Information for record number MWA357:
Astley Castle

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 - Industrial (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 - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
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.
9 Emergency stabilisation work was carried out on the upstanding building remains between October 2008 and May 2009 to prevent the building from collapsing. Substantial consolidation works were undertaken for conversion of the standing remains of the building by the Landmark Trust, and for the insertion of a modern accomadation block within the upstanding masonry. The below-ground work was subject to a sustained period of archaeological monitoring.
 
Sources

Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Country Houses
Author/originator: Tyack G
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
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: 8
Source Type: Building Survey
Title: Astley Castle, Outline Analysis
Author/originator: Morriss R K
Date: 1996
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: 3
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: SMR card: photograph
Author/originator:
Date: 2005
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 7
Source Type: Scheduling record
Title: Astley House
Author/originator: EH
Date: 1994
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 21541
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: LBL
Author/originator: DoE
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 1_62
   
Source No: 9
Source Type: Watching Brief Report
Title: Astley Castle, Astley, North Warwickshire: Archaeological Watching Brief September 2010 - March 2011
Author/originator: Frost, P
Date: 2012
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  
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 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
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 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 COUNTRY HOUSE * The rural residence of a country gentleman. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type 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 STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument MANOR HOUSE * The principal house of a manor or village. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
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
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument CASTLE * A fortress and dwelling, usually medieval in origin, and often consisting of a keep, curtain wall and towers etc. 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 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 FORTIFIED HOUSE * A house which bears signs of fortification. These often include crenellated battlements and narrow slit-like windows. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument STABLE * A building in which horses are accommodated. back
monument ISLAND * A piece of land, sometimes man-made, completely surrounded by water. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back
monument WORKS * Usually a complex of buildings for the processing of raw materials. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record