The Dovecotes of Suffolk
by John McCann
Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History 1998
175 x 246mm, 128 pages, 44 figures, 12 colour plates
Paperback ISBN 0 9521390 1 4
This is the first study of Suffolk's historic dovecotes. They were
both functional buildings and architectural expressions of social
status. As they were built in the fashionable style of their time,
they illustrate the history of architecture in microcosm. In
Suffolk dovecotes survive from the 14th century to the 19th; they
are built of all materials — timber, brick, stone and unfired clay.
This study breaks new ground by relating the features found to
contemporary descriptions of working practices.
The introductory chapters describing how dovecotes were designed
and built will be illuminating to anyone who owns or visits a
dovecote, whether in Suffolk or elsewhere in Britain. The book is
richly illustrated by photographs in colour and black and white,
and line drawings.
With a Foreword by Professor R.W. Brunskill and an Appendix on
medieval documentary sources by Dr Rosemary Hoppitt.
Price: £8.50.
Available from:
Bookshops, Suffolk Institute of
Archaeology, or in person from:
Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service
9-10 Churchyard
Shire Hall
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 1RX
Telephone: 01284 741230
Email:
archaeology@suffolk.gov.uk