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 ruins of a 14th century medieval tower house
situated in the garden of Hethpool House, on a tongue of land in the
confluence of the Elsdon and College Burns. The ruin, which is Listed Grade
II, consists of three walls of a square building measuring 7m square. It
stands to a height of two storeys, with the south west and south east walls
measuring 1.6m thick. The north east wall is only 0.6m thick. The south east
wall has an internal set back at first floor level, and a central recess or
window above. The building seems to be unusually small for a permanent
dwelling, but a reference dating to 1541 referred to it as a `lytle stone
house or pyle' at Hethpool `whiche ys a greate releyffe to the tennants'. This
implies that it was used as an occasional refuge.
Fallen masonry on the northern side of the tower is included in the
scheduling.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
31704
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals
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
