Summary
Stone tower with inserted dovecotes. Probably erected in the 16th century as a watch tower, possibly on the site of an earlier lookout tower. Converted into a dovecote in the 18th century, presumably by the Berkeley family.
Identification Images (4)
Monument Types
- DOVECOTE (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- TOWER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- WATCH TOWER (Medieval - 1066 AD to 1539 AD)
- DOVECOTE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
Description
It seems likely that this square three storey structure was originally erected as a watch tower. From surviving relieving arches it appears that the building at one time had four two light windows on the middle floor and possibly a door opening on the south-west elevation.
The mouldings on the present doorway and of the window frames appear to date to the 17th century. "An old drawing of the early 18th century shows a chimney and it then had a roof. The windows have obviously been altered in shape and some blocked up ...... once had a first floor storey and a fireplace and was used for some sort of habitation" ( Couzens P 1968, 40).
Appears unlikely to have been the Pigeon House for the Priory as it was "too far away from the Priory and has only 200 nests in it whereas dovecotes usually had many hundreds if they were made for a useful purpose" ( ibid). It was presumably during the 1700s that the building was converted into a dovecote, presumably by the Berkeley family.
Description from record 118018:
Stone tower with inserted dovecotes.
References
- SNA64487 - Unpublished document: Dr M.C. Bridge. 2010. The Dendrochronological Investigation of Bruton Dovecote.
- SNA64774 - Collection: National Trust. Antiquarian material relating to Bruton Dovecote..
- SNA65036 - Unpublished document: Jane & Tony Harcourt. 2010. Bruton Dovecote an Archaeological Assessment.
- SZN2538 - Monograph: P Couzens. 1968. Bruton in Selwood.
- SZN8866 - Unpublished document: S Squires, D Treasure. 1990. Bruton Dovecote.
Other Statuses and References
- National Monuments Record Reference: ST63SE6
Associated Events
- ENA6093 - Archaeological Intervention, Dendrochronology on timber lintels Bruton Dovecote September 2010
- ENA6490 - Field Survey, Historic Building Survey during repair and consolidation November 2010
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
None Recorded