History St Elizabeth's House was built in the 17th Century by the Palmer Family and the building was originally known as Whitehall. During the Napoleonic wars, the house was renamed Erie Hall and owner John commanded Plympton's own infantry company of thirty men. In 1926 the building became St Elizabeth's House and the home of Sisters of Charity, until they relocated in 2003. Saint Elizabeth was the biblical mother of John the Baptist, and is mentioned in the Gospel of Luke as a cousin of Mary. Elizabeth and her husband Zachariah were childless until he was visited by the Angel Gabriel who told him that his wife would have a son who "will be great in the sight of the Lord" (1:15). Each room in St Elizabeth's House is named after a historical event or person, closely linked to Plympton St Maurice and surrounding areas. Room Names St Elizabeth Suite St Elizabeth's was built in the 17th Century by a local family. It has had a handful of names but has been St Elizabeth's House since 1926. The property has been the home of the Sisters of Charity since then, however in Spring 2003 the Order made the decision to relocate in the locality, providing the opportunity for this lovely old building to have a brand new lease of life! St Maurice Suite The priest established and served a chapel below Plympton Castle dedicated to St. Maurice, a Christian Centurion who was martyred in the year 290. The Dedication of the church reverted to St. Maurice in 1538. The Sir Joshua Reynolds Room St Maurice was the birthplace and residence of the world renowned artist, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Reynolds was lord mayor of Plympton, as well as its Member of Parliament, and the first president of the Royal Academy of Art. A man of many talents! The Sir Christopher Wren Room Sir Christopher Wren was a busy chap. Born in 1632, he was a brilliant scholar, another well known MP and a famous Architect. The Sir Francis Drake Room In 1577, Drake was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth to undertake an expedition against the Spanish. He set sail from Plymouth in December abroad his Flag ship, 'The Pelican'. The Sir Francis Chichester Room In 1967 (a very exhausted) Sir Francis Chichester arrived in Plymouth in his yacht, Gypsy Moth IV, after completing the first ever single-handed voyage around the world. The Sir Alexander Buller Room When Charles Buller died he left the House to his nephew, Admiral Sir Alexander Buller. Alexander Buller continued adding to the property like his Uncle which was by then known as Earle Hall. What a fantastic inheritance! The De Redvers Room Richard de Redvers was one of the principal supporters of Henry I in his initial struggle against his brother Robert Curthose for control of the English throne. Henry bestowed on him the towns of Tiverton, Honiton (1100) and the honour of Plympton, together with a yearly pension of one-third of the revenue of that county. Not a bad pension! The Whitehall Room The House was originally named as Whitehall. Later, the property was passed on to the Horsman family, another Plympton family who made St Elizabeth's more like it is today. Well done to the Horsmans! The Mayflower Room The Mayflower was the shop that transported the Pilgrims from Plymouth, England, to Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, in what would become the United States, in 1620. It left Plymouth on September 6 and dropped anchor near Cape Cod on November 11. The Pathfields Room The row of manure Lime trees that cut through Plympton Pathfields were planted by John Andrews in 1898 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Now a pedestrian link between St. Maurice and the Ridgeway, the path has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. The Longbrook Room The 'Long Brook' is the name of the quiet stream that flows through Plympton and also the grounds of St Elizabeth's House! It's home to a happy family of mallards and eels! The Charles Darwin Room Charles Darwin sailed from Plymouth on the 27 December 1831 on a five year journey that was to take gim many thousands of miles. His voyage took place on his ship (not the dog!) called the Beagle and brought him eminence as a geologist and fame as a popular author. The Castle Room The manor and honour of Plympton were granted by Henry 1 to Richard de Reders before 1107. The Castle Green played an important part in the life of St. Maurice. The village sure knew how to have a good time and in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries circuses and fairs were held here regularly. There was maypole dancing, wrestling, cock-fighting and prize-fighting, a party not to miss! The Palmer Room Many thanks to the Palmer family who were responsible for building St. Elizabeth's House. The Plympton based family were local business and trades people and what a talented bunch they were! Plympton St Maurice Plympton St. Maurice, or Plympton Earle, can possibly lay claim to being one of the earliest British settlements. For all hotel & restaurant bookings and enquiries, please contact St Elizabeth's on 01752 344840