Botelet Castle

Has been described as a Questionable Fortified Manor House

There are uncertain remains

NameBotelet Castle
Alternative NamesBoleit; Bodleit
Historic CountryCornwall
Modern AuthorityCornwall
1974 AuthorityCornwall
Civil ParishLanreath

William of Worcester, who wrote an Itinerary of Cornwall in the reign of Edward IV., speaks of a dilapidated castle, called Bodleit (Probably Botelet, in the adjoining parish of Lanreath, which was a manor of the Bottreaux family.), near Sir John Coleshill's mansion, at Tremoderet. (Lysons)

Farmstead, dwelling of which is situated on the site of an ancient manor. Belonged to the Brotreaux family, the last of whom died in 1462 (Gilbert). The old house at Botelet was located at SX 18326021 according to the present owner and all that remains is a section of six foot high undateable walling. This house was demolished when the new house was built in 1884. (PastScape)

Medieval deer park at Botelet. It was in use by 1500. Evidence for the site is in the form of fieldname evidence. (PastScape record 432699–ref Henderson)

Gatehouse Comments

Clearly the manor house of the Bottreaux's, with its associated deer park was high status enough to be built in a castellated style and may have had modest defences. However, Gatehouse suspects Worcestre was actually referring to the nearby Iron Age hill fort of Bury Camp (SX188594 PastScape record 432087) which, with its drystone walling exposed in parts, would have looked very castle like.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSX183602
Latitude50.4135894775391
Longitude-4.5585298538208
Eastings218320
Northings60210
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Henderson, Charles (edited by Rowse, A.L. and Henderson, M.I.), 1963 (original written 1935), Essays in Cornish history (Clarendon Press) p. 162
  • Gilbert, C.S., 1838, Parochial History of Cornwall Vol. 2 p. 367
  • Lysons, D. and S., 1814, Magna Britannia Vol. 3 Cornwall p. 80 online transcription

Antiquarian

  • Harvey, J.H. (ed), 1969, Itineraries (of) William Worcestre (Clarendon Press)