Reasons for Designation
Tower houses are a type of defensible house particularly characteristic of the
borderlands of England and Scotland. Virtually every parish had at least one
of these buildings. At many sites the tower comprised only one element of a
larger house, with at least one wing being attached to it. These wings
provided further domestic accommodation, frequently including a large hall.
If it was incorporated within a larger domestic residence, the tower itself
could retain its defensible qualities and could be shut off from the rest of
the house in times of trouble. Tower houses were being constructed and used
from at least the 13th century to the end of the 16th century. They provided
prestigious defended houses permanently occupied by the wealthier or
aristocratic members of society. As such they were important centres of
medieval life. The need for such secure buildings relates to the unsettled
and frequently war-like conditions which prevailed in the Borders throughout
much of the medieval period. Around 200 examples of tower houses have been
identified of which over half were elements of larger houses. All surviving
tower houses retaining significant medieval remains will normally be
identified as nationally important.
Details
The monument includes the remains of a tower house of 15th century date. It is
located within a farm complex, but was originally on the street line at the
eastern end of the medieval village of Welton. The medieval village, field
system and fishponds are the subject of a separate scheduling. The tower was
created in the late 14th or early 15th century by the conversion of the west
wing of an earlier, but still occupied, manor house. Both the tower house and
the adjacent manor house are Listed Grade II*.
The stonework of the original, steeply pitched western gable of the former
wing, from which it was converted, is visible in the west wall of the tower.
The tower, which is square in shape and measures 7m externally, stands three
storeys high and is roofless. It has a vaulted basement which was clearly a
later addition. The basement was lit by two small square windows through the
south wall, the most westerly one of which has been altered to provide a
doorway. A small, now blocked, opening through the east wall has been obscured
by the insertion of the later tunnel vaulted roof. The first floor contains a
low doorway through its northern wall with a projecting stone spout
immediately to the west and a small ornate window through the eastern wall.
Both the north and east wall of the second floor of the tower contain a square
headed window. Part of the parapet which surmounted the tower is visible at
its south western corner.
The metalled farm yard area immediately to the north of the north wall of the
tower is excluded from the scheduling, although the ground beneath this
feature is included.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32723
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
