This report presents the results of an evaluation and building assessment
conducted in advance of a proposed development at Narrowgate House,
Alnwick. The works comprised the excavation of six trial trenches and a test
pit, recording of a previously excavated structural survey test pit, and
photography and assessment of a building and garden wall within the garden
of the property.
The works were commissioned by Andrew Woodhouse, and conducted by
Archaeological Services in accordance with a specification provided by
Northumberland County Council Conservation Team and a written scheme of
investigation provided by Archaeological Services.
The evaluation identified a number of features of medieval and post-medieval
date at the eastern end of the garden, close to Narrowgate House. However,
most of these were truncated by a large modern cut that extended at least
0.35m into the natural subsoil.
From Newcastle Journal August 9th 1856
ALNWICK.—SALE OF FURNITURE, &e.
R. T. ROBERTSON will SELL by AUCTION, on the Premises, NarrowGate Street, Alnwick, on Monday, Angust 18th, 1856, and Three following Days, at Eleven o’Clock each Day, all the Valuable FURNITURE, PLATE, PLATED GOODS, LINEN, CHINA, PIANO-FORTES, OIL PAINTINGS, PRINTS, WINE, SPIRITS, &c. &c. late belonging to ANTHONY LAMBERT, Esq. Solicitor, deceased.
ENTRANCE HALL AND STAIRCASE.—Hall Table ; Carved Mahogany Chairs; Greenwood’s Map of Northumberland in Spring Case; a large Quantity of Oil Cloth; Brussels Stair Carpet and Brass Rods; Crimson Damask Curtains for Stair Case Window, &c. &c.
DRAWING ROOM FURNITURE.—Rosewood Loo, Card, and Work Tables ; Chiffionere ; Sofas; Couch; Easy Chairs ; Devotional, and other Chairs, in Chintz Covers ; Chimney Glass, in Carved and Gilded Frame; Chintz Hangings, for Three Windows, with Cornices, &c.; Brussels Carpet and Rug; Fender and Irons; Needlework Screen Grand Piano-Forte by Broadwood, &c. &c.
DINING ROOM FURNITURE, viz.—Handsome Mahogany Chairs with Stuffed Seats and Backs in Clare Coloured Leather; Easy Chairs to Match ; Spanish Mahogany Sliding Dining Table with, extending Screw ; Side Table; Spanish Mahogany Sideboard with Plate Drawers, &c. ; Cellerette ; Sliding Screen ; Tray and Stand ; Bronze Fender and Irons; Brussels Carpet and moe ; Crimson Damask Hangings with Cornices, &c. complete for Two Windows, &c.
The LIBRARY contains a very complete Set of Mahogan Bookcases ; Writing and other Tables; Sofa ; Easy and othe: Chairs in Damask ; Crimson Damask Hangings for Four) Windows; Chimney Glass in Carved and Gilded Frame Brussels Carpets and Rug; a very Fine Bust of the late Earl Grey, &c.
The BED ROOMS contain Mahogany Four Post, Half Roof, aud French Bedsteads with Damask and Chintz Hangings ; Hair, Wool, and Straw Mattresses; Feather Beds ; Mahogany and Painted Wardrobes and Chests of Drawers; Mahogany and Painted Washing and Dressing Tables; Cheval and other Dressing Glasses; Chamber Ware ; Carpets and Rugs; Fenders and Irons, &c. &c.
The KITCHENS contain the usual Furniture, Cooking Utensils, &c. &c. :
OFFICE FURNITORE, Viz.:—Writing Tables and Desks ; Paper Presses; Book Shelves; Copying Presses; Iron Safes ; Tables ; Chairs, &c.
Upwards of 2,000 oz. of SILVER—comprising Dinner and Dessert Forks and Spoons; Tea Spoons; Fish Slice; Skewers, &c.; very handsome Dinner, Dessert, and Tea ; Ivory Handled Carving Knives and Forks ;} stals ; Plated Goods, &c. : 3 a very excellent Stock of Bed and Table Linen; Blankets ; Quilts, &c. : i oe a contains upwards of 60 Doz. of choice Port, Sherry, Claret, Hock, and other Wine. Also, a few Gallons of Prime Irish Whiskey.
Some very fine OIL PAINTINGS and PRINTS by eminent Masters.
On the First Day will be sold Kitchen, Nursery, Drawing Room, Oil Paintings and Prints, &c; on the Second Day, Scullery, Bed Rooms, Entrance Hall, and Dining Room, &c. on the Third Day, Pantry, Bed Rooms, Library, Silver Plate, Glass, &c. ; on the Fourth Day, Coach House, Yard, Linen, Blankets, Wine Spirits, &c.
Catalogues may of had the Auctioneer and Printer.
Alnwick, July 20th, 1856, eee
Photo of house frontage.
