<- ) Willington Dovecote & Elstow ( ->

26th July 2009

Willington Dovecote & Stables

Location: TL107 499 MK443QG

The lovely village of Willington is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 when it is called Welitone and possibly derives from Old English welig-tun > willow farm.

The Dovecote, completed around 1543 was commissioned by Sir John Gostwick, Earl of Gostwick, who served as Cardinal Wolsey's Master of Horse and controller of the household. Later he became Henry VIII’s Treasurer General of the First Fruits and Tenths. The Dovecote, being the largest one around and a symbol for Sir John, was made from the remains of a large Tudor Complex and is thought to include stones from Newnham Priory, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It has room for over 1500 pigeons to nest in spacious nest boxes. The ornate stepped gables are of interest as are the gargoyles on the stables opposite. Henry VIII held a privy council meeting here in Willington in 1541.

The Stables, thought to be a lodging house for extra guests dates to around 1539-1540. The fireplace upstairs has an alleged signature by Pilgrim's Progress author, John Bunyan.

The ancient medieval church of the St. Lawrence, which was repaired by Sir John, sits just behind the Stables and is worth a visit for its architecture alone and for a cup of tea and home made cake! Thank you for everyone for making us welcome!

Elstow Moot Hall

Location TL052465 MK429XT

Elstow Moot Hall stands on the village green and was built in the 15th century as a market-house and later extended in the late 15th century. The village green was home to a variety of annual fairs and Moot Hall was used for storage of the stalls and other items. Later archeological information has emerged that they were actual shops. The upper level of this Tudor timber-framed building was probably originally used as the Abbess' court and was certainly used after the dissolution as a manor court and any dispute arising from the Fairs would also be heard and settled here. Throughout much of the 19th century, the upper room was used every Sunday both as a school and in the evenings by the Elstow congregation of the Bunyan Meeting as a place of worship. After 1950 it became a museum which illustrates 17th century life with reference to John Bunyan.

Church of St. Lawrence 2009-07-26 13:59:11	Church of St. Lawrence 2009-07-26 13:59:55	Church of St. Lawrence 2009-07-26 14:01:07	Church of St. Lawrence 2009-07-26 14:01:54
Church of St. Lawrence 2009-07-26 14:26:45	Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:46:36	Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:46:56	Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:48:08
Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:48:27	Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:48:47	Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:48:55	Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:49:37
Elstow Moot Hall 2009-07-26 12:50:04	Elstow Village 2009-07-26 12:50:46	Elstow Village 2009-07-26 12:50:52	John Bunyan's "signature" 2009-07-26 13:41:32
Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:24:38	Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:25:16	Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:25:39	Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:26:02
Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:26:17	Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:26:42	Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:28:24	Willington Dovecote 2009-07-26 13:29:06