Bifrons House — History

1600? House constructed by John Bargrave
Lived in by son Robert Bargrave
Lived in by7 son J oh Bargrave
1662 Sold to Sir Arthur Slingsby
1694 Sold to John Taylor died 1729 left 10 children
1729 lived in by son Dr. Brooke Taylor W
1731 Lived in by 2nd son Herbert Taylor — also vicar of Patrixbourne
1763 Lived in by son Herbert Taylor
1767 Lived in by 2nd son Edward Taylor also vicar of Patrixbourne
1780 Old house demolished and rebuilt close by
1792 llved in by son Edward Taylor Member of Parliament
1830 Bought by Marquess of Coyningham
1878 House remodelled — original house encased.
1948 House demolished.
Notes
Bifrons means double fronted
Had a Latin inscription “A good wife rebuilds that which has been destroyed, a bad
wide destroys that which has been built up.”
Bought by Marquess of Coyningham when he and his wife were removed form Court
on the death of King George IV over whom it was said that the Marchioness had an
unwelcome influence.
A gate lodge survives and this displays 19th century thatch and Tudoresque details
which were based on Nash’s Royal Lodge at Windsor for George IV.
There is also an imposing avenue of graceful limes and Wellingtonias.
House party 3 November 1874
The Earl and Countess of Mountcharles have been entertaining company during the
past week at Bifrons, the house party including Viscount Neville, Viscount Grimston,
Captain and Miss Streatfield, Mr and Mrs Sands etnc. The gentlemen have had
excellent sport at pheasant shooting. The Earl and Countess entertained a numerous
company at dinner who afterwards attended a ball at Waldershare given by the Earl
and Countess of Guilford to inaugurate the hunting season. The Earl of Mountcharles,
according to his annual custom, since his residence in Kent, has supplied the Kent and
Canterbury Hospital, also the cottage hospital at Ashford, with an abundance of game,
the result of his Lordship’s and Friends’ sport.
October 1878
On Tuesday last (8 October) The Earl of Mountcharles, son of the Marquis and
Marchioness of Coyningham attained his majority. The pleasant little village of
Bridge was en fete in honour of the auspicious event, and through the liberality of of
flu