Information for record number MWA204:
Polesworth Abbey Gatehouse

Summary A gatehouse associated with Polesworth Abbey which is Medieval in date. The walls are constructed in ashlar except over the gateway where they are of timber. The gatehouse is located 200m east of Bridge Street, Polesworth.
What Is It?  
Type: Gatehouse
Period: Post-medieval (1335 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Polesworth
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SK 26 02
(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: )
Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: II*)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  
A Medieval gatehouse.
1 The gatehouse stands to the N of the W end of the church. It is of two stories. The walls are of rough ashlar, except over the gateway and chamber to E, where they are of timber framing and have a late 14th century roof. The gateway, about 4 M wide, has lost its N and S arches in a later heightening. The side walls of it are of stone, and a projection midway suggests that there was also an intermediate archway. On either side of the W projection are blocked later doorways. Next, E of the main gateway, is a narrow footway that has N and S entrances. This also had a former intermediate cross arch and a pointed doorway into an E chamber. The chamber is lighted by a small window in N wall. A 14th century doorway in S wall gives access to a stairway to upper chamber. Timber framing of upper storey does not appear earlier than the 17th century.
5 Assessed for presentation.
6 Dendrochronological dating produced two site series and dated one sample individually. The structural timbers of the gatehouse proper were probably felled in the latter half of the AD 1330s or early 1340s. The timbers from the annexe roof were probably all felled in AD 1582.
7 archival material relating to the Clinic to the west of the gatehouse.
8 archival material relating to the gatehouse flats.
9 A review of the documentary resources relating to the gatehouse, together with a recording and analysis programme for the historic building fabric was conducted ahead of a proposed conservation plan.
 
Sources

Source No: 6
Source Type: Archaeological Report
Title: Polesworth Abbey Gatehouse, Polesworth, Warwickshire: tree-ring analysis of timbers
Author/originator: Arnold A & Howard, R
Date: 2007
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 4, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1947
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 4
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: St Editha's Abbey
Author/originator: Mitchell HC
Date: 1939
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Health Clinic, High Street, Polesworth
Author/originator: WCC and WM
Date: 1980
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Desk Top Study
Title: Polesworth Abbey Gatehouse: a documentary history and an historic building survey and analysis
Author/originator: N W Alcock, R A and E J Meeson
Date: 2007
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1959
Page Number: 18
Volume/Sheet: Atherstone Rural
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: Warwickshire Monuments Evaluation and Presentation Project
Author/originator: Baker H
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Field Survey Form
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Graphic material
Title: Polesworth Abbey Gateway Biulding
Author/originator: A.L.Linford, Architect
Date: 1972
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM list 1986
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1986
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 68
   
Images:  
Polesworth Abbey Gatehouse, Polesworth, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1977
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
none Scheduled Monument Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAMs) are those archaeological sites which are legally recognised as being of national importance. They can range in date from prehistoric times to the Cold War period. They can take many different forms, including disused buildings or sites surviving as earthworks or cropmarks.

SAMs are protected by law from unlicensed disturbance and metal detecting. Written consent from the Secretary of State must be obtained before any sort of work can begin, including archaeological work such as geophysical survey or archaeological excavation. There are nearly 200 SAMs in Warwickshire.
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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 LBL Listed Building List. Buildings and structures, such as bridges, that are of architectural or historical importance are placed on a list. Buildings placed on the list are protected through various planning and conservation acts which ensure that their special features of interest are considered before any alterations are made to them. The Listed Buildings List is compiled and maintained by English Heritage. It includes details of where the building is, when it was built, a description of its appearance, and any other special features. back
source SAM List Scheduled Ancient Monument List. A list or schedule of archaelogical and historic monuments that are considered to be of national importance. The list contains a detailed description of each Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM) and a map showing their location and extent. By being placed on the schedule, SAMs are protected by law from any unauthorised distrubance. The list has been compiled and is maintained by English Heritage. It is updated periodically. 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 SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. 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 ARCH * A structure over an opening usually formed of wedge-shaped blocks of brick or stone held together by mutual pressure and supported at the sides; they can also be formed from moulded concrete/ cast metal. A component; use for free-standing structure only. back
monument FLATS * A purpose-built tenement. Use specific monument type where possible. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument ABBEY * A religious house governed by an abbot or abbess. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. back
monument GATEHOUSE * A gateway with one or more chambers over the entrance arch; the flanking towers housing stairs and additional rooms. Use with wider site type where known. back
monument BRIDGE * A structure of wood, stone, iron, brick or concrete, etc, with one or more intervals under it to span a river or other space. Use specific type where known. back
monument CLINIC * An institution, sometimes attached to a hospital, where patients may receive treatment or health checks. back
monument GATEWAY * A substantial structure supporting or surrounding a gate. May be ornate or monumental, and have associated structures such as lodges, tollbooths, guard houses etc. back
monument CROSS * A free-standing structure, in the form of a cross (+), symbolizing the structure on which Jesus Christ was crucified and sacred to the Christian faith. Use specific type where known. 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