Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Thirlwall Castle
Hob Uid: 13910
Location : Northumberland Thirlwall
Grid Ref : NY6594066150
Summary : A mid-14th century tower keep surviving as a ruined building, largely built of stone robbed from Hadrian's Wall. Rectangular plan with slightly-projecting north-east tower. 2.5 to 3m thick walls standing to 2 and 3 storeys on north and west; east wall of similar height has partly collapsed at south; south wall has almost entirely collapsed. Fragments of chamfered plinth. North-east tower and corners have huge squared quoins. Scattered loops in flush surrounds with squared alternating jambs. No remains of vaulting. In dangerous condition at time of survey. Scheduled.
More information : [NY 65946615] Thirlwall Castle [G.T.] (Rems. of) (1) The ruin of a tower of supposed date c. 1306 and 1369, and there is little to confirm or contradict this. It is built largely of material taken from the Roman Wall. Scheduled. (2-3) The Castle comprises the shell of a hall and tower (see L.S. sketch) in fair condition, neither of which has any dateable features. There are no associated earthworks. See G.Ps AO 56/299/1-6 for general aspects. (4) Thirlwall Castle, Grade I. Ancient Monument. Picturesque ruin on a mound. Thick stone walls up to about 30 ft. on N. Side. 14th century. (5) Thirlwall Castle. Grade I. Castle ruins. Probably mid C14. Masonry largely re-used from nearby Hadrian's Wall; dressed stone facing to rubble core. Rectangular plan with slightly-projecting north-east tower. 2.5 to 3m thick walls standing to 2 and 3 storeys on north and west; east wall of similar height has partly collapsed at south; south wall has almost entirely collapsed. Fragments of chamfered plinth. North-east tower and corners have huge squared quoins. Scattered loops in flush surrounds with squared alternating jambs. No remains of vaulting. In dangerous condition at time of survey. (6) NY 660 662. Thirlwall Castle. Scheduled No ND/79. (7) Listed by Cathcart King. (8) Thirlwall was the centre of a barony created by King Malcolm IV between 1153 and 1165. The elected baron, who took the syrname Thirlwaal, lived in a manor house built in timber, later rebuilt in stone. The `castle', really a tower, is first documented in 1360. Designed as a strong point with few concessins to comfort, it is unlikely that it was Thitlwall's main residence, the manor house probably remaining the main residence.Hutchinson said that "Thirlwall Castle was the stronghold rather than the seat of the Thirlwalls". The tower was never attacked by either Scots or English, and in the Civil War was commandeered by Scottish troops aiding the Parliamentarians. They damaged the fabric so much that it was not considered worth repairing. Renovation was unsuccessfully attempted in 1759, but in 1831 the east wall collapsed. (9)

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Source details : 6" (Prov) 1949
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Source Number : 3
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Source details : Ancient Monuments England and Wales 1965 (M.O.W)
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Source Number : 4
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Source details : F1 RWE 25-MAY-66
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Source Number : 5
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Source details : MHLG (Prov List) Haltwhistle RD, Northum: April 1967
Page(s) : 9
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Source Number : 6
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Source details : District of Tynedale, Northumberland: 27.7.87
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Source Number : 7
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Source details : English Heritage SAM List Northumbs March 1994
Page(s) : 44
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Source Number : 8
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Vol(s) : Feb-83

Source Number : 9
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Page(s) : 370-2
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : Mid C14
Monument End Date : 1366
Monument Start Date : 1333
Monument Type : Great Hall, Tower Keep
Evidence : Ruined Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Ruined in Civil War 1642-5
Monument End Date : 1645
Monument Start Date : 1642
Monument Type : Tower Keep, Great Hall
Evidence : Ruined Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : ND 79
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Listed Building List Entry Legacy Uid
External Cross Reference Number : 240842
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : NY 66 NE 29
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments :
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1966-05-25
End Date : 1966-05-25

Associated Activities :
Activity type : WATCHING BRIEF
Start Date : 1977-01-01
End Date : 1977-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1993-01-01
End Date : 1993-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 2000-01-01
End Date : 2001-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Thirlwall Castle