Whilst it is fair to say that there is some confusion about how 14 St. Austins Lane fits into the jigsaw of medieval housing with its neighbours one thing is certain – it is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the town today.

The building we see today is a 15th century oak-framed, cross wing but there is confusion about whether it originally adjoined the house to the west or east. The property was listed Grade II in 1972 and the listing text concludes “probably former service cross-wing of hall house to SW”.

The listing also has the house as late 15th or early 16th century but there is evidence, specifically wide wall stud spacing and the floor joist jointing, for an earlier date and high status occupation.

When looking at buildings in Harwich we find things were often done differently in a town that was an important centre for seafaring and maritime commerce. The town had plenty of wealthy merchants who liked to keep up with the latest architectural fashions and innovations but they were also practical people, combining commercial space with family accommodation.

14 St. Austins Lane could have connected to an adjoining complex on the east, west or both sides, or it could have built one way and reconfigured to connect another.

The oldest parts of the structure do seem to suggest a high status build in the first half of the 15th century in an important part of town.

So far we have no names for the early builders and residents of 14 St. Austins Lane but in 1766 the will of Captain Thomas Hearn leads with his house on the “north side of St. Austins Lane” which would well comprise the block from 12A to 14.

14 St. Austins Lane was surveyed and interpreted as part of the Harwich Architectural Survey Project which was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

An interpretation of the building by Brenda and Elphin Watkin is available for download here.

A short report into early paint frgaments by Andrea Kirkham is available for download here.