Sampford Peverell

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameSampford Peverell
Alternative NamesSampford Peverel; Stamford Barton; Sanford Castelle; Sanforda
Historic CountryDevonshire
Modern AuthorityDevon
1974 AuthorityDevon
Civil ParishSampford Peverell

Remains of a medieval moat. The house which formerly occupied the moated site was granted a licence to crenellate in 1337 and 1339. The present house dates from 1755 and was altered in the late 19th century. It is two storeyed, built of stone rubble, and possibly some cob, with a slate roof. A coach house adjoins to the rear right. (PastScape)

Samford Peverell was recorded as 'Sanforda' in the 1086 Domesday Survey. The borough of Sampford would once have been dominated by Samford Castle which was recorded in the early 17C as a house on the side of a hill. In 1822 the 'castle' or 'castellated mansion' was described as having been built in 1337 by Oliver Dinham & demolished c1775. The site lies to the northwest of 'Sampford Barton' which probably represents the demesne farm of the manor. (Southwest Archaeology 2004)

There are some suggestions the medieval Castle was north of the post-medieval Barton at ST027145, where some 'Surface irregularities are probably the result of quarrying' (Devon and Dartmoor HER 11474). This may represent preconceptions about the nature of houses granted a licence to crenellate, most of which, in fact, were modest moated houses rather than 'castles'. Generally buildings appear to reuse earlier site although there are exceptions. Gatehouse favours the moated site as the location of the licenced C14 house rather than some 'surface irregularties.'

Gatehouse Comments

icence to crenellate granted to Oliver Dinham in 1337 and confirmed in 1339, when he came of age.

- 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 ReferenceST027144
Latitude50.9212188720703
Longitude-3.38439989089966
Eastings302770
Northings114430
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales Vol. 3 Southern England (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p. 695
  • 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)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 120
  • Wall, C., 1906, in Page, Wm (ed), 'Ancient Earthworks' VCH Devon Vol. 1 p. 623
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 412 online copy

Antiquarian

  • Hearne (ed), 1744, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (Oxford) Vol. 6 p. 10

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. 473 online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1898, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1338-40) Vol. 4 p. 326 online copy

Other

  • 2008, Sampford Peverell Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan online copy
  • Southwest Archaeology, 2004, 4 & 6 Chains Road, Sampford Peverell: Desk-based assessment (Report - Assessment)