Stourton Caundle Manor

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameStourton Caundle Manor
Alternative NamesCourt Barton
Historic CountryDorset
Modern AuthorityDorset
1974 AuthorityDorset
Civil ParishStourton Caundle

Platform on the N. side of a small valley 300 yds. S.W. of the church, is said to be the remains of a 'castle' (Hutchins III, 667). Nothing survives except a few indeterminate scarps and mounds, and a platform 45 yds. square and about 1/2 ft. high. There is no evidence of a medieval castle; and remains more probably represent a former manor house, perhaps with turrets, as shown on a plan in Wilts. Record Office (Stourhead papers, 929). Mediaeval pottery has been found on the site (O.S. records).

The site is represented by a 45.0m. square platform vaguely discernible at ST 71251500. The position is not defensive and the building was probably a fortified manor house, common in the 13th to 14th century. Some fragments of gritty black Medieval ware and animal bones were found in a small digging into the side of the pond 50.0m. south of the site. The rectangular fishpond centred at ST 71251496 was probably fed at the west end and a pierced bank of earth at the extreme south east corner probably incorporated a sluice and outflow. The site suggests that the fishpond was also a mill-pond but no building structure was found. Centred at ST 71201500 is a small grass covered area of scarped elongated platforms, well above the pond level and with a south aspect. this is probably evidence of Medieval depopulation. (Field Investigators Comments-F1 NVQ 22-JUL-55). (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

A nave of C13 chapel (Grade 2 star listed) lies 90m west of Manor Farmhouse at ST7132514929. That is south of small valley and water course and is separated from the supposed manor house site by fish ponds. It may be the site of the medieval manor was closer to this chapel, perhaps where the Manor Farmhouse is and the barely discernible platform represented something else (a fashionable walled garden?). Wherever located the manor house does seem to have had some 'castle-like' elements.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceST712150
Latitude50.9337196350098
Longitude-2.41051006317139
Eastings371250
Northings115000
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Wilton, P., 1995, Castles of Dorset (Wimborne)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 130 (possible)
  • RCHME, 1970, An inventory of historical monuments in the County of Dorset Vol. 3: central p. 269 no. 18, 19 online transcription
  • Hutchin, J., 1868 (3edn org. pub. 1774), History of Dorset Vol. 3 p. 667 (Facsimile edn by EP Publishing produced 1973)