Dalemain

Description

Large country house. C15 with C16 additions, C17 alterations and extensive mid 1730's extensions, the initials E.H. over the entrance (Edward Hasell). Earliest parts of calciferous sandstone rubble with pink sandstone rubble extensions and flush quoins. C18 parts of pink sandstone ashlar with rusticated pilasters, string course, open-balustraded parapet and V-jointed quoins, all on moulded plinth. C18 lead downspouts. Graduated hipped greenslate roof with sandstone ashlar chimney stacks. 2-storey, 9-bay facade with wings built around a small courtyard, the rear range incorporating the original house. Facade has central panelled doors in fluted-pilaster pedimented doorcase. Sash windows with glazing bars in stone architraves with false keystones. The 2 end bays at either side are divided by pilasters. Left return wall has 2 bays of similar sash windows; the 5-bay wing has sash windows in stone surrounds. The right return wall has 2 bays similar to the facade, then the 2-bay wing which is carried up to full parapet height for 3 storeys, with small and large sash windows in stone surrounds. The original house is of 2 or 3 builds, the walls raised to form a uniform parapet in the C18. The central bays are a C15 hall adjoined by what has been interpreted as a tower, but appears to be an integral part of the hall range exhibiting similar C15 features and wall thicknesses. Left C17 chamfered-surround doorway under a large C17 cross-mullioned window. 2- and 3-light stone-mullioned windows, all under hoodmoulds, continuous on lower floor, broken on the upper floor by an C18 sash window beside a blocked 2-light window retaining its hoodmould. Central large chimney stack projects from the parapet, off-set on its right side for its full height. Further sash windows with glazing bars in C18 surrounds between chimney stack and staircase windows, which are in chamfered surrounds. The lowest one is 2-light and between these windows is a cross-and-circle vent stone. The far right 2 bays are part of the C18 wing; the far left bay is a C16 extension with 2-light stone-mullioned windows under hoodmoulds, continued on the left return wall. The inside of the courtyard shows the original front wall of the hall range now with a central late C17 bolection-moulded doorway and sash windows with glazing bars in C18 stone surrounds. The original windows of 2 periods are now blocked but traces remain. The interior has a broad C15 newel staircase and a smaller similar blocked staircase. Beamed ceilings, late C16 panelled rooms with moulded plasterwork. Remainder of the house has C18 features such as panelling, doors, ceilings and woodwork. (Listed Building Report)

Dalemain, now the seat of Edward Hasell, Esq. belonged, in the reign of Henry II. to the Morvilles. In the reign of Henry III. it passed to the Laytons, of whose coheiress it was purchased in 1665 by Sir Edward Hasell, ancestor of the present proprietor. (Lysons 1816)

Comments

Sometimes stated to have started as a C12 fortified site. The citation and evidence for this statement is not given and can not be critically examined. The Morvil family and the Layton family seem to have been minor knights so a peel tower of C14/C15 date here is entirely possible but not a major site. The relationship between this site and nearby Darce Castle is unclear. Dalemain is within a park but this park may originally have belonged to Dacre.