Reasons for Designation
Pele towers are a type of defensible house particularly characteristic of the
borderlands of England and Scotland. Many lie adjacent to river valleys and on
ground between 200m-350m OD and tend to cluster in groups, reflecting
defensive considerations and the distribution of farmsteads. They are
characterised by their thick drystone walls, external staircases, and the
presence of a barmkin (ie a stout wooden palisade or stone wall) enclosing a
yard which could be used as a place of refuge by people and livestock from
nearby farms and villages. They were being constructed and used from the mid-
14th century until around 1600. Characteristically pele towers are
oblong in plan with external dimensions of about 14m by 7m, and are between
two to four storeys in height and gable ended. Walls are generally thick and
consist of large irregular stone blocks or rubble. Thatch and heather was a
common roof covering. Where a below-ground basement exists it tends to be
vaulted with a small access at the centre of the vault. The ground floor often
contained a doorway and slit windows and was generally used as a store or
stable. The first floor is generally served by a single entrance and was
reached by an external stair. There was usually a fireplace and windows tend
to be small or slits. Internally pele towers contained a single room on each
floor. The need for such secure buildings relates to the unsettled and warlike
conditions which prevailed in the Borders throughout much of the medieval
period. Around 100 pele towers are recorded to have existed between 1500 and
1625, however, this may be a small fraction of the original number
constructed. Some became incorporated into later houses, while at others their
defensive function was enhanced and improved as they were incorporated into
later castles.
Details
The monument includes the sandstone ruins of the 15th century Penrith castle
together with a 14th century pele tower built by Bishop Strickland. It is
located on a low natural eminence to the west of the town centre. The earliest
feature of the site is the square pele tower, known as Strickland's or
Bishop's Tower. This has external dimensions of 10m by 8.8m with walls 2.3m
thick and over 1m high. There is a slit window in its north western side and a
doorway in its south western side giving access into a substantial yard
measuring approximately 36m square internally which is enclosed by a high
barmkin or curtain wall. This wall still stands virtually to its full height
on the south east and much of the south west sides but is considerably reduced
in height elsewhere. The yard would have contained timber buildings associated
with the pele tower. There are two entrances through the curtain; one adjacent
to the pele tower, the other through the north western side. The buildings of
the later castle were constructed within this yard and against the curtain
wall, thereby creating an inner courtyard, and survive as low stone walls.
These internal buildings included a great chamber on the north eastern side; a
chapel, private chamber and great hall on the south eastern side; kitchens on
the south western side; and the White Tower at the western corner. There is a
well adjacent to the southern corner of the courtyard. The castle was later
extended beyond the north west wall of the barmkin and there are foundations
of a garderobe turret, guard chambers flanking a more elaborate entrance, and
remains of the Red Tower at the northern corner. Surrounding the castle on all
sides except the north west where it has been lost, is a dry moat up to 15m
wide and 6m deep. The upcast from the moat forms an adjacent outer bank
measuring a maximum of 9m wide by 2m high on the north east and south east
sides. There are foundations of a bridge abutment and later gatetower giving
access across the moat's north eastern arm.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
23649
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