Historic England listing: General Lambert's House
-------- FUNERAL OF JOHN LAMBERT, ESQ. OF ALNWICK. —_. The death of this excellent and benevolent gentleman has excited a deep feeling of regret among all ranks and lic utility his voice was the first to be raised in their sup- port, and his purse was as open as his exertions were unWearied, not only in giving them immediate effect, but in their permanent maintenance, A wish was gene- rally expressed to testily in some way the grateful respect in which his memory was held, and, accordingly, the members of the Scientific Institution (of which he had been one of the founders and the most munificent and constant benefactor,) took the iniative, and presented a call a special meeting for the purpose, when it was unani- monsly resolved that the members and friends of the in- stitute should attend the remains tothe place of interment. The remarks which Mr. G. Tate, the senior secretary, | made in ee the subject, sre at once so just and discriminating, and so eloquently express the unanimous sentiments of the people of Alnwick on this melancholy | occasion, that we make no hesitation in putting them upon public record, *-The loss of so valuable a friend,” ob. | served Mr. Tate, “as Mr. Lambert, and the peculiar rela- | tion in which he stood to the institutioa since its esta- || blishment, devolves upon the members a melancholy duty —yet s duty—whieh, unless they are cold-hearted and ungrateful, they will readily perform. The best benefac- tors of humanity are thuse who seek the intellectual and moral improvement of their fellow-men; their labours may be humble, and the results little observed and less | appreciated by superficial observers, yet, in chix institute, where the mind has been discipli: by study and fur- nished with comprehensive views, it may be expected that the characters of men will be less estimated by the adven- tittous circumstances of rank or station, or common place accomplishments, than by the besring which principles and conduct have on the progress of society, and, judging by this high standard, every intelligent individual must rank Mr. Lambert among the best of public benefactors. | He had directed his acute and accomplished mind to the consideration of the means by which the evils afflicting society might be cured or alleviated. He had a strong conviction of the importance of each person employing his energies and influence to lessen themisery and to improve the intellect and beart in his own neighbourhood. His support of the various public institutions of his native town did not therefore arise from fitful impulse, but from rational —— and while his benevolence was dis- tinguished by its generosity, it was more marked still by | its enlightened and Catholic spirit. Most, if not all, of | the institutions in Alnwick were either founded by him || or derived much of their success from his countenance and support, Aided by the late Mr. Burrell, of Broome Park, some thirty years ago, he established the Alnwick Dispen- sary, which has been the means of alleviating much phy- sical suifering; and to the management of the institution he, as secretary and treasurer, devoted much time and labour. He originated the Alnwick Savings’ Bank, the best benefit society fora working man. hen it was resolved at a meeting of the inhabitants of Alnwick that an Infant School should be established to commemorate he~ Majesty's Coronation, he nobly presented the site of ~ on which it has been built ; and up wo the period of 1s death, he was one of its most generous end active a. rues Lhe British School shared in his bounty ; and ational Schools how in course of erection, and of which he — treesurer, received from him valuable assistance. With xis ~onnection with the Alnwick Seentificand Mechanical , Feetution the members are chiefly interested. When | the scheme was first proposed more than twenty-four , Fears ago, oo highly did he estimate education as a means (e-promoting morality and social order, that he zealously advocated measure. He was one of its original | founders, and to his exertions its early success was in no sented the valuable site of ground en which our com- medious and elegant structure stands; and through his influence no inconsiderable proportion of the funds neces- | sary for the building itself wasobtained. Atal! our public meetings he appeared to advocate the cause of education ; and he was ready to assist in carrying out any plans, b which the efficiency of the Institmte might be inc § I have woked up to him with veneration as the father of we are not insensible of thevalne of the benefits we enjoy | if we are not ungrateful to thuse who have conferred them, we will pay that tribute of respect to Mr, Lambert's memory which the wise and good have awarded to the benefactors of our race. I hope the mantle of our departed friend may have fallen on many others who, imbued with a spirit like bis, enlightened and generous, may help | forward the progress of a higher civilization than we have yet attained, ap ‘hereby increase the virtue and hap- | piness of societyy od ursday last, in accordance with | the resolutions «j “the ing, upwards of a hundred of the members met é library and lecture room of the | Institute and p ed in a budy tv follow the remains to | the place of sepulture ; they were joined by as many more | of the townsmen of alljranks—of all political parties and | religious creeds, and thus paid a graceful and vouching tribute to the memory of one whose patriotism was illustrated by public benefits, and his christianity by deeds of mercy. he shops were ail closed from two to four o'clock, and several tradesmen did not re-open them again. classes of his fellow-townsmen, for on ali matters of pub- | most numerously signed requisition to the secretaries to | small d indebted. Some years afterwards, he pre-| the society, and now that we have lost our best friend, if |
Keys to the Past: 31 & 33 Narrowgate
Includes former garage, Dorothy Forster, G. Lambert's House, and start of Bailiffgate.
Feature list from Narrowgate House, Coach-house and Stables
Narrowgate House Heritage Statement
Narrowgate House Heritage Statement 2018
Narrowgate House Historic Building Recording