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Summary

House presumed to have been built in 1540 from evidence from stained glass (now removed). The interior has a chimneypiece dated 1657 and another, possibly earlier, with a biblical subject. Possibly on the site of Cowick Priory or a grange belonging to the priory. Now a public house.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II*) 1104011: COWICK BARTON

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX99SW/74
• Old Listed Building Ref (II*)
• Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division: SX99SW65

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MANSION HOUSE (Built, XVI - 1501 AD (Between) to 1600 AD (Between))

Full description

National Monument Record, SX99SW/510017 (National Monuments Record Database). SDV24513.

Plan and photos in National Buildings Record.

Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division, SX99SW65 (Ordnance Survey Archaeology Division Card). SDV24511.

Site visit 15th October 1953. There is a certain amount of modern restoration such as external plastering. Inside is a heraldic plaque of the Point family, 1654, above the fireplace. No visible remains of the original monastic grange.
Built in 1546. The stained glass window bearing the royal arms is in South Kensington Museum and another window is in Bradninch Manor (citing oral information).

Worthy, C., 1892, The History of the Suburbs of Exeter, 154, 159 (Monograph). SDV24928.

The farm of Cowick Priory, and referred to as the barton in the Valor Ecclesiasticus. The present house was erected between 1539 and 1547.

Clarke, K. M., 1904-1905, The Conventual Houses of Exeter and the Neighbourhood, 143-144 (Article in Serial). SDV24921.

Cowick Barton was at one time a grange belonging to the priory.

Stone, H., 1920-1921, Polsloe Priory and Cowick Barton, 126-127 (Article in Serial). SDV25091.

Reference to the sale of Cowick Barton house in August 1920.

Cresswell, B. F., 1934-1935, Cowick Barton, 242-246, Pl. (Article in Serial). SDV22292.

The building was originally the priory barn, possibly a tithe barn as early as the 11th century. The history of the property is followed to the end of the 16th century and attempts to trace 17th century owners are described. In recent years, wallpaper has been removed revealing a coat of arms and decorative plasterwork. Sixteenth century glass apparently remained in the hall at the end of the last century.

Pevsner, N., 1952, The Buildings of England: South Devon, 93 (Monograph). SDV336217.

Cowick Barton. Complete, moderate-sized mid 16th century house on the E plan. Had a date-stone of 1540. Mullioned windows, two good inside chimney pieces, one dated 1657.

Youings, J., 1952, The City of Exeter and the Property of the Dissolved Monasteries, 133 (Article in Serial). SDV22284.

John Russell used the stone from the delapidated Cowick Priory, given to him in 1539, to build Cowick Barton.

Department of Environment, 1953, Exeter (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV22547.

Stone house, assumed to date from 1540 because of stained glass (now removed) giving arms of Edward VI as Prince of Wales. Exterior is plastered with stone mullioned windows and original 3 storey porch with Tudor arched entry. New slate roof.

Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1963, Monuments Threatened or Destroyed, 1956-62, 30 (Un-published). SDV83845.

House of stone, with two storeys and an attic. Built in the 16th century on a rectangular plan and enlarged to a U-shaped plan in the 17th century. It has a fireplace with a 16th century plaster overmantel modelled with a ship in full sail.

Department of Environment, 1974, Exeter District, 55 (List of Blds of Arch or Historic Interest). SDV342016.

Griffiths, D., 1983, ?Quay (Worksheet). SDV13596.

Site visit 8th September 1982. Now a public house. Overmantle in the north-east wing depicts a ?religious scene. Another fireplace has the date 1657, of stone and crenallated; possibly earlier than the date.

Devon Religious Houses Survey, 1986-7, Devon Religious Houses Survey 1986/87. Preliminary Assessment Form. Cowick (Un-published). SDV358567.

Cowick Barton is thought to have been built by Lord Russell at the time of the dissolution and may be on the site of the priory buildings. Burials were discovered in the area to the north-east of Cowick Barton in 1887 and there is also said to be the site of a chapel in that area.

Leverett, M. + Manning, P. + Allan, J., 2011, A Guide to the Archives of Archaeological Projects Carried Out In Exeter, 1970-90: Part I (Report - non-specific). SDV347114.

Building recording took place at Cowick Barton during 1982. Other details: Archive no 253.

Leverett, M. + Manning, P. + Allan, J., 2011, A Guide to the Archives of Archaeological Projects Carried Out In Exeter, 1970-90: Part II (Report - non-specific). SDV347115.

Other details: Figure 3, site 253.

Ordnance Survey, 2015, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV357601.

Historic England, 2015, National Heritage List for England (National Heritage List for England). SDV358087.

Cowick Barton. Stone house with "E" plan, assumed to date from 1540 because of stained glass (now removed) giving the arms of Edward VI as Prince of Wales. Interior has one chimneypiece dated 1657 and one, perhaps earlier, with a biblical subject. Exterior is plastered, with stone mullioned windows and origianal 3 storey porch with Tudor arched entrance. New slate roof. Probably originally the Barton of Cowick Priory, which passed to Lord Russell at the Dissolution. He may have built the present house for his bailiff.

Coleman, H., 2016, Cowick Barton (Ground Photograph). SDV359441.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV2416 - Devon Religious Houses Survey

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