| Summary : Church. Late 12th century with restorations of 1784, 1872 and 1888. Nave/chancel of 5 bays with west open bellcote, south porch and north vestry. Timbered 19th century porch; entrance with reused Norman arch of 2 orders, engaged columns with waterleaf capitals. Pointed lancet windows of 1888, small original trefoil-head window is suggested lepers' squint. 12th century 3-light east window; 2-light west window is 19th century. Interior has 15th century king-post open timber roof. Piscina dated MDCCCLXXII and possible aumbry recess. East end has late 12th century arcade continued on north wall but stops short of south wall; 19th century stained glass. West wall: 2 medieval grave slabs. Late 19th century furnishings and fittings. Built on the earthwork remains of a Medieval motte. It was the castle of the Le Brun or de la Ferte family, who were lords of Beaumont in 1296. They left Beaumont for Drumburgh in 1307 after which the motte was probably abandoned. Scheduled. |
More information : (NY 3480 5929) Ch. Milecastle 71 (GS) (site of) (1)
(Milecastle 71 - NY 35 NW 13)
(NY 3480 5929) Turret 70A (GSI) (2)
St Mary's Church at Beaumont is of Norman origin, and has Roman materials in its walls. It was renovated in 1784 and later. (3)
The church has apparently been built on a mound of partly artificial formation, perhaps a milecastle, but more likely to be a Saxon or Danish camp. The outline of this earthwork could be faintly traced. On the NW of the building where the schoolhouse once stood, the ditch may also be faintly seen. It is also discernible in the settling foundation of some of the buildings. The area to the NE of the church was at one time known as Castle Green. (4)
The church stands upon a mound, which McLauchlan rightly recognised as a Motte. It was the castle of the Le Brun or de la Ferte family (5) who were lords of Beaumont in 1296. They left Beaumont for Drumburgh in 1307, soon after which the motte was probably abandoned (8). In 1380 Beaumont was sold to Burgh (5). Collingwood and Hope (9) who noted a quantity of stones in the graveyard, mentioned by Bruce (6) were of the opinion that this was the site of a Roman Milecastle and a Norman Motte (milecastle 71 was located at NY 3379 5920 (NY 35 NW 13) in 1960). (4-9)
No trace of the turret. The motte is in poor condition.
Surveyed at 1:2500 (qv Hadrians Wall Antiquity Model). (10)
Church of St Mary, Grade II* Church. Late 12th century with restorations of 1784, 1872 and 1888. Squared and coursed red and calciferous sandstone (from the nearby Roman Wall) on chamfered plinth. Graduated greenslate roof with coped gables and cross finial. Nave/chancel of 5 bays with west open bellcote, south porch and north vestry. Timbered 19th century porch; entrance with reused Norman arch of 2 orders, engaged columns with waterleaf capitals. Pointed lancet windows of 1888, small original trefoil-head window is suggested lepers' squint. 12th century 3-light east window; 2-light west window is 19th century. Interior has 15th century king-post open timber roof. Piscina dated MDCCCLXXII and possible aumbry recess. East end has late 12th century arcade continued on north wall but stops short of south wall; 19th century stained glass. West wall: 2 medieval grave slabs. Late 19th century furnishings and fittings. Built on the site of a turret on the Roman Wall.
II
Churchyard Wall. Dated 1897 on gates. Mixed red sandstone rubble and cobbles, chamfered red sandstone coping. Wall enclosing south and east sides of churchyard. 2 entrances, squared gate posts with shaped caps; wrought-iron overthrows with converted gas lamps, lamp missing from east entrance. Recess to left of east entrance is round-headed arch from original church window. (11)
Scheduled Monument Entry.(12)
Listed by Cathcart King. (13)
(Turret 70A is recorded separately as NY 35 NW 123)
Listed. (14) |