Information for record number MWA1571:
Wilmcote Dovecote

Summary Wilmcote Dovecote, a lias stone building used for the breeding and housing of doves or pigeons. It dates to the Medieval/Post Medieval period, and is situated at The Orchards.
What Is It?  
Type: Dovecote
Period: Medieval - Post-Medieval (1066 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Wilmcote
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 16 58
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: I)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 An ancient dovecote is mentioned as being beside Mary Ardens cottage.
2 The dovecote is square in plan, built of stone with a gabled roof. The building is in excellent condition, an inscription insides suggests it was built c.1400.
3 Foster dovecote #3. No evidence for such an early date: probably 16th century at the earliest.
4 square dovecote, built of coursed lias but with modern timber framed gables. Old tile roof with small lantern at summit. Interior contains 657 nest boxes and there is a central beam, probably the remains of a potence. Queen strut roof with trenched purlins. Has retained period integrity (16th century?).
 
Sources

Source No: 2
Source Type: Site Visit
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Wright S M
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1719
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: MPP Assessments (Dovecotes)
Author/originator: EH
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warks #18
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Shakespeares Land
Author/originator: Ribton-Turner C J
Date: 1893
Page Number: 165
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: The Warwickshire Dovecotes
Author/originator: Foster P W
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Wilmcote Dovecote
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 01/07/1987
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
designation Listed Building Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a statutory list. These buildings are protected by planning and conservation acts that ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them.

Depending on how important the buildings are they are classed as Grade I, Grade II* or Grade II. Grade I buildings are those of exceptional interest. Grade II* are particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Those listed as Grade II are those buildings that are regarded of special interest.
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source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period Medieval 1066 AD to 1539 AD (the 11th century AD to the 16th century AD)

The medieval period comes after the Saxon period and before the post medieval period.

The Medieval period begins in 1066 AD.
This was the year that the Normans, led by William the Conqueror (1066 – 1087), invaded England and defeated Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings in East Sussex.
The Medieval period includes the first half of the Tudor period (1485 – 1603 AD), when the Tudor family reigned in England and eventually in Scotland too.

The end of the Medieval period is marked by Henry VIII’s (1509 – 1547) order for the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the years running up to 1539 AD. The whole of this period is sometimes called the Middle Ages.
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period Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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monument DOVECOTE * A building, or part of a building, used to house doves and pigeons, usually placed at a height above the ground, with openings and provision inside for roosting and breeding. back
monument BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument ORCHARD * An enclosure used for the cultivation of fruit trees. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record