Information for record number MWA757:
Site of Possible Manor House at Bury Orchard

Summary The site of a possible manor house dating to between the Medieval and Post Medieval period. It is known from documentary evidence which refers to Berry House in 1625 and from the discovery of the foundations of a large building. The site is at Bury Orchard, Southam.
What Is It?  
Type: Manor House, House
Period: Medieval - Post-Medieval (1066 AD - 1750 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Southam
District: Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 41 61
(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: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

 
Source Number  

1 The manor of Southam belonged to Coventry Priory, and the Grange or Manor House, in all probability, stood in what is now called the Bury Orchard, a name highly suggestive of a Burgh Mote or manor Court. This was borne out by the discovery of extensive foundations some years ago on that site, clearly indicating the existence of a building of considerable size and importance. A deed still preserved in the church chest partly describing such a mansion on the occasion of the Division of the manor many years subsequent to the Reformation.
2 The indicated area has now been landscaped as a recreation ground.
3 site of Berry House. Recorded in 1625 as Berry Close and Berry House. Bury Orchard recorded in 1761. 1854 the churchyard was extended into Bury Orchard. 1923 the land was conveyed to the Parish Council for use as a recreation ground. Lewis in 1835 records the discovery of foundations and many skeletons.
 
Sources

Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwicks Nat and Arch Field Club
Author/originator: Fretton W G
Date: 1892
Page Number: 45
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Desk Top Study
Title: Bury Orchard, Southam
Author/originator: Usher H
Date: 1973
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: OS Card, 15SE2
Author/originator: Ordnance Survey
Date: 1968
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: 15SE2
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
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
technique Documentary Evidence Documentary evidence is another name for written records. The first written records in Britain date back to the Roman period. Documentary evidence can take many different forms, including maps, charters, letters and written accounts. When archaeologists are researching a site, they often start by looking at documentary evidence to see if there are clues that will help them understand what they might find. Documentary evidence can help archaeologists understand sites that are discovered during an excavation, field survey or aerial survey. 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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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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monument GRANGE * An outlying farm or estate, usually belonging to a religious order or feudal lord. Specifically related to core buildings and structures associated with monastic land holding. Use specific term where known. 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 CLUB * A building used by an association of persons for social and recreational purposes or for the promotion of some common object. 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 MANOR HOUSE * The principal house of a manor or village. 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 BURGH * A civil and administrative area incorporating a town of medieval origin. back
monument PRIORY * A monastery governed by a prior or prioress. Use with narrow terms of DOUBLE HOUSE, FRIARY, MONASTERY or NUNNERY. back
monument CHURCH * A building used for public Christian worship. Use more specific type where known. back
monument FIELD * An area of land, often enclosed, used for cultivation or the grazing of livestock. 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 CHURCHYARD * An area of ground belonging to a church, often used as a burial ground. back
monument ORCHARD * An enclosure used for the cultivation of fruit trees. back
monument RECREATION GROUND * A public ground with facilities for games and other activities. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record