History of Bishops' House

Introduction
The oldest parts of Bishops' House were built in the 1500s. It's one of the oldest timber-framed building in Sheffield, typical of a large farmhouse or small manor house from that time. There are only three other surviving buildings of a similar date in Sheffield; Carbrook Hall (now the Carbrook Inn), Broomhall and the Queen's Head pub (previously known as the Hall in the Ponds).

The Bishop Connection
The name Bishops' House is misleading. It comes from a local tradition that two future bishops lived here during their childhoods.

The two bishops in question were John and Geoffrey Blythe. John was Bishop of Salisbury from 1494 to 1499, and Geoffrey was Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry from 1503 to 1533.

A document dating from 1376 shows a grant of land and property in "le Lyes" (Norton Lees) to a John de Blithe. He may have been the bishops great-grandfather.

1376 is to early too refer to the present house as its construction did not start until around 1500. Also,1500 is too late for Bishops' House to have been the birth place of the bishops. The house would have been too small for this prestigious branch of the Blythe family who obtained a grant of arms in 1485.

In 1910 Armitage, a local historian, was one of the first people to refer to the house as Bishops' House in print. He acknowledged that there was no evidence for the direct connection with the Blythe bishops. However the Blythe's who owned the house may have been from another branch of the family.

Bishops' House and the Blythes
The earliest known occupant of Bishops' House is William Blythe, whose initials appear carved in the panelling in the hall. His will and the inventory of possessions that was made after his death in 1631 are preserved in Lichfield Registry of Probate.

During his life William Blythe made considerable alterations to the house, improving its comfort to reflect his social standing. He was a wealthy farmer who left a fortune of £641 when he died .

The inventory lists the rooms in the house and their contents. It gives an indication of his prosperity and lifestyle. The list includes; pewter (77 items), brassware (25 items) and silver (a bowl and four spoons), carpets, curtains and bed hangings. He also owned outbuildings surrounding the house including; a bakehouse, a kiln, a wainhouse (for wagons), a stable and a servants parlour.

William Blythe rented equipment and premises to smiths and grinders who produced scythes. When he died his stock of 1900 scythes, iron and steel was worth £231, almost as much as the farm. He was probably the main producer of scythes in the area. He is an outstanding example of the men who combined farming and industry, leading to Sheffield’s later industrial success.

Further Blythe generations
The second known occupant of Bishops' House was also called William Blythe, the son of the first William Blythe. He was left the house by his father.

William Blythe was a Captain in the Parliamentary Army during the English Civil War. He was one of the two officers who was put in charge of the demolition of Sheffield Castle in 1648. It is recorded that a "Capt Blithe" paid £3 for "bords and plaster" from the castle. These may have been used to make further improvements to the house.

William Blythe died in 1665 having received a free pardon from Charles II for his part in the English Civil War against the Royalists. A copy of the inventory produced on his death also survives. It shows more furnishings than in the previous list, and extra items including books, time-pieces and close stools (toilets) appear. He also possessed more silver than his father. Like his father, he combined farming and industry and his scythes were sold all over the north of England. His gravestone can be seen in the porch of Norton Parish Church.

William's son was a non-conformist who had a special license from Charles II to hold religious services at the house. In contrast to the earlier Roman Catholic Blythe bishops the next two generations were non-conformist ministers.

The last Blythe to live in the house was Samuel, minister at Attercliffe. On his death in 1753 his son sold the house to William Shore.