Venue Type & Location
Overview
Located in the South Hams coastal area SE of Dartmouth, a much-altered stone rubble manor farmhouse stands on the site of the Hals family residence facing E across a narrow valley.
Little remains from the medieval residence. In Justice Hals' time Keynedon was a manor hall with a 2-storey cross-wing at the S end and a new wing with a chapel extending NE, incorporating a formerly detached chamber block, with service buildings likely at the rear.
Performance History
A possible performance venue. Relevant family records do not survive but an entertainer from John Hals' household appeared elsewhere in Devon in the early 15th c.
Current Status
History of the Venue
early 15th c. John Hals acquired Keynedon through marriage with Agnes Govy, widow of the previous owner.
mid- to late 15th c. Threshing barn added facing the chapel range. N range extended E with a large agricultural building, 2-storey kitchen and lodgings block added at the rear.
early 16th c. S section of the house rebuilt and hall repositioned by Richard Hals III. New curtain wall with a gatehouse added to complete the quadrangle along the E side.
late 16th/early 17th c. Extensive alterations and additions made by Richard Hals V. Tall crenellated porch built over the entrance. Crenellated side wall added to the S and crenellations added to the curtain wall.
ca. 1620 Hals family moved their principal residence to Efford, near Plympton.
mid-17th c. House leased as a farmhouse.
1684 Elford family acquired Keynedon through marriage.
1807 Purchased by a Yorkshire property speculator, John Aldham.
1817 Sold to Aldham's creditor, Luke Howard.
Record Source
REED Devon 88
Patrons who owned this venue
| Name | Date | Titles |
|---|---|---|
| Hals, John | 0-1434 |
Bibliographic Sources
- Cherry, Bridget, and Nikolaus Pevsner. Devon. London: Penguin Books, 1989
- Hoskins, W.G. Devon. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1973
- Lysons, Daniel and Samuel. Magna Britannia; being a concise topographical account of the several counties of Great Britain. 6 vols. London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, 1806--22
- Waterhouse, Robert. 'Keynedon Barton, Sherford, Kingsbridge.'. Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society 58 (2000): 127--200.