Elsdon Tower
Encyclopedia
Elsdon Tower is a medieval tower house
converted for use as a Rectory
situated at Elsdon
, Northumberland
. It is a Grade I listed building.
The property was first recorded as a Vicars Pele, a pele tower in the occupation of the Rector of Elsdon in 1415.
The tower, originally of four storeys, was reduced in the 17th century to only three with a steeply sloping roof above a castellated parapet
In the early 19th century Archdeacon Singleton built an entrance porch and a two storey, two bayed house extension.
The house was in use as the Rectory until 1960. It was fully renovated and restored in the 1990s.
There is nearby a medieval Motte and Bailey
castle, which was built by Robert de Umfraville
and is known as Elsdon Castle
.
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
converted for use as a Rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
situated at Elsdon
Elsdon, Northumberland
Elsdon is a village and civil parish in the English county of Northumberland about to the southwest of Rothbury. The name is derived from the Old English meaning Elli's valley....
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. It is a Grade I listed building.
The property was first recorded as a Vicars Pele, a pele tower in the occupation of the Rector of Elsdon in 1415.
The tower, originally of four storeys, was reduced in the 17th century to only three with a steeply sloping roof above a castellated parapet
In the early 19th century Archdeacon Singleton built an entrance porch and a two storey, two bayed house extension.
The house was in use as the Rectory until 1960. It was fully renovated and restored in the 1990s.
There is nearby a medieval Motte and Bailey
Motte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
castle, which was built by Robert de Umfraville
Umfraville
Umfraville, the name of an English baronial family, derived from Amfreville in Normandy. Members of this family obtained lands in Northumberland, including Redesdale and Prudhoe, from the Norman kings, and a later member, Gilbert de Umfraville , married Matilda, daughter of Malcolm, earl of Angus,...
and is known as Elsdon Castle
Elsdon Castle
Elsdon Castle is a castle in the village of Elsdon about to the southwest of Rothbury, in Northumberland, England, and also known as Mote Hills. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument....
.
External links
- GENUKI (Accessed: 27 November 2008)