Building record MLI86728 - Espin Mausoleum, Louth
Summary
Early 19th century mausoleum in the grounds of The Priory, Eastgate, Louth.
Type and Period (2)
- MAUSOLEUM (Post Medieval to Modern - 1822 AD to 2050 AD)
- SUMMERHOUSE (Post Medieval - 1818 AD to 1822 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
Early 19th century mausoleum designed in the gothic style, and originally built as a summerhouse. The interior has a gothic iron fireplace and memorial column to John Espin although the structure was built by Thomas Espin. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. {1}
The mausoleum is constructed from stone from Louth Abbey. {2}
The Priory was the home of Thomas Espin (see PRN 45670). In payment for designing a new town hall for Louth he had been given salvaged masonry and material from the ruins of the medieval Louth Park Abbey. On the west side of his new lake in the grounds is the Gothic ruin that Espin constructed from this salvaged masonry (see PRN 45671). Opposite this ruin is the Gothick summerhouse, on the east side of the lake, also built to Thomas’s designs, and at his request it became his mausoleum. The mausoleum has a rectangular plan, is stuccoed with a pitched stone slate roof and has stone dressings. It is in the Gothick style and contains a stone memorial on the floor, inscribed with ‘hic jacet (here lies) Thomas Espin FSA’. This building was restored in the 1980s or 1990s. The ensemble of The Priory, mausoleum and ruin is the very personal creation of Thomas Espin. Situated picturesquely around the lake in the grounds of The Priory, the mausoleum and ruin form important elements in Espin’s Gothick idyll. For the full description of these listed buildings please refer to the National Heritage List for England. {3}{4}{5}
The mausoleum is small and roughly square-shaped, with an octagonal chimney, buttresses, pinacles, a crenellated parapet and an arched doorway with head-stoops. The interior floor is laid with octagonal tiles. {6}
Sources/Archives (6)
- <1> SLI8148 Index: Department of the Environment. 1974. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. 2/274b.
- <2> SLI1062 Bibliographic Reference: Nikolaus Pevsner and John Harris, with Nicholas Antram. 1989. Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). p.544.
- <3> SLI12156 Report: QuBE Planning Ltd.. 2008. Louth Conservation Area Appraisal. Lower Eastgate character area.
- <4> SLI13505 Unpublished Document: English Heritage / Historic England. 2011->. Advice Report from a Heritage Asset Assessment. Case No.478778.
- <5> SLI13386 Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1063220.
- <6> SLI16501 Website: The Mausolea & Monuments Trust. 2020->. The Mausolea & Monuments Trust. http://www.mmtrust.org.uk/. Accessed 22/01/2020.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 33426 87654 (4m by 4m) Surveyed |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | LOUTH, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (1)
Related Events/Activities (3)
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Mar 21 2021 8:35PM
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