Information for record number 357

   
Summary Astley Castle, a house which was originally built during the Medieval period but was altered and added to at a later date. The house is surrounded by a moat. It is situated at Astley, 100m east of Church Lane.
   
What Is It?  
Type: House
Period: Medieval - Imperial (1066 AD - 1900 AD)
   
Where Is It?  
Parish: Astley
District: North Warwickshire, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 31 89
(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 - Scheduled Monument (Grade: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
   
Picture(s) attached

 
Description

 
Source Number  

1 A roughly rectangular building of local red sandstone, having two stories, with embattled parapets throughout. Largely mid 16th century date but there is evidence that part of the 12th century structure (see PRN 359) is embodied. There were substantial alterations during the 17th century, again in 1820. The interior is wholly modernized, a Jacobean fireplace being the only original internal feature. There is evidence for the original materials being used to rebuild the house in subsequent phases.
2 In 1266 Warin de Bassingburn was granted a licence to enclose the manor house at Astley with a dyke and to crenellate. Access onto the moated island is by means of a bridge accross the south-west arm of the moat.
3 Photograph taken in 1977.
4 Astley Castle originated as a moated, semi-fortified house belonging to the Astley family, who held the manor from the Earls of Warwick.
5 Sketch of the Castle in 1829.
6 Photo of stable block.
7 Astley Castle and associated features, (see PRNS 359, 360, 362 and 7224) was Scheduled as an Ancient Monument in April 1994.
8 The surviving house is a multi-period building on a moated island, though only a fraction of the size of the medieval Castle. The oldest fabric probably belongs to sections of the perimeter wall. The oldest part of the house is is a large medieval two-storey stone range, much altered in the 16th, 17th and early 19th centuries. The high status Hall range was probably added in the late 15th century. Plans and elevations drawn 1996. Photographed 1996.
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 1_62
   
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: 3
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: SMR card: photograph
Author/originator:
Date: 2005
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Country Houses
Author/originator: Tyack G
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Drawing
Title: Warwickshire Country Houses
Author/originator: Tyack G
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Photograph
Title: Warwickshire Country Houses
Author/originator: Tyack G
Date: 1994
Page Number: 17
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Astley House
Author/originator: EH
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 21541
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Astley Castle, Outline Analysis
Author/originator: Morriss R K
Date: 1996
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Astley Castle, North Warwickshire
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Click here for larger image  
 
An engraving of Astley Castle
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1800s
Click here for larger image  
 
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
monument BRIDGE * A bridge which has been prepared for demolition by the insertion of explosive charges. The bridge would be destroyed in the event of an invasion to impede the advance of hostile forces. 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 CASTLE * A fortress and dwelling, usually medieval in origin, and often consisting of a keep, curtain wall and towers etc. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument COUNTRY HOUSE * The rural residence of a country gentleman. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument FORTIFIED HOUSE * back
monument FORTIFIED HOUSE * A house which bears signs of fortification. These often include crenellated battlements and narrow slit-like windows. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument ISLAND * A piece of land, sometimes man-made, completely surrounded by water. back
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
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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monument MANOR * An area of land consisting of the lord's demesne and of lands from whose holders he may exact certain fees, etc. back
monument MANOR HOUSE * The principal house of a manor or village. 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 MOAT * A wide ditch surrounding a building, usually filled with water. Use for moated sites, not defensive moats. Use with relevant site type where known, eg. MANOR HOUSE, GARDEN, etc. back
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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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
monument STABLE * A building in which horses are accommodated. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. 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