Monument Type(s):

• CASTLE (14th century - 1300 AD to 1399 AD)
• HOUSE (Mid 19th century to 20th century (post-war) - 1868 AD to 1999 AD)

Summary

A mid 19th century house, incorporating elements of a 14th century fortified castle, which is protected by Grade II Listing.

Related records

Associated Finds: None recorded

Associated Events

• ESA7439 - 2012 photographic survey at Broncroft Castle by Nick Tavener Archaeological Services

Description

Castle, now house. Mid C19, to C14 core. Sandstone rubble; plain tile roofs; various ornamental brick and stone stacks. Irregular plan. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, with various attics, towers and wings; irregular fenestration of cross-windows and lancets with leaded lights; traceried windows to east front. Main entrance to south-west: C19 plank door under pointed arch; tower to right, partly C14. INTERIOR: not inspected. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: rubble wall, approx 2m high, extends for some 30m. <1>

Largely the creation of J.P.Sneddon c.1868. The stocky square SW tower is medieval right up to the battlements, probably built for Sir Simon Burley in the 1380s. Seddon's low continuation of the S front, with plate-traceried windows and stone dormers incorporates older masonry, as does the base of the SE tower. This Seddon built up as the principal accent. He created a machicolated entrance obliquely at the corner of the SW tower and beyond that a projecting NW wing, double-gabled and with a big bay window like a parsonage. At the back, a third battlemented tower stands over service quarters. <4>

A photographic record of the building was undertaken prior to alterations in 2012. <5>

The castle was thoroughly rebuilt in the C19, and little more than the base of the tower remains from an early period. Originally there was a walled courtyard with a great hall along the S wall, flanked by towers at the SE and SW angles - somewhat reminiscent of the final plan of Stokesay. John Burley, who was 6 times knight of the shire between 1399 and 1411, and William Burley, who succeeded him, both trusted officers of the FitzAlans and Talbots, were 'of Broncroft', but the castle was probably built before their time. ->

-> Apart from the lower of the two main towers, the castle was wholly rebuilt in the mid 19C outwardly in the manner of Stokesay Castle with an open hall lit by gabled dormers and set between flanking towers. It is as much a piece of antiquarian reconstruction as of neo-Gothic design. <6>

Broncroft Castle; a small castle of pink sandstone, originally Medieval with extensive 19th century renovations. There is evidence of the 14th century work in the tower to the right of the entrance. <7><8>

Rowley lists Broncroft as a site of a Medieval settlement, but its exact location is unknown. (Although said to be possibly obliterated by modern development, Broncroft Castle would appear to be the only building in the locality of Rowley's siting). <09>

Nothing visible. <10>

Broncroft Castle is in a good state of preservation. <11>

Castle, now house. Mid C19, to C14 core. Sandstone rubble; plain tile roofs; various ornamental brick and stone stacks. Irregular plan. EXTERIOR: 2 storeys, with various attics, towers and wings; irregular fenestration of cross-windows and lancets with leaded lights; traceried windows to east front. Main entrance to south-west: C19 plank door under pointed arch; tower to right, partly C14. INTERIOR: not inspected. SUBSIDIARY FEATURES: rubble wall, approx 2m high, extends for some 30m. Listed as a possible fortified house by Cathcart King. <12>

Sources

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.