Cotehele House

In the civil parish of Calstock.
In the historic county of Cornwall (Modern Authority of Cornwall, 1974 county of Cornwall).

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.

This site has been described as a Fortified Manor House.A high status fortified residence not capable of withstanding an army but able to resist an armed band. They are generally moated and have a gatehouse with loops and crenellations. They tend to be sited with much less consideration for tactical and strategic defence and with domestic considerations, such as ease of access, to the fore. The difference between a small castles and a fortified manor house is a subjective one and may well be an artificial division in that for contemporary medieval citizens it may not have existed. David King did not use this term and preferred the term Strong House, since not all fortified high status houses were manorial, but use of his term Strong House has not been widely adopted possible because it is widely used as a synonym for bastle. Such buildings did not require a licence to crenellate and having a licence to crenellate does not mean a building was certainly fortified. However, I have recorded all buildings issued a licence to crenellate under this group since they clearly were at least intended to be [re]constructed in a fortified style.

The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Possible.

Major remains.

This site is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law*. (Images of England number 60778)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SX42236858

Modern Map from

Good for landscape form and features

Modern Map from

Good for general location

Air Photo from

1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

PastScape
Web site links
- http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/national-trust/cotehele.htm
Journal Articles
- 1984, Devon and Cornwall notes and queries Vol35 p165-74
  Kenyon, J.R., 1981 'Early Artillery Fortifications in England and Wales: a Preliminary Survey and Re-appraisal' Archaeological Journal Vol138 p227
  1977, Fort Vol4 p81
  Rigold, S.E., 1973, 'Cotehele House' Archaeological Journal Vol130 p256-59
  Hussey, C., 1924 Aug 30 and Sept 6, Country Life
  1905 June 10, Country Life
Guidebooks
- Trinick, M., 1984, Cotehele House (National Trust)

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