Record Details
MonUID: | MST13414 |
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HER Number: | 06066 |
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Type of record: | Building |
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Name: | Caverswall Castle |
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Summary
The listed remains of Caverswall Castle, later converted to a country house. The castle has surviving 13th century foundations with an early 17th century superstructure and is of red ashlar sandstone with a flat roof largely hidden behind crenellations.
Monument Type(s):
- CASTLE (Norman to MEDIEVAL - 1200 AD to 1299 AD)
- COUNTRY HOUSE (Converted, Jacobean - 1615 AD to 1615 AD)
- BENEDICTINE NUNNERY (Georgian to Victorian - 1811 AD to 1853 AD)
- NUNNERY (Mid 20th Century to Late 20th Century - 1933 AD to 1977 AD)
Associated Events:
- EST2240 - An archaeological watching brief at Caverswall Castle.
- EST1993 - A listed building appraisal of Caverswall Castle, Caverswall.
- EST1994 - An archaeological desk-based assessment at Caverswall Castle, Staffordshire. (Ref: Report No. 246)
Protected Status:
- Listed Building (I) 1038000: Caverswall Castle, Screen walls, Gatehouse and Bridge
Full description
The early 17th century portion of the building is thought to have been erected by Robert Smythson or his son John. (SB, 03-Mar-2010) <1>
Caverswall Castle was originally built as a fortified manor house constructed on a mound surrounded by a moat (PRN 01232). William de Caverswall (or Careswell) was granted a licence to crenellate the house in 1275. The house passed to the Montgomery family in the mid 14th century and they remained there until circa 1555, with the last of the line to occupy the castle being Dorothy Montgomery (who married Sir Thomas Gifford in 1515 and it is possible that they allowed a religious order to occupy part of the castle sometime before 1540.
By 1600 the castle appears to have declined and by this time it was in use as a farmhouse (tenanted by John Brown). The castle was subsequently acquired by Matthew Craddock (a wealthy wool merchant), who in circa 1615 employed an architect (probably John Smythson) to construct a new house incorporating the remains of the original castle.
Elements of the medieval castle retained include the square tower at the western end of the building, while the angle towers and curtain wall were probably restored at this time and were reduced from their former height. The gatehouse was also restored by Craddock, although the medieval bridge over the moat was replaced.
In 1643 the castle was briefly garrisoned by Parliamentary troops under the command of Captain John Ashenhurst. The castle was sold in 1655 to William Jollife and in 1666 Hearth Tax the property was listed with 20 hearths.
In 1890 the castle was purchased by Mr. W.E. Bowers, who carried out further alterations and extensions to the castle including the addition of a new east wing, a two-storey extension.
The castle was occupied at various times by three orders of nuns. From 1811 to 1853 a Benedictine order occupied the castle and operated a girls school. The Sisters of the Holy Spirit took over the castle from 1933 to 1965, followed by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary from 1965 to 1977. (SB, 03-Mar-2010) <2>
An archaeological watching brief during pipe laying suggests that in medieval times there were stone structures on at least three (i.e. the south, west and east) of the four sides of the platform and a courtyard in the centre. <3>
Sources and further reading
--- | SST270 - Published Book: Timothy Mowl and Dianne Barr. 2009. The Historic Gardens of England: Staffordshire. page 35-36, 260, plate 14, 109, page 35, 260, colour plate 8, page 85. |
<1> | SST1122 - Building Recording Report: DPP Manchester (on behalf of Robin MacDonald). 2008. Listed Building Appraisal in respect of Caverswall Castle, Caverswall. Page 3 (2.1) and Page 4 (2.5). |
<2> | SST1123 - Desk Based Assessment Report: Alison Nicholls (Stoke-on-Trent Archaeology). 2009. Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment at Caverswall Castle, Staffordshire. Pages 2-4. |
<3> | SST1733 - Drawn: Chris Wardle (Staffordshire County Council). 1995. Caverswall Castle - Plan of a Watching Brief July 1995. Permatrace. 1:400. |
Related records
53746 | Parent of: Possible Burial Ground, South of Caverswall Castle (Monument) |
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