Bere Barton, Bere Ferrers

Has been described as a Certain Fortified Manor House, and also as a Certain Pele Tower

There are major building remains

NameBere Barton, Bere Ferrers
Alternative NamesByr; Beer Ferres; Beer Ferris
Historic CountryDevonshire
Modern AuthorityDevon
1974 AuthorityDevon
Civil ParishBere Ferrers

Fortified Manor House with a licence to crenellate granted to Mathilda, widow of William Ferrars, in 1337 and to John Ferrers in 1340.

A manor house, associated with a licence to crenellate in granted in 1337. The licence was specifically granted to Matilda, the widow of William de Ferrers. This was one of only a handful of licences to crenellate granted to women. The oldest part of the present house may date back to the 14th century. The house was extended, probably in the 16th century, and the main front section was added in the mid to early 18th century. A large dairy wing was added to the right in the early 19th century. Built of limestone, granite and slate rubble with hipped slate roofs. (PastScape)

The remains of a small keep-like tower can be seen in the present Bere Barton. The former house was licensed to be crenellated or otherwise fortified in 1337. (Hoskins)

Oldest part is at rear of left-hand side consisting at present of one large room; visible on the first floor of this part, in front left- hand corner, are the remains of a stone newel stair with a garderobe adjoining under which is a shute and underground waste channel. Built onto one side of this room is a probably C16 block heated by an axial fireplace, this may originally have been a kitchen. (Listed Building Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Property for sale in November 2009 and some details and photos available online from estate agents but unlikely to remain available after sale of house.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2* listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSX459633
Latitude50.4501113891602
Longitude-4.1722297668457
Eastings245930
Northings63390
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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

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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2002, Index and Amendments to Mike Salter's English Castles Books (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 6
  • Higham, Robert A., 1999, 'Castles, Fortified Houses and Fortified Towns in the Middle Ages' in Kain, R. and Ravenhill, W., Historical Atlas of South-West England (University of Exeter Press) p. 136-43
  • Salter, Mike, 1999, The Castles of Devon and Cornwall (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 87 (slight)
  • Pettifer, A., 1995, English Castles, A guide by counties (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 64 (slight)
  • Pevsner, Nikolaus and Cherry, Bridget, 1989, Buildings of England: Devon (Harmondsworth) p. 164
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 121 (possible)
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 107
  • Hoskins, W.G., 1954, A New Survey of England: Devon (London: Collins) p. 276, 332
  • Mackenzie, J.D., 1896, Castles of England; their story and structure (New York: Macmillan) Vol. 2 p. 22-3 online copy
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 350-1, 412, 413 online copy
  • Lysons, D. and S., 1822, Magna Britannia Vol. 6 Devon p. 40 online transcription

Antiquarian

  • Chandler, John, 1993, John Leland's Itinerary: travels in Tudor England  (Sutton Publishing) p. 109
  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1907, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (London: Bell and Sons) Vol. 1 p. 212 online copy

Journals

  • Higham, R.A., 1988, 'Devon Castles: an annotated list' Proceedings of the Devon Archaeological Society Vol. 46 p. 142-9

Primary Sources

  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1895, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1334-38) Vol. 3 p. 558 online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1900, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1340-43) Vol. 5 p. 51 online copy