COUGHTON COURT HOME OF THE THROCKMORTON FAMILY

Coughton Court, like so many stately homes in the area, has been influenced by the main upheavals of the nation.

As the estate belonged to a Catholic family, the Throckmortons, it inevitably became involved in the various waves of persecution of the Catholic community when it became illegal during the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. It also became closely associated with the Gunpowder Plot during the reign of James I (1603-25), the Civil War (1642-51), and the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89.

The Throckmorton family residing at Coughton Court were and still are staunch Catholics despite the fact that other branches of the family did embrace the "reformed" religion of the state.

The history of the house begins with Sir George Throckmorton who evidently had great ambitions for the estate to which he succeeded in 1518. He built the delightful Gatehouse which, with its turrets and oriel windows, looks out towards the flat expanse of meadowland around the village of Coughton. A fine example of Tudor architecture, the spectacular Gatehouse was evidently meant as a part of an equally grandiose plan for the whole residence. This, however, was not to be, probably due to a lack of funds.

Towards the end of the 16th century work progressed but not in the grandiose style of the Gatehouse. Part of the courtyard was completed in a mixture of brickwork and timber framing.

If you visit Coughton Court and wish to stay in the area overnight we would recommend Coughton Lodge opposite Coughton Court