The whole structure breathes the spirit of
the Tudor age, before the classic spirit had exercised any marked
influence upon our national architecture, while the details of the
carving are almost as rich as is the moulded and sculptured work
in the brick houses of East Anglia. The features in other parts of
the exterior are all equally good, and we may certainly say of
Barrington Court that it occupies a most notable place in the
domestic architecture of England. It is also worthy of remark that
such houses as this are far rarer than those of Jacobean
times."[38]
[38] _Country Life_, September 17th, 1904.
But Barrington Court has fallen on evil days; one half of the house
only is now habitable, the rest having been completely gutted about
eighty years ago. The great hall is used as a cider store, the
wainscoting has been ruthlessly removed, and there have even been
recent suggestions of moving the whole structure across England and
re-erecting it in a strange county. It has several times changed hands
in recent years, and under these circumstances it is not surprising
that but little has been done to ensure the preservation of what is
indeed an architectural gem. But the walls are in excellent condition
and the roofs fairly sound. The National Trust, like an angel of
mercy, has spread its protecting wings over the building; friends have
been found to succour the Court in its old age; and there is every
reason to hope that its evil days are past, and that it may remain
standing for many generations.
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