Information for record number MWA1572:
Shelfield Dovecote, Aston Cantlow

Summary Shelfield Dovecote, a red brick building used for the breeding and housing of doves and pigeons. It dates to the Medieval period and is situated 700m south east of Badbury Hill.
What Is It?  
Type: Dovecote
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Aston Cantlow
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 12 62
(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: II*)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 North east of Shelfield House there is a square pigeon-House of red brick with a gable head in each face and a lantern above the tiled roof. The bricks are large and are probably Elizabethan. The nests are of stone slabs divided vertically by red brick partitions.
2 Behind Shelfield House is a square gabled dovecote, of Elizabethan or Jacobean date.
3 The building is in rather dilapidated condition.
4 Foster dovecote number 2.
5 Tall, square dovecote of red brick, probably 16th century. Roof has four gables, is tiled, has open wooden lantern and is probably mostly original. Two unglazed wood mullioned windows below gables. Entry through plank door raised above ground level. Floor paved and walls covered in nest boxes made of stone slabs and divided vertically by red brick partitions. Has had upper Floor inserted, not recently. Maintains internal integrity, but in need of repair.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Buildings of England: Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pevsner N and Wedgwood A
Date: 1966
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warwicks
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 3, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1945
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 3
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Site Visit
Title: SMR Card
Author/originator: Wright S M
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: PRN 1719
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: MPP Assessments (Dovecotes)
Author/originator: EH
Date: 1998
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Warks #18
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: The Warwickshire Dovecotes
Author/originator: Foster P W
Date: 1979
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Shelfield Dovecote
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 08/05/1987
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 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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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 HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. 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 FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument WOOD * A tract of land with trees, sometimes acting as a boundary or barrier, usually smaller and less wild than a forest. 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 WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record