Giffords Hall, Stoke-by-Nayland

Not to be confused with Gifford's Hall, Wickhambrook.

Giffords Hall
Giffords Hall Gatehouse
Quick reference Type Tudor Manor House Location Stoke-by-Nayland Coordinates 51°59′55″N 0°56′18″E Area Suffolk Built for Mannock family Architectural style(s) Tudor Listed Building – Grade I Official name Giffords Hall Designated 10 Jan 1953 Reference no. 1283138
Location of Giffords Hall in Suffolk

Giffords Hall (also called Gifford's Hall) is a Tudor manor house two miles north-east of Stoke-by-Nayland in Suffolk, England. It was described by Nikolaus Pevsner as “one of the loveliest houses of its date in England”. It takes its name from the powerful Gifford family, who owned it in the 13th century, alongside the similarly named Gifford's Hall, Wickhambrook.

History

Sir Bernard Burke reported in 1854 that the then owner of the house had records for leases of parts of the estate dating from the reign of Henry II.

The Constables

In 1216, Richard Constable began the now-ruinous chapel near the house, dedicating it to Saint Nicholas. Richard's son, William, would later "amply" endow the chapel.

The Giffords

The manor of Giffords would gain its name from the Gifford family, who had large landholdings in the area, when Peter Gifford came to hold the manor in the reign of Henry III.

The Mannocks

The Mannock family was said to have hailed originally from Denmark, flourishing under England's Danish Monarchs. Branches of the family had significant landholdings in Huntingdonshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, and Suffolk, with one established in Stoke-by-Nayland from the time of Edward III. Robert Mannock, alive in Edward's reign, was the great-grandfather of Philip Mannock, who purchased the Giffords manor in 1427 or 1428. The Mannock family and their successors would hold the house for nearly 500 years. Following Philip's purchase, the estate would be expanded, for instance acquiring the manor of Raven's Hall in 1464. remaining largely of only local importance. Philip may have built the main ranges of the house today, such as the Great Hall, at times (therefore incorrectly) called "King John's Banqueting Hall". Philip would be succeeded by his son John, who would be succeeded by his son, George. George married Catherine, a daughter of Thomas Waldegrave of Smallbridge Hall, Suffolk, and died on the 22 August 1541. His eldest son, William (d.1558), succeeded him. William (d.1558) would marry Audrie, a daughter of John Allington of Westley, Cambridgeshire and die on 8 July "6 Philip and Mary", i.e., 1558. His son, Francis (d.1590), was five years old at the inquisition a year later. He would later marry Mary, a daughter of William Fitch of Little Canfield, Essex, and kinswoman of Benet Canfield. When he died on 2 November 1590, he had multiple daughters but only one son, William (d.1617), who was 34 at the time. William (d.1617) would marry Etheldred, a daughter of Ferdinando Parys of Linton and die on 15 March "15 James I", i.e., 1617.

Architecture

The current house is a mainly 16th century house built for the Mannocks, incorporating older fabric, some of which may date to the Gifford family's ownership. Its hall has a hammerbeam roof and a 2-storey Tudor red brick gatehouse.

Gallery

Exterior

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  Giffords Hall gatehouse from the South-West, pre-1900
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  Giffords Hall gatehouse from the South-East, pre-1900

Courtyard and interior

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  Giffords Hall courtyard and porch through the gatehouse
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  Giffords Hall courtyard and hall range from the West, pre-1900
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  Giffords Hall courtyard and hall range from the East
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  Giffords Hall gatehouse's North façade from the courtyard, pre-1900
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  Giffords Hall great hall from the West

Estate

Giffords Hall Farm

The house is set within an agricultural estate. It totalled 1,512 acres (612 ha) in 1918.