Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1733 to 1832 House, 16th Century and later.

Monument Types

• HOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1733 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 76 NW 71 :
TQ 74086851) Satis House (NAT) (1) BOLEY HILL II* 'Satis House' Plaque stated the house was the home of Richard Watts, founder of Watt's Charity, purveyor to the navy in Elizabeth's reign. In 1573 he entertained Queen Elizabeth, who pronounced his hospitality 'satis' - hence the name. Late C18 front of 2 storeys and basement, 5 windows.Stucco. Parapet. Plain openings, Sashes in reveals. Projecting pedimented porch on square piers. (2) Additional bibliography. (3) BOLEY HILL Satis House Former private house, now administrative and library block to the King's School. Mid C18 to early C19: early stuccoed brick facade (towards castle, facing north), circa 1800 rear elevation and mid-C18 NW wing, unrendered brick. Kent tile roofs throughout. 2 storeys with basement. [Full architectural description] LISTED GRADE II*. (4)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
ROCHESTER BOLEY HILL TQ 7468 NW AND TQ 7468 SW 7/9 AND 9/9 Satis House 24.10.50 GV II Former private house, now administrative and library block to the King's School. MidCl8 to early C19: early stuccoed brick facade (towards castle, facing N), circa 1800 rear elevation and mid-C18 NW wing, unrendered brick. Kent tile roofs throughout. 2 storeys with basement. Double depth plan. entrance front (N): 5 bays; 4 area, 4 ground, and 5 1st floor hornless sash windows in reveals, all with glazing bars. Projecting Greek Doric antae porch on plinth with steps, 4 antae, entablature and pediment, with bust of Richard Watts (see historic note below). Panelled double doors. Parapet with stone coping and moulded cornice band. Rear elevation: 2 components, the circa 1800 build with off-centre 2-storey curved wing with area; sash windows to upper floors, with glazing bars, in reveals and under rubbed brick flat arches; to the right of wing, one large round-headed sash window to ground floor. Principal door with railings and granite steps. 2-storey wing to left has 2 slightly recessed bays; 3-sided canted bay to NW with mid-C18 sash windows under segmental arches. Interior: off-axis dog-leg stair with stick balusters and mahogany rail. On-axis pair of double doors, 6 panels raised and fielded. Circa 1800 doors throughout. Room at extreme NW with mid-C18 raised and fielded panelling, modillion cornice and guilloche dado rail; swag frieze to chimneypiece. Historical note: earlier buildings on this site (visible in early C18 topographical map of Rochester) formed part of a large house that incorporated the Old Hall (qv) and was one the residence of Richard Watts. His entertainment here in 1573 of Queen Elizabeth elicited her grudging approval with the word 'satis' - hence the name of the building.
Listing NGR: TQ7409568504 (5)

<1> OS 1:2500 1970 (OS Card Reference). SKE48212.

<2> DOE(HHR)Dist of City of Rochester Kent July 1969 7 (OS Card Reference). SKE41308.

<3> Bldgs of Eng West Kent and the Weald 1980 497 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE38090.

<4> DOE(HHR)City of Rochester upon Medway, Kent. 7 (2.12.91) (OS Card Reference). SKE41293.

<5> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

Sources and further reading