Information for record number MWA1085:
Obelisk 100m SW of Obelisk Farm, Umberslade

Summary The site of an obelisk dating to the Post Medieval period and believed to form a feature of Umberslade Park.
What Is It?  
Type: Obelisk
Period: Post-medieval - Industrial (1540 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Tanworth in Arden
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 14 71
(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: )
Listed Building (Grade: II)
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

 
Source Number  

1 The obelisk was erected in 1749 by Thomas Archer (1695-1768), the first Lord of Umberslade. No records remain to show why it was built, but it is generally believed that it commemorates Sir Thomas' elevation to the peerage in July 1747, or else it was merely an example of the prevailing craze for erecting such structures.
2 Fine stone obelisk surmounted by a ball and star.
3 The date of building means that the obelisk must have formed part of the mid 18th century landscape of Umberslade Park. This replaced the more formal late 17th century landscape, in which smaller obelisks had been located close to the house.
4 The slender spike over 70 foot high, built of limestone blocks, surmounted by a golden ball that originally supported an eight-armed cross, was built by William Hiorne of Warwick. It was sited so as to be seen from Umberslade Hall as a focal point in the landscaped Park; this relationship is obscured by a modern plantation of conifers, screening the motorway.
 
Sources

Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Obelisks of Warwickshire
Author/originator: Warwickshire Gardens Trust
Date: 2013
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Nuthurst
Author/originator: Belton J
Date: 1948
Page Number: 14-15
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date: 1960
Page Number: 5
Volume/Sheet: Stratford-on-Avon Ru
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Report & Recommendations
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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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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period Post Medieval About 1540 AD to 1750 AD (the 16th century AD to the 18th century AD)

The Post Medieval period comes after the medieval period and before the Imperial period.

This period covers the second half of the reign of the Tudors (1485 – 1603), the reign of the Stuarts (1603 – 1702) and the beginning of the reign of the Hannoverians (1714 – 1836).
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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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 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 PARK * An enclosed piece of land, generally large in area, used for hunting, the cultivation of trees, for grazing sheep and cattle or visual enjoyment. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument OBELISK * A tall, tapering pillar with a pyramidal top, generally square on plan. Used in England from the late 16th century as a public, funerary or garden monument. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument MOTORWAY * Fast arterial road with separate carriageways limited to motor vehicles back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument PLANTATION * A group of planted trees or shrubs, generally of uniform age and of a single species. 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

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record