Cotehele House

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are major building remains

NameCotehele House
Alternative Names
Historic CountryCornwall
Modern AuthorityCornwall
1974 AuthorityCornwall
Civil ParishCalstock

Country house constructed circa 1300 with early C15 alterations. The main phase of building took place from 1485-1520 with remodelling in 1862. The original plan is uncertain but the main hall is thought to be the core of the original building. A license for the chapel was issued in 1411. There is a gunport dating to circa 1470. (PastScape)

Whether the initial layout of Cotehele encompassed any protective measures is an open question. During the 1460s and 1470s the coast was subject to piratical attacks and the locality to bitter feuds. Towards the closing years of Edward IV's rule, Sir Richard (Edgcumbe) was assaulted with murderous intent by his neighbour, the young Richard Willoughby, and thirty-four armed men, while on another occasion Willoughby's supporters stole some of the chattels from Cotehele and threatened to burn down the house. Richard Edgumbe (d.1562) was still involved with suppressing piracy eighty years later. (Emery p. 529n14)

Gatehouse Comments

The original plan of the house is unclear but seems to be a fortified manor house with crenellated gatehouse. The gun port is an unusual feature but not unique. Much of the building was done by Sir Piers Edgcumbe, who had fought with Henry VII at Bosworth.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 1 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 ReferenceSX422685
Latitude50.4958000183105
Longitude-4.22556018829346
Eastings242230
Northings68580
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
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Books

  • Busby, Graham, Hunt Rachel, and Helen Small, 2009, 'This magical Tudor house: Cotehele and the Concept of Authenticity: A Chronological Review' in Paylon, Philip, and Trower, Shelley (eds), Cornish Studies 17 (Exeter) p. 204-222
  • Emery, Anthony, 2006, Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales Vol. 3 Southern England (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) p. 522-29
  • Cooper, Nicholas, 1999, Houses of the Gentry, 1480-1680 (Yale University Press) p. 36, 65
  • Tipping, H.A., 1937, English Homes, period 1 and 2 Vol. 2 (London) p. 69-90
  • Turner, T.H. and Parker, J.H., 1859, Some account of Domestic Architecture in England (Oxford) Vol. 3 Part 2 p. 357-60 online copy
  • Arundell, F. V. J. (Jago), (n.d. c.1840), Cotehele, on the banks of the Tamar, the ancient seat of the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe

Journals

  • Cornforth, John, 1990 Feb 01 and 08, 'Cotehele House, Cornwall' Country Life p. 52-5, 68-71
  • 1984, Devon and Cornwall notes and queries Vol. 35 p. 165-74
  • Kenyon, J.R., 1981 'Early Artillery Fortifications in England and Wales: a Preliminary Survey and Re-appraisal' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 138 p. 227
  • Alderson, Stanley, 1980 Oct., 'Cotehele: a mediaeval fortified house in Cornwall' Connoisseur Vol. 205 p. 112-7
  • Kenyon, J.R., 1977, 'Early Gunports' Fort Vol. 4 p. 81
  • Glanville, G., 1974, 'Cotehele House and the Edgcumbe family' Old Cornwall Vol. 8 p. 59-70
  • Rigold, S.E., 1973, 'Cotehele House' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 130 p. 256-59
  • Brock, E. P. Loftus, 1970, 'The Architectural History of Cotehele House' Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 33 p. 23-29
  • Hussey, C., 1924 Aug 30 and Sept 6, Country Life 324-31, 360-8
  • 1905 June 10, Country Life

Guide Books

  • Trinick, M., 1984, Cotehele House (National Trust)