Information for record number MWA6008:
Kenilworth Abbey Guesthouse

Summary Kenilworth Abbey Guesthouse was built as a two storey building during the Medieval period. It has not been definitely proved to have been the guest house. In its later history it was used as a cowshed. It is situated in Abbey Fields.
What Is It?  
Type: Building, Guest House
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Kenilworth
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 72
(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: I)
Sites & Monuments Record
Picture(s) attached

  
Description

  
Source Number  

1 The Guest House is a building of two stories, which formerly had an outside stair and a porch over the S door. The upper storey has two-light ogee-headed windows. This building is tentatively identified as the Guest House.
2 The 'Barn' or Guest House was erected at about the same time as the Gate House (ie 14th century). The interior has been used as cow sheds and is now a storehouse for carved stonework and tiles found during the excavations.
3 Scheduled as Warwickshire Monument No 10.
4 Listed Building Description.
5 A domestic building of 14th century date of sandstone originally with an upper floor 2.4m from the ground. One of the gable ends is of timber filled with brickwork. The building is in need of repair.
6 excavation of test pit in June 1994 revealed stone flooring and masonry associated with the gatehouse. The small size of the test pits meant that no firm conclusions could be drawn.
7 Description by Kenilworth Historical and Archaeological Society.
8 Ref
7 unlocatable, CHS 08/04/97.
9 Field Survey Form.
10 Ref
9 unlocatable, CHS 08/04/97.
11 Constructional and architectural details of the timbers of the roof suggest that present roof is not original but a later replacement of reused beams. There is a suggestion that the roof was lost in the civil war. Tree ring dating suggests that the roof is made from up of timber reused from two different sources. Dates: fist site chronology 1427 to 1573, second site chronology 1409 to 1560. Feliing dates 1578-1603 and 1569-1594 respectively
12 A report on a metal detecting survey at the Barn states that its south face, in particular, is peppered by weapon fire.
13 The site is within the Scheduled area of the SAM of Kenilworth Abbey (Monument Number 35115).
14 Ground probing radar survey within and around the Abbey Barn identified probable subsurface structures which may have been of archaeological significance. The survey aimed to determine any anomalies which may have indicated the cause of subsidence observed within the floor of the Abbey Barn. Buried horizons outside the Abbey Barn indicated possible former ground surfaces and inside the Barn a possible former floor. High activity areas observed in the timeslice plots formed patterns which suggested possible subsurface structures. An area of subsidence observed at the rear of Abbey Barn was characterised by broad crested anomalies and moderate activity in the time slice plots. There was no apparent evidence for the cause of the subsidence such as voiding.
15 Article in serial Kenilworth History 2011 by Harry Sunley, entitled The Barn: Guest House, a fish house or what?, describing his belief that the upper part of the Barn may have been used as the prior's dining hall during the prior-ship of Thomas Warmington (1312-45) and that consequently the lower level may have been used as a buttery, larder and pantry. This belief is based primarily on his interpretation of an entry in the chronicle of the historian John Strecche, a fifteenth century canon of Kenilworth, describing the erection of a prior's hall during Warmington's time as prior.
 
Sources
Source No: 7
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Abbey of St.Mary's
Author/originator: Kenilworth Historical & Archaeological Society
Date: 1971
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: WM
Author/originator: Baker H D
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Field Survey Form
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 6, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1951
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: VI
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: AM7
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Kenilworth Abbey. Metal detecting at the 'Barn' South Face.
Author/originator: Mr H Sunley
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 12
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: Kenilworth Abbey. Metal detecting at the 'Barn' South Face.
Author/originator: Mr H Sunley
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 14
Source Type: Geophysical Survey Report
Title: A Report for Kenilworth History and Archaeology Society on a Geophysical Survey Carried out at Kenilworth Abbey Barn, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Stratascan
Date: 2001
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No:
Source Type: Monograph
Title: Kenilworth: The Story of the Abbey
Author/originator: Sunley, H and Stevens, N
Date: 1995
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
Source Type: Observation Report
Title: Kenilworth Abbey Barn
Author/originator: Jones GC
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Serial
Title: TBAS vol 52:1
Author/originator: Carey-Hill E
Date: 1927
Page Number: 184-227
Volume/Sheet: 52:1
   
Source No: 15
Source Type: Serial
Title: Kenilworth History 2011
Author/originator: Stevens N
Date: 2011
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: 13
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Kenilworth Abbey
Author/originator: English Heritage
Date: 2003
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 10
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Unpublished document
Author/originator: Stevens C
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Unpublished document
Author/originator: Stevens C
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 11
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from The Barn, Abbey Fields, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Author/originator: R E Howard
Date: 2002
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
The guesthouse or barn (in the background) at Kenilworth Abbey
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2003
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
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source WM Warwickshire Museum Aerial Photograph Collection. A collection of oblique and vertical aerial photographs and taken by various organisations and individuals, including the Royal Airforce, The Potato Board, Warwickshire Museum. The collection is held at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
technique Field Survey The term ‘field survey’ is used to describe all work that does not disturb archaeological deposits below the ground through an excavation. Field survey techniques involve recording measurements that help archaeologists draw plans or diagrams of archaeological features. There are a variety of different field survey techniques, including geophysical survey, building recording survey, field walking survey, landscape survey and earthwork survey. back
technique Geophysical Survey The measuring and recording of electrical resistivity or magnetism in order to determine the existence and outline of buried features such as walls and ditches. Geophysical techniques include resistivity survey, magnetometer survey and ground penetrating radar. View Image back
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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technique Test Pit A small, exploratory excavation that helps archaeologists to find out how deep below the ground surface the archaeological layers extend. They are also dug to discover whether the topsoil contains particular concentrations of artefacts. Test pits are dug before a large excavation to determine a site's depth and contents. 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 LARDER * A store for keeping undressed meat. back
monument CIVIL * This is the top term for the class. See CIVIL Class List for narrow terms. back
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 BUILDING * A structure with a roof to provide shelter from the weather for occupants or contents. Use specific type where known. back
monument GUEST HOUSE * A separate residence for guests, a house on a private estate or a monastery building specifically for receiving visitors. 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 BUTTERY * A room used primarily for storing food and drink. 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 FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. back
monument STOREHOUSE * A building in which goods or items are stored. Use more specific type where known. back
monument TREE RING * Trees planted in an ornamental circle. For earthwork surrounding trees use TREE ENCLOSURE RING. back
monument SHED * A slight structure built for shelter or storage, or for use as a workshop, either attached as a lean-to to a permanent building or separate. Use more specific type where known. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument BARN * A building for the storage and processing of grain crops and for housing straw, farm equipment and occasionally livestock and their fodder. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FISH HOUSE * A building used for the storage of fish. back
monument GATE * A movable stucture which enables or prevents entrance to be gained. Usually situated in a wall or similar barrier and supported by gate posts. back
monument DOMESTIC * This is the top term for the class. See DOMESTIC Class List for narrow terms. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record