Post Medieval Features at Coughton Court, Warwickshire

1 A cobble surface found across the excavated area is likely to have been the original courtyard to the existing house when construction started in the early 16th century. The house, which was timber framed, comprised a north and south range initially. Later the north and south cross walls were extended and an east range was added. This appears to have been as a single long hall until the late 16th century when the south and east ranges were widened, incorporating additional chambers. The northern end of the east range was probably built of stone to the first floor level while that to the south supported a timber superstructure. The northern end may have been a separate tower, built to take the thrust of a first floor bridge linked to the Brewhouse. The line of a bridge is shown on a mid 18th century plan on this alignment. The raised elevation is based on corbels found below a door at this height but these may relate to a balcony, not a bridge. The remains of floors and two hearths suggest different uses for the various parts of the building. Finds included glass, pottery, oyster shells, a quill pen and bell seal.
A sandstone revetment wall and a carved capital were found on the south side of the moat and the edge of a pit or gully was picked up east of the south range.