William Arnold (master mason) facts for kids
William Arnold was a very important master mason (a skilled builder who works with stone) in Somerset, England. He was active from about 1595 to 1637.
As a stonemason and architect, William Arnold led a group of professional stonemasons from Somerset. They traveled around, building and working on many houses. We know that Arnold lived in Charlton Musgrove, near Wincanton, in 1595.
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William Arnold's Famous Buildings
William Arnold designed and helped build some of England's most famous buildings. He was known for his amazing skill with stone.
Montacute House: A Grand Beginning
His first known big project was designing Montacute House around 1598. This house is one of the most beautiful Elizabethan mansions (large, grand houses built during Queen Elizabeth I's time) in England. He designed it for Sir Edward Phelips.
Cranborne Manor: A Royal Remodel
Later, between 1607 and 1610, Arnold worked on Cranborne Manor. This building was originally a hunting lodge. He remodeled it to become a grand manor house for Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, an important person at the time.
Wadham College: A Lasting Legacy
From 1610 to 1613, William Arnold was asked by Dorothy Wadham to design and supervise the building of Wadham College, Oxford. Dorothy Wadham lived in Somerset, just like Arnold. Wadham College is thought to be the last major public building in the UK built using the old methods of a supervising master mason. This means Arnold was in charge of everything, from the design to making sure the stone was cut and placed perfectly.
Dunster Castle: A Modern Makeover
His last known project was remodeling Dunster Castle in 1617. He did this for the owner, George Luttrell. While the inside of the castle was changed a lot later on, some of Arnold's work on the outside can still be seen today.
Gallery of Architectural Work
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Montacute House, Somerset, south front
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Montacute House, Somerset, from north-east
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Wadham College, Oxford, gatehouse
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Wadham College, Oxford, quad
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Wadham College, Oxford, hall
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Wadham College, Oxford, chapel
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Wadham College, Oxford, exterior of hall
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Dunster Castle, remodelled by Anthony Salvin, Arnold's work is visible on the right
