Scheduled Monument: DOVECOTE 85M SOUTH OF NETHERSEAL OLD HALL (1016949)

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION Dovecotes are specialised structures designed for the breeding and keeping of doves as a source of food and as a symbol of high social status. Most surviving examples were built in the period between the 14th and the 17th centuries, although both earlier and later examples are documented. They were generally freestanding structures, square or circular in plan and normally of brick or stone, with nesting boxes built into the internal wall. They were frequently sited at manor houses or monasteries. Whilst a relatively common monument class (1500 examples are estimated to survive out of an original population of c.25,000), most will be considered to be of national interest, although the majority will be listed rather than scheduled. They are also generally regarded as an important component of local distinctiveness and character. The standing and buried remains of Netherseal dovecote are particularly well preserved. It is a good example of a late 17th century dovecote, being unusual in terms of its shape and decorative detail. It also retains many of its original features, including the wooden potence and ladder. The interior, particularly the nesting boxes, the old ground surface beneath the dovecote and any sub-surface features will all retain important archaeological, ecofactual and environmental evidence. Taken as a whole, Netherseal dovecote will enhance our understanding of the construction and use of dovecotes in the area and their position in the wider landscape. DETAILS The monument includes the standing and below ground remains of Netherseal dovecote, which stands on the south side of Church Street opposite Netherseal Old Hall. The dovecote, which is Listed Grade II*, was built in 1689 and forms an irregular hexagon in plan. It is constructed of red brick with vitrified headers. It has a blue brick plinth, a band of raised saw toothed bricks near the eaves and a moulded brick cornice. The roof is hipped and tiled with a central open wooden cupola, which also has a hipped conical roof. The only openings are in the north east face and include an inserted, flat- headed doorway and a small inserted window above it. There is also a similar window in the south east face. On the north west side the original doorway can be seen blocked up and above this is a date panel which reads RII 1686. The internal walls are lined with brick built nest boxes, each tier served by an alighting ledge which runs beneath it. Beneath each alighting ledge is a decorative, brick, saw toothed band. In the centre of the dovecote is a brick stand which supports the surviving potence and ladder. A potence is a revolving structure with a ladder attached which was used to collect eggs at all levels within the dovecote without having to touch the nests. The barns which abut the dovecote on the east and west sides, where they impinge on the monument's protective margin, are excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath is included.