Description: Showing the architectural facade and plans, drawn by H Hulsbergh and designed by the Architect Ca. Campbell, of the Georgian house of the wealthy Plumptre family on Stoney Street near St Mary's church in the Lace Market. The page was taken from 'Vitruvius Britannicus' Vol 3 by Colin Campbell. The Plumptres were a prominent land-owning family who had been residents of Nottingham since the reign of Edward I (1239-1307). The Flying Horse Inn-Arcade now stands upon the site of the family's earlier house, which the Plumptre family erected for themselves when they first came to Nottingham in the 13th century. What that house was like is not know, but their gardens extended to St. Peter's gate and probably Peck lane was a side way into their premises. Peck Lane was first called Plumptre Lane in 1414 and we know that John Plumptre held land here in 1435. The family had many interesting characters throughout its history. The Plumptre family was originally called 'de PLUMTRE', the first reference to them being in 1173. PLUMPTRE HOSPITAL (alms houses) was founded in 1392 by John de Plumptre, who was sometime Mayor of Nottingham. John de Plumptre dedicated his hospital to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and decreed that it was for the sustenance of 'thirteen poor women broken down of age and depressed of poverty.' It was rebuilt in 1560 by Huntingdon Plumptre, and it was enlarged in 1753. The present buildings in Plumptre-square date from 1823. In 'Nottingham Worthies' as described in the book:-'OLD AND NEW NOTTINGHAM', by William Howie Wylie, Published MDCCCLIII (1853):- 'Huntingdon Plumptre figured in the time of the Civil War, was eminent as a physician, of great note for wit and learning as he was at an early period of his life for poetry. He was a horrible atheist, and had such an intolerable pride that he brooked no superiors. The doctor espoused the parliamentary interest, and was admitted into the private consultations of the leaders, but proved a traitor; and, after rudely insulting Colonel HUTCHINSON (custodian of Nottingham Castle during the Civil War), sent him a ridiculous challenge to fight a duel. In 1643 he sought refuge with Mr. Parkins of Bunny, who was at that time in arms against the parliament. The unhappy temperament of this man led him to lampoon his best friends; and, as most of his poems were epigrams, it is not pleasant to preserve them'. John Plumptre (1712-91) M.P, last of his line to live in Plumptre House, married in 1756 the daughter of Sir Brook Bridges, owner of the Fredville estate near Canterbury. John Plumptre then lived in both the Fredville and Nottingham houses until his death in 1791. The house was purchased by Ald. Birkin who demolished Plumptre House in 1853 and replaced the property with a warehouse (one of the old fireplaces was removed to Bulwell Hall).