Elsdon Tower
Elsdon Tower is a Grade I listed medieval tower house converted for use as a Rectory situated at Elsdon, Northumberland.[1] Originally part of the estate of Elsdon Castle, it later become a rectory and is now a private residence. The original construction dates from the 15th century and has been modified several times.
| Elsdon Tower | |
|---|---|
 Elsdon Tower | |
  Elsdon Tower Location within Northumberland | |
| OS grid reference | NY93609339 |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Northumberland |
| Ambulance | North East |
History
The property was first recorded as Vicars Pele, a pele tower in the occupation of the Rector of Elsdon in 1415.[1] There is nearby a medieval motte and bailey castle, which was built by Robert de Umfraville and is known as Elsdon Castle.[2]
The tower originally contained four storeys, was reduced in the 17th century to only three with a steeply sloping roof above a castellated parapet.[3] It is 13.15 by 9.4 metres (43.1 ft × 30.8 ft), with the longer side running from west-north-west to east-south-east. The walls are about 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in) thick. It has a timber roof.[4][5] The parapets display the crest of the Umfraville family, who lived in the area but abandoned Eldon Castle for Harbottle Castle.[6]
Subsequent buildings have been adjoined on the north and west of the tower.[4] Between 1820–1826, Archdeacon Singleton built an entrance porch and a two-storey, two-bayed house extension.[1][3][5]
The tower was Grade I listed in 1953.[1] It was in use as the Rectory until 1960.[3] It was fully renovated and restored between 1995 and 1998, which included a significant amount of archaeological research during the works.[4] The only remaining features of the original 15th century construction are a garderobe and fireplace on the original first floor.[5] The tower is closed to the public but access is available to view it from nearby.[7]
References
- Historic England. "Elsdon Tower (1371439)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
- Historic England. "Details from listed building database (1007524)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- "Structures of the North East". Newcastle University. Archived from the original on 13 June 2011.
- "Elsdon Tower". The Gatehouse Records. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
- Emery, Anthony (1996). Greater Medieval Houses of England and Wales, 1300-1500: Volume 1, Northern England. Cambridge University Press. p. 90. ISBN 978-0-521-49723-7.
- Pettifer, Adrian (2002). English Castles: A Guide by Counties. Boydell & Brewer. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-851-15782-5.
- Dillon, Paddy (2011). The Reivers Way. Cicerone Press Limited. p. 103. ISBN 978-1-849-65457-9.
External links
- GENUKI (Accessed: 27 November 2008)