Listed Building: THE FIRS (281566)

MONK SOHAM TM 26 NW 2/142 The Firs GV II Farmhouse. Mainly C16, in 2 phases; early C19 one bay in-line addition to left (south) forming a single long range. Timber framed, the front of the C16 portion plastered; C19 addition is in colourwashed brick, the rear of the old range cased.in the same material. Roof has pantiles to front and double Roman tiles to rear. 2 storeys, attic over C19 section. A range of 5 windows: to the left, 3 sashes with glazing bars; to the right, C19 casements. Above the 4th window is the projecting splayed head of an oriel window with 6 oblong mortices for the mullions; part of the deep sill of this window is visible internally. To left is a C19 colourwashed brick gabled porch with 5-panel door, the upper panel glazed. Internal stack, placed centrally, with oblong shaft. Left gable end has early C19 doorcase with plain pilasters and heavy entablature; paired three-quarter glazed French windows. 2 external stacks against rear wall, one at service end, the other heating the C19 addition. Interior. Earliest section is to right of stack and comprises 2 1/2 bays of a good quality early-mid C16 house, later down-graded to service accommodation. This section was jettied to the front, the supporting bracket at the corner still in place. 2-bay end cell has cross-beamed ground floor ceiling, the bridging beam with one surviving knee brace to the wallposts. Joists concealed. In the chamber above the gable end has some substantial studding and a down brace. Part of a late C16 partition with moulded muntins is probably re-used. The open truss over this chamber has an arched-braced tie beam. This tie beam supports a crown-post with down braces to it; all components are heavy and plain. The crown-post roof has much later reinforcement and only one brace to the collar purlin remains. Elsewhere in the house the timbers are concealed. To left of stack the roof has clasped and butt purlins with a few re-used sooted medieval rafters. The house stands immediately south of a medieval moat. Listing NGR: TM2101466491