Information for record number MWA658:
Burton Dassett Beacon

Summary A Medieval tower known as The Beacon. It has been suggested that it was originally used as a windmill and was later converted to a look-out tower. It stands on windmill Hill, Burton Dassett.
What Is It?  
Type: Beacon, Tower
Period: Medieval (1066 AD - 1539 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Burton Dassett
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 39 52
(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  

1 On top of the Burton Hills is a round tower called the Beacon, built of uncoursed square rough ashlar. It was apparently a late Medieval lookout tower which was partly defensive, as there is a row of corbels at the top suggesting machicolations. On the SW side is a blocked doorway retaining the springing stones of a depressed arch, and above it is a small arched and square-headed window with a label. Another square window is to the NW. The roof is conical and covered with cement. It is set on a raised platform revetted by rough masonry.
5 15th century. Altered 20th century. Coursed squared ironstone. Tapering circular plan. Probably originally a tower mill, later converted to a lookout tower.
7 Preserved truncated stone tower, two storey, 6.8m diameter at base, 4.8m high. Windows and doors now all sealed. No positive evidence of windmill use. Site open to public.
8 Included in Warwickshire Monument Evaluation and Presentation Project. Described as complete and in good condition with roof rebuilt in 1987.
9 Listed in an article on The Forest of Arden.
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Victoria County History, vol 5, Warwickshire
Author/originator: Salzman L F (ed)
Date: 1965
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 5
   
Source No: 8
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Monuments Evaluation and Presentation Project
Author/originator: Baker H D
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Field Survey Form
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Windmills in Warwickshire
Author/originator: Seaby W A and Smith A C
Date: 1977
Page Number: 21
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 6
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: 5
Source Type: Descriptive Text
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1987
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: Stratford
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: OS Card 25NE6
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Serial
Title: JBAA (Journal of the British Archaeological Association)
Author/originator: Burgess J.T.
Date: 1873
Page Number: 38
Volume/Sheet: 29
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: SAM List 1983
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1983
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Beacon Tower, Burton Dassett
Author/originator: Ministry of Works/DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
Burton Dassett Beacon
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2000
Click here for larger image  
 
Burton Dassett Beacon
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2001
Click here for larger image  
 
Burton Dassett Beacon
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 2001
Click here for larger image  
 
Burton Dassett Beacon
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1900s
Click here for larger image  
 
A view of the windmill and beacon on Windmill Hill, Burton Dassett
Copyright: Warwickshire County Council
Date: 1930s
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 JBAA The Journal of the British Archaeological Association. The British Archaeological Association was set up in 1843 to promotes the study of archaeology, art and architecture. Their journal contains papers about research on art, archaeology, architecture and antiquities of Roman to Post Medieval date. It is published anually. 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
source OS Card Ordnance Survey Record Card. Before the 1970s the Ordnance Survey (OS) were responsible for recording archaeological monuments during mapping exercises. This helped the Ordnance Survey to decide which monuments to publish on maps. During these exercises the details of the monuments were written down on record cards. Copies of some of the cards are kept at the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. The responsibility for recording archaeological monuments later passed to the Royal Commission on Ancient and Historic Monuments. 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 WINDMILL * A tower-like structure of wood or brick with a wooden cap and sails which are driven around by the wind producing power to work the internal machinery. Use with product type where known. back
monument BEACON * A site or structure on which a signal, especially a fire, could be placed as a warning or means of communication. Use for beacon sites or surviving beacon structures. back
monument TOWER MILL * A windmill with a rotating cap containing the windshaft, and a stationary body in the form of a tower. 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 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 PLATFORM * Unspecified. Use specific type where known. 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 ROW * A row of buildings built during different periods, as opposed to a TERRACE. back
monument ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
monument LOOKOUT * A building or site from which a lookout can be kept. back
monument FOREST * A large tract of land covered with trees and interspersed with open areas of land. Traditionally forests were owned by the monarchy and had their own laws. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record