Baginton (inc. Bagot's Castle, Lunt Fort)

I've never heard of this building. Who owned or lived there and when was this damage done?

Here is a picture from 1975 CET

Hi Linda, which building are you asking about?

Helen F. If only I could show you all the photos that are in my head of this place in 1960, rolling green field with just two very old cottages. No Lunt Fort, they only found it 10 years later, that's the time they moved my sister-in-law out of the first cottage and into a council house. My brother-in-law's ashes are under the tree that stands in the field. Family name Billson, could still be some still living in the village

The one that looked like an old country home that had been hit by a bomb.

Hi Linda, it was destroyed by fire in 1889.

A detailed description of what happened, mentioning who was living there at the time, here

Thank you, Helen. What an amazing detailed description of the terrible fire and of how all the local fire services tried to put the it out.

Hi Helen, A very interesting read and I was wondering, thinking back, we used to visit the Old Mill at Baginton for excellent meals (early 60's). Any connection there, or have I completely strayed?

No you haven't strayed, it was very probably connected. I can't find a description of the timeline but based on how things tended to work. A castle is built near suitable resources - wood, stone, sand, water etc. Potentially there was a small village already for workforce. The owner of the castle would own/manage the villagers to provide food and income. Part of that would be to build a mill for food and later other types of mills (eg a fulling mill - the process of cleaning and tightening woven cloth by hitting it with massive hammer like devices while wet). I believe that Baginton (Bagots) castle started as a proper motte and bailey - long since removed - and developed into what is now ruins. Castles were uncomfortable, restrictive and from time to time unfashionable so gradually timber halls were built, followed by stone or brick houses. The last but one stage in Baginton burnt down in 1706 and was replaced by the one in the photographs. Any mills would have started out owned by the lord of the manor but then rented out and finally became someone's business. Mills would have changed uses as different needs arose and been rebuilt as required. Locations might have changed slightly too, if more than one mill was needed for a while, but a good location would be reused if possible. The Sherbourne and the Sowe had many mills. The first Baginton mill is recorded at 1086. In 1418 there was a fulling mill. In 1656 a mill in Baginton was being used to sharpen tools. Bits of the current building date back that far. By the time the last hall was built, the mill was probably long since disconnected to the hall owners and in private ownership but not necessarily. It's a research project on its own.

'Wow', thanks Helen, you gave me more than I asked for.