Looking a bit closer, this may be a political statement or else just fun. Note that the figure holding the shield is a devil (forked tail, cloven hooves and horns) who is winking and sticking out his tongue. The lettering behind has "James ..... 1657". The figure may be newer than the house, conversely the inscription may record a change of ownership after the building had already been used. 1657 was during the Commonwealth, when there were no bishops, and of course no abbots, they were dissolved over 100 years previously.