Mompesson House was built around 1701, during the reign of Queen Anne, a period noted for the rise of the English Baroque style. The house was constructed for William Mompesson, a clergyman of historical renown, who served as the Rector of the nearby parish of Eyam in Derbyshire. William Mompesson is best remembered for his leadership during the plague outbreak in Eyam in 1665-1666, where he famously helped coordinate a quarantine to prevent the spread of the disease. After his time in Eyam, he moved to Salisbury, where he commissioned the building of this elegant townhouse.

The design of Mompesson House reflects the classical tastes of the era, with an emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and restrained ornamentation. The house’s façade, made from the warm honey-colored limestone typical of the region, showcases a balanced arrangement of sash windows, a central doorway with an ornate pediment, and a slate roof.

Architectural Features

Mompesson House is a three-story townhouse, rectangular in plan, with a basement and attics. The front façade is notable for its classical elegance and symmetry, typical of the Queen Anne style but with a provincial English character.

Exterior

The house’s exterior is constructed of ashlar stone, a finely dressed limestone sourced locally, giving it a smooth and refined appearance. The windows are uniformly arranged, with twelve-over-twelve sash windows framed by stone mullions and subtle decorative elements such as keystones and lintels. The central doorway is crowned with an elaborate broken pediment supported by pilasters, highlighting the entrance as the focal point.

The roofline is finished with a parapet hiding the slate roof behind, adding to the refined silhouette of the building. The chimneys, made of brick, rise above the roofline and add vertical emphasis to the overall composition. shutdown123