52. I 2. The exterior of this mansion dates almost wholly from the C18. But the western half was built in the early C16, probably by Sir John Gage who was Constable of the Tower in Henry VIII's reign (d 1557). Part may even date drom the late C15. Its exterior was then georgianised by the first Viscount Gage between 1744 and 1754. The eastern half was added between 1754 and 1783 by the second Viscount Gage, son of General Gage who was unsuccessful in the War of American Independence. Two storeys and attic. Ashlar. Glazing bars intact. The south front has 16 windows. At its west end is the only portion of the building where C16 work is visible externally. This has 2 window bays with a gable over and 2 of the windows are the original casement windows of 3 lights each. Tiled roof. To the east of this are 4 recessed window bays with cornice. Beyond this is a projecting portion of higher elevation containing 3 windows which light the staircase hall, behind which is the Tudor Hall. Heavy moulded wooden eaves cornice and Horsham slab roof to this portion. The remainder of the front is the C18 addition. First 4 recessed window bays, then a balancing projection of 2 windows and then a recessed portion with one window, one hipped dormer and modillion cornice, which is the return section of the east front. Horsham slab roof. The western half of the north front forms a half-H. The centre portion has 6 windows, a parapet, and windows in stone architrave surrounds. The projecting wings have a curved bay of 3 windows each on the ground floor with Gothic glazing and a balustrade above, a Venetian window on the first floor eaves cornice and one hipped dormer each. On their inner face they have one window and 2 hipped dormers each. The eastern half is recessed compared with with projecting wings of the west half but not as much as the recessed centre of the latter. Seven windows. Four hipped dormers. Eaves cornice. Horsham slab roof. The easternmost window bay is recessed, of higher elevation than the remainder, with modillions to the cornice and forms the return section of the east front. The east or entrance front has 5 windows. The centre projects with a rusticated carriage archway on ground floor which leads into the courtyard within the C18 addition. Over this archway is a Venetian window on the first floor with a pediment above flanked by round dormer windows. The end window bays project also. Wooden modillion eaves cornice. Four hipped dormers. The Tudor Hall contains C18 decoration. The small Dining-room has a C15 fireplace and in the Staircase Hall is a blocked C16 doorway. The Staircase is early C18. The C18 portion of the house contains a gilded Drawing-room and Library adjoining, and occupying the whole of the first floor of the east front, a Picture Gallery. To the west of the main building is a long T-wing containing the Laundry and other domestic offices. This is probably C16, altered in the C18 and C19. It has 2 storeys, 12 windows and 3 gables on its south front.