Information for record number MWA2232:
Chapel of St Mary Magdalene, Guy's Cliffe, Warwick

Summary The Chapel of St Mary Magdalene at Guy's Cliffe, Warwick. It was built in the Medieval period, possibly in the 13th century, and rebuilt in the 15th century.
What Is It?  
Type: Chapel
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Leek Wootton and Guys Cliffe
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 29 66
(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
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Chapel dedicated to St Mary Magdalene near the site of a hermitage (PRN 2233). In 1423 Richard, Earl of Warwick, was licensed to found a chantry in honour of God and St Mary in the Chapel. The Chapel and other buildings were rebuilt between 1449-50 and 1459-60. The Chapel stands on a cliff W of Guy's Cave and consists of two parallel aisles of five bays with a porch and small tower at the centre of the 'S' wall. Under the building is a rock-cut passage which was extended c1825 and fitted with a carved 15th century doorway from Wellesbourne Church. It is not certain when the Chapel was first built but a lancet window uncovered in the 'N' wall in 1933 might suggest a 13th century date. The 'E' wall, base of the tower, the porch vault, and base of the arcade between the aisles are 15th century and there are various later alterations and additions.
3 Pevsner entry.
5 SAM List.
6 Notes on the Cave, Chapel, house, mill etc.
7 Notes.
8 Information from documentary research.
9 Drawings.
10 Letter about the owners' maintenance of the site in 1982.
11 Revised scheduling.
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 8, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Pugh R B (ed)
Date: 1969
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 8
   
Source No: 3
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: 10
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Guy's Cliffe
Author/originator: EH, Louise Armstrong
Date: 1982
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Drawing
Title: Guy's Cliff Chapel
Author/originator: Lincoln, K.H.
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: A Short History of St. Mary Magdalene Chapel, Guy's Cliffe
Author/originator: Porter, A.F.
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Stratford
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Note
Title: Guy's Cliffe
Author/originator:
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Guy's Cliffe hermitage and other rock cut chambers at Guy's Cliffe.
Author/originator: EH
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Chapel of Guy's Cliffe House, and rock-cut chambers
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM list
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1985
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Guy's Cliffe
Author/originator: Wood, A., County Archivist
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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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 HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument CAVE * A subterranean feature entered from a hillside, cliff face, etc. A cave may have been used for occupation, storage, burial, refuse, or as a hide-away. Index with site type or objects 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 MILL * A factory used for processing raw materials. Use more specific mill type where known. See also TEXTILE MILL, for more narrow terms. back
monument TOWER * A tall building, either round, square or polygonal in plan, used for a variety of purposes, including defence, as a landmark, for the hanging of bells, industrial functions, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument VAULT * An underground room or building with an arched roof, often used as a burial chamber. Use wider site type where known. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument CHAPEL * A freestanding building, or a room or recess serving as a place of Christian worship in a church or other building. Use more specific type where known. back
monument ROCK CUT CHAMBER * A manmade chamber cut into a rockface. 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