About this piece
back to topThis spectacular antique limestone fireplace is an extremely rare and unique find, steeped in centuries old English history. It once resided at Warter Priory in Pocklington, Yorkshire and is exquisitely hand carved in the French style with the English coat of arms of the Pennington family. An important family of English history, the Pennington family lived at Warter from 1678-1878, during which the building underwent various renovations and extensions. This fireplace in the baroque and rococo styles is thought to date from circa 1770.
As well as residing at Warter, the Pennington family have owned Muncaster Castle for the past 800 years. In fact, descendants of the family still own the castle to this very day. Records of the family date back more than 950 years, Pennington thought to be an important family in Cumberland before the Norman conquest of 1066. They are recorded to have owned Muncaster Castle since 1208 and gave shelter to Henry VI after the Battle of Hexham in 1464. John Pennington became the first Lord Muncaster in 1783.
Provenance: Warter Priory
Removed from Warter Priory, Pocklington when it was demolished in 1972.
The origins of Water Priory date back to the Middle Ages. Established in 1132, Warter Priory was an Augustinian monastery with much of the surrounding land owned by its resident monks. In 1536, the Priory was closed down by Henry VIII and the estate acquired by the Duke of Rutland, followed by the Stapleton family in the mid 17th century (circa 1630).
In 1676, William Pennington married Isabel Stapleton and the estate was given to the married couple in 1678. Warter Priory (then Warter Hall) and its grounds remained in possession of the Pennington family for 200 years, before its sale to the shipping magnate Lord Nunburnholme in 1878.
Additional Dimensions
Opening height: 96.5 cm
Opening width: 120.5 cm
Width from outer foot block to outer foot block: 172 cm
