Rushton Triangular Lodge

It was another of our regular trips to G's parents in Northampton today, and on the way we decided to divert to Rushton in Northamptonshire to visit the delightful Triangular Lodge.

I first saw this building on television a few years ago and had wanted to visit it ever since. Designed by Sir Thomas Tresham, father of one of the Gunpowder Plotters, it was completed in 1597.

Tresham was a devout Roman Catholic and his building represents the Holy Trinity, symbolised by the number three which crops up everywhere in the building - its triangular shape, its three floors, three triangular gables on each side and its trefoil windows, to name just a few.

Above the entrance there is an inscription from St John's gospel: 'Tres Testimonium Dant' ('there are three that give witness'). As well as referring to the Holy Trinity this is also a pun on the pet name "Tres" used by Tresham's wife in her letters.

The lodge is now in the care of English Heritage. If you want to read more about the many fascinating references to the number three in the building you can look here.