Jack of Newbury’s House.
View that seems little unchanged.
In the 16th Century, John Winchcombe was a wealthy clothier. His fortune was made from produce high quality cloths, known as “Winchcombes”. He was more popularly known as “Jack of Newbury“.
Over the years, he purchased large swathes of land. Bucklebury, Thatcham, Farnborough were amongst the estates he bought following the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
He also leased a large area of the centre of Newbury. It was here that he built his home. A large, high status building, arranged around courtyards between Marsh Lane (pictured) and Jack Street.
Most of this house has now been demolished – Marks & Spencer currently occupies the space, in a somewhat less impressive building. A small section of Jack of Newbury’s house still remains, though, on the corner of Marsh Lane and Northbrook Street.
The front of this building (now 24 Northbrook Street) has been rendered, loosing much of its appeal. It is currently a card shop. However, the view in Marsh Lane is largely unchanged from the early 20th Century. (See below).
The building is Grade II* listed.
Pictured in the early 20th Century.
Photograph Details:
- Taken: 12 May 2017
- Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10 MkII
- Lens: Olympus 14-42 1:3.5-5.6
- Focal Length 14mm
- F/5.6
- 1/160 Sec
- ISO 200