More information : NY 768 904 Comb-pele (Tower or house) (1)
The Combe, a farm which incorporates a pele. (2)
The only remains of the pele (probably a 'strong-house' or bastle
rather than a tower) are incorporated in the internal fabric of the
farmhouse. See photograph. (3)
The Combe was visited by RCHME in August 1997 during the RCHME's Kielder SAMs Survey in order to compare a number of similar sites in the Tarset valley which were outside the scope of the Kielder Survey. No measured survey work was undertaken.
The interior of the Combe farmhouse could not be inspected but in a pasture field to its south-east the remains of a rectangular building were noted. At NY 7677 9041 are the earthworks of a building measuring 4.6m by 5.1m internally, within banks 2.2m wide overall and 0.4m high internally. On the north-western side of this structure is a less well-defined room measuring 3.7m square internally; although it is likely to be part of the same building, the earthwork evidence does not preclude the possibility of separate structures.
The earthworks are situated on the crest of a natural slope but are overlooked by high ground in the east. Their date is uncertain but
their appearance and proximity to the alleged bastle suggest that
they are of medieval date or later.
Documentary evidence confirms 16th century occupation of the site. In the Order of the Day Watch for North Tynedale in 1552 `the
inhabitants of ... the Cayme' were ordered to `watch at the Earle
-seate with two men of the watch' (4a).
In August 1583 `the Keyme' was one of several places raided by the Scottish Armstrongs (4b). (4)
Listed by Dodds. (5) |