Merthen Manor House, Constantine

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains

NameMerthen Manor House, Constantine
Alternative NamesMoreden
Historic CountryCornwall
Modern AuthorityCornwall
1974 AuthorityCornwall
Civil ParishConstantine

Possible fortified manor house dated 1575 although it maybe earlier, altered circa early to mid C19 and again in C20. It has two storeys, and is constructed from cement washed shale rubble with a slate roof. Depicted on a document of circa 1545 as a large, castellated house with four round towers. The date 1575 may refer to a reduction and remodelling of the house rather than a complete rebuilding. (PastScape)

Merthen has been held by the Vyvyans of Trelowarren since the C17, but it was formerly the seat of the Reskymers. In the C11 it was part of the manor of Winnianton and therefore not mentioned in the Domesday Book. It was held by the Crown. In 1225 Henry III made his brother Richard, Earl of Cornwall and gave him Winnianton which he exchanged with Gervase de Tintagel for Tintagel Castle. In the early C15 Merthen eventually passed to Ralph Reskymer and it is generally thought John Reskymer and his wife Grace built the present house in 1575 because of their arms over the entrance, but that may refer to a remodelling of that time. John Reskymer died in 1617 and Grace in 1627. In 1629 Merhen was sold to Sir Francis Vyvyan of Trelowarren. (Listed Building Report)

Mentioned by Leland as a manor of Mr Reskimer 'There hath beene a fair house, but it felle to ruine in tyme of mynde'. He also mentions a park.

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSW727263
Latitude50.0941581726074
Longitude-5.17912006378174
Eastings172710
Northings26390
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Chesher, V.M. and F.J.,1968, The Cornishman's House p. 50-51
  • Henderson, C., 1937, A History of the Parish of Constantine in Cornwall p. 88-123
  • Lysons, D. and Lysons, S., 1814, Magna Britannia Vol. 3 p. 67 online transcription

Antiquarian

  • Chandler, John, 1993, John Leland's Itinerary: travels in Tudor England  (Sutton Publishing) p. 71
  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1907, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (London: Bell and Sons) Vol. 1 p. 194, 195 online copy