Pirton Courts Rich History

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 However, we interpret history, it is clear the villages of Worcestershire have either directly witnessed or been involved on the close periphery in several of our Nation’s most important historical events. From the arrival of the early French-Norman Nobility to the tomb of King who signed the decree that became known as the Magna Carta. Brother of Richard 1st (Lionheart) and nemesis of the legendary Robin of Sherwood (Robin Hood), King John’s body was interned in Worcester Cathedral in 1216 at his own request. The very first skirmishes of the English Civil War took place in Powick and the final action that became the infamous “Battle of Worcester” in 1651 took place a stone’s throw away. English history was rewritten in the blood of the victories gained by Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarian “New Model Army”. The earlier capture and execution of Charles and the subsequent defeat of the Royalist uprising led by his son Charles. The events that have unfolded in the fields and villages nearby were to reshape the authority of all future monarchs and they were to change the political landscape of England forever.

The village of Pirton can be clearly identified on “Pierce’s map of 1623”. The hand drawn map highlights St Peters Church along with other remaining village landmarks. Just north of the “great fishpond” now known as Pirton Pool, a windmill can be clearly seen on the map. Recordings of the windmill date back to 1315 when “held with the manor of Pirton Power”, its income stated, “it was worth 6s. yearly”. 

On closer inspection the existing lane leading up “Lime kiln Hill” remains in use today a larger footprint of the estate can be clearly identified.  Entry to the estate was over the water-filled moat. A quadrangle courtyard consisting of stables, coach houses and small dwellings can be seen between the Court and the small pond. The remaining ridges around the circumference of the current North Garden likely indicate where those buildings once existed, and the map also shows the earlier East Wing of the court. Inside the Great Hall today two bricked up doorways leading to the wing are still evident and the scars of the removed wing are clearly visible externally.

Pirton Court's next most significant alteration was made for the arrival of the 9th Earl' eldest son & heir to the vast Coventry estate. It had been decided that Viscount Deerhurst and his American society wife Viscountess Lady Virginia Lee Coventry (nee Bonynge), who had become prominent attendees in royal and London society events should prepare themselves and take up residence near to Croome Court.. 

In 1910 a new East Wing was completed & the Deerhurst’s moved into Pirton Court with their staff, their 4 children and Lady Virginia's parents.

During the 1920’s & 30’s the house and grounds played host to the touring Australian cricket teams, and it is recorded that the legendary Sir Donald Bradman played cricket on the West Lawn.

When Viscount Deerhust died before his own father (the 9th Earl) in 1927, their eldest son became heir to the Coventry estate. He inherited his role 3-years later when his 92-year-old grandfather died at Croome. Sadly, the young Earl’s tenure was cut short. He was only 40-years old when he was killed in action in 1940 during the 2nd world war. The dowager Lady Deerhurst died at Pirton Court in 1948 and her daughter Lady Peggy Hoare remained at Pirton until she passed away in 1955. The family are all buried at Croome church. 

By the 20thcentury many aristocratic families had fallen on difficult times and sadly many great houses either fallen into disrepair or worse still were simply demolished. The Croome Estate Trust had been formed many years earlier to maintain the estate. High maintenance and repair bills of Pirton Court sadly led trust to replace the ornamental Tudor façade in 1962. The Court was leased out before before being sold by the trust in 1983. It had belonged within the Coventry family and the Croome Estate Trust for a staggering 320 years.