Judges' Lodgings, York

The Judges Lodgings

The Judges Lodgings is a magnificent Grade 1 listed townhouse erected between 1711 and 1726 upon the site of St. Wilfred's Church burial ground. St. Wilfred's Church was demolished somewhere between 1550 and 1587 when the parishioners ran dry. Whilst excavating the foundations for the building, it is reported that cartloads of human bones were 'thrown up' and removed.

The original kitchen floor was made up from ancient sculptured tombstones (remaining from the burial ground)and the oven shelves are also recorded as having been made from the stones. It is said that freshly baked bread would often come out of the oven with inscriptions such as ‘Rest in Peace’!..

The architect responsible for the building of The Lodgings (and the branding of the bread) is not listed, but it has been suggested that it was Richard Boyle who designed and built the Assembly Rooms in 1730 and the Mansion House between 1725 and 1730.

It was built as the private residence for one Dr. Wintringham (1689-1747/8), a medical practitioner who was appointed Physician at York County Hospital in March 1745/6. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge. He practised in York for over 35 years, was the author of a number of books and attended the Earl of Carlisle at nearby Castle Howard. He was married twice: by his first wife Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Nettleton of Earls Heath, Yorkshire, he had a son, Clifton Wintringham (1720-1794) who himself had a distinguished medical career, becoming joint military physician to the forces in 1756, Physician general to the forces in 1786 and Physician to George III in 1792. It was in February of that year that he was knighted. There is now a monument in his memory at Westminster Abbey in London.

If you look to the main door of the building you will see The Greek God of Healing, AESCULAPIUS, 

representing a family’s dedication to human health. Dr Wintringham is buried in St. Michael-le-Belfrey Church, opposite York Minster.

After his death, the building was bought by a Dr. Dealtry to whom an elegant monument was erected in York Minster.

TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN DEALTRY, M.D. WHOSE SKILL IN HIS PROFESSION WAS ONLY EQUALLED BY THE HUMANITY OF HIS PRACTICE, ELIZABETH, HIS AFFLICTED WIDOW, DEDICATES THIS MONUMENT. HE DIED MARCH XXV : MDCCLXXIII. AGED LXV.

HERE O'ER THE TOMB WHERE DEALTRY'S ASHES SLEEP SEE HEALTH, IN EMBLEMATIC ANGUISH, WEEP SHE DROPS HER FADED WREATH ; "NO MORE," SHE CRIES, "LET LANGUID MORTALS, WITH BESEECHING EYES, " IMPLORE MY FEEBLE AID : IT FAIL'D TO SAVE " MY OWN AND NATURE'S GUARDIAN FROM THE GRAVE."

The wing to the South-East of the building was built in three stages. In the 18th century, the first two storeys were constructed, in 1806 a further extension was erected and in the mid 19th century, a third storey was added. The outside front stairs are 19th century, the original were of a single flight to the front door. The fireplaces in the dining room, breakfast room and office are all 19th century. The main internal staircase is made from oak, as are the doors and treads. The room named ‘Prince Albert’ was originally the Drawing Room and is so named, as Prince Albert, the Prince Consort, is reputed to have stayed at the Judges Lodging whilst visiting York in 1848 for the Royal Agricultural Show. The room ‘Tower’ was once servant’s quarters, as were the rooms Sir Clifton and Dr Winteringham. Marshalls was one of the Marshall’s rooms. Jean Jacques was a bathroom and the Cellar Bar was, as aptly named, The Cellars.

In the dining room, hidden behind a secret panel, concealed by a window shutter, is a chamber pot, which was for the use of the Judges and other Gentlemen diners, obviously it is no longer in use and is kept securely concealed.

During excavations in the early 80s, a 3 metre by 2 metre area of floor in a mid 18th century cellar beneath the house was removed. Measurements had shown that the area lay within the rear chamber of the late Roman interval tower, one of six along the south-west façade of the Roman fortress. Excavations revealed that the cellar builders had dug out any remaining late Roman levels, although part of an early Roman building was found represented entirely by its foundations of cobbles and clay, lying on a similar alignment to the fortress itself. The results of the excavation suggests that the medieval graveyards recovered, recorded by Drake, extended beyond the house into the gardens behind. Down behind the patio to the rear of the Judges Lodgings are the remains of human burials. These are made up from disturbed material, thought to be between 14th and 16th centuries. There were additional skeletons at a lower level estimated at 11th and 12th centuries. Apparently these skeletons were very articulate and held a great conversation.

In 1806 the building was bought out of county rates for use as the Judges residence, when they attended the quarterly sessions at the Assize Courts at York Castle. These were criminal courts held for the most serious crimes in the country. The judges were of the kings bench division high court of justice(very powerful..and probably not very nice people). It was entirely furnished with antiques and given five commissioners, picked from Justices of the Peace for the Three Ridings. Mr and Mrs Kilvington were appointed to keep house, for which they received a salary from the county. The rooms on the top floor of this building were allocated to the Judge's own staff and the rooms in the wing were kept for resident housekeepers. It is reputed that The cellar bar of the Lodgings is now haunted by the ghosts of those condemned by the Judges..or perhaps it is the restless Judges themselves?

Today The Judges Lodgings residence serves as a luxury boutique hotel welcoming thousand of guests each year. It has recently undergone a full refurbishment and boasts top of the range en-suite bathrooms, wide screen televisions, wii consoles, 24 hour staff and room service as well as the option of valet parking.

The Judges Cellar bar and restaurant serves freshly prepared yorkshire meals and has recently been awarded the CAMRA prize for best local real ales. The hotel also boasts the largest outside patio and roof terrace in York whilst the hotel restaurant serves a varied selection of fine wines,beautifully prepared meals and homemade desserts.