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The Cow Tower is a medieval artillery blockhouse located in Norwich, Norfolk, dating to the late fourteenth century, likely constructed during the 1380s as a defensive structure. Built of flint with stone dressings, this cylindrical tower stands on the banks of the River Wensum and represents an early example of English military architecture designed to accommodate cannon. The tower's robust circular form and gunports reflect the transitional period between medieval castellation and early modern fortification, when English defensive structures were being adapted to counter the threat of artillery. As one of the earliest purpose-built gun towers in England, the Cow Tower demonstrates the rapid evolution of military engineering in response to changes in siege warfare technology during the late medieval period.
Blockhouse known as the Cow Tower is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1014780. View the official record →
The Cow Tower is a medieval artillery blockhouse located in Norwich, Norfolk, dating to the late fourteenth century, likely constructed during the 1380s as a defensive structure. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1014780.
Blockhouse known as the Cow Tower is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1014780.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including 'Woodhenge', Arminghall (3.2 km), Late Neolithic or Bronze Age Henge type monument and D shaped enclosure 300m west of Twins Farm (3.9 km), Moated site at the Manor House, Arminghall (4.5 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in Britain — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Blockhouse known as the Cow Tower