The Gatehouse website record for Mount Edgcumbe Fortified House

In the civil parish of Maker With Rame. In the historic county of Cornwall (Modern Authority of Cornwall, 1974 county of Cornwall).

The original fortified mansion of Mount Edgcumbe was built about 1553 but was burnt down during the Second World War; it was rebuilt on the original foundations in 1959. Details of the original plan were recorded by E.M. Jope during its demolition prior to rebuilding. The C16 house had round towers at the angles which were replaced by large octagonal towers in the late C18; a library wing was added in C19. The entrance hall was lofty and imposing with marble columns and pilasters (PastScape–ref listing description).
There was pirate activity in the area in the C16 but how fortified the house was may be questioned. Built by Sir Richard Edgecombe of Cotehele in an existing deer park (PastScape Hob no 437539) so probably a replacement for a medieval house, and given the family name, one of some antiquity. The Edgecombe's were a military family who held significant local positions (and consequently had local enemies in the gentry classes) and who's house at Cotehele (qv) was also fortified. Clearly residential rather than military, although dressed up with military symbolism reflecting the families social role, but also able to resist an armed band of pirates or jealous rivals.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SX45305275

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 437551437539
Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record. In particular 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website, or elsewhere.

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*The listed building may not be the actual medieval building, but a building on the site of, or incorporating fragments of, the described site.