Dovecote at The Old Deanery (EHER 18014)

A 17th century timber-framed and weatherboarded dovecote, located at the northern end of the village of Bocking, in the grounds to the south of The Old Deanery.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: In the late tenth century Bocking belonged to the Saxon thegn Aetheric who bequeathed it to the monks of Christchurch, Canterbury (later Holy Trinity Cathedral), at some date prior to 999 (probably 995). Aetheric also specified in his will that 'one hide I will give to the church for the priest who serve God there'. This hide of land is thought to have been that of the Old Deanery (TL 75621 25449), which is sited on the western side of the river floodplain, opposite to the Parish Church. It is thought that the Old Deanery site would include the late Saxon/early medieval Priest's House, ancillary out-buildings, gardens and stock enclosures. The present building incorporates some early 14th century elements in the north wing, but was substantially extended and altered in the Tudor period and is now a largely early 17th century timber-framed and plastered building, with an 18th century plastered brick south-east front. There is a late 17th century dovehouse with wattle and daub nesting boxes for 130 doves in the Deanery grounds. <1> - <3> The dovecote is a 17th century timber-framed and weatherboard construction. It is thought to have originally formed part of a more extensive group of 17th century farm buildings most probably contemporary with the 17th century expansion of the main house. The dovecote which is a listed building is large, some 5.3m square and has a brick plinth to 0.5m. Above this it is timber framed and weatherboarded. The roof is tiled rising to an unusual cruciform gabled louvre at the top; the latter so designed as to allow access for the pigeons, but to keep out birds of prey. The dovecote is of two storeys; the lower level has a lath and plaster ceiling at about 3m above the floor which is made of brick. The large double-doored entrance supports the documentary evidence to this lower level having been used as an open cart shed. The upper level is the cote. Access to the upper level is by external ladder to a fairly small door above and slightly to the left of the double-doored entrance to the lower storey. The door to the upper storey is original and has ventilation slots. Inside are some 135 wattle and daub nesting boxes, L-shaped and some 45cm deep, arranged in three tiers with an alighting board to each tier. Documentary sources place the date of construction during the residency of Dean Gauden (1643-60); the last Dean to have kept pigeons in the cote is said to have been a Dr barton who was Dean from 1816 to 1834. <4> A 17th century timber-framed and weatherboarded dovecote, located at the northern end of the village of Bocking, in the grounds to the south of The Old deanery. The dovecote is large, some 5.3 metres square, and has a brink plinth. Above this it is timber-framed and weatherboarded. The roof is tiled rising to an unusual cruciform gabled louver at the top; the latter so designed as to allow access for the pigeons, but to keep out birds of prey. The dovecote is of two stories: the lower level has a lath and plaster ceiling at about 3 metres above the floor which is made of brick. The large double-doored entrance supports the documentary reference to this lower level having been used as an open cart shed. The upper level is the cote. Access to the upper level is by external ladder to a fairly small door above and slightly to the left of the double-doored entrance to the lower storey. Inside are some 135 wattle and daub nesting boxes, L-shaped, some 45cm deep, arranged in three tiers with an alighting board to each tier. Scheduled. <5> 1999. Evaluation. An archaeological evaluation prior to the building of an extension and housing at the Old Deanery, revealed several archaeological features. A ditch of 13th century date ran downhill towards the river. A pit of similar date was discovered further north along with two post-medieval ditches and a gully. The trenches near to the house proved to be unproductive. Occupation of the site from the medieval period was therefore confirmed. <5> Visited as part of the MPP programme. <6>