Bastle House

Summary

Doddington Bastle, 230m north west of Corrie House.

Reasons for Designation

Fortified houses were residences belonging to some of the richest and most powerful members of society. Their design reflects a combination of domestic and military elements. In some instances, the fortifications may be cosmetic additions to an otherwise conventional high status dwelling, giving a military aspect while remaining practically indefensible. They are associated with individuals or families of high status and their ostentatious architecture often reflects a high level of expenditure. The nature of the fortification varies, but can include moats, curtain walls, a gatehouse and other towers, gunports and crenellated parapets. Their buildings normally included a hall used as communal space for domestic and administrative purposes, kitchens, service and storage areas. In later houses the owners had separate private living apartments, these often receiving particular architectural emphasis. In common with castles, some fortified houses had outer courts beyond the main defences in which stables, brew houses, granaries and barns were located. Fortified houses were constructed in the medieval period, primarily between the 15th and 16th centuries, although evidence from earlier periods, such as the increase in the number of licences to crenellate in the reigns of Edward I and Edward II, indicates that the origins of the class can be traced further back. They are found primarily in several areas of lowland England: in upland areas they are outnumbered by structures such as bastles and tower houses which fulfilled many of the same functions. As a rare monument type, with fewer than 200 identified examples, all examples exhibiting significant surviving archaeological remains are considered of national importance.

Substantial portions of Doddington Bastle north west of Corrie House are preserved. The structure and the ground beneath it will contain archaeological deposits relating to its construction, use and abandonment which will provide insight into the nature of fortification and settlement in the borderlands in the early post-medieval period.

History

See Details.

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 12 May 2016. This record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes the remains of a bastle of 16th century date, situated in the centre of Doddington west of the B6525. The structure of the monument measures approximately 17.4m x 7.6m in plan and stands to a height of over 9m to roof height. It is built from large sandstone blocks arranged in rough courses with ashlar quoins. The main structure was formed by a three storey block with a projecting three storey gabled tower. The north wall is largely complete and the west wall and the stair turret on the south side partially survive. The north wall has been strengthened by a later addition of large buttresses. At the west end of the building there is a large segmental arch fireplace at basement level with a square headed fireplace at first floor level.

The tower was constructed in 1584 for Lord Grey of Chillingham. There was formerly a datestone, which has been removed to Ewart Park. The structure is large for a bastle and it is better termed a large fortified building and would have been of higher status than a bastle house. Doddington Bastle is a listed building Grade II*.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

ND 68

Legacy System:

RSM - OCN

Sources

Other
PastScape Monument No:- 3770

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