King John's House, Tollard Royal

In the civil parish of Tollard Royal. In the historic county of Wiltshire (Modern Authority of Wiltshire, 1974 county of Wiltshire).

Site of a royal hunting lodge of King John. The house dates back to the mid C13. Augustus Pitt-Rivers, the 'Father of English Archaeology' inherited the house and spent many years restoring the old house.
King John's House, Tollard Royal, incorporates a centre of about 1240 with a Medieval NW addition, remodelled in the late 16th century, a Medieval SW addition of which only foundations are known, and a timber-framed east range which replaced the 13th century solar wing. The house was restored in 1888-9. Tollard Park to the south is mentioned in 1405 and originally belonged to the house. It was altered before 1928 (Pevsner; Oliver; Pitt-Rivers). King John's House is in a good state of repair but is untenanted. The 13th century work has been exposed revealing the stone construction. The building has the typical layout of a 13th century hall with additional 15th century wings which have been plaster-faced, colour-washed and have modern wooden casement-windows. The roof and chimneys are modern. A restored doorway is visible on the SW side and two lancet windows on the SE. The 13th c. foundations found at the SW angle are not visible as the site is overlain by flower-beds. A porch on the NE and the building adjoining the NW angle are modern additions. (PastScape–ref. Field Investigators Comments F1 NVQ 23-APR-54)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is ST94421766

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's English Heritage (PastScape) Defra or Monument number is 209895
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is ST91NW450 '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.

• Books
  • Gerrard, Chris, 2002, Medieval Archaeology understanding traditions and contemporary approaches p58
    Bowden, Mark, 1991, Pitt Rivers, The life and archaeological work of Lieutenant-General Augustus Henry Lane Fox Pitt Rivers p123-6 (CUP Archive)
    Pevsner, N., 1963, The Buildings of England: Wiltshire (London, Penguin) p468
    Pitt-Rivers, A. (Lt Gen), 1890, King John's House, Tollard Royal, Wilts (Privately published)
    Timbs, J. and Gunn, A., 1872, Abbeys, Castles and Ancient Halls of England and Wales Vol2 (London) p16-18 http://www.elfinspell.com/TimbsCranbourn.html
• Journal Articles
  • 1987, Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine Vol89, p98 [about park]
    Wood, Margaret, 1950, 'Thirteenth-century Domestic Architecture in England' Archaeological Journal Vol105 supplement
    Oliver, V.L., 1928, 'An Additional Calendar of Dorset Deeds' Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society Vol49 p37