Sawley Manor of Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield

Has been described as a Possible Palace (Bishop)

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains

NameSawley Manor of Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield
Alternative NamesChurch Farm; Sawley Old Hall; Sallowe
Historic CountryDerbyshire
Modern AuthorityDerbyshire
1974 AuthorityDerbyshire
Civil ParishLong Eaton

Residential manor of the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield. Abandoned in 1450 and materials used to repair the other episcopal residences. (Thompson; Emery)

Not specifically located by Thompson and Emery but c. 2004 'During the removal of render on the east-facing elevation of the western wing of the existing Church Farm farmhouse, sandstone masonry was observed. Features included two partial arches and a blocked opening. Sandstone masonry was also observed in the farmhouse cellar. It was clear that the sandstone masonry represented a building much earlier than the brick and rendered exterior of the buildings suggest. The masonry may date to the 12th century and it is possible that the building represented remains of a manor house in view of its proximity to the church. Groundworks adjacent to the west-facing elevation revealed further masonry surviving below ground. The nature of this masonry could suggest the presence of a projecting wing to the west.' (Derbyshire HER ref. Halsted)

Gatehouse Comments

Clearly this is likely to have been the bishops residence. Church Farm does not seem to be listed and it may well the significance of the building and its surroundings have not yet been properly assessed. The bishops had a grant of free warren for numerous named manors, including Sallowe in 1259.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSK471313
Latitude52.8773307800293
Longitude-1.30034005641937
Eastings447180
Northings331320
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Emery, Anthony, 2000, Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales Vol. 2 East Anglia, Central England and Wales (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p. 409-11
  • Thompson, M.W., 1998, Medieval bishops' houses in England and Wales (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing) p. 174
  • Greenslade, M.W. (ed), 1970, VCH Staffordshire Vol. 3 p. 22-3

Primary Sources

  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1906, Calendar of Charter Rolls Henry III-Edward 1 1257-1300 Vol. 2. (HMSO) p. 18 online copy

Other

  • Dave Barrett, Gill Stroud, 2009, Extensive Urban Survey - Derbyshire (English Heritage) Download copy
  • Halsted, J. (Birmingham Archaeology), 2006, Church Farm, Sawley, Derbyshire. An Archaeological Watching Brief 2003-2006. p 9; Figs 5 & 12, Plates 5 & 6
  • Payne, Naomi, 2003, The medieval residences of the bishops of Bath and Wells, and Salisbury (PhD Thesis University of Bristol) Appendix B: List of Medieval Bishop's Palaces in England and Wales (available via EThOS)