Benjamin Brecknell Turner, 'Crowle Court'

Benjamin Brecknell Turner
'Crowle Court'
Worcestershire
England
1852-1854
Albumen print from calotype negative   
Museum no. PH.14-1982

This medieval moated manor was held by the priors of Worcester, who visited it frequently, as recorded in the 16th century journals and accounts of Prior William More. The moat, visible to the right of the raised entrance roadway, was once used as a defence, though later as a decorative status symbol, and indicates the importance of the site. Turner was no doubt drawn by the way the ancient building seems to grow out of its surrounding terrain.

The Court was in a very poor state of repair in Turner's time and demolished by the end of the 19th century. Next to the present small farmhouse can be seen the surviving sandstone walls of one of the ground floor rooms with a fine fireplace and remains of a tiled floor. South of the moat, the farmyard and tithe barn have recently been restored and converted to houses.