Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Woodhouse Austin Friary
Hob Uid: 112790
Location : Shropshire Hopton Wafers
Grid Ref : SO6470077170
Summary : Surviving moat and fishponds of an Austin Friary founded in 1250 and dissolved in 1538, now occupied by a mid-19th century farmhouse and outbuildings with possible 17th century origins. Supposed remains of deserted village - not proven.
More information : (SO 64707717) Woodhouse on site of (NAT) Priory (NR) (Augustinian) (NAT) Moat (NR) (1) A house of Austin Friars founded about 1250 and dissolved in 1538. One of the first houses of the order to be established in England. In the early 19th century an old moated house with the remains of a chapel was used as a farmhouse. The house was evidently rebuilt in the mid 19th century and no Medieval features were visible externally in 1969. A considerable part of the large rectangular moat survives. (2-3) There are now no signs of antiquity at Woodhouse, but there are several worked stones in the grounds, which could have been part of the Priory. The north-east arm and parts of the west and south-east arms of the moat remain. The pond at SO 64837728 and the dried-up one at SO 64887728 may have been fishponds belonging to the priory. Published 25" survey revised. (4) The moat is landscaped and altered to the SE, but well preserved in the N, and the interior seems relatively undisturbed N of the present farm buildings. A group of 3 fishponds lies to the ENE at SO 64907727. (5) Listed as a possible deserted village. Earthworks in field to the NE of present house. A hollow way runs N-S across the field to the spinney, and re-emerges in the field to the S where ridge and furrow runs off to the W. In the SW corner of the field several platforms are visible. (6) SO 64737719. The NE and parts of the NW and SE arms of the moat, now dry, remain. A pond on the N side incorporates one arm of the moat, and possibly a remodelled Medieval fishpond. At SO 64837728 a curving pond-bay about 35.0m in length appears to be of modern construction. Downstream to the E at SO64887728 are the fragmentary remains of another pond-bay of earlier date. No evidence of a deserted village as such could be seen. The W side of a hollow way at SO 64847720 was formerly a field boundary with trees growing on it (c) and there has been disturbances at SO64737708, but no platforms could be recognised. Published survey (1:2500) revised on MSD. Ponds surveyed on Paper Trace. (7) Noted in a list of Moated sites in Shropshire. (8) Scheduled. (9) SO 6468 7718. Woodhouse moated friary of Hopton Wafers. Scheduled (RSM). The moat island is known to be the location of the Austin friary founded in 1250. At present the site is occupied by a farmhouse and several outbuildings believed to have 17th century origins. (10)

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Source Number : 1
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Source details : OS 25" 1902
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Source Number : 8
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Vol(s) : 7, 1980

Source Number : 9
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Source details : English Heritage SAMs 31 Dec 1987
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Source Number : 10
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Source details : English Heritage SAM Amendment 20/JUL/1992
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Source Number : 3
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F1 FKB 18-JUL-68
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : Salop Sites & Mons Rec SA 1184 (I Burrow 5.1.79)
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : Salop Sites & Mons Rec SA 940
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Source Number : 6a
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Source details : List of Salop DMV's (T Rowley et al)
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Source Number : 6b
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Source details : Typescript Thesis 1977 32 (P S Page)
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : F2 DJC 17-JUL-79
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Source Number : 7a
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Source details : Mr H E Pain, Farmer Sproseley.
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Medieval
Monument End Date : 1540
Monument Start Date : 1066
Monument Type : Augustinian Friary, Moat, Fishpond, Deserted Settlement
Evidence : Earthwork, Conjectural Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Post Medieval
Monument End Date : 1901
Monument Start Date : 1540
Monument Type : Farmhouse
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 13682
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Shropshire)
External Cross Reference Number : 1184
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SO 67 NW 16
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1968-07-18
End Date : 1968-07-18

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1979-07-17
End Date : 1979-07-17

Historic England Research Records

Woodhouse Austin Friary