William Catlyn


William Catlyn was a Hull architect who worked in the local Artisan Mannerist style, also known as the Humber Brick style. His work, which was greatly influenced by Dutch architecture of the period, survives mainly in Hull and Lincolnshire.

Architectural work

Wilberforce House, Hull (attributed to Catlyn)

A merchants house, backing onto the river. Its nine-bay rusticated brick front has pilasters to the first floor, stone corinthian capitals and a three-storey porch, with indented pilasters decorated with lozenge-and diamond shaped stone ‘‘jewels’’.

Crowle House, Hull.

Dated 1664 and the remaining parts are similar to similar to Wilberforce House.

The Charterhouse, Hull

Catlyn built the Master’s House and Chapel in 1673.

Hull Guildhall

‘‘Beautified’’ by Catlyn in 1681-2. Destroyed during World War II

Hull Market Cross

Built 1682 and destroyed during World War II

Crowle Hospital, Sewer Lane, Hull

Brigg Grammar School, Wrawby Street, Brigg, Lincolnshire 1674

Sir John Nelthorpe commissioned this school from William Catlyn and the contract for buildind the school was drawn up on 4 July 1674 and it was completed in 1678. A tall, single storeyed front of seven bays and stone quoins. The centre emphasised by Ionic pilasters and stone capitals. Entrance door has a moulded stone round-headed architrave with a small keystone with a cherub's head. Brick pilasters with a plinth and Roman Ionic capitals in stone. Central achievement of arms in stone frame above an inscription commemorating foundation by Sir John Nelthorpe. Modern brick modillion pediment above.

Worlaby Hospital, [Worlaby], Lincolnshire

Built for John, Lord Bellasis, the Governor of Hull. The front is of five bays and two storeys, divided by giant Doric pilasters. Flat projecting surrounds and strange hoods to the doors and to the ground-floor windows. Big fat studded cornice. The building originally had Dutch gables. The Foundation was for four poor widows.

Harrington Hall, Lincolnshire (attributed to Catlyn)

It has been suggested that alterations to the Hall, which were re-built from 1673, were by William Catlyn. The old porch was dressed up with an Artisan Mannerist facade of exceedingly elongated brick pilasters with Ionic capitals

Walcot Old Hall, [Alkborough], Lincolnshire. (attributed to Catlyn)

Built for a Hull merchant, Nicholas Denman.

Literature