NEWS : Taking the Wraps Off a Domesday Treasure

Walton Homes has announced the official completion and release for sale or to let of The Granary, a 2,300 sq ft commercial self contained office building which is part of its mixed use Hemlingford Mill redevelopment at Kingsbury.

Yet 1,000 years ago the land, the mill and granary was the property of a lady whose notoriety has created one of history’s most enduring stories.  She was Countess Godiva, an 11th Century aristocrat and, if legend is to be believed, she is perhaps the most inventive of all Anglo Saxon tax protesters.

First chronicled by Roger of Wendover in 1167, Godiva, real name Godfyfu, meaning ‘God’s Gift’ rode naked through Coventry (then, no more than a modest village) in order to free its people from the overbearing burdens of the hated Heregeld tax.  The tax was collected by her influential husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, one of the most powerful men in Anglo Saxon England and levied by King Cnut to service the costs of his bodyguard.

It has to be said however, that Roger of Wendover’s ‘Flowers of History’ appear to be more akin to a modern day Heat magazine rather than to a scholarly piece of accurate research.

Roger stated that Godiva pleaded with and rode to get the despotic Leofric to lift the tax burden.  However, factual history demonstrates that Godiva was the largest female landowner in 11th Century England, her estate at the time of her death valued at £160.  She was already landlord of Coventry and estates throughout Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Shropshire and Nottinghamshire.  She therefore would have enjoyed the freedom to determine local taxation, ironically with the possible exception of the levy of the Heregeld which was a royal demand.

History too is kinder to Leofric.  The Anglo Saxon Chronicle describing him as ‘very wise in all matters, both religious and secular, that benefited all this nation’.

Yet ironically, without the legend it is unlikely that Godiva would have been recognised by history at all.

The mill at Kingsbury is listed in the Domesday Book in 1086, as part of the Coleshill Hundred: ‘There is a mill of 9s 3d rent and 12 acres of meadow, a wood 1 mile in length and 1 mile in breadth.’

Most probably the mill would have been managed by a steward.  Mills were highly valuable with only lords of the manor having the wealth to be able to build and maintain them. 

After the Norman Conquest and Godiva’s death prior to the Domesday Book, her lands became forfeit to the King and therefore the mill passed into the hands of Turchill de Arden and subsequently, as was the custom of the time, endowed into monastic hands.

For two centuries the land was part of the Bracebridge family estates.  In the 19th Century Kingsbury was within the estate of Robert Peel.  The mill was in working operation until approximately 1973 before becoming a garden centre and then temporarily was owned by Ansells Brewery who applied for it to become a restaurant but finally decided against development.

In 2006 the Mill and Granary was purchased by Walton Homes, who then began their painstaking redevelopment of The Granary for commercial use and of the Mill building for residential use.

Sarah Summerton, Director of Walton Homes said: ‘We purchased the site at auction against surprisingly little interest given its heritage.  For the buildings and their past usage to be forgotten and lost forever would have been a real shame.  Where possible we preserved the original brickwork and both buildings retain their original footprints, breathing new life into the land and kick starting it on its journey for the next 1000 years.  The mill is ideal for residential, whereas the Granary lends itself very well to office space.  As a whole the development is a very effective blend offering a tranquil setting in which to live or work, each complimentary.’

Commercial Surveyor, Andrew Burley, Director of letting agents Burley Browne, said ‘The Granary is flexible, self contained, fully refurbished and re-fitted comprising 2,300 sq ft of internal space across three storeys.  It has B1 (office/storage) consent, is new to the market and ready for immediate viewing and occupation.

I can easily envisage a wide range of suitable businesses; creative industries; architects; consultants – anyone with an appreciation for heritage, probably having customers and interests in and Coleshill, Lichfield, Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham.’

The Granary is just two miles north east of Junction 9 of the M42/Junction T1, M6 Toll and close to the local amenities within Kingsbury.  Consequently, it affords easy access to Birmingham International rail and airport and the NEC.

The specification includes skirting with perimeter trunking, CAT II lighting, double glazing and gas central heating.  It has new ‘C’ rated Energy Performance Certificate which confirms its adherence to modern insulation standards and there is parking for up to 10 cars.

The Granary also overlooks Kingsbury Water Park, a popular destination with over 600 acres of parkland containing 15 lakes.
‘With rental of £32,000 per annum or the freehold priced at £425,000 this is a very good opportunity to acquire a unique property offering far more than a conventional out of town office’, added Burley.

Further information is available via commercial agents, Burley Browne, by calling Andrew Burley on 0121 321 3441.